PHOTOGRAPHY 
As to Competitions 
~ Our attention has been directed to the an- 
nouncement of another photographic competi- 
tion, for amateurs exclusively, that is being 
promoted by a well-known Boston publication. 
We wish it success. We are firm believers in 
such contests, provided they are conducted 
fairly and the awards are made solely on merit. 
But we share the growing opinion that the 
interest in these competitions is waning; that 
many of recent years have resulted in disap- 
pointment to the promoters and injustice to the 
contestants. Promoters who publicly invite, 
contestants who voluntarily respond, judges 
who accept the responsibility of making the 
awards—all become subjects for the criticism 
as well as the approbation of the public. 
Whatever is due let it not be withheld, be it 
commendation or condemnation. Many are 
wondering at the non-appearance of promised 
posters, covers and brochures—mementos of 
contests which closed so long ago that the 
memory of them is fading as an old sulphur- 
toned p.o.p. print. Regardless of what the 
quality of the prize-winner’s work may have 
been or the effect its publicity will have upon 
promoters, contestants or judges, let all that has 
been promised be produced. 

Notes 
Some ray filters, like some lenses, are not 
worth the postage nor the express charges on 
them. From a personal experience we can 
recommend the bichromate of potash liquid 
filter, and, from reports, we believe the Ideal 
filter, which is less expensive, to be deserving 
of the amateur’s confidence. But we have 
seen some of so pale a color as to be of no value, 
except to the seller, and in the imagination of 
the user. 
Because of what you read in reference to 
the possibilities of the portrait attachment, 
don’t spend a lot of money for a set of supple- 
mentary lenses. One at a time, and stick to it 
until you are skilled in its use, is the better 
way. You may not need the others. 

Exposure meters are sold for various prices 
up to five dollars. With the best a certain 
-amount of judgment must be used. None is 
infallible, and in some instances the meter is 
useless. No amateur needs one. A few such 
experiments as suggested in the June number, 
and costing but a few cents each, will be of 
greater benefit to the amateur than all the 
exposure meters on the market. The neces- 
279 
sary individual skill can be acquired. Its 
possession is more to be desired and will be of 
greater service than any mechanical contriy- 
ance. 

A subscriber in Roosevelt, Idaho, reminds us 
that the promised article on anastigmatic lenses 
has not appeared. The subject is discussed in 
this issue. But, very likely, our treatment of 
it has been different than the one who made 
the promise intended. 

Amateurs who are hunting for lively subjects 
will have plenty of entertainment, acquire a 
vast amount of information and be living again 
in the memories of boyhood’s happy days, if 
they will go to work seriously to illustrate the 
habits of the honey bee. This is no joke. The 
writer spent an afternoon recently with an enthu- 
siastic apiarist who demonstrated some surpris- 
ing possibilities for the clever worker with the 
camera—and there were no unpleasant sensa- 
tions experienced. 

Occasionally get out in company with those 
who have other hobbies than photography. 
You will get new ideas and a new line of sub- 
jects to work on. Collectors of shells, plants, 
fossils, aboriginal relics, are usually pleased to 
have the companionship of a good cameraist 
on their outings, and will suggest subjects of a 
scientific and historical value. Fishermen, 
hunters, canoeists, campers, automobilists, 
athletes, horsemen and others will furnish a 
lot of opportunities to record interesting inci- 
dents and to render pictorial effects. 

Equal parts of beeswax and rosin melted and 
applied hot to the part of a tray where there is a 
leak is one of the best of remedies, and when 
used to fill in where the enamel has chippéd 
off, it will add much to the period of usefulness 
of the enameled iron tray. 

Mr. Edwin Hauck, of New York City, sends 
us the following formula for photo paste, and 
writes that he has given it a trial and finds it 
OE 
Take one ounce of gum tragacanth, and 
after picking out all the unclean pieces, put 
the clean gum into a quart preserving jar and 
pour over it one and one-half pints of cold soft 
water. Cover the jar and let it stand twenty- 
four hours. Then stir the contents thoroughly 
and add four drops of oil of wintergreen§to 
prevent souring. Stir four times the first day 
cover tightly, and use as needed. 
