Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-11
Camera Angles
Camera Angles
Projectors:
Factors in
Selection
By Alexander j. Wedderburn
CUFafor OF Photography
Smithsonian Institution


The proper screening of
slides is just as important as
making them correctly in the
first place. You can destroy the
entire effect of an excellent
set of slides by sloppy projec-
ton methods. Today we will
run through the ABC's of slide
projection.
Your protector should be
large enough to accommodate
the largest slide you contem-
plate using. A 3Hx4 machine
will handle both slides of that
size and the 2x2'S as well. But
there is little point in purchas-
ing the larger machine If you
plan to stick with the smaller
slides throughout.
When selecting your pro-
jector give some thought to
it's type of lens and whether
it will meet your particular
needs. For example. if tine
room you will use for screen
ing is small, with not too much
room for backing up with the
machine, a fairly wide angle
lens will be needed to pro-
duce an image of suitable
size. In a situation like this
it is probable that a 300-watt
projection lamp will suffice.
Long Room, More Wottoge
On the other hand a long,
narrow room will call for a
lens of greater focal length
and this, of course. also means
a lamp of greater wattage.
With the high power lamps
the protector must have a
blower cooling system for
safety's sake.
Before spending a lot OF
money for an expensive slide
protector, review your actual
needs. Most people will dis
cover that an inexpensive
machine will be ample for
showing slides to family and
friends. Typical is the pro-
jector that has a simple car
rier that feeds from either
end. While one slide is being
screened the next slide is in
serted in a holder at the OPP
posite end of the carrier.
When a change is desired the
new slide is showed into posi-
ton and the other is ready for
removal and replacement.
Other projectors can be fed
from magazines that hold a
large number of slides and
these are handy to have
around when you will be
showing numerous related
slides. The magazines can be
loaded in advance Of the
screening and help you pro-
duce a smoothly running
show. Those who intend to
use slides in conjunction with
lectures or shows before large
audiences would do well to
have a look at some of the
automatic and seni-a u o.
matte machines that will even
automatically dissolve from
one slide to another.
Good Screen Worth While
A fine protector should be
supplemented by a top quality
screen. It is false economy to
equip yourself with a good
projecting machine only to
ruin the effect by showing
your slides on the wall or bed
sheet. A matte screen will
give only fair results as light
from other sources than the
protector will be visible on it.
A beaded screen is best. In
the case of a beaded screen
all light striking it is reflected
back toward it's source. Con-
sequently it produces a clear
and brilliant image.
In making your audience
arrangement always place the
chairs so every one will be
seated well in front of the pro-
jector. Otherwise attention
will be diverted from the
screen to your handling Of the
protector. The chairs should
be staggered in arrangement
so every one will have an un-
obstructed view of the screen.
The protector should be placed
directly opposite the center Of
the screen so that the pro-
jected image will be at a direct
right angle to the screen.
When planning a slide show
go over your slides with a view