42 PHOTOGRAPHING FLOWERS 



such a paragon of tripods, I say, if you can — 1 have nevet 

 yet found it ! But come as near to it as possible. 



For outdoor work, the long-focus cam- 

 Camera, era box of the folding type is by far the 

 best. One which has space enough in its 

 back to comfortably carry a felt case or bag with three 

 holders is best ; for long experience and much ' ' toting ' ' 

 has taught me that the less separate items one has to 

 carry, the better ! The felt bag, by the way, is one of 

 those unobtrusive little things which are really of great 

 importance. What avails one's best skill if the plate- 

 holder has been " sunned" a bit too much, or if a sudden 

 shower wets the slides ? The bag should be rrtade of a 

 rectangular shape, of heavy dark felt, not flannel, with a 

 separate division for each holder, and a deep flap to tuck 

 in the front. It is a tailor's job to make one, and I have 

 paid 50 cents for each one I use, furnishing the material, 

 and the holders, around which the bag is tashioned. It 

 affords an easy means of carrying three holders, and may 

 be laid on damp grass, or even for a time in the full sun, 

 with impunity. 



Another important trifle for field work is the focusing 

 cloth. Avoid the rubber abominations which have noth- 

 ing to recommend them but Hghtness. Get a piece of 

 black "ladies' cloth," about ix yards square, selecting 

 a fabric that is light, but strong and closely woven. 

 This will serve its purpose of excluding light while focus- 

 ing is being done, and will also turn a heavy shower on 

 occasion, as well as provide an available background. 



For an objective, the same wide-angle 



The Lens, lens before recommended is the most 



desirable, though often a lens of normal 



focus is very useful, and sometimes the longer focus of 



the single combination will reach after a fine flower in 



an unapproachable place. 



I am aware of my heresy in suggesting a wide-angle 

 lens for outdoor work , but it should be remembered that 

 in this case it is not used at universal focus to bring in the 

 whole countryside. On the contrary, its special function 

 is to emphasize the near-by plants or flower clusters we 

 are after, and to subdue the importance of the back- 

 ground. Paradoxical as it may seem, the wide-angle is 

 also quicker in this work than its aristocratic brother of 

 longer focus and higher price ! If we work, for instance, 

 upon a rose-bush at a distance of five or six feet, with a 

 lens of 10 inches focus, and there are trees in the distance, 

 or other shrubs, we will need to stop down the lens to 

 y743 or thereabout, to get away from the nasty "shot- 



