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MAY 1, 1885.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. London and Provincial PnorOGnaPmIc Association. At the usual weekly meeting on Thursday, the 23rd inst., Mr. A. Haddon occupied the chair. Referring to a question at the previous meeting with respect to halation, Mr. H. Starnes said he had been trying some experiments. He handed to the Chairman some negatives that he said would be found to be quite free from halation in the high-lights ; this he attributed to the small quantity of silver in the film, which he had lessened to half a grain to each quarter plate. The CHArRNrAN was of opinion that the cause of halation might be traced more to the colour of the film than to the poverty of silver, instancing the case of a chloride plate, which, with an increased amount of silver, gave no halation. In reply to a member, Mr. Starnes said the emulsion was an unwashed one made by the anmonia-nitrate process. The Chairman had made an emulsion from the formula given by Mr. Henderson in his recent lecturette, but was unable to get density with it; he passed round some negatives as examples. Mr. A. L. Henderson remarked that want of density was characteristic of very rapid plates. He thought, in reference to the plates shown, that less exposure, or longer development, might have produced a different result. He had recently made two emulsions, both showing the same number, 22, exposed under a sensitometer. One emulsion contained one per cent, iodide ; this was found to be from four to five times more rapid in the camera than the other emulsion, which contained no iodide. The Chairman objected to iodide, from the length of time the plates took in fixing. Mr. A. L. Henderson had been experimenting in this direction. He cut a plate in two diagonally after development, placing one half on a twenty per cent, solution of hyposulphite of soda—this fixed in six and a-half minutes—putting the other half in a twenty per cent, solution of cyanide, which fixed in thirteen minutes. There was no apparent difference in the result, beyond a slight tendency to frill with the cyanide. He also drew atten tion to a gelatine print which he handed to the members for inspection ; the paper, he stated, he had prepared and sensitized, fixing the same by simply washing it in water. Bristol and West of England Amateur PIOTOGRAPHIC Association. The ordinary monthly meeting was held, as usual, at the Queen's Hotel, on Wednesday, 22nd inst., Col. PrAYFara, Vice-President, in the chair. After the usual preliminaries the Chairman called on Mr. C. Brightman to read his notes on “ Printing-in Clouds in 1 and- scapes ” (see page 279). In reply to questions at the close of the paper, Mr. Bright- Man said that ho always printed the landscape before the clouds, and that in development he used exactly the same formula as for his general work, only using much less ammonia. The Chairman said that he used to use cotton wool, with which some very passable imitation clouds could be produced. Mr. Daniel said that instead of the plain braid suggested by Mr. Brightman, for placing the negatives and prints on, he found a similar thing, but hinged in the middle, preferable, as the results of the printing could be examined from time to time ; the braid being thin, a spiing-clip could be made to keep the negative and print in good contact. Rev. H. B. Hare wished to know if any one had tried Morgan and Kidd’s paper for cloud negatives. The speaker had lately made an attempt, and the result was, for an early trial, fairly good. He exhibited a paper negative he had done, the subject being a landscape. Mr. P. W. Bush said he found some difficulty in getting good cloud negatives. Mr. Hare suggested his beginning on slow plates. Mr. Brightman rather inclined to rapid plates, as less likely to be over-dense. The Chairman exhibited a shutter to which, under his instructions, a simple plan had been devised for instantly termi nating the exposure, if necessary. In reply to a question, he said the arrangement was not pneumatic. Rev. H. B. Hare expressed the hope that the members would give him the pleasure of their company for a day, in May, at Great Elm, as they had once on a previous occasion ; and Mr. Daniel said ho would feel great pleasure in welcoming the Association at his residence in June, as he had the pleasure of doing last year. The Chairman was sure he was only expressing the feeling of all present, in heartily thanking Mr. Hare and Mr. Daniel for their kind invitations. The meeting (the last evening one till September) was then adjourned. Bolton Photographic Society. The fourth annual open meeting was held on Wednesday, in the Baths Assembly Room, Mr. Bridson presiding. There was a very large number of members and members’ friends in attendance, and for their diversion the hall was hung with photographic specimens, being for the most part the production of members of the Society. There were also several tables of photographs in the prize competition, which circumstance was a novelty in the proceedings of the Society, having been introduced for the purpose of lending additional attractiveness to the out-door summer meetings of the Society. Besides the outcome of this competition, the exhibition was supplemented by a table of numerous and interesting appliances in photographic apparatus ; also a variety of graphoscopes for the magnifying and examina tion of photographs, together with the many appurtenances of the art. The collection, as a whole, was exceptionally good. Landseares formed the predominating feature in the exhibits, there being represented almost every sequestered haunt and choice bit of scenery’ in the locality. Mr. Bridson (president) contributed a number of views in Windermere district. Mr. R. Mercer showed views of North Devon in platinotype, also a number of coloured views. An artistic set of Norwegian views was contributed by Dr. Johnston. Mr. J. Boothroyd presented some finely-executed enlargements of local views. Mr. C. K. Dalton (Secretary) showed an extremely valuable set of local views in platinotype. Mr. John Taylor showed a medley group. A number of North African views were supplied by Mr. J. C. Sewell. Mr. Wm. Banks showed a table of graphoscopes, &c. Mr. T. Parkinson exhibited a choice selection of portraits of celebrities in plush frames, together with numerous nicknacks, and a new patent camera. He also showed his “Souvenir of Bolton.” Mr. E. N. Ashworth showed a selection of local views, Mr. J. E. Austwick contributed local views and portraits, and Mr. R. Harwood showed about GO views, including Welsh scenery. The prizes offered in the competition were three in number, and were given by Mr. Bridson. For the best general exhibit the first prize was £2 10s., and was carried off by Mr. C. K. Dalton (secretary). The second prize, £2, was divided between Mr. J. Taylor and Mr. William Laithwaite. A prize of 10s. was given for the best set of transparencies, not less than six, and was won by' Mr. Walter Knowles. The judges were Messrs. J. Pollitt (President of the Manchester Photographic Society), Robert Knott, and T. Parkinson. The enlargements, by Mr. Boothroyd, from small 4} by 3} negatives, were highly com mended by the judges. Upwards of 120 transparencies were contributed by the mem bers, and were mostly competitive, and these were exhibited to the assembly by the aid of the oxyhydrogen light, worked by Mr. James Leach. Mr. W. B. Wood explained the views as they were cast upon the sheet, and enhanced the enjoyment of the entertainment by his droll references. Mr. C. K. Dalton read his annual report, in which he con gratulated the Scciety upon the increased membership, and further stating that at no time since its formation had the Society been on a sounder basis. He said the balance in the hands of the treasurer was increasing. The report further detailed the demonstrations that had been given during the season. The President, in the course of a brief address said, after examining the exhibits they saw around them, he thought they would agree with him that there was a great improvement noticeable in the work of the members. He could not say there had been a great many inventions during the past year, with the exception of improvements in the lens and camera, &c. The chief difficulty still remained—that was the obtaining of the right exposure and also a correct development. Those were the only two difficulties in the whole art. and which they must try to overcome. The work of the Society helped its members to occupy their leisure hours, and he was sure it also gave them pleasure. In fact, a photographer must cultivate habits of patience, perseverance, and preciseness, and other qualifications, and especially the faculty of observation.
