The photographic news

• Bandzählung: 12.1868
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1868
• 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-id1780948042-186800009
• PURL: http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18680000
• OAI: oai:de:slub-dresden:db:id-1780948042-18680000
• Sammlungen: LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Sammlungen: Fotografie
• Strukturtyp: Band

• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Strukturtyp: Ausgabe

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 293 June 19, 1868.] white enough, and in most cases the fault will be due to the use of a background of an unsuitable tone ; and that it is not whiteness which is desired by the sitter so much as that the face should be seen clearly and easily, which is quite legitimate. In these days of photographic depression, when the support of the public seems to be on the wane, I believe that something different should be attempted in order to keep up the interest, and in this, as well as in other matters, we should do well to remember that unless wo advance we are actually going back. The card picture will always keep its place in popular estimation, on account of many qualities, as size and portability, &c.; and I venture to suggest that the old conventional style of carte, with its blank background and inevitable curtain, be discarded, and photographers set to work to describe new effects which will act as a fresh stimulus. We have seen that a great deal may be done in the way of double printing. It would be well, therefore, if photographers were to familiarise themselves with the operation; they would be less dependant upon properties and the scene painter, and gradually new ideas would be suggested. With regard to expression, I think more has to bo done in that direction, and it is a matter which lies greatly under the control of the photographer. Men of equal ability differ greatly in the amount of influence they are able to exert over the sitter, on which depends a great deal of the success or non-success of the likeness. I have noticed, on looking through albums, that most of the unfortunate persons who are there placed for exhibition either have the appearance of being in low spirits, or that they were preparing for some agonizing operation; and I am sure that if any means could be adopted to give more ani mation it would be very desirable. I do not quite agree with the dicta laid down by some writers, that no friends should be admitted with the sitter into the studio. On the contrary, I have found—especially in those cases in which the face when in repose naturally assumes an uninteresting expression, but which when ani mated changes as if by magic—that the presence of a third person is very often of assistance, for the sitter naturally converses with less restraint with an acquaintance, and the operator is enabled to study the countenance of the sitter, and to catch a happy expression before it has died away. Of course, more than one or two persons would be very objectionable, and especially with children the rule of exclu sion should be strictly enforced ; that is, if the photographer values his nerves or peace of mind. I believe, as a general rule—although I do not lay it down as an axiom—that every face has a predominating expression by which the likeness will be best known. It is this ex pression which we should endeavour to secure. Care must, however, bo taken not to overstep the modesty of nature, and to pourtray some transient play of the features which, how ever suitable at the time, would be very undesirable to per petuate. Simplicity and unaffectedness, although the countenance may be utterly commonplace, will be always sure to please. In conclusion, I would say that the discussion which ensues after the reading of a paper is often of more value than the paper itself; I have no doubt it will be so in the present instance; and if we gain any instruction and infor mation, the object of this paper will be attained. PHOTO-ZINCOGRAPHY IN PRACTICE* BY J. WATERHOUSE, R.A. Apparatus. I shall first consider the special apparatus required for copying, and then enumerate the materials, &c., necessary for the zincographic part of the process. The essential point * Continued from p. 281. to be observed in regard to the apparatus for copying by photography is absolute rigidity. The least unsteadiness is fatal to fine results. The camera must be supported on a firm solid stand; the plan must be fastened to a wall, or carried on a strong stand free from vibration. It is better to have the studio on the ground, as there is always more or less vibration on an upper floor, especially in a city. Camera. — The camera should be square, of first-rate quality, and is better rigid than of the bellows form. It must be fitted with cones to increase the focal length at least sufficiently to be able to copy a drawing to the same scale, or twice the focal length of the lens. The lens should be fitted accurately, so that its axis may correspond with the centre of the focussing screen, It will be found convenient to have the screen marked with 1 inch squares round the centre; 4 inches, or 16 squares, will be found sufficient. Their use is to test the squareness of the copy, and also to furnish an aid to the reduction to any given scale ; lines passing through the centre at right angles to one another, and divided into inches, will also be found useful. Lens.—In order to produce perfect copies, a lens must be used which will give a sharp, clear image, perfectly free from distortion. Mr. Dallmeyer has constructed a new lens espe cially for copying. Several of these have been made for different Governments, and have, I believe, given great satis faction. The different forms of triplets, the rectilinear lens, and Ross’s doublet, may all be used when an image is re quired perfectly free -from distortion. For ordinary work a good portrait lens, or the orthoscopic and similar lenses, may bo used. It is generally necessary to use a stop about 5-8 inch, and the image should be focussed midway between the centre and margin. A larger lens should be used than the actual size of the subject requires. Thus, to reproduce a subject 10 by 8 to the same scale, a 12 by 10 or 15 by 12 lens should be used. Camera Stand.—A solidly made studio stand, with adjust ments for giving the camera motion in altitude and azimuth, is required ; the base should be rectangular or square, and may be furnished with castors or wheels to run on, or between rails placed at right angles to the plane of the plan-board. Apparatus for Carrying the Plan while being Copied.—If the subjects to be copied are to be reduced on one plate, or are not of large size, there is no necessity for any special apparatus. A board may be fixed on a wall in a convenient situation, and the drawing fastened to it with the tapes before mentioned, or, if small, it may be pinned on. When, however, it is required to reproduce large plans on the same scale, several negatives must be taken, and an apparatus is required which will enable the plan to be moved vertically and laterally, so that the sections may be brought in front of the lens without altering the position of the camera or unfastening the plan. I devised an apparatus of this kind for the Surveyor-General’s Office, Calcutta. It consists of a rectangular iron frame travelling in two vertical grooves, its height being regulated by parallel rackwork, with a detent to stop it at any required height. The iron frame work has two horizontal parallel rods fixed in it; on these rods the part carrying the plan-board slides. The plan board is fixed on a pivot in the centre of two diagonal arms, the ends of which terminate in four arcs, with circular slots in them through which screws are attached to the plan board, and serve to clamp it in any position. Between these arcs and the centre are fixed the tubular sliders, which run upon the parallel rods. The accompanying diagram will give a better idea than any verbal description. For use in England this apparatus might be constructed partly in wood, which would be cheaper than iron. When circumstances will permit, and it is only required to copy small engravings, or to reduce subjects not exceeding about 18 inches square, it is preferable to have camera, stand, and plan-board combined in one solid piece of apparatus,