Improved Electric Light Apparatus for Taking Photographic Portraits.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Electric Light Apparatus for Taking Photographic
Portraits.
GEORGE WILSON MORGAN, 393, Union Street, Aberdeen, Photographer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1
A wooden framework made to support one or more panes of obscured glass
or other medium of the size desired: an arrangement of one or more arc lamps,
so arranged and backed on every side by suitable reflectors that the light both
direct and reflected, falling on the obscured glass in the framework, is suitably
softened and dispersed, and an arrangement for moving the are lamp or lamps
so as to obtain more or less top, or side light at pleasure.
Balad his Thidanut]. J...
1000
Improved Electric Light Apparatus for Taking Photographic
Portraits.
I, GEORGE WILSON MORGAN, 393, Union Street, Aberdeen, 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:-
A wooden or other framework made to support one or more panes of obscured
glass, or other semi-transparent medium, of the size desired; an arrangement of
one or more electric are lamps, in series or otherwise, so placed and backed on
every side by suitable reflectors and diffusers, that the light, both direct and
reflected, falling from the obscured glass or other medium in the frame work is
suitably softened and dispersed and an arrangement for moving the reflecting
mediums and diffusers, so as to obtain more or less top or side light at pleasure:
and all for the purpose and use of taking portraits by photography.
In order that my said invention, and the manner of performing or carrying
my new system of electric lighting for portrait photography into effect or
practice, may be properly understood, I have herewith appended explanatory sheet
of drawings.
Figure 1 is a front elevation with the wooden or other framework removed,
and showing the arrangement of the lamps of a ten arc installation, with the
movable reflectors and diffusers thereof.
Figure 2 is a section on end of the same, showing the position or probable angle
of lighting.

page_text: Figure 3 is a plan showing the arrangement and method of manipulating the
cords for moving the reflectors and semi-transparent mediums.
Figure 4 is an elevation showing the wooden or other framework for holding
in place the ground glass, or other semi-transparent screen.
Referring to those drawings, (Figure 1) H is a rod or rods, from which the
are lamps are suspended: L L. are the arc lamps, which work in series or
otherwise RR are the movable reflectors for assisting in diffusing the
light from the arcs. (Figure 2) L L are the arc lamps: RR. are the
movable reflectors: MM. are the mediums of semi-transparent material for
partially intercepting. breaking up, and diffusing the direct rays from
the arc lamps. These latter are placed in such a position in front of
the ares. that they mav be used as interceptors and diffusers. or
dropped by means of the cords C below the level of the arcs, when the operator is
requiring a more concentrated light: S is a semi-transparent screen, placed at
an desired angle in front of the arrangement of are lamps. reflectors and
diffusers, and assists in further breaking up, and distributing or diffusing the
light coming from the are lamps, as well as conceals from observation all the
mechanical parts. (Figure 3) HH are the hangers for the are lamps:
LL are the arc lamps: RR... are the reflectors: M M .. are the mediums
already referred to: and C shows the cords and arrangement of the same, whereby
the mediums may be raised into, or lowered out of position as desired. (Figure 4)
S is a screen, the framework of which may be made of wood, iron, or other
material. It may be divided into any required number of spaces by astragals S¹,
into which is fitted ground glass or other semi-transparent material. The
screen S is placed in front of the arc lamps, reflectors, and diffusers as already
described: $$
are the movable panes for giving access to replace
carbons etc.
Having described in detail and ascertained the nature and use of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be employed, I declare that what
I claim is―
First. The herein described method of using a number of electric are lamps in
series or otherwise, the light from which is so softened and distributed by a
system of reflectors and diffusers, as to make it suitable as an illuminant for
direct photographic portraiture.
Second. A wooden or other framework containing ground glass, or other semi-
transparent medium for enclosing the electric are lamps, diffusers, and reflectors,
and for assisting in breaking up and diffusing the direct and reflected rays from
the same.
Third. A combination of one or more are lamps in series or otherwise, together
with reflectors and diffusers enclosed in a wooden or other framework. and
containing ground glass, or other semi-transparent medium all as described, and
the use of the same for production or lighting of photographic portraiture.
Dated this Fourth day of December 1899.
GEORGE WILSON MORGAN.