The photographic news

• Bandzählung: 7.1863
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1863
• 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-id1780948042-186300004
• PURL: http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18630000
• OAI: oai:de:slub-dresden:db:id-1780948042-18630000
• Sammlungen: LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Sammlungen: Fotografie
• Strukturtyp: Band

• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Strukturtyp: Ausgabe

600 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [December" 11, 1863. simply. The tripod head is a large triangular piece of wood; at the bottom of the box is a triangular frame, exactly fitting the tripod head, on to which it slides. A strap, which forms part of the fastening of the box, is then buckled round, and holds all firm. There are several other clever little con trivances. The Old PHOTOGRAPIIS.—The Birmingham Daily Post, com menting on the evidence of the alleged photographs of the 18th century, says :—“ Once more we call attention to the fact that a large collection of the papers, working models, and machinery devised by James Watt still remains in dishonourable dust at Heathfield Hall. As this important light on the history of photography has come from a mass of old papers and rubbish of the Boulton family, it is most probable that some further im portant details might be procured from a careful examination of the treasures still remaining at James Watt’s house.” It further adds:—“ What further revelations this romance of photography may disclose, it would be premature to speculate; but already there seems to be ample evidence that the vaunted discovery of Daguerre and Niepce was practised in our own town more than half a century before. As this subject has so great a local interest, we intend to publish a summary of the very important documents lately published in the Photographic News,^ and in which the curious details of these remarkable dis coveries are fully described. Uo Correspouents. F. G.—Members of the Photographic Society will have the first claim to space for exhibition, and will be exempt from charge. Non-members will be permitted to exhibit on payment of a small rent charge for space, &c. North, W.—The design is very good, but would be better with the glass to the ground. If you have space, the room will be better if 10 feet longer and 6 feet wider. See an article in our forthcoming Almanac, with several designs and much information on glass-houses. 2. So far as we know, all the samples of collodion you mention are good ; perhaps we should give No. 3 the preference. 3. See remarks on pinholes in article on the management of the nitrate bath in the present number. Thomas Lewis.—Mr. C. E. Elliott’s address is Aldermanbury Postern. We believe you will generally find it in our advertising columns. We do not know of any inconvenience in the use of the dark box from moisture dimming the yellow glass. We have’not used it ourselves, but we know that Mr. Blanchard has used it for producing many hundreds of very per fect negatives. lie informed us that he recently took it out in Brighton, taking 12 clean plates with him, and returned very shortly with 12 of the best instantaneous negatives he has produced, not one plate a failure. From this we infer that the manipulating facilities of the box must be tolerably perfect. 2. So far as our experience and information go, No. 1 decidedly. Consult him as to what will best suit your purpose. P. Henderson.—Various accounts of recent methods of silvering glass for reflectors have appeared in our pages ; you will find one on p. 530 of the present volume. We have not heard further from the Editor of the Electrician on the cheap battery referred to, but will communicate with him. Mr. Busch, whose address will be found in our advertising columns, will doubtless give you the required information. Forth.—The term, over-intensified should generally be used instead of over developed ; the latter term had its origin at a time when the processes of development and intensifying were earned on both at the same time. It means that the intensification has been carried too far, and chalky lights in the print result. Your prints are slightly over-intensified, and consequently want detail in the lights. If you observe the forehead of each figure, especially of No. 2, they lack gradation, presenting a mass of white, without modelling. A little longer exposure, and a little less intensification, would probably have remedied that. 2. In our opinion, No. 1. Camera.—As a general principle, a single lens is better for landscapes than a portrait lens, but if you are content to work with a very small stop, the portrait lens will give good results, and it is probable your quarter-plate lens will give you very good stereo pictures. J, Raine.—So far as we can judge from your plan, the design of the glass room is excellent, and we do not see any alteration to suggest. We do not see that a glass room at each end is necessary. See our forthcoming Almanac on the subject. D. W. Aberdeen, and others.—Mr. T. R. Williams informs us, that since our article in a recent number describing his lighting and other studio arrangements, he has been inundated with letters asking for advice in special cases of lighting, for specimens, &c. Having already answered more letters than his convenience should have permitted, he has handed the matter over to us. We would here suggest to our readers, that when a very busy and successful portraitist permits us, for the benefit of our readers, to examine and make public every detail of his working arrange- ments, it is scarcely fair that he should be troubled with letters from strangers asking him to enter into their especial troubles, and give special professional advice. We endeavoured to accurately describe his arrange ments, and the principles upon which they are based ; the application of these general principles to special cases must be made by individuals. The glass room of «D. W.” is quite hopeless, as regards getting anything like similar effects of lighting. With a top light of nine feet wide it will be impossible to cover part and place the sitter so that he practically illu minated with a high side light, as in a room 30 feet wide. Your pictures have too much front light and too little side light; the conditions just require reversing ; experiment alone will decide to what extent you can do that, A white screen will reflect more light than a blue one. P. O.