4 PEACTICAL PHOTO-MICKOGKAPHY 



degree of dexterity in this work, both a sound knowledge 

 of the microscope, from its optical as well as from its practical 

 side, is essential, and in addition, the technicalities of pure 

 photography should be thoroughly mastered. 

 f The microscopist, who is anxious to start this work, cannot 

 be too strongly advised first to acquaint himself thoroughly 

 with the processes of ordinary photography, and for this 

 purpose a considerable amount of work should be done with 

 a camera both in the field, and if possible, in the photographing 

 of coloured paintings such objects as flowers and still -life 

 subjects particularly being chosen with a view to correct 

 colour-rendering in monochrome. No mere experience with 

 a camera of the snapshot variety is of the least assistance : in 

 fact, it is almost worse than useless, as no idea whatever is 

 obtained of the value of the light being used, nor are the 

 rendering of colour and the differences in tone which occur 

 in photography ever appreciated. 



The photographer on the other hand should master, with 

 a simple microscope in preference, the ordinary technicalities 

 of microscopic work ; he will then be able the more easily to 

 apply his photographic knowledge in recording what he sees. 



The work in general does not present any extraordinary 

 difficulty, but a thorough mastery of the details of both 

 branches that is, of microscopy and of photography is 

 essential. Unbounded patience and perseverance are necessary 

 if the best results are to be obtained ; but it is unquestioned 

 that with the greatly improved appliances now available, the 

 end in view can be reached sooner than was possible even a 

 few years back. That the science will take an even higher 

 place than it at present occupies, the writer is convinced, but 

 it will only be as the result of persistent effort directed by 

 those who specialise. 



