124 NATURE AND THE CAMERA 



and be very careful in developing them not to let 

 them become too dense. Use a slow developer, and 

 keep the plate well under control. On no account 

 use absolutely black grounds, for, as already stated, 

 they detract enormously from the artistic value and 

 beauty of the picture, all the softness and delicacy 

 being drowned by the intense black. 



With flowers, leaves, or grasses, very striking and 

 decorative effects may be obtained. Curiously 

 enough, this has seldom been attempted — why, it is 

 difficult to understand, as the work is, comparatively 

 speaking, easy, requiring, of course, a keen sense of 

 the value of lines, of masses, of tones, lights, and 

 shades, just as decorative drawing does. A consider- 

 able amount of patience is needed, and perseverance 

 also, if you would find the flowers and leaves that 

 just fit into the scheme. 



PART III 



PHOTOGRAPHING FUNGI 



Here we come to the easiest kind of photography 

 — easy and at the same time most satisfactory. Many 

 of the fungi are not only beautiful in colour, but 

 their forms and markings are very striking and show 

 to full advantage in a photograph. Take, for example, 



