CHAPTER Xiy 



USING THE ORDINARY, CAMERA 



BEFORE we fly we must walk. The beginner 

 in hunting with the camera must not expect 

 to start right out and secure difficult spectacu- 

 lar pictures of birds in flight, or become disheartened 

 because he cannot. This will come in time, and 

 meanwhile each step has its Interest and fascination. 



The first thing to be done is to learn the elemen- 

 tary principles of photography, both as to the taking 

 and the making of the picture. By all means do the 

 whole thing yourself, as part of the sport; develop 

 your own plates, print your own pictures, and make 

 your own enlargements and lantern-slides if you want 

 them. One learns through working out the processes 

 how to Improve the work. Hiring things done gives 

 little stimulus to the mind and Is apt to keep one in 

 the ranks of the bungling snap-shotter. There Is a 

 real excitement In watching the image appear on the 

 plate in the dark-room which is almost as vivid as the 

 experience afield In securing a fine " shot " or ex- 

 posure. So secure an elementary book or pamphlet 

 on photography, and try first of all some ordinary 

 landscape pictures. 



Though this book must not be a treatise on pho- 



183 



