International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

Twenty T h INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER March, 1934 and later, a method of cutting out stencils from a celluloid strip to correspond with the portions to be colored was invented. Usually three of these stencils were cut and then one after the other was passed in close contact with a black and white positive print, the color being applied by means of a brush at the point where the films were held in contact. Of course, this was an endless task ; but the history of the motion picture is a story of patience itself. Gaumont approached the problem of natural colors about 1909 and in 1912, he showed some him taken by his "trichrome" process at the Gaumont-Palace. This showing, because it was something of an innovation at that time since Kinemacolor, then, was new and was a process that could render two colors, while the Gaumont Process was a "Three-Color Additive" system, that is, the colors were not in the films, but the films were black and white and the color added by means of a color wheel giving a natural color on the screen. This color-wheel is attached to the front of the projector and consists of sectors of colored gelatine or glass which add a color to the black and white picture passing through it during projection. An equal combination of the three primary colors used in this process gives a white, while a lesser tensity of any of the colors, the other dominating colors are seen on the screen. As I've said, it was new and good for that time and the press gave it flattering write-ups; though it was not the answer to the color problem. It is easy to imagine the excited audience viewing color pictures for the first time. Even though the color "fringed" they did not care. Gau mont did, however, and he continued with the problem through the years. Color pictures did not exclude everything else. Gaumont had perfected a lead glass to be used to eliminate the harmful ultra-violet of the Kleig lights. He had perfected many still photographic devices, X-Ray materials, high speed motion pictures, motion picture developing machines and gadgets for everything both in still pictures and motion pictures. During the war, motion picture activities in Europe were naturally suspended. Gaumont made his plant and nicely equipped factory available for purposes of war. He made radio apparatus for planes and for the army ; he made projectors, long range cameras and other army instruments. Too, as a result of the war, a loud speaker known as the Gueritot and Aschel speaker, various telephony and public address systems were perfected. Dating from the war his plant has continued to manufacture radios, lenses, auto starters and ignition systems. Today Gaumont is noted for many things ! For his great number of decorations and prizes earned in reward for accomplishments ; for his "Actualities" or newsreels and his "Enclypodie" or educational and scientific films ; for his honesty and sincere purpose to better the institution of the motion picture. And he is noted for the fact that he was one of those persons who brought back the Delhi Durbar. By fast ship and train he had the film shipped from India to his studio in Paris. It arrived at six o'clock in the evening and by nine o'clock, 7,500 feet of film were sent to London. The next morning the films were on the London screens. That was a fete in 1911. It was all a part of the Gaumont. MINIATURE CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY (Continued from Page 12) sent the relative amount of light required to give a similar exposure to each of these papers. Chloride papers are obtainable in a greater variety of contrasts (soft, medium, hard, extra hard, etc.) and also yield snappier results. It is evident though that it will be necessary to employ a strong light in the enlarger. Quite recently there has been introduced a new Photoflood