13 



CONCLUSION. 



Finally, if I have given anyone a few hints that will help in the 

 interesting and useful work of photographing insects, my aim is 

 accomplished in preparing these rambling notes from my experience. 

 Anyone who attempts this work must expect many failures, for there 

 is no more elusive game than the insect world affords, but one good 

 negative out of a dozen used in photographing a living insect is worth 

 all the trouble. Except when the cap is off in exposing, one should 

 have unlimited time in such work. I fully realize that it is now 

 difficult for the economic entomologist to find time to investigate, 

 experiment, teach, attend institutes, take care of insect collections, 

 and answer a multitude of letters, to say nothing about eating and 

 sleeping. Insect photography can not be done with a rush or in 

 push-the-button style, but the camera must be ready at opportune 

 times, and if one can not find the necessary time to make a good 

 negative, it is better to illustrate in some other way. One can not do 

 two or three other things and make good insect photographs at the 

 same time. 



The field before us is unlimited ; manufacturers have placed at our 

 disposal excellent instruments and plates; good prints are easily 

 made; the engravers are becoming more expert in making the half- 

 tone blocks; the printers can print good pictures if given suitable 

 paper and no other alternative; therefore let the entomologists of 

 America introduce the personal element necessary to eliminate the 

 poor work and not on^ maintain the present high standard of our 

 insect illustrations, but strive for still better things in the way of 

 insect photography. 



A general discussion of the address followed. Mr. Fletcher stated 

 that far too many photographs were made of poorly set and imperfect 

 specimens, and felt that greater care should be exercised by all ento- 

 mologists in selecting material before it was photographed for the 

 purpose of illustration. He called attention to the fact that many 

 insects could be induced to remain quiet for a few seconds b} 7 simply 

 blowing on them. In his opinion it was a mistake to omit the hair line, 

 as many people unacquainted with insects would more readily know 

 their exact size. A hair-line outline of the insect was very satisfactory. 



Mr. Felt expressed his appreciation of the many valuable sugges- 

 tions contained in the address, and stated that it was his custom as 

 soon as he obtained a paper for printing photographs that gave good 

 results to stick to it, as he did not have the necessary time to experi- 

 ment with different kinds. Good equipment was also necessary in 

 order to save time. 



Mr. Sanderson stated that he had used isochromatic plates. For 

 negatives of printed matter and objects without much color from 



