286 Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist 



light. This is of considerable importance, for the 

 careful distribution of light and shade means much 

 to the success of the picture. Very strong sunlight 

 should usually be avoided, especially with very 

 light-colored subjects. White birds or animals are 

 best photographed against the light, or at least in a 



Snowy Herons. 



very much diffused light, for in the direct rays of 

 the sun much of the delicate details of their plu- 

 mage is lost, and often they will even reflect the 

 light to such an extent as to cause halation on the 

 plate and a consequent poor negative. Dark birds 

 or animals naturally require all the light directly 

 upon them that is possible. So it is always well, if 

 we would obtain really excellent results, to care- 



