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FEBRUARY 6, 1885.J THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 87 neighbour, the uniformly graduated background, may be men tioned the alcove background, which has been so successfully used by M. Adam-Salomon and other masters in the art of photographic portraiture. The following description of how to make a niche background, contributed to the Photographic News (1874, page 139) by Mr. A. Asher, of Edinburgh, is thoroughly practical, and, con sidering the small amount of work really involved, every portraitist should possess this useful appliance. Mr. Asher says :— “The framework, of wood, is circular-shaped, arched across the front, and dome-shaped from front to back of top circle. The dimensions for bust or three-quarter portraits may be about six feet wide in front, two feet deep in middle of circles ; height four and a-half feet at sides, and six and a-half feet at top of arch in front. Any joiner can easily design and make the framework. ASEER’s alcove BACKGNOUND. Thin laths, similar to those used in Venetian blinds, and which are easily bent to the dome shape, are nailed close together on to the framework, any inequalities being easily pared away. When the laths are all fitted and nailed down, give them a coat of strong glue size, which allow to dry; then cover over with cotton cloth, not too thick, using strong flour paste both on the cloth and over the laths. Lay on the cloth as smoothly as possible, taking care not to let the edges of the cloth lie upon the joinings of the laths. When dry, give a coat of oil paint, any suitable colour (the paint assists greatly in binding the cloth and wood well together). When the paint is dry it may bo size-coloured to any shade desired. If one coat of size does not cover solid, give another, having as much glue size in it that it will not rub off with the finger when dry. A few large castors screwed to the bottom of framework render it very portable, a touch bringing it into any desired position. The trouble or expense of producing this ‘ niche ’ back ground will never be regretted by anyone adding it to his accessories.” A somewhat similar concave background, but without the dome-like top, has been devised by Mr. F. Waller, of Baltimore, and he thus describes it :— “ In the first place there is a circular platform of five feet diameter and ten inches high, neatly carpeted, on large rollers and provided with handles for running it about. The background frame is seven feet high, and is exactly half of a circle five feet in diameter, so as to fit closely around the platform. It has three rollers, one at the centre and one on each side. It is not attached to the platform, because it allows of greater freedom detached, though they will both move easily together. At each side of the frame is a hinged skeleton door, in which is an upper and lower swinging screen controlled by thumb-screws. These doors are two feet wide, and extend from the top of framework to the top of platform, clearing it so as to swing in or out. The woollen background—cloth is used, of light colour—in stretching it draw only from the top and bottom, when it will take the form with out wrinkles. It should be rendered opaque by being covered on the back with dark muslin. The slide screens are covered with white muslin only. The side screens may be used as light waller’s concave background. screens, to cut off or soften the light, or as reflectors to the shadow side. By the double arrangement the full flood of light may be directed upon the face, and the lower part screened. This is a groat advantage for light draperies ; for very black draperies they may be reversed.” The concave backgrounds just described, are rigidly set; but Herr Luck, of Vienna, has recently designed one which may be made to assume any required degree of concavity, or may even be used flat; and, moreover, the arrangement is so portable, as to be very easily moved from place to place. Fig. 1 shows the front of the screen, and fig. 2 the back. In fig. 2 the background is set up flat, in fig. 1 it is in its concave position. The frame-work of the background, which is supported on two feet, a a, consists of a row of wooden supports, b b b b, which above and below are fastened to two flexible steel bands, c o. The cross support, d, which may be turned in a vertical LUCX's ADJUSTABLE CONcavK BACKGROUND. direction upon its pivot, makes the background a flat one when in the position indicated in the sketch (fig. 2), If you desire to make the background concave, the cross-piece, d, is shifted from its position and turned, and then the cords, c (fig. 1), are drawn as tightly as may be required to give the background the required bend. These cords, e, are, as indicated on fig. 1, fastened to the background both above and below, and, passing through pulleys, f f, are thus easily manipulated. There are convenient hooks at the side of the background frame for receiving the cords, so that after the necessary concavity has been secured, there is no risk of motion. Eotes. The influence of civilisation on the eye-sight is a very bad influence, if we may believe Mr. Brudenell Carter. Lecturing at the Society of Arts the other day, he not only recapitulated his views as recently given in our columns (1884, p. 814), but added many interesting notes.