PREFACE ix 



In my own case, at first both were used, but, finding camera- 

 hunting the more interesting and exciting, I gradually lost 

 the inclination to shoot. Of course it is far better to per- 

 form the whole photographic process one's self. This is part 

 of the sport, and is a delightful amusement for days or even- 

 ings at home. The excitement of developing a plate which 

 records a hard-earned shot is almost as great as in making 

 the shot itself. 



If I am asked to advise upon the choice of a camera, 

 I recommend the size which employs a 4 x 5-inch plate. The 

 beginner had better secure a lightly built focusing instru- 

 ment, of any reputable make, a model sometimes known as 

 " cycle style," having a draw of bellows, for this size, of at 

 least sixteen inches. A good, yet inexpensive rapid recti- 

 linear doublet lens will suffice, one which covers the whole 

 plate sharply. The lens designed for the next larger size of 

 plate is preferable, as it secures a larger image of the game 

 at a given distance. After mastering the rudiments, if one 

 then decide to follow up the sport, it will be time enough to 

 secure a camera of the " reflex " or reflecting type, with its 

 ingenious mirror arrangement, the swift focal-plane shutter, 

 and a rapid lens. This fine battery is adapted to photo- 

 graphing birds in flight, and the like, but is at present, 

 unfortunately, expensive. As to the actual using of these 

 cameras and their accessories, I have tried to make brief 

 suggestions by concrete cases through the pages which fol- 

 low. Various treatises upon the subject by others make it 

 unnecessary for me here to attempt detailed and technical 

 explanations. 



