The photographic news

• Bandzählung: 29.1885
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1885
• Sprache: Englisch
• Signatur: F 135
• Vorlage: Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Digitalisat: Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Rechtehinweis: Public Domain Mark 1.0
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-db-id1780948042-188500006
• PURL: http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18850000
• OAI: oai:de:slub-dresden:db:id-1780948042-18850000
• Sammlungen: LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Sammlungen: Fotografie
• Bemerkung: Seite I-II fehlen in der Vorlage. Paginierfehler: Seite 160 als Seite 144 gezählt.
• Strukturtyp: Band

• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Strukturtyp: Ausgabe

FEBRUARY 6, 1885.J THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 85 liminary singing occurred. At its cessation a voice — alleged to be a man’s voice—came from the curtained corner ; but to any one of common sense, was distinctly that of the medium’s lowered and strained to imitate a male voice, for her voice was naturally a contralto. A few moments more of singing was followed by a separation of the curtains, showing a large sized form (far from being graceful or angelic), which looked exactly like a woman in her white petticoats. It was whispered about that it was the spirit of Aspasia, one of the oriental baud. After a moment’s silence, word was passed that “Aspasia” was ready ; the magnesium tape, consisting of four pieces twisted and four inches long, held by pliers in front of a tin reflector, was lighted by a match, and suddenly glowed with its full intensity upon the non- angelic spirit form. To Mr. Beach’s surprise the form kept perfectly still during the glow of the light, retiring from view as it was extinguished. Mr. Taylor at the same time successfully operated the camera-shutter. The figure of the alleged spirit, as seen by brilliant light, proved conclusively to be none other than the medium herself, divested of her wrapper and draped with one or two white veils. The shape of the face, the colour of the eyes and hair, corresponded precisely with hers as she appeared before she retired into the cabinet. The evening was spent in successfully photographing the same large person under the guise of three other different spirit forms. Different attitudes were taken at each ex posure to represent tall or short spirits, but it was observed that the same large arms and hands were to be seen in each case, the same gown, the same stockings. So far as it applied to photographing actual alleged materialized spirit, the experiment was a success, the only failure being in the development of the first negative of “ Aspasia,” through some fault of the operator. Three other excellent negatives were made, which bear out the opinion expressed above, as to the genuineness of the “ spirits." They appeared to be so well pleased with the earthly photographic apparatus that they hoped another attempt to secure their likenesses would be made, and 1 learn Mr. Beach contemplates trying it again soon. Since the days of Mumbler, who would produce a photographic ghost of your dead relative on the same plate as your own portrait, I have not heard of any experiment such as I have described, as having been made. I am told that Crookes attempted something of the kind, but have never seen any of his results. That the human senses can be so easily deceived and made to imagine that they discern in the ordinary form of a woman, angelic spiritualistic forms, is one of the mysteries of our nature. My explanation of it is, that a great many people take pleasure in being fooled. N.Y. t Jan Wr ,j 21st. The New York Amateur. ebiew. PIOTo-MICROGRAPHY. By A. Cowley Malley. {London : H. K. Lewis, 136, Gower Street.) Second Edition. Less than two years ago we noticed the first edition of this excellent work (1883, p. 140), and we are pleased to note that its success has been so great as to necessitate such an early publication of a second edition. The author, in bringing out his second edition, changes the title from micro-photography to photo-micrography, this change being especially bad, as the new title does not index in the same place as the old ; but he seems to think that his present title is less ambiguous than the former. The art of photographing microscopic objects has been indifferently termed micro-photography and photo-micro graphy, although these terms are occasionally applied to the production of minute photographs adapted for exami ¬ nation under the microscope. If it were practicable to in duce writers to apply each term exclusively to one of these two branches of work, it would be better to confine the terra photo-micrography to the art of producing minute photographs. Micrograph is a suitable term for a minute copy, and micrography for the art of producing micro graphs. When the micrographs are produced by the aid of photography, the circumstance is sufficiently indicated by attaching the syllable photo as a hyphened prefix. HYDROXYLAMINE AS A DEVELOPER FOR THE RAPID PRINTING PAPER. BY ARNOLD SPILLER. In my paper on the “ Hydroxylamine Developer” (Photo graphic News, vol. xxviii., p. 794), I recommended the use of this compound for the development of gelatino- chloride, and remarked that “the solution will probably prove useful for the development of gelatino-chloride prints, for I find that by backing a thin transparency of the dichroic kind with paper, a picture possessing a beauti ful warm brown tone is obtained.” On the introduction of the new chloride paper I hastened to try it in the way suggested, and I am glad to say that my prophecy has proved quite true. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage to the employment of the new process is the necessary use of the iron developer, which spoils the toning-batb, and is very liable to stain the “ whites.” To wash out the iron, an extra bath, containing alum, is introduced, which necessarily lengthens the process. With the hydroxy lamine developer the employment of the alum bath is entirely obviated, for the solution produces the purest high-lights even when mixed for some hours; and I also find that, by using the old hyposulphite toning-bath, the latter is not decomposed by the developer. I may mention that this method is applicable to all the commercial papers, and also that prepared by the excellent formula given by Mr. Wellington (page 36). The exposure is apparently the same as when using the iron developer. The following solutions are recommended :— A.—Hydroxylamine hydrochloride ... 15 grains Alcohol 1 ounce B.—.Caustic potash 1 dram Water 1 ounce C.—Potassium bromide ... ... 20 grains Water 1 ounce The developer is prepared by mixing half a dram each of A and B, and from 15 to 30 drops of C, with one ounce of water. The undeveloped prints are placed directly in the above mixture ; the image should appear in about fifteen seconds, and be fully developed in two minutes. The prints are next washed during ten minutes in three changes of water, and then, to tone and fix, they are placed for from ten minutes to half-an-hour in a bath composed of the following :— Hyposulphite 5 ounces Chloride of gold 10 grains Water 20 ounces In conclusion, I may remark that although hydroxylamine is rather costly at present, four ounces of the developer will develop about a dozen cabinet prints. & Dictionarg of Pqotogxaphg. BACKGROUNDS. (Continued). Such screens as may be used to make a background for portraiture and group photography must next be considered ; these screens being sometimes fixtures like the wall of a building, or a partition, but in by far the greater number of cases they are moveable; lightness and portability being important qualities. Perhaps the simplest background which can be constructed consists of a light wooden frame, covered with a tightly stretched