AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY. 



245 



depend on changing plates at night is 

 cumbersome, and at times aggravating, 

 especially if one wishes to have the means 

 of making a few more exposures some fine 

 afternoon when away from all conven- 

 iences. 



To obviate this, some years ago I con- 

 structed a changing bag which has accom- 

 panied me through the wilderness both by 

 trail and water ever since; and never yet 

 have I fogged a plate, though often using 

 this bag during July and August with the 

 sun at its brightest. 



The bag is not cumbersome. It is made 

 of 2 thicknesses of black silesia, which can 

 be bought at drygoods stores for 5 cents a 

 yard. It is usually 36 inches wide. I take 

 4 yards and double it evenly, which gives 

 a piece 2 yards long. I double this again 

 and sew up the sides, leaving the bottom 

 open. 



Then cut a round hole 6 inches in diam- 

 eter (or a square one if preferred) about 

 one-half up from the open end of the bag, 

 and in one side of it only. 



This is for the window, which is made 

 of one thickness each of ruby and canary 

 colored fabrics of the size mentioned, ob- 

 tainable at any photo supply house for 10 

 cents. Insert these 2 pieces in the open- 

 ing between the thicknesses of silesia and 

 stitch them in securely. 



Run a strong cord 3 yards long between 

 the folds around the open end of the bag, 

 so that by pulling it tight you can close 

 the opening, and vice versa. 



For use, get together your plate boxes, 

 holders, camel's hair brush; sit down with 

 these on your knees; place the bag over 

 your head, the window facing to the front; 

 lift up your vest and draw the cords tight 

 together, tying them inside. The idea of 

 lifting your vest, and letting it drop again 

 after tying on the bag, is to prevent any 

 stray ray of light entering your dark room 

 from the bottom. 



When not in actual use changing plates 

 I use the bag to carry the boxes of plates, 

 etc.; but if you have any other method of 

 caring for these, the bag itself will readily 

 go in the pocket of your coat. 



Its cost will be 30 cents, plus the small 

 work of making, which your best girl will 

 gladly do for the sake of the art, and inci- 

 dentally for yourself. 



John Boyd, Sarnia, Ont. 



scruple weights may be again divided so 

 as to make weights of one, 4 or 6 grains, 

 which will often be found extremely con- 

 venient in weighing small quantities of 

 chemicals. If a formula is given in per 

 cent, solutions it is handy to remember the 

 following rule, which is quite accurate 

 ?x n r? Ugh for P not °graphers' purposes: 

 Whatever per cent, of chemical is re- 

 quired need only be multiplied by 5; thus 

 we wish a 10 per cent, solution of 'soda, 

 i° X 5 = 50 grains to each ounce of water. 

 Or if we wish an 11 per cent, solution of 

 hydrochloric acid, n X 5 = 55 minims to 

 the ounce of water. Quite easy when you 

 know how, but many of us have wished the 

 chap who advised us to use per cent, solu- 

 tions of this and that was where we could 

 tell him something privately, just for the 

 want of this simple rule. 



To block but a sky in a negative, hold it 

 over a candle flame and smoke the sky part. 

 It must be done gently so as not to melt 

 fhe emulsion. When smoked enough, rub 

 off all that intrudes on the picture and 

 spray with thin shellac. 



Many photographers spoil good work by 

 poor spotting. Even trade printers, who 

 have no excuse for not knowing better, do 

 it constantly. 



Spotting is tedious work, requiring 

 great patience. If one turns out many 

 prints he can not do the spotting himself, 

 nor even secure one person who can. A 

 single dab of spotting ink seems to cover 

 a multitude of sins in the eyes/^of some 

 people, but it ruins the pictures? tend will 

 eventually ruin business. Be patient when 

 spotting. Match your colors, if it takes 

 all day, and never use a full brush. The 

 man who is great in little things is sure to 

 win in photography, and spotting is the 

 chief of little things to watch carefully. — 

 E. W. Newcomb, in the Professional Pho- 

 tographer. 



PER CENT. SOLUTIONS. 

 Small weights can be conveniently made 

 by using thin sheet brass or tea lead. Se- 

 cure a square piece weighing, say, one 

 ounce. Divide this accurately into 8 

 pieces, and each weighs one dram. Re- 

 serving 2 to 4 of these, divide the others 

 Aip into thirds for scruples. Each of these 



TO MAKE LANTERN SLIDES. 

 Recreation has made me a camera crank 

 of the worst description. Can you now tell 

 me how to make and color lantern slides? I 

 should also like to know what are the best 

 kind of day and the best time to take snow 

 pictures? What exposure should I give? 

 G. M. Lount, Jr., Barrie, Ont. 



ANSWER. 



'•'Lantern Slides; How to Make and 

 Color," by Dwight L. Elmendorf, pub- 

 lished by E. & H. T. Anthony Co., 591 

 Broadway, New York, price about $i, 

 gives full instructions. No short descrip- 

 tion would be of any use. 



The best contrasts in snow pictures arc 

 to be had on really bright days, but devel- 

 oping must be done in very dilute devel- 