—You will find instructions for taking enlarged negatives in our forth coming Almanac. Your pictures possess some good qualities, but will be improved by a little more care and delicacy in manipulating. Avoid under-exposure and over-intensifying, and observe the works of able men for studies of position, &c. See our Almanac on pinholes. Jonah.—« Medicated spirits of wine” is a term applied to ordinary spirits of wine, with some slight addition by the chemist to justify him in selling it without a spirit licence. 2. It may be used for burning in a lamp ; but methylated spirit (which, possibly, you mean) is much cheaper and quite as good for the purpose. 3. It entirely depends upon what addition has been made to it, as to whether it is suitable for photographic purposes. 4. You are guilty of piracy if you make a copy of a copyright engraving for any purpose whatever; but the risk consists chiefly in disposing of the copies. If made merely for your own use, we do not imagine that you would ever be questioned on the subject. The risk you run is that of paying legal penalties. 5. We have occasionally seen a No. 2 B lens and camera for sale, second-hand, but have no connection with such transac tions. We must refer you to our advertising columns. Tyro.—There ate very many excellent elementary works on chemistry. That in “Chambers’ Educational Course,” price 3s., is very useful. « Galloway’s First Steps in Chemistry,” 5s. As a small work of reference nothing is better than "Fowne's Manual of Chemistry,” 12s. 6d. C. F.—Your bath has, probably, become weak and exhausted with use, and possibly alkaline. Use a stronger bath, and the albumen will not be dissolved. J. C. Custendale.—The subject of alkaline development has been fully detailed in various articles in the Photographic News. The only mode of dealing with collodion which has tendency to leave the plate, is to use a preliminary coating. We prefer old honey for mixing with the tannin solution. Colonel Stuart Wortley’s Glass Room—We have had some inquiries for details of the construction of Colonel Stuart Wortley’s studio, to which we promised a reply, which the Colonel’s absence from town has delayed. We shall give diagrams and description in our next. J. II. B.—The general plan of your glass room will do, but the side lights should be longer than 4 feet. We should prefer them as long as the top light. 2. The red fog on the shadows during intensifying is not an un common trouble, and may arise from several causes too numerous to treat in this column.' The free use of citric acid is frequently a remedy. The subject is fully treated in our Almanac, and also on page 361 of the News, vol. vi. Alpha.—The design of your glass room is excellent; the only alteration wo would suggest is 3 or 4 feet additional length, if convenient. You will find a long article on the subject in the forthcoming Year Book. The mode of warming much depends on circumstances. Hot water pipes are cleanest; a gas stove is also clean ; a coke stove next, and, least clean, any kind of stove or fireplace in which coal is burnt. An Amateur, Lancashire.—We have had no experience with the lens in question. Sodium.—Add the carbonate of soda, drop by drop, towards the end of the reaction, and notice if a precipitate is formed after each addition. Where no more turbidity is produced, add a few drops extra, and boil. Filter, and finally purify the iodide of sodium by crystallization. We believe you may obtain it of Hopkin and Williams, and probably of various other manufacturers of photographic chemicals. J. Gilbert.—We do not know the address of any manufacturer of proto sulphate of iron, but that of Mr. Barnes, of Walker, near Newcastle, at whose establishment it was stated, at the last meeting of the British Association, 2,000 tons are manufactured annually. 2. Almost all manu facturers of photographic chemicals prepare iodide and bromide of am monium, but we cannot tell you the largest maker. C. W. G.—We shall be at the office on Thursday, any time after 2 p.m. The three first days of the week, we arc generally at our residence, 18, Canon- bury Park South, N. W. D. B.—We do not know of any patent you will infringe by taking photographs on opal glass. To get transparencies on such glass to look well by reflected light, it is very important not to over-expose them, to use plenty of citric acid in the developer, and then to tone them by some method. Chloride of gold may be used, or bichloride of mercury, followed by a very dilute solution of ammonia. They may be produced by the wet process, following the method employed for lantern slides. Mr. Blanchard describes his method in our forthcoming Almanac. 2. In the formula to which you refer, there is, we think, too much chloride of lime ; from one to two grains to each grain of chloride of gold are generally sufficient. We should be glad to hear of your formula. Alpha.—The tones of your prints are not such pure blacks as we sec obtained with the lime bath We do not apprehend that your bath will keep after the addition of carbonate of soda. It is not perfectly safe nor desirable to neglect washing before toning. Several Correspondents in our next. Photographs Registered During the Past aaaceft. Mr. Thomas Tyley, 28, Trinity Street, Bristol, Three Photographs of II. M. Robinson, Esq., and a favourite Horse. Messrs. White and Hawken, Lostwithiel, Photograph of the Rev. A. 1). Cope. Mr. W. II. Barton, 26, Triangle, Clifton, Two Photographs of Lewis, Canon, Maes. Mr. Gilbert Cumming, 108, West George Street, Glasgow, Two Photographs from a Bust by John Mossman, Sculptor, oi the Rev. Dr. Norman Macleod. Mr. A. S. Watson, 2, Regent Road, Great Yarmouth, Two Photographs of Mrs. Overman. Mr. J. Foote, 8, Broad Street, Bath, _ Two Photographs of Lacock Abbey, Wilts, the Seat ot to. Talbot, Esq. Mr. Peter Low, 74, Jamaica Street, Glasgow, Photograph of the Rev. Jos. Ross, Ardreshaig•