The photographic news

• Bandzählung: 13.1869
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1869
• 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-id1780948042-186900000
• PURL: http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18690000
• OAI: oai:de:slub-dresden:db:id-1780948042-18690000
• Sammlungen: LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Sammlungen: Fotografie
• Bemerkung: Heft 545 (S. 73-84), Heft 547 (S. 97-108), Heft 589 (S. 599-610) fehlen in der Vorlage. Paginierfehler: Auf Seite 444 folgt Seite 443
• Strukturtyp: Band

• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Strukturtyp: Ausgabe

238 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [May 14, 1869. Mr. Griggs exhibited a fine photo-engraving by Garnier, Holbein’s “ Danee of Death,” in facsimile, photo-lithographed by Mr. A. Brothers, and a photo-lithograph, of which he distributed copies, produced by himself from an old print after Rubens, the negative by Dr. Diamond. The Chairman remarked that he had often regretted that ladies so seldom attended the meetings of the Society. He was glad to see two present at that meeting, and ono of them, Mrs. Cameron, wished to say a few words to the members. Mrs. Cameron wished to obtain the opinion of members as to the cause of cracking in the film of some of her negatives. She produced a large negative of Sir J. Herschel, taken in April, 1867, which was now, she stated, together with many others, covered with honeycomb-like cracks. The collodion film appeared to bo cracked underneath the varnish, the latter being intact. About forty of her negatives had suffered in the same way during the last two years, the injury taking place at all seasons of the year. She formerly had used Perry’s collodion, but since he had made it thinner, to suit cards, she had used chiefly that of Mr. Thomas, and some by Mr. Brading, of Newport. A long conversation and examination of the negatives fol lowed, in the course of which it was pointed out that the cracks were through varnish as well as collodion, and that they often resulted from the use of Shnee varnish. Mr. Thomas said that as his name had been mentioned, he, perhaps, ought to say a fewwords. Cracks in the collodion film had, unfortunately, been occasionally seen ever since the intro duction of the collodion process, no matter what collodion or what varnish had been used, without the fault being due to either, but rather to the incompitability of the same two samples when used in conjunction. Changes of temperature and moisture would also, doubtless, have their effect. A photo grapher of considerable eminence and large experience had recently told him that he found that negatives wrapped in paper never cracked, whilst similar negatives put away in plate-boxes did so. He believed that where the collodion was made thick, with a view to secure dense negatives, the tendency to crack was increased, the thickness of the film affecting, of course, its contractibility ; and this might sometimes account for some negatives produced with the same materials and apparently under the same circumstances cracking, whilst others remained pierfeet. He believed that Mr. Perry's collodion, to which Mrs. Cameron had referred, was a thin collodion. Mrs. Cameron interposed to say that perhaps the fact that she had often used the plates over and over again might have conduced to the disaster. Mr. Thomas said undoubtedly dirty ordamp plates would conduce to such a result. Ho feared that under some circum stances all varnishes were liable to the same injury. When Dr. Diamond introduced amber varnish, he (Mr. Thomas) believed that it was quite free from liability to such a defect; but he had since found some films crack which were varnished with it. He thought that difference in contractibility between the two films was the cause of cracking, and it would be difficult to effectually guard against it. The Chairman called attention to the fact that Mrs. Cameron had said that the films had cracked at all times of the year, and under all circumstances of temperature and humidity, and all the films had cracked, he understood, and not one now and then. Mrs. Cameron said she had taken about GOO negatives during the last six years, and during the last two years about 45 of these had cracked. Mr. Blanchard said that as Mrs. Cameron resided at Fresh water her residence would be subjected, during certain winds, to breezes bringing much saline matter, and consequent mois ture, and it was to this, he had no doubt, the cracks were due. The best mode of preventing the effect of the damp was, he believed, to pack the negatives up in paper instead of keeping them in plate-boxes. At one time, when he kept his negatives in plate-boxes, he had a number of them cracked, but had not seen anything of the kind since he had kept the negatives wrapped in