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

126 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. LFEBIUARY 20, 1885. Col. Mitford and Mr. Dawson were nomimated for member ship ; and Messrs. A. Dunn, J. G. Sinclair, J. Huntley, II. R. Proctor, J. G. Denison, and T. Wilson were duly elected. Mr. Pae read a paper on “Artists v. Photographs’’ (see page 116): In the discussion which followed, Mr. J. P. Gibson said that although it is impossible to secure with the rigid photographic lens an image mathematically identical with that formed by the compressible and constantly varying crystalline lens of the human eye (which also varies with the in lividual), yet by the selection of a lens of sufficiently long focus to suit the subject, a practically similar image may be procured. He also contended that in the examples shown by Mr. Pae, the differences arise, not from the necessary imperfections of the photographic lens, but from the fact that a leas of relatively short focus had been used (seven inches for a whole-plate picture), and also more especially that the tracing ha 1 been taken from a point some thing like a foot lower than the photograph ; this being clearly evidenced by the fact that a ring-bolt only half shown on the lower edge of the photograph appeared complete about two or three inches up the foreground of the tracing. This was proved quite as conclusively by the relation of the ships’ masts in the middle distance to the horizon. Mr. PRocToI said he agreed with Mr. Pae that the perspective machine would give the true lines of perspective, and the true proportion between the sizes of near and distant objects, if it could be accurately worked. He considered it was virtually the same thing in principle as the pinhole camera, which he had spoken of ata previous meeting, but with this difference in working, that the camera infallibly pat down its results with accuracy, though not with great sharpness, while the accuracy of the perspective machine depended upon the skill of the draughtsman ; and he considered that the greatest skill which the draughtsman could exercise was not sufficient upon which to found any doctrine such as Mr. Pae was promulgating. The drawings which Mr. Pae showed as proving the shortcomings of photo work, though admirable as outline sketches, were utterly worthless as mathematical demonstrations. It was difficult to find points in them sufficiently sharp and accurate to estimate by measurement and deviation without proportions between one and the other ; and if that could bo done, there still remained the question whether it was the result of a faulty working of optical principles, or a Want of skill in the artist. With regard to ths blackboard diagram which Mr. Pae drew to prove that there must be an error in the prop ortion of the different distances in a camera picture, cousequent upon the difference in the focal distances of objects, some ninety feet and others three miles away, Mr. Proctor said it was quite out of reason to represent the three mile distance as being in focus three inches behind the lens, and the ninety feet distance as being in focus four and a quarter inches from it. He said the whole question under dis cussion was one of proportion, and to be of any use the illustra tions must be kept something near the truth. In reply to Mr. Pae’s appeal to Mr. Proctor to draw the foci in their correct pro portion, Mr. Proctor said he should not attempt such a thing without calculating what the relative distances should be, bat he was sure the deviation from truth in diagram was so great as to vitiate any argument founded upon it. In conclusion, he said he had taken one or two lens views corresponding with the pin hole view which had originated this discussion, anl he would lay them before them some subsequent meeting, when the members would have the opportunity of detecting, if they could, any difference in their perspective and proportions. The Secretary showed and described a new camera, made by Lejeune and Perkin, of London ; and a camera and changing-box (Samuel’s patent) by the same firm; also a tripod top (size, five inches square) made by himself, for instantly turning the camera from the horizontal to the vertical position ; the top differed from others of a similar character inasmuch as it pro vided a base for the camera to rest upon when in the vertical position, and a sliding arrangement whereby cameras of varying size could be used with the one top. For the remainder of the present session, the meetings, un less otherwise notified, will be held on the Second Wednesday in the month. EDINBURGI Photographic Society. The fourth meeting of the current session was held in the Queen Street flail, on Wednesday evening, 4th February, Mr. Noh man Macbeth, R.S.A., President, in the chair. The minutes of last meeting having been read and approved, the following gentlemen were admitted as ordinary members of the Society :—Messrs. John Mackie, Thomas T. Gray, Charles E. Huie, David Mitchell, and Major Ashburner; and the follow ing two gentlemen were admitted honorary members, viz.:—Mr. T. Bolas and Mr. A. T. Niven, C.A. Mr. J. M'KEAX proposed that a social gathering of the members and friends of the Society be held before the close of the session ; and after a short discussion, a small committee was appointed to draw up proposed details, gather information, and report to the Council. The Hon. Secretary then intimated that about thirty members had intimated their willingness to contribute the sum of five shillings annually in addition to the ordinary subscription, in order to secure additional accommodation, including a dark room. After a lengthened discussion, it was decided to remit the matter to the Council, to consider and report again to the Society. The next business was a “ Conference on the Picturesque.’’ The President said that some of the pictures sent in for criticism were sent to the conference by some of the junior members, and he would like a judicious spirit to pervade the comments. He did not know the names of the authors, and he hoped all con cerned would derive benefit from the proceedings. A number of pictures were then exhibited, passed round for examination, and criticised, members freely expressing their opinions on what they deemed good and bad points, and suggesting modifications which might enhance the value of the pictures from a pictorial point of view. The President then read a paper, “ Backgrounds of Por traiture” (see page 119), which was illustrated by transparencies of the pictures referred to thrown on the scieen by the lime light, under the management of Messrs. Dickson and Matheson, who were awarded a cordial vote of thanks. The President received a cordial vote of thanks tor his instruc tive communication. A vote of thanks to the President for his conduct in the chair terminated the proceedings, which were unusually prolonged, and yet left the programme unexhausted. Glasgow and West of Scotland Amateur Photographic Association. The usual monthly meeting of the above Association was held in their Rooms, 181), West Regent Street, on Tuesday evening, 10th inst., Mr. Hugh Reid, President, in the chair. After the approval of the minutes, the following new members were admitted :—Miss L. Reid, Rev. Wm. Ross, Mr. K. W. Feldtmann, and Mr. John C. Hutcheson. Mr. T. N. Armstrong read a paper on the “ Production of Lantern Slides by Artificial Light” (see page 117), and passed round a number of very beautiful specimens of his work by various processes. Mr. Armstrong then proceeded to the dark room, and gave a practical demonstration of making lantern slides by reduction through the camera, exposing and developing a couple of plates in a completely successful manner, betokening careful manipulation, and a thorough knowledge of the subject. /After a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Armstrong, the meeting adjourned. Leeds Photographic Society. The ordinary meeting was held on Thursday, February 12th, the President, Dr. THORPE, F.R.S., in the chair. This being the evening appointed for the open lantern night, a very largo number of members and friends assembled, the large lecture hall being well filled. The views were shown by the oxyhy- drogeu light kindly supplied by Messrs. Reynolds and Bransons, and manipulated by Mr. White, a member of the Society. A large number of slides were sent for exhibition by the members, some of which were of special excellence. It was arranged by the Committee that all technicalities relating to processes, &c., should not be referred to at this meeting, it being the intention to hold a special meeting for the comparison of various processes, by which the slides were produced, and other lantern matters, in March. Slides were exhibited by the President (Dr. Thorpe), Vice- president (Mr. J. W. Ramsden), Hon. Secretary (Mr. Thomas W. Thornton), and Messrs. Arkinson, Branson, Denham, Frazer, Foster, Gaunt, Harding, Hirst, Nidson, Lord, McRy, Marshall, Reffett, Rodwell and Warburton ; and special notice should be made of a very beautiful series of slides exhibited by Mr.