Improvements in and connected with Lighting in Photographic Studios.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th July, 1894-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Lighting in Photographic
Studios.
I, BARNETT MCFEE CLINEDINST Jr., of 1207 F. Street N.W., City of
Washington, in the District of Columbia, United States of America, Photo-
grapher, 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 :-
The invention relates to improvements in the art of making photographic
negatives and photographic appliances or apparatus, the object being the production
of photographic negatives by artificial light of a higher character than have been
heretofore attained.
Artificial light, such as flash lights produced by the combustion of magnesium
wire or ribbon, or by the explosion of combustible powder containing magnesium
and the electric light have been employed in the art of photography without
satisfactory results in all particulars, for that, suddenly produced lights, startle
animate objects and the result is frightened expressions, and in those cases
where unbroken rays of light impinge the subject a strained or weary expression
results.
Direct rays across and through the cabinet cause excessively high lights and
deep shadows in the image and thus prevent artistic results.
It is the object of my invention to avoid the objections enumerated, and this
object is obtained by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings in
which the view is a perspective of a cabinet or enclosed space illustrating my
invention.
Referring to the drawing 1-1 are the side walls of an enclosed space or cabinet
and 2 the top or roof thereof.
As shown each side of the walls is formed of three frames hinged together in the
manner of screen frames. These frames as well as that of the roof frame are
covered on the inside with light muslin or other light colored fabric.
The background 3 may consist of drapery connected with the rear of the frames
or may be connected with a separate frame or attached to a wall or other support
outside or beyond the side walls of the cabinet.
I have shown the roof as pitched or inclined inwardly from its edges and ends to
assist in deflecting and diffusing the light throughout the cabinet.
The wings or outer frames of the side walls being movable afford convenient
meaus for deflecting the light to diffuse and equalize it in the cabinet when reflected
from one of the walls or wall and roof of the same.
Obviously a cabinet may be built as a permanent structure and secure some of
the benefits of my invention, but I prefer the portable cabinet herein shown and
described.
4 is a movable stand carrying a vertically adjustable reflector and a suitable
artificial light which may be a powerful electric lamp. The stand is arranged
towards one side of the cabinet, the reflector is directed toward the adjacent wall
or walls and roof, and throws the direct rays of light from the lamp away from
the subject to the wall or walls and roof from which it is diffused throughout the
cabinet.
The reflector by preference has a dead white unpolished surface.
5 is an ordinary photographic camera monated unon a stand in the usual way.

page_text: I employ an arc lamp by means of which a light of from three to five thousand
candle power is developed. By the construction of cabinet the arrangement of the
lamp and reflector the light is first directed to one side, or to one side and roof, of
the cabinet, and not across it, when the rays are broken up and diffused into and
throughout the enclosed space.
An essential characteristic or result of my invention is that I fill the cabinet with
strong but subdued or completely diffused light and that I obtain effects equal, or
superior to, sky and side light effects of daylight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of making photographic negatives which consists in placing an
artificial light of large candle-power within a cabinet having light colored interior
surfaces or walls, preventing the direct rays of light from the lamp from reaching
the subject, and directing them to the walls or surfaces of the cabinet adjacent to
the face of the reflector, and reflecting or diffusing the light from such walls or
surfaces throughout the cabinet and upon the subject.
2. An apparatus for making photographic negatives the combination of a cabinet
having light colored walls and roof, an artificial light of large candle-power
arranged within the cabinet, and a reflector so arranged as to reflect the light to
the adjacent interior surfaces of the cabinet, entirely away from the subject, where
it is diffused throughout the cabinet, and upon the subject as set forth.
3. A cabinet for photographic purposes consisting of the combination of jointed
portable sides, and roof clothed in light colors, an artificial light within a dead
white surface reflector, the reflector being so arranged as to divert the light entirely
away from the subject and against adjacent surfaces from which it is diffused
throughout the cabinet, substantially as described.
Dated this a ,
BARNETT MCFEE CLINEDINST, JR.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.