xvi Introduction 



have given are based mostly on my own, partly on 

 others', experience, and should they clash with the 

 ideas of any of my fellow-workers, I trust they will not 

 be too harsh in their criticism, but will remember that 

 two workers in the same field hardly ever follow along 

 identical lines. 



Even to the beginner it is written with the intention 

 of merely starting him properly, so that he may lose as 

 little time as possible in learning things by sad experi- 

 ence. However, this is bound to happen, to a greater 

 or less extent; and, after all, Experience is the best 

 teacher, for what we learn at her hands we are apt 

 never to forget. As he advances along his chosen line 

 of work he will find less and less use for this book, 

 until, finally, he will discard it entirely, and then, un- 

 doubtedly, will shortly be able to teach me new tricks 

 and methods. If, however, in the meantime, it has 

 helped him to a better knowledge of the task before 

 him, it will have served its purpose, and I shall be 

 content. 



I have endeavored to make it as complete a text-book 

 of nature photography as possible, and as such I have 

 devoted two chapters to the camera, lens, shutter, etc., 

 and to the manipulation of the plates in developing and 

 printing. This may, to many, seem an unnecessary 

 waste of space, but to any one who is taking up the 

 camera for the first time a thorough knowledge of all 

 this is absolutely essential. 



In other chapters I have treated each branch of 

 nature photography separately, giving in each case, as 

 fully and explicitly as possible, the directions, as I know 

 them, for obtaining the best results. I have, in fact, 



