AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY. 



The picture on the front cover of this issue 

 of Recreation, is from a photo by Mr. 

 Homer Anderson, of Peekskill, N. Y. Re- 

 garding the picture, Mr. Anderson writes: 



Peekskill, N, Y. 



At the risk of coaling Newcastle I inclose 

 you a suggestion for a cover picture, as I ob- 

 serve you have a new one each month. My 

 photographing is the chief of my snatched 

 recreations, and a random shot from my 

 bay window gave the result I send you. 



The view is from a location above the 

 manufacturing part of Peekskill, showing a 

 bit of the Hudson river, at a point where the 

 Armsville creek empties into it. This creek 

 was mistaken for the. head of navigation of 

 the Hudson by the early explorer, Jans 

 Peek, who made his winter quarters there, 

 giving to the stream the name of Peeks kill, 

 whence Peekskill. The mouth of the Arms- 

 ville creek is crossed by the Hudson River 

 Railroad. The rocky promontory on the 

 right is just to the north of Peekskill. A 

 fairly preserved old revolutionary redoubt is 

 on this hill. The next elevation, about the 

 same height as the rocky one, and on the op- 

 posite side of the creek, is the site of the State 

 militia camp. The mountain beyond is Kit- 

 tany, and hides the famous St. Anthony's 

 Nose, which lies just beyond. The large tree 

 on the left hides Roa Hook, the camp land- 

 ing place. The Hook is a gravel bank (or 

 its remains), from which most of the mate- 

 rial has been taken for the making of paths 

 and roadways in New York's Central Park. 

 Fort Independence stood on the top of the 

 bank during the revolution. 



The office building in the centre of the 

 view flies the weather signals, and in the 

 picture displays the white flag — fairweather, 

 a proper prediction for Recreation. 



Last, but by no means least in the combi- 

 nation, are the objects in the foreground. A 

 genuine young American displays his rus- 

 sets and reads our Recreation, as plainly 

 to be seen by the picture on one of the pages 

 of his book, while another is on a chair within 

 arm's reach. Imagination helps to a realiza- 

 tion of the height of his enjoyment — him- 

 self recreating while enjoying the recreations 

 of others, either of which privileges is more 

 than falls to the lot of many a wearied body 

 and brain. 



You may not care for my picture, but I 

 am sure you cannot crowd more of interest 

 in the same space than is given in the snap- 

 shot from my bay window. 



Homer Anderson. 



Uniontown, Pa. 



Editor Recreation : 



In reply to Mr. Chas. H. Worcester's in- 

 quiry in last month's Recreation, I will 

 venture to give some of my experiences with 

 cameras in camp. 



I have used 6^x8^, 5x8, and 4x5, both 

 films and dry plates, and have obtained good 

 results with all. But above all I prefer my 

 4x5 Premier hand camera, with Seed's dry 

 plates. It is simple and compact, being 

 6^x7x12 inches, and carries five double 

 plate-holders, thus allowing the operator to 

 make 10 exposures without reloading his 

 holder, which can easily be done at night in- 

 side of a tent or wagon. I always kept my 

 holders filled up. If I made but one expos- 

 ure during the day I took that one out at 

 night and replaced it with a fresh plate. 



In my opinion the Premier, or the Premo, 

 made by the Rochester Optical Company, 

 are second to none for the hunter's and camp- 

 er's use. They will stand all manner of or- 

 dinary abuse which a camera in camp is 

 bound to go through. One can always feel 

 sure his instrument is ready for a shot at any 

 time. There are no film rolls to refuse to 

 act after a day's drive over rough mountain 

 roads. 



I have had my 4x5 in use for 5 years, 

 have hauled it many miles over rough roads, 

 and in one wagon trip, last October and No- 

 vember, I hauled it 284 miles jumbled up 

 among tents, tent-poles, etc. That kind of 

 usage had no effect on the working qualities 

 of the camera, but always found her my ready 

 and obedient servant. 



Other cameras I have used would not 

 stand so much of this, and I have often 

 been disappointed when I most wanted to 

 use them. I will send our inquiring brother 

 " Nimrod " a sample photo, if desired. 



L. M. 



When not in use your lens should be pro- 

 tected from dust and put away in a lined 

 case or bag of chamois skin. In cleaning, 

 great care should be taken not to scratch it, 

 and only fine, soft linen, or chamois skin, 

 should be used. 



The more you study photography, the 

 more certain you become that you still have 

 much to learn. Every photographer, whether 

 amateur or professional, must continue to 

 study or be left behind. 



The best way to preserve the lens from 

 injury is to have a little bag, made of soft 

 wash leather, padded with cotton wool, in 

 which to keep it. An extra cap, fitting over 

 the rear combination, is also advisable. 



Amateur photographers who have pictures 

 suitable for Recreation's front cover are 

 invited to submit proofs. 



250 



