178 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 



to refer to the question of reflection in fish photo- 

 graphy. 



I have already discussed the subject of reflection 

 from the surface of the water when an attempt is 

 made to photograph a fish in natural environments 

 with the camera above water. In tank work when 

 the sun is shining and a tank of clear water is seen 

 against the white sheet, there is no reflection from the 

 glass of the tank, and the photographer can work right 

 in front of it. But when the sun is not shining, or if 

 the water in the tank, or tanks, is thickened, or the 

 canvas screen behind darkened, the glass of the tank 

 reflects the operator, his camera, and whatever happens 

 to be behind him. The photographer has now to 

 stand to one side, and it may be necessary to hang 

 up a white sheet a few yards in front of the tank, 

 to cut off the reflection of the trees and houses 

 around. 



It will thus be seen that reflection is a constant 

 source of trouble, except when clear water and a white 

 background are used. To catch the fish in a good 

 position is quite difficult enough without having to 

 dodge reflection. Further, if a fish is taken against a 

 white background, it matters not on what part of the 

 plate it is caught, for it is easy enough to print it in 

 on the most suitable part of the scenic negative. 

 Lastly, when the fish and the scenic portion of the 

 negative are taken at the same time, it frequently 

 occurs that an attitude which one wished to record 



