Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

August 9th, 1933 Ik AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER ,p 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a Touring the HOLIDAY S ^ During holiday excursions, the amateur photographer is occasionally confronted with fresh problems and strange experiences. The more important of these are dealt with in the following article, which also sug¬ gests practical methods for overcoming the more prevalent difficulties. PACKING for the holidays is inclined to be a pleasant business. To the average photographer it is suggestive of many delightful opportunities that cannot now be long delayed, and it is not surprising that he puts a great deal of enthusiasm into the selection of such apparatus as he has decide^ to take upon the journey. Cameras, adapters, filters, and possibly a light tripod, are included ; nor is it likely that the enthusiast has failed to overhaul any part of his equip¬ ment just prior to commencing the packing. One point that is liable to become overlooked is, however, the worker’s ready familiarity with the use of the particular apparatus selected to accompany him on his holiday adventures. Is the camera, for instance, the well-known accom¬ paniment of his everyday photo¬ graphy, or is it a less familiar instru¬ ment which happens to be more in keeping with the worker’s own idea of a holiday camera ? And is the photographer accustomed to using the filters and other accessories that he may decide to take with him this August ? These and similar matters are just as important as the final overhaul, which no careful amateur would think of omitting from his holiday preliminaries. Subjects. Another danger of over-enthu¬ siasm is that the worker may be tempted to take too many photo¬ graphs. Considered in one light, this is not bad policy at all, for a large collection of holiday photographs may contain more real pictures than a small collection. But this is seldom borne out in practice. What actually happens in the majority of cases, is that the work of taking large numbers of quite ordinary photographs leaves insufficient time for carefully attending to any subjects that by reason of situation or arrangement show reasonable promise of yielding a pictorial gem. It is far better then to set out with some kind of exposure plan, and to adhere strictly to it. Too much is not then likely to be attempted, and the particular sub¬ jects to be tackled can to some extent be selected or decided upon beforehand. In this way, all “ hackneyed ” views can be left out ; or, if the subjects be attempted at all, ex¬ posures can be made from unusual angles or from different viewpoints that do not present the familiar aspect of picture-postcard repro¬ ductions. At the same time, when visiting a new locality that may contain many “ beauty spots,” it is a good plan to obtain or see a collection of picture postcards or views of the district. In the first place this will serve as a guide to these places, and secondly will indicate exactly what to avoid. It will be found that some of the best viewpoints have already been selected by the expert picture-postcard maker, but this will not prevent the real pictorialist from going one better. Materials. Good pictures are most likely to result when the worker is using materials of the precise kind fa¬ voured during his everyday photo¬ graphy. A sudden change-over to films, etc., of a slower kind may be thought advisable (in view of the general superiority of seaside light¬ ing), but it must not be forgotten that compensation for such differ¬ ences can best be effected by varying the exposure and using only the better known materials with which the worker is thoroughly acquainted through habitual use at home. No trouble is likely to be ex¬ perienced in obtaining materials in any of the standard sizes ; but all the various makes and qualities are not easily obtainable at every seaside resort. At the smaller of these holiday centres it is indeed seldom possible to obtain more than two of the three popular brands of film, whilst the position with regard to glass plates is 'even less satis¬ factory. It is therefore a sound plan for the holiday photographer either to pack adequate supplies of material at home or to order what he is likely to require immediately on arrival at his holiday resort. Perhaps it should be remarked that this precaution is quite un¬ necessary in the case of the larger resorts — like Brighton and certain others, where most kinds of plates and the full half-dozen popular brands of film are usually kept in the town. General Hints. Amongst the special precautions that have to be taken on a holiday tour are those intended to keep the camera free from sand and spray. By far the safest thing is not to leave the instrument about on the promenade or beach ; but adequate protection may often be secured by leaving the camera in its case when not actually required for use. Exposure to strong sunlight can also affect most cameras — including tropical models — the intense heat being sufficient to warp woodwork' and to detach leather or imitation leather coverings. Discoloration of the lens can also be brought about by this cause, hence it is impossible to overstress the need for adequate care and protection. Finally, the photographer should never overlook the fact that he has a camera with him. Several hundreds of forgotten instruments find their way into lost property offices during the holiday season, and it is hoped that this timely warning will assist in reducing the number so mislaid during the pre¬ sent month. 123 1