Evening star., 1953-12-20
Camera Angles

Again we reacn CnaC one
week in the year when the
spirit of Christmas takes pre-
cedence over the fearful impli-
cations of the atomic age.
How better can one hope to
keep alive the happier mem
cries than with pictures? So
take your camera along this
week and use it well and fire.
quently. AS people are caught
up in the holiday spirit at
home, in church or at the
downtown department stores
you will be able to catch rare
and unusual expressions from
even those who don't know
what it is to smile during the
rest of the year. During the
next week the age-old Christ
mas story will unfold once
more. You can help keep 1t
alive with your camera.
A good Christmas docu-
mentary with either still or
motion picture should tell the
overall story of the season. It
can be punctuated with pic
torial evidence of your own
experiences and those Of your
family. You can get off to a
good start as you do your own
Christmas shopping.
Long Shots Of the Busy Crowds
The general feeling of good
will can be captured on film
by taking a few long shots OF
the busy crowds in the down.
town area. This is best done
from a high angle that will
encompass a large number OF
people. You might shoot the
pictures from second or third
floor window of an office build
ing or department store.
A busy intersection in the F
street vicinity from high
angle would be a good place to
get started. From above, your
lens will take in the crowds at
the crosswalkS as well as those
of the many who are making
their way into the beckoning
stores. If possible use shutter
speed of at least 1/100th OF a
second or faster to make sure
of stopping all action.
Now come down from your
perch. to the streets below for
some more intimate views OF
the participants in this holi-
day occasion. Best shots of all
are usually taken at the store
windows that have the ami
mated displays. These are the
favorites of children and
groWn-ups alike and you will
find unlimited opportunities to
catch people in those Off
guard moments when express
sions are spontaneous and
free of the usual burdens OF
worry and care.
Last year we saw a series OF
pictures made by a camera fan
who persuaded a store man
ager to let him shoot from a
hidden position at the rear Of
E3one of these window shows
and they were Photographic
gems. The lens had caught the
full gamut of happy express
sions as children and adults
alike stood in the street gazing
at the animated displays be-
hind the glass. If you can't ar
range for such an ideal spot,
you can find a display at a
store corner and shoot
through both glasses to get the
pictures you want.
Flash for Inside the Stores
A flash attachment will help
you make more good holiday
scenes inside the stores. From
the height of an escalator you
can shoot a general scene of
the crowded interior of a store.
Then go ahead and make indi-
vidual shots of the package
laden shoppers as they move
about the aisles.
But be sure to save plenty Of
film and flash bulbs for a must
visit to toyland and the ami
able old gentleman in whiskerS
Santa Claus. Here you will
find children from to IS hav-
ing the time of their lives play
ing with the toys. No matter
the age-all will be having a
grand and hilarious time and
you will have a world of fun
taking pictures of the merri-
ment.
Santa Claus and his waiting
line of hopefuls can provide
you with many an excellent
picture. Make shots of the kids
as they sit expectantly on the
old fellows lap. Keep your
camera at the ready and make
a record of the child's re-
actions that will vary from
pure delight to doubtful reti-
cence-it's all part of Christ
mas.
Whot's Going on at Home?
Now for your own side of the
story. At home there will be
plenty of holiday situations to
keep your camera working
overtime. Try to catch men,
bers of the family as they wrap
the gifts, address the Christmas
cards and otherwise prepare
for the Yule season.
On Christmas eve there is
much to do with your camera.
Make shots as the tree is being
d