paper. Referring to Mrs. Cameron’s negatives, the appearance at first justified her impression that it was the col lodion only, and not the varnish also, which was cracked. This he would demonstrate by rubbing the surface with a little soot. [Mr. Blanchard did so, and the soot at once filled up the cracks, and made the negative capable of printing without showing the cracks ] After Mrs. Cameron had expressed thanks for this hint, Mr. Hooper suggested that one of the causes of cracking was moisture on the plate from the breath coming near and condensing on largo plates during the operation of coating with collodion. He also confirmed the statements as to the superi ority of the plan of keeping negatives wrapped in paper. Mr. DALLMEYER pointed out that some kinds of glass suffered from a change technically called “ sweating a certain exuda tion appeared on the surface, caused by excess of alkali in the manufacture. It was impossible to wipe such glass clean, and the presence of this exudation, causing dampness, might be the probable cause of cracking. Glass in this condition might be cleaned by the application of dilute sulphuric acid, 1 part of sulphuric acid to 4 parts of water. Mr. Hart confirmed the idea that the cracking was due to moisture, and mentioned that, owing to the bursting of a steam pipe in his establishment, the walls had become damp on one occasion. The films of the negatives in a cupboard in the room all rose in ridges, finally causing cracks. Mr. Howard said his experience was confirmatory. lie attached considerable importance to warming the plate tho roughly before varnishing, so as to drive off all moisture, and after varnishing, so as to drive off all trace of alcohol. Mr. Hart said the latter plan was obviously an important caution, inasmuch as any trace of alcohol left, having a great affinity for water, would absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Mr. F. Eliot confirmed the statements as to the superiority of paper packing over plate boxes, and suggested that the paper should bo made waterproof with gutta-percha, boiled linseed oil, or similar substances. He cautioned members against using old newspaper for such packing as being unsafe. He found brown paper best. After a few words from the Chairman, and a vote of thanks, Capt. Lyon read a brief account of photographic experi ences in India, and exhibited the finest collection of Indian photographs which have over been seen in this country. The Chairman, in making some comments on the subject, incidentally referred to a great balloon, now exhibiting in Ash burnham Park, and invited photographers interested in photo graphing from a height of 1,600 feet, in a balloon kept station ary, to make a trial. He would assure them facilities. Messrs. SCIrEEL and Ellis exhibited some very fine ex amples of photographic enamels by Herr Greiner, of Apulda. The Chairman called attention to the prize prints of the Amateur Photographic Association. He said that prizes of eighty-five guineas value had been awarded to them. The prizes could be seen by any member interested in the matter by calling at 12, York Place, Portman Square. The Chairman said that the council had that night appointed a committee to watch, and, if necessary, take action upon, a Bill, now in the House of Lords, relating to artistic copyright. Ho understood that, in that Bill, at present, there were pro visions which might bo very injurious to photographers. This committee would desire to see that proper provision were mode alike for protecting the photographer and the public in relation to the copyright in portrait negatives. He would be glad if members would communicate suggestions on the subject to Dr. Mann, 15, Buckingham Street, Adelphi. The proceedings then terminated. North London Photographic Association. The usual monthly meeting of this Society was held in Myddelton Hall, on the evening of Wednesday, the 5th inst., Mr. GOsLETT in the chair. The minutes of a former meeting wore read and confirmed. In the absence of a paper, the meeting resolved itself into a conversazione, Mr. Benson’s Photographers’ Register, and some Obernetter prints, exhibited by Mr. Taylor, forming the chief subjects of attention ; after which the proceedings terminated. Edinburgh Photographic Society. The twelfth meeting of the session was held in the Hall, 5, St. Andrew Square, on Wednesday evening, May 5th. Mr. James Ross, George Street, occupied the chair. After the usual routine business had been got through, a very interesting paper on “ Printing Photographs on Ivory by Various Methods” was read by Mr. William MCraw, in which he explained three different modes of accomplishing the object referred to. In the course of the remarks which followed, much regret was expressed at the almost total desuetude of the beautiful art of ivory miniature painting, and hopes v ere