178 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 
to refer to the question of reflection in fish photo- 
graphy. 
I have already discussed the subject of reflection 
from the surface of the water when an attempt is 
made to photograph a fish in natural environments 
with the camera above water. In tank work when 
the sun is shining and a tank of clear water is seen 
against the white sheet, there is no reflection from the 
glass of the tank, and the photographer can work right 
in front of it. But when the sun is not shining, or if 
the water in the tank, or tanks, is thickened, or the 
canvas screen behind darkened, the glass of the tank 
reflects the operator, his camera, and whatever happens 
to be behind him. The photographer has now to 
stand to one side, and it may be necessary to hang 
up a white sheet a few yards in front of the tank, 
to cut off the reflection of the trees and houses 
around. 
It will thus be seen that reflection is a constant 
source of trouble, except when clear water and a white 
background are used. To catch the fish in a good 
position is quite difficult enough without having to 
dodge reflection. Further, if a fish is taken against a 
white background, it matters not on what part of the 
plate it is caught, for it is easy enough to print it in 
on the most suitable part of the scenic negative. 
Lastly, when the fish and the scenic portion of the 
negative are taken at the same time, it frequently 
occurs that an attitude which one wished to record 
