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PHOTOGRAPHY 379 
though their results had neither a practical nor 
a commercial value. A process for this work, 
that can be sworn by, is among the photo- 
graphic possibilities. For the enterprising 
amateur who shall discover it there is distinc-. 
tion and, perhaps, a fortune. 

New Ideas by a Practical Amateur 
We are pleased to give publicity to a letter 
from Mr. E. R. Plaisted, an amateur who has 
successfully attained results by original methods 
that, as we believe, have never been published. 
We commend Mr. Plaisted’s generosity in 
giving so freely to his fellow workers of the 
information, acquired by patient, persistent, 
practical work, and desire that his letter shall 
be a nucleus for the friendly interchange of 
ideas and experiences. There is not one who 
knows all about photography. Even experts 
have profited by ideas obtained from amateurs 
—sometimes without giving credit where it 
was due. The letter, in full, is as follows: 
“Tn the August number of RECREATION I 
find somebody has, in the photograph depart- 
ment, given utterance to a truth not well 
known, viz.: that the quality of a print on 
gaslight developing paper is much affected 
by the kind of light and length of exposure, 
a short exposure under an intense light soften- 
ing the effect. — 
“Since I began using the tank developer, 
the only kind worth while for an amateur to 
use, I have not had many films that had to be 
intensified, but once in a while I get one that 
is a trifle thin. In printing these I not only 
give a,long exposure at a greater distance 
from the light, but I use a yellow light obtained 
by coloring a frosted incandescent globe with 
water colors. I keep two of these, one slightly 
tinted and the other quite deep in tone. Also 
I find that for straight printing of normal 
negatives a frosted bulb is superior to clear 
glass, seeming to give a better distribution 
of the light. 
“T believe that these apparently small 
matters have much to do with getting out 
good prints on gaslight papers, more than they 
are often credited with. 
“Another idea that I have not seen in print 
is this: in making bromide enlargements, ~ 
instead of pinning up the bromide paper on a 
board or box, put it into a printing frame of 
ample size to receive it and then fasten the 
printing frame against the upright easel. The 
glass holds the pape: absulutely flat and true 
and adds much to the sharpness and evenness 
of focus. : 
“With a convenient enlarging rig I find it- 
preferable to make all exposures with a 
pocket kodak and then enlarge such negatives 
as are worth while, or in some cases enlarging 
a portion only. In this way one can get as 
good results at 5 x 7 as would often be attained 
by contact printing and can select the most 
desirable portion of the negative for the picture 
to be made. 
“T have had a great run on hand-coiored 
views of local scenery this esummer; after a 
little practice it is a quick job to color a land- 
scape without figures and it is surprising how 
the colors add to what is otherwise, perhaps, 
a rather flat-looking picture. Especially is this 
the case witn those having bald skies. 
“Should you deem any of these remarks of 
use to your readers you are at liberty to use- 
them.” 

Notes 
Of late we have been considering, principally, 
such topics as have been requested by sub- 
scribers in various parts of our own country 
and across the Canadian border. But, in the 
November number, unless we have some very 
urgent requests for immediate consideration, 
we shall devote our space largely to the subject 
of making of photographic articles for the holi- 
day season. , 

There is a promising future for nature 
photography. The field is so large that it can- 
not be monopolized by a few; there is room for 
all, and a large territory in reserve for the future 
generations of amateurs. Get into the work. 
There are parts of it adapted to the equipment 
and ability of every one. Begin now! Your 
interest will grow and your knowledge of the 
subjects in which you become interested will 
increase. 

What shall be your lines of work for the win- 
ter? You cannot undertake everything in a 
single season, and do your work well. Take up 
something and master it; then it will be time 
to try something else. If you get stuck, we will 
try to help you out. We are not a college of 
photography; but we propose to crowd in as 
much practical information of the kind our 
readers want as the space at our disposal will 
permit. You are earnestly invited to make your 
wants known. Keep busy! Let there be one 
winter when you do not hibernate, photograph- 
ically. Send your requests early; for by the 
time this number is out our work on the 
December number, if not completed, will be 
well under way. 
