Nature in Camping 29 



Focus 



Now we are all set. The first step will be to select the flower we wish to 

 photograph. Push out of the way all grass and flowers which might interfere 

 with the picture. With too many other flowers and plants we will lose the 

 important one in their midst. If the background is complex, set up your own 

 backdrop of cloth or windowshade. If there is a breeze and the flower sways 

 too violently place some obstruction between the wind and flower. Place 

 the camera on its support in such a position that the sun lights the flower 

 favorably. If the sun is too far to one side and part of the flower is too dark, 

 put a piece of white material in such a position that it reflects the sunlight 

 back on the shadow side. 



If the camera is the focusing type with a ground glass, simply locate the 

 image on the glass and focus. If the camera is a simple affair place the por- 

 trait attachment over the lens and measure the distance to the flower 

 getting as close as possible. Slip the yellow filter over the lens or the portrait 

 attachment, and make your exposure. Exposure time is variable, dependent 

 on the light conditions, but if the afternoon is clear and sunny your exposure 

 with verichrome film may be about 1/25 of a second at F8 or possibly Fn. 

 If the camera is a simple Kodak set the lens opening to its largest size. 

 If the camera has no lens adjustment, it is advisable to use the S. S. pan film 

 and give the usual snap. 



General Camera Hints 



If your camera has been on the shelf all winter you had better open it up 

 and take out all the dust with a soft brush. Brush the lens too, or use a soft 

 cloth and wipe it gently. 



Examine it for pinholes by closing the shutter, placing your eye at the 

 back of the camera, and holding it up to a bright light. The bellows is 

 subject to this defect. Cover the pinholes with an adhesive tape of some sort. 



Do not tempt the devil by loading your film in the bright sun. It may 

 blacken the end of your film. A shady spot or interior is safest for this pur- 

 pose, and do not unroll too much of the protective paper covering. 



Do not bind yourself to having the sun over the left shoulder when snap- 

 ping a picture. Very beautiful results are possible with the sun in other posi- 

 tions on the side or even directly in front if the sun itself is blocked by a 

 cloud or a tree. When facing the sun always shade the lens with your hand 

 or a sunshade. 



When snapping the shutter do it gently with an even and gradual pres- 

 sure. Stop breathing for a second if you're holding the camera in your 

 hand; and brace it against your chest. 



