Improved Means for Facilitating the Taking of Portraits by Magnesium or other like Light.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May; 1898--Accepted, 13th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Facilitating the Taking of Portraits by
Magnesium or other like Light.
.
I, PAUL BOYER, Knight of the Legion of Honour, of 33, Boulevard des Capu-
cines, Paris, in the Republic of France, Photographer, do. hereby, declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for facilitating the taking of
portraits by magnesium or other like light being especially adapted for use with
flash light photography and my invention has for its object to provide a room or
studio or portion of a room or studio or a screen illuminated with a diffused trans-
lucent light as hereinafter described, which room or the like can be set up and
used in any hall or room or covered place and which can be readily taken to
pieces and packed up so that the said room or the like can be readily conveyed to
any private house and portraits taken by the flash light process without neces-
sitating a visit to the photographers studio as hitherto.
According to my invention I provide two series of hinged covered frames or
their equivalents formed at their sides to fit closely together so as to constitute a
compound screen or the inner and outer walls and ceiling of a cabinet or studio
an intervening space being left, between the two series. One series of frames
forming the outer wall is covered with opaque material and is preferably provided
inwardly with material forming reflecting surfaces, the other series, of frames
forming the inner wall being covered with a translucent material with a matt or
dull surface so that rays of light passing therethrough, are diffused. The
magnesium or the like flash lights are arranged on carriers in the space between
the two series of covered frames and are preferably automatic in action so that a
number of such flash lights can be ignited in quick succession. An adjusting
device for regulating the angle between the parts of the frames forming the wall
and the parts forming the ceiling is preferably employed together with a fan or
other exhausting device which may be worked by an electric motor for removing
the fumes produced between the inner and outer walls by the burning of the
magnesium or the like.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1. illustrates in perspective an arrange-
ment of frames and accessories forming a compound screen or a wall and ceiling,
it being readily understood that I may use any number of such frames which may
be fitted together so as to constitute an entire cabinet, room or studio.
Figure 2 shews in perspective a single compound screen which may be used
complete in itself for illuminating the subject to be photographed.
In Figure 1A A A² indicate the inner series of divided frames or screens
hinged at a so that the two parts of each frame or screen can be folded together
to facilitate packing. BB' B2 indicate the outer series which are hinged at b.
Each frame or screen is formed with its sides alternately tongued and grooved so
as to fit closely together when placed in position, C being a base with grooves
into which the said screens A and B are slidden. D are telescopic arms for adjust-

page_text: ing the angle of the upper part of the frames relatively to the lower part. The
outer and inner frames or screens are connected together at their upper parts by
braces or tie rods d. The magnesium or the like lights are inserted between the
screens as indicated by the dotted lines at E, and F is a fan driven by an electric
motor for exhausting the fumes arising from the burning of the magnesium or
the like and conducting them outside by the pipe f which may open into the
chimney of the room in which the apparatus is erected on lead to an open
window. * indicates the electric conductors for driving the motor. The inner
surfaces of the screens A A1 A2 are made of a translucent material with a matt or
dull surface and the surfaces of the screens BBB are made opaque outwardly
and preferably with shining or reflecting surfaces inwardly.
In Figure 2 the compound screen AB is arranged to be used separately and in
this case without a fan, the pipe f for exhausting the fumes may be placed at the
top of the apparatus from which a pipe may be taken to the window or chimney.
are supports for holding the screen upright, the sides and top end h are shewn
closed in to prevent the escape of the fumes into the studio, the other parts of the
apparatus being similar to those already described with reference to Figure 1.
When a portrait is to be taken the studio or screen is set up and the light or
lights arranged in any desired number and positions in the intervening space is
or are ignited by any suitable means; the chamber or studio or screen will then
be found to be flooded with a diffused light shed through the inner translucent
walls and reflected back from the inner surfaces of the outer walls without causing
a glare to the person being photographed however brilliant and numerous the
lights in the intermediate space between the two walls of the studio or screen
may be.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In flash light photography of the kind described a compound adjustable screen
or screens or studio formed of inner and outer hinged walls or frames arranged to
hold flash lights in the space between them which walls can be readily taken to
pieces and packed up together with means for removing the fumes caused by the
burning of the said lights substantially as described.
2. The improved means for facilitating the taking of portraits by magnesium or
the like light substantially as herein before describe and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
TL 101. 1. CM 1900
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.