206 GOLDFISH VARIETIES ANT) 



PHOTOGRAPHING FISHES 



Achievements of modern photography have done much to lessen the 

 difticukies of photographing hving fish, aUhough a picture good in every 

 respect demands all the patience and care at one's disposal. Exact 

 photographic records are extremely interesting to the fancier, valuable 

 to the scientist and form the only certain basis for noting the changes in 

 the fancy breeds of goldfish. 



A high-grade lens that will work at F 6 or better and a shutter that 

 will give an exposure of 1-25 second should be used. Sufficient length 

 of bellows is needed so that the fish may be photographed about two- 

 thirds life size. Sharp negatives can be had in this way and those which 

 turn out well can be enlarged. Direct photography at life size is not 

 practicable, as the depth of focus and power of the light are very much 

 cut down at this close range. The chances of blurring by movement are 

 greatly increased by attempting to photograph at life size. A photo- 

 graphic plate size 5 x 7 is quite satisfactory for photographing goldfish. 

 For the most of the tropicals, 4 x 5 is sufficient. The Graflex camera 

 is very convenient, allowing one to^ focus up to the instant of exposure. 



To properly carry out this work a special photographing aquarium 

 should be prepared. It should be seven inches deep, seven inches wide 

 and two and one-half inches through from front to back. The front 

 should be of 3^-inch plate glass. This is important. A white background 

 for photographing dark subjects and a black for light ones will be 

 needed. A piece of cardboard folded twice and stood on end immediately 

 in back of the aquarium will be found to be satisfactory. The back may 

 be painted with flat black to serve for the alternate background. If this 

 is done the two creases should be stripped with tape so the board will not 

 separate when the fold is reversed. To carry out the background effect 

 completely, cut a piece of glass the size of the inside bottom of the 

 aquarium. Paint one side Avhite and the other black, using either as 

 required. The fish will frequently sink to the bottom, and if the back- 

 ground is of the proper color throughout, the photograph can be as well 

 made there as higher in the water. 



A very important item is to have a movable glass partition so that 

 the fish may be forced near the front glass and thus kept in focus. Thin 

 brass forms to snap on either top end of the aquarium and leaving 

 notches filed to hold glass partition in position will be found most 

 convenient. 



