Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-12
CAMERA ANGLES
By A. J. WE6DERBURN
Curator Of Photography
The Smithsonian Tnektt,,tfor.


The Smithsonian Institution
You will be trying for better
outdoor pictures this summer
and one Of the most effective
ways Of making the grade is
through the correct use of re-
fiected light.
If you find that the sun is
giving your subject the squints
-or is casting harsh, unpleas-
ant shadows around the eyes
and nose. here's the way to
completely avoid the nuisance.
Simply put the sun behind
the subject and use q reflector
to bounce light into his or her
features. Since this light is
indirect. 1t won't hurt the sub
ject's eyes. and at the same
time it will give a soft glow to
Iaclal expressions.
There are two kinds of re-
Electors that you can use.
You'll find the first type all
around you in large. bright
areas such as water, snow and
sand. These are naturals.
Pose your subject close to a
sunlit pool. on white pave.
ment or on the sand of a
beach, and just notice how
much light is tossed back into
the face. Other natural re-
Electors are opened books or
newspapers that can be held
In a natural pose by the sub
ject.
aluminium Foil
The second type-artificial
ref1ectors-can really be very
easy to make yourself. If you
are feeling even mildly ener-
getic. Tape or tack some
slightly crumpled aluminium
foil over a large sheet Of card
board, 11x14 inches, or bigger
(the reason for crumpling the
foil is to diffuse the light that's
reflected from it, and to pre-
vent q harsh, mirror-like
glare).
You can prop this handy
gadget against q convenient
bench or fireplug. or simply
have someone hold it for you
while you take the pictures.
And by fixing a simple leg or
brace to the back, you'll have
a self-supporting reflector that
can be moved about as you
please.
OF course. when the sun
is directly behind your sub
ject. there's a chance of direct
light striking the lens and
causing flare" on the film.
However, this can be readily
avoided If the subject is posed
squarely between the camera
and the sun.
It's a good idea to use fast
MIN when shooting this TYNE
Of picture. For cameras with
an adjustable aperture, ex-
posures will be approximately
III and 1850. or f/8 and
1/l00 on bright sunny days.
II the day is bright, but over
cast. exposures viii be greater,
usually about fi5.6 and 1850.
Try the above procedure the
next time you make snapshots
In the sun and you will be a
faithful user Of reflected light
from that point on.
\
High Altitude Shots
Planning a picture-taking
trip In mountainous terrain?
If SO. keep in mind that in
high country light may con-
tain more ultraviolet rays
than at lower attitudes. Thus,
a photographer accustomed to
sea-level conditions and with
no high altitude experience
may tend to guess too long ex-
posures in high country. How
ever. an exposure meter is not
affected by altitude. and so,
will give the proper settings
under these conditions.
A good exposure meter, by
the way. is an extremely sturdy
device. Nevertheless, for con-
sistently accurate performance
1t should be given the same
care as q fine watch or any
other precision instrument. So
unusually severe shocks and
temperatures above 100 degrees
F. should be avoided. Also
undesirable is prolonged ex-
posure to high humidity. or to
the vapors Of sulfur and mer-
curry. If the meter gets wet
1t should be carefully dried as
soon as possible. With proper