International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

i'Hiii teen The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER January, 1934 Notes on Marine Photography By Karl A. Barleben, Jr., F.R.P.S. HOTOGRAPHY is becoming increasingly popular in all types of activities. Unfortunately the amateur yachtsman has not as yet taken full advantage of photography in his hobby except in rare cases, and this is somewhat difficult to understand, for surely the water and boats make most attractive subjects for picture-material. It is possible that the average "pleasure sailor" feels that a camera is too awkward and cumbersome a device to fit into the scheme of things on board small boats. This is a serious mistake, for the modern camera is so tiny in size that it occupies little or no space. Cameras of this type are known as miniature cameras, and are represented by well-known makes such as the Leica, Rolleiflex, National Graflex, Contax, Foth Derby, and Makinette. These cameras make tiny negatives, it is true, in keeping with their diminutive size, yet pictures on paper from these small negatives can be made in excess of 3 x 4 feet — think of it! Nor is the technique involved in producing such revolutionary results difficult or expensive. It can be readily understood, then, that the yachtsman has available a number of precision cameras at his disposal which are not only highly satisfactory from a photographic standpoint, but small and compact as well. Complete descriptions and prices of these small models may be secured from the manufacturers or from photographic dealers. The point to be stressed here is that these cameras are ideally suited to boat photography at the least cost, least fuss and bother, and least stowage space. Every boat lover should investigate the merits of these small cameras — he owes it to himself, for just think back at the marvelous chances for pictures that you have already experienced. Wouldn't you like to have an album in which a pictorial record could be preserved of the various picnics, cruises, and races you visited or participated in? Of course you would. Going still stronger in photography, the amateur motion picture might be mentioned. Cameras such as the Bell and Howell, Victor, Simplex, and Cine Kodak accommodate the popular 16 mm. film, and like the miniature still cameras, are extremely easy on the pocket-book, yet deliver pleasures and delights that cannot be duplicated. Photography in small boats or large, is now brought to the point of perfection. The time is not far off when the yachtsman will no more think of leaving the shore without his small camera than without his pet binoculars. Life has, in these days, been made easier and more comfortable. The boat enthusiast can have a small radio aboard, complete culinary equipment, and other means of comfort and ease, despite the small size of his boat. The same holds true for photography. Just as radios have been made smaller, more compact, and incidentally more efficient, so have cameras undergone a similar change. There are a few points which might often be met with in the ordinary course of marine photography. It might be well to just briefly mention a few for the benefit of those who are not familiar with modern photography, especially when applied to pictures of boats and things of the sea. The first disappointment that may be experienced by the marine photographer is the fact that he cannot secure a photograph of the interior of his boat which shows all he wants to see. This is particularly noticeable in the case of small boats of forty feet and less. Naturally the cabins are small, often cramped, leaving little or no room to set the camera upon a tripod or similar firm support. The larger cameras are particularly inconvenient in this respect. Even if there is sufficient space for the photographer and his camera, he cannot always include everything in the scene he would like to show in the finished picture. This is due to the fact that the average lens has an angle of view too narrow. What is needed is a so-called wideangle lens, one which covers a greater area on the film without moving the camera back too far. Unfortunately the majority of cameras are equipped with but one lens which is permanently fixed in the camera. A few, however, are equipped with interchange-of-lens features, by means of which various lenses may be attached to the camera at will. The Leica camera is an example of such a miniature camera. This camera may be equipped with speed, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses besides the normal lens at will, by merely removing one lens and inserting the other. In the case of cabin interiors, the difficulty is easily solved by simply attaching the wide-angle lens to the camera. An angle of view of 65 degrees is thereby produced with the Elmar 35 mm. f:3.5 lens attached to the Leica camera. The normal lens of 50 mm. focus covers only an angle of view of 48 degrees. It will be noted that a considerably greater area can be covered by the wide-angle lens in limited space — an important factor when making photographs of ship interiors. With the small cameras, tripods can be dispensed with, thus saving a great deal of space which can be used to better advantage. Because the miniature camera is so small, it can be placed in out-of-the-way corners and set at various angles in order to secure just the right effect. This is impossible with the larger conventional type of camera. The next matter of importance is one of exposures. The interiors of cabins are often illuminated poorly, that is, for photographic purposes, especially in corners where little or no sunlight penetrates. In making pleasing pictures, the cabin should be amply and evenly illuminated. In order to do this, artificial light will usually be required, and this often stumps the beginner in photography, yet the solution is quite easy. Special flash-bulbs are available which can be ignited either by electric current from regular current, a battery, or small flash-light cell batteries. The marine photographer is advised to obtain the tvpe in which the handle consists of a holder for two or three flash-Hght cells and terminates in a metal reflector and 'i*tmr interior shots of cabins demand a wide-angle lens. Photo courtesy Matthews Company. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.