256 Cincinnati Society oj Natural History. 



OBSERVATIONS ON PHOTOGRAPHIC APPLIANCES 

 AND THEIR USES. 



By L. M. Pki 111)11 )1i;r.. 



(Read by title December 7, 1886.) 

 It may seem presuming on my part to offer a statement of my 

 observations on photographic appliances to members of this Sec- 

 tion, who have had as mucli, and in some cases more, experience 

 than myself. However, if I {■a\\ to say anything of interest, you 

 can only blame the Committee on Entertainments for their selec- 

 tion. My remarks will only apply to amateurs, and only relate to 

 our general work. 



Every one will readily admit that good negatives can not be 

 obtained without a good photographic outfit, used with judicious 

 manipulation and precision. A negative or photograph should be 

 judged from two standpcjints, one being the technical and the other 

 the artistic ; the successful combination of both constitutes perfect 

 work. One can become artistic in his selections and general 

 adaptation of his subject to his i)late almost as well as he can 

 become technical. 



This may seem to be an exaggerated statement, l)ut I am fully 

 convinced that a close study of artistic effects would show that 

 these are more or less subject to well-defined rules and conven- 

 tionalities, which could be memorized, just as one learns his 

 multiplication table. 



A picture which is artistic and not well executed is in part a 

 failure; therefore to be successful it is as essential to be a careful 

 manipulator as it is to possess artistic attainments. 



I shall confine myself to the technique of photography, and 

 give you the result of my conclusions, let them be worth what 

 they may. 



In the selection of an outfit, let us take up the camera first — 

 I mean the kind mounted on a tripod. A number of various 

 boxes, nicely finished and very pretty in appearance, are always 

 in the market, which answer all requirements. Whateverl^their 

 adjustments may be, two of these are indisjiensable— they are a 

 rising front and a vertical swing-back. Other adjustments, such 

 as focusing rack and pinion, etc., are only for convenience, but 

 they are very useful. A horizontal swing can be of much service 



