AM A TE UR PHO TO GRAPH ) '. 



7$ 



have a customer I do not discriminate. 

 1 explain the good and bad points of both 

 plates and films. Seven-tenths of the be- 

 ginners choose film cameras, because they 

 can make 12 exposures in as many seconds. 

 The average person buying a camera thinks 

 that to make pictures it is only necessary to 

 push a button, or squeeze a bulb, under 

 any conditions of light, either outdoors or 

 in. Films are much more expensive than 

 plates, and there is but one grade to choose 

 from. Plates are heavier, but many points 

 are in their favor. One can have a 6 l / 2 x 

 8y> camera, make pictures 6 l / 2 x 8^, 5x8, 

 5 x 7, 4 x 5 or. Y A x 4%, by using kits. 

 When occasion requires, an extra rapid 

 plate can be used. Isochromatic and ortho- 

 chromatic plates can be used to photograph 

 flowers of different colors, thus giving an 

 unlimited assortment of material to select 

 from. 



The foundation of the picture is laid in 

 developing. For an exposure made on a 

 dull gray day, when the light is flat and 

 there is no contrast, the developer can be so 

 compounded that the contrast will be in- 

 creased. An under exposure can more 

 readily be controlled by developing prints 

 one at a time ; while films are developed in 

 the roll, of 6 or 12 exposures. 



The new film pack, just introduced by the 

 Rochester Optical Company, makers of 

 Premo cameras, will be hailed with delight. 

 It is at present made in the 2>Ya x 4/4 Slze 

 only, but will soon be made in all sizes. 

 The film pack adapter closely resembles an 

 ordinary plate holder. Two metal fasteners 

 hold the back and front together. The 

 front has a slide and is operated like a plate 

 holder. The film pack and adapter are eas- 

 ily manipulated. The pack is placed in the 

 adapter, the back of which opens, and the 

 adapter is then inserted in the camera ex- 

 actly like a plate holder. The pack con- 

 tains 12 films. When exposures are to be 

 made, the slide is drawn out, the black 

 paper tab is removed, and the slide can be 

 replaced, and another object focused on. 

 In this manner the 12 films may be exposed, 

 or the film pack adapter removed and the 

 plate holder used in the regular way. The 

 film pack can be loaded and unloaded in 

 daylight. This feature will be appreciated 

 by plate enthusiasts, as a supply of film for 

 several weeks may be included in one's lug- 

 gage and exposures made in the same man- 

 ner as if plates were used; whereas to carry 

 this number of plates would be next to im- 

 possible. 



The style of camera depends on the en- 

 ergy you can spare. The box camera is 

 made for plates or films, and no focusing 

 is necessary, as the lenses are of the univer- 

 sal focus type, and the picture in focus, or, 

 in other words, clear, at all distances. This 

 camera is all right for memorandum work, 



for children, or for one who does not wish 

 to bother with focusing; but if you wish 

 pictures, and intend to take up photography 

 seriously, get a folding style ; one with a 

 ground glass or focusing screen, so you can 

 study your subject. 



Is a tripod necessary? Certainly, if you 

 wish pictures. The camera should be held 

 in the hand only in the case of instanta- 

 neous exposures, not more than 1-25 of a 

 second, so that the movement of the camera 

 is not perceptible. By using a tripod ex- 

 posures of any duration may be made ; and 

 no one working for good results will make 

 an exposure without a tripod. 



The lens question is important, and must 

 be left to the pocketbook for decision. The 

 best you can afford is none too good. 

 Cameras, as regularly equipped, contain 

 good lenses, but better results are assured 

 from the start by getting a good lens of the 

 anastigmat type, of which there are many 

 good makes. A good lens is one that Works 

 with a large opening or aperture, for quick 

 exposures when desired, and can be used 

 as a single lens when occasion demands. 



For real satisfaction, and perfect picture 

 making, a camera with a long draw, or bel- 

 lows, a good anastigmat lens, and a reliable 

 make of plates are essential ; but with all 

 this do not forget that the man behind the 

 gun is the principal factor. 



AS TO PRIZE WINNERS. 

 Would it not be advisable to divide the 

 entries in your next photo competition into 

 2 classes, putting the photos of wild animals 

 together? They are more interesting, are 

 much harder to get, and should win over 

 ordinary pictures ; but the fellow who has 

 neither the means nor the time to make a 

 trip necessary to secure an animal subject 

 does not stand much show, although his 

 may be as artistic and pleasing a picture as 

 the other fellow's. The wild animal class 

 should have the more valuable prizes, but 

 can you not make a second class, excluding 

 wild animals ? 



H. J. Flint, Providence, R. I. 



ANSWER. 



I have thought a great deal about the 

 proposition you make, for several years 

 past, and have discussed it with several peo- 

 ple, but have been unable to effect any plan 

 that seemed better than the one I have been 

 following. For 2 years past I have offered 

 a special prize for the best picture of a wild 

 animal, considered with reference to the 

 general artistic qualities of the photograph ; 

 and inasmuch as I do not give one person 2 

 prizes, this has eliminated the best wild ani- 

 mal picture from competition with the good 

 ones of other subjects. If you have a file 

 of Recreation for 5 or 6 years past and 

 will go through them, examining carefully 



