Evening star., 1954-11-14
Camera Angles
Guard Unexposed Films
Looding Camera
BY Alexander J. Wedderburn
cvroor Of Photography, the Sithsonion institution

. Smithsonian institution
find a shady spot. If there is
none, make a spot Of shade
with your body where the film
can be safely handled in the
open.
Keep Back on Tight
Always make sure your cam
era is securely closed and
locked before advancing the
film after loading.
Even the slightest crack will
admit enough light to spoil
every frame that passes the
opening. Once you have started
q roll through the camera you
cannot open it again Except
in a darkroom) until the en-
tire roll has passed through.
For this reason alone you must
take every precaution to make
sure you load your camera
correctly, SO that a jam doesn't
develop after the film has been
advanced. Once the film has
started on its way through the
camera, you cannot open the
camera in light without fog
ging the entire roll.
Pin Holes in Bellows
Before leaving the subject of
light-fogged film. we should
point out two other possible
causes Of failure. Film will
fog or record "ghost images"
If you are using a bellows type
camera that has even tiny pin
holes" in the bellows. The
holes usually result from tiny
particles of dust or grit that
become imbedded in the fabric
and work their way through
it oyer a period Of time.
The best preventive is a
thorough dusting Of the bel
lows before and after each use.
If you have reason to suspect
this as the cause of light
spoiled films, check your cam
era in the darkroom by plac-
ing a small electric light in
the camera and observing the
outside for leaks.
Darkroom Dust Flaws
Now let's see how perfectly
good pictures can be ruined in
another way. A poorly man
aged darkroom can apply a
knockout punch to your best
negatives.
Ordinary dust and chemical
dust are the worst foes. The
former is tracked in and the
latter forms from chemical
solutions spattered from trays.
tanks. films or prints.
The tiny particles float in
the air and adhere to wet films
during processing and leave
spots that cause no end Of
trouble.
While it is virtually impos-
sible to keep all dust out Of the
darkroom, you can prevent
damage by keeping the place
spotlessly clean. A thorough
vacuuming from top to bottom
every week or so, plus an oc-
casional hot-water scrubdown,
will prevent dust damage to
your pictures.
Be Exoct With Chemicals
Inaccurately compounded
processing baths and failure
to follow recommended dark
room procedures account for
still other picture losses. We
cannot place too much stress
on the Importance Of exact
ness in every phase Of film
processing.
When making up a chemical
formula, follow instructions to
the letter. Even the slightest
deviation when measuring
chemicals can advance or de-
lay a reaction to the point
where Aims are ruined by the
solution.
Under no circumstances re-
ly on guesswork-when q for
mula calls for q 1-grain weight
make it exactly ] grain by your
scales. Don't make the mis-
take Of adding q pinch Of
chemical because you think it
is about the correct amount.
Timing and Temperatures
Timing and temperatures
should likewise be letter per-
feet when processing films. In
an accurately compounded
formula q film viii produce
the best image only If It re-
mains for exactly the number
Of minutes called for and II
the solution Is maintained at
precisely the recommended
temperature.
What we have been getting
at for the past two weeks Is
simply this: Your pictures are
only as good as you make
them. Take care to use your
equipment IS intended and the
results win be reelected In bet
/ ter pictures.