414 



RECREATION. 



America and foreign countries, taken by a 

 company of tourists. Some of the negatives 

 were grossly over or undertimed, but a 

 number showed signs of mishandling in de- 

 velopment; scratches, stains, finger marks, 



etc. 



These 2 instances have taught me to do 

 my own developing. I like to be my own 

 judge as to whether or not my photo or 

 plate or film is good, bad or indifferent. 

 Unless you do your own developing you 

 can not watch the process, and- perhaps 

 your most prized negative will be spoiled 

 by an indifferent professional, whereas you 

 would have taken care and pains to make 

 it good. 



V. J. Ley, Spokane, Wash. 



COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY AGAIN. 



The eminent German scientist, Dr. 

 Koenig, of Hoechst, has, according to cable 

 advices, announced his complete success in 

 solving the problem of color photography. 

 Dr. Koenig stated to a congress of scien- 

 tists assembled at Breslau that his dis- 

 covery revealed a process whereby every 

 shade of color in the object photographed 

 was reproduced, and that the process was 

 so simple any amateur could employ it with 

 the same facility as snap shots. Further- 

 more, according to the doctor, it costs 

 little more than ordinary photography. 



Pictures taken by this process are abso- 

 lutely lifelike. They show, for instance, 

 whether a man wears a black or a dark 

 blue coat ; whether his watch chain is of 

 gold or silver, and whether his complexion 

 is pale or ruddy. After the negative is 

 taken, the colored photograph can be copied 

 in 40 seconds, retaining all the shades. 



If Dr. Koenig's enthusiasm has not car- 

 ried him away, he has made the discovery 

 of the century. If he has solved the ques- 

 tion of color photography he has complete- 

 ly revolutionized the art as it exists to-day. 



It would be difficult to say just how far 

 color photography could be applied, were 

 it in reality achieved. The result of a dis- 

 covery such as Dr. Koenig proclaims would 

 open up illimitable fields. It would not 

 only mean a revolution in photography, but 

 would doubtless result in the fixing of new 

 standards of art. — The Photographer. 



FLASH SILHOUETTES. 



Flashlight photography has its peculiar 

 fascinations, but is usually confined to the 

 taking of a group which can not be gath- 

 ered at any other time than in the evening. 

 This group picture is important and noth- 

 ing can take its place, but as a supple- 

 mentary amusement why not try some flash 

 silhouettes? Proofs displayed shortly after 

 the taking would add immensely to the 



merriment of the hour. The plan of opera- 

 tion is simple, as follows : 



Hang a sheet free from wrinkles over a 

 doorway. Place the camera and the sub- 

 ject on one side, the latter posed as near 

 the sheet as possible. Set off the flash at a 

 distance of 10 feet on the other side. Focus 

 sharply the profile of the subject or sub- 

 jects and pose suitably for serious or comic 

 result. I use a fast plate, diaphragm F 8, 

 and a small quantity of flash powder. The 

 first attempt is likely to be over exposed. 



In developing, work for contrast, not de- 

 tail. A contrasty paper will yield an ex- 

 cellent print. If you develop your plates 

 shortly after exposure, a minute or 2 of 

 rinsing under the tap will remove excess of 

 hypo, so that a wet piece of paper carefully 

 rubbed into contact with the negative will 

 admit of proof-making and your friends 

 will enjoy the result. — V. A. Wood, Mil- 

 ford, Pa. 



SNAP SHOTS. 

 The next time you see the beautiful dec- 

 orations with which Jack Frost covers the 

 window pane, try to photograph them. If 

 you have a long focus camera, so much the 

 better, as it will permit your taking them 

 at least natural size or a trifle larger. 

 You will be astonished to see the beautiful 

 designs. I have made several, which are 

 perfect, as follows : Focus as sharp as pos- 

 sible, keeping the camera square with the 

 pane ; use stop 32, hang a piece of black 

 cloth, or, as I did, a black card, outside and 

 about 3 feet from the window, and give 2 

 to 4 seconds' exposure. The correct time is 

 easily found on the second or third expos- 

 ure. Do not develop too hard, as the detail 

 is so fine that it will be lost entirely in the 

 portions frozen the thickest, if developed 

 with too much contrast. 



C, Bethlehem, Pa. 



Will you please send me the formula 

 used in coating Velox printing paper? Also 

 send formula for making prints red, green 

 and different colors. 



Herbert N. Sharp, Montgomery, Ala. 



The manufacturers of Velox do not pub- 

 lish their formula. 



There are several different methods of 

 making colored prints. Platinum prints can 

 be toned with uranium to a number of dif- 

 ferent colors and shades. For the best col- 

 ored prints the carbon or gum bichromate 

 processes are most satisfactory. Books de- 

 scribing these processes can be obtained 

 from dealers in photographic supplies, the 

 directions being too long to be published 

 here. — Editor. 



Do not fail to read the announcement of 

 Recreation's Drawing Contest on page liii. 



