Evening star., 1951-07-22
v Alexander J. Wedderburn
Curator OF Photography
The Smithsonian institution

BY Alexander J. Wedderburn
Curator Of Photography
The Smithsonian Institution
tripod, exposure meter, and yel-
low filter and you will have all
you need except plenty Of fast
Ipanchromatic film. I mention the
tripod only because it will come
lin handy for the night shots,
which we will discuss later. Tor
this kind of work you will have
to hand hold your shots and a
tripod would only be In the way.
The yellow filter Is suggested for
use in those pictures where the sky
lis selected for a background. This
may happen more often than you
might think for many Of the rides
are outlined against the sky. The
yellow filter will darken the sky
and bring out clouds.
At a carnival or circus you will
have two categories of people to
Iphotograph-the performers or
entertainers and the onlookers.
Both groups make colorful and in
Iteresting subjects. You may or
may not be allowed to make pic
lures Of the show people; this will
depend upon the policy of the
group. However. the promise of a
few pictures is usually enough to
gain you admittance for picture
taking If you don't become a nui-
sance by flashing of bulbs in the
faces of the performers during an
act.
Background Identifies Shots.
AS a matter of fact these car
nival folk will often go out Of their
way to pose for a sincere worker
who is not there obviously to make
fun Of them. For this type of
shot use the tents, posters, crowds
and other natural identifying ma
terial for the background. Car
nival barkers are natural subjects
for your camera. They are ex-
Iperts in the art Of suggestive facial
expression and masters Of per-
suasion as you will see If you OBJ
serve the countenances of those
in crowd standing with mouths
agape listening to the barker's
pitch"
When you arrive take a good
look around and you will note at
once the many places where you
can shoot your pictures. Keep
your eyes on the children in par
ticular. Lurk near the candy
butcher and the ice cream stand
and snap the urchins while they
stand watching with hungry eyes.
Make number of group pictures
but concentrate in individual
amusing shots where one or two
people are involved.
Your best station for action
shots will be around the featured
rides such as the ferris wheel,
whip. roller coaster and similar
spots. Make one or two pictures
from q distance showing the en-
tire ride In action and then move
In with your camera for closeup
scenes Of the merrymakers.
Focus on the spot where the most
action takes place and fire away
when the time arrives.
Have Shutter and Flash Ready.
When wandering around
through a crowd looking for can
did shots there will be many occa-
sions when you won't have time
to focus and otherwise prepare
your camera for a shot. So be on
the safe side and have your cam
era focused for 20 feet with the
shutter cooked and flash-gun
ready. Then, no matter what hap
pens you are always ready.
For more leisurely pictures, try
your hand at making night shots
with the camera on the tripod for
a time exposure. The carnival
area will be well lighted and the
mechanical rides are usually out
lined with electric bulbs. Set your
lens diaphragm opening at f:2.2
and make several exposures vary
in from Is to Is seconds in length.
Where the lights are in motion on
the mechanical rides you will re-
cord spectacular patterns of NOV
ing light. = Try the same with
color film.
At county fair the tempo Of
activities will move along at some
what slower pace but the pictures
will be there just the same.
Among the feature attractions at
the fair will be contests. You will
see champion animals and their
owners and the ladies will be
there in full force with their best
dishes ready for sampling by the
judges.
A Source Of Revenue, Too.
Aside from the fun Of taking
pictures Of these activities, you
can make yourself an interesting