238 W. S. Berridge—Bird Photography at the Zoo


them in order to procure a picture of any appreciable size. Under

such circumstances the depth of focus (i.e. the portion of the picture

that is sharply focussed) of even the best lens is but a few inches, and

although this state of affairs can be partly remedied by stopping down

the lens, yet this results in a reduced illuminating power when it is

the most required—for the nearer one is to an object the greater amount

of light and exposure is necessary in order to obtain successful results.


Although, as previously stated, shyness and timidity renders so

many birds difficult subjects for the photographer, yet, on the other

hand, extreme tameness maybe a cause of embarrassment. The writer

well remembers attempting to take a picture of a Brazilian Hangnest or

Troupial at the Zoo. The bird was of such a confiding nature that as

soon as the photographer entered the cage the sitter greeted him in

the heartiest manner—perching upon his head, then hopping upon

the camera, and with head craned forward examining the quality of the

lens with a most critical air. To make matters even more hopeless the

bird finally vanished up the sleeve of the operator’s coat!


Visitors to the Zoo are usually very much interested in the doings

of a photographer, the more youthful members of the community

generally endeavouring to be included in the picture, while the adults

content themselves by remarking “ doesn't it seem to know it is having

its picture taken ! ”*


Many people fail to understand how it is possible to take a photo¬

graph of a bird or other creature through the wire meshing of a cage-

front without the strands appearing in the picture. The explanation

of this seemingly difficult problem is that when the lens is held quite

close to the wires and an object focussed some distance beyond, the

wires are thrown out of focus and do not appear in the image, although,

of course, it must be understood that they must not be too thick,

otherwise they would stop all light from passing through the lens.


Although many interesting bird studies are to be procured at the

Zoo throughout the year, the spring-time is possibly the best of all.

Not only is the light better at that period, but the majority of the



* [It is related of the late Joseph Wolf, the animal painter, that when

similarly embarrassed by uninvited onlookers he would begin drawing a goose

on one corner of the paper. Sometimes the hint was taken !—G. R.]



