Volltext Seite (XML)
September 4, 1891.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 625 PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE THEATRE. The Photo Gazette publishes in its last number an unusually fine collotype reproduction of a flash-light picture taken at one of the Paris theatres by M. Roger, of Nancy, who used a flash-lamp constructed by M. Boyer. The picture includes about seventy figures grouped on the stage during the performance of the successful play entitled Le Peginwnt. In the course of an article which accompanies this illustra tion, the writer (J. Mareschal) points out that the apparatus sold for the purpose of produc ing the magnesium flash is of endless variety, but, as in most other things, the simplest of them are the best. He also asserts that mag nesium powder is often adulterated with foreign material, notably with zinc, which, of course, burns with far less brilliance than the metal which it supplants. It is recommended that buyers should prepare the magnesium powder for use by passing it through a sieve made of silk tammy, rejecting the coarser particles, and employing only those which resemble very fine dust. Above all things, it should be used as pure as it can be obtained, and certainly not mixed with chlorate of potash. This mixture, which possibly gives a more brilliant light, is dangerous to handle, and may cause serious accidents. Moreover, there is pro duced during its use a far greater body of noxious vapour than when the metal is employed alone. With the ordinary flash-lamp sold for amateurs’ use it is not advisable to cover too large a plate. The sizes 9 by 12, or, at the outside, 13 by 18 (centimetres), should not be exceeded. The mode of operation is very simple. The picture may be focussed with a taper, which, when moved from side to side, will show on the ground glass screen the limits of the picture to be taken. When all is ready, the shutter of the dark slide may be withdrawn. In the meantime, the gas or other lights of the place may be left burning, provided none of them is in the field covered by the lens. The lens cap is not removed until the moment is at hand for firing the magnesium charge, and the lens should be covered again immediately after that operation. If a picture of greater dimensions than those stated is required, a battery of lamps must be employed instead of a single one, and with this object M. Boyer has adopted a system the effectiveness of which is proved by the ex cellent results shown in the picture to which we have already called attention. It must not be thought that this picture is a mere fluke, a happy accident, for this is not the case, several theatrical pictures having been taken which, we are told, are quite as good. These pictures will presently be published by the firm of Dentu in the form of a highly interesting album. The operator places his camera either in the middle of the orchestra stalls, or in the dress circle, according to Fg. 2. the size of the proscenium opening and the auditorium. The flash-lamps are placed close to the scene in front of the first tier boxes, right and left. The lamp is one which burns alcohol with annular wicks, in the middle of each of which protrudes the pipe through which the magnesium dust is urged into the flame. The annexed cut (fig. 1) will sufficiently explain its con struction. But this sectional cut shows only one wick, its object being to give relation of parts only. In fig. 2 it will be seen that each lamp has two wicks, and each of these has its separate supply of magnesium dust, although only fed by one air supply pipe. It will be seen that any number of these lamps may be joined together by india-rubber tubes, and these again by means of a main pipe connected with a pair of ordinary household bellows. The india-rubber tubes should be of a uniform length, in order that ignition may be simultaneous in all the lamps, producing one great flash. It is also necessary that the | subjects to be photographed should be motionless, for although the flash is as rapid as possible, it is not absolutely instantaneous. Indeed, the light may occupy half, and in some cases a whole second of time. The art of the operator consists in the judicious disposal of his lamps so that few shadows are cast, and in exercising his judgment in making the light stronger on one side of the composi tion than on the other. MANCHESTER Amateur PHOTOGRAPHIC Society.—The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8th, when papers on “Printing Processes ” will be read, and demonstrations given by the following members :—Dr. A. Hamilton, “ Platinotype ” ; Mr. J. T. Lees, ‘ ‘ Alpha Paper ” ; Mr. J. Drinkwater, “ Chloride Paper.” The following advertisement recently appeared in a German photographic paper:—“A born gentleman, 38 years old, of medium stature, heretofore an independent office-holder, but not altogether satisfied with his situation, amateur photographer and crayon portrait sketcher, seeks, from pure love of the art, a pleasant, wealthy lady (widows not excluded, nor is age material) who is in possession of a large photographic establish- I ment, for the purpose of marrying the same. Honest proposals, | including photograph, to be sent to ‘A. B. C.,’ 3149, care I publication office, Dusseldorf, Germany.”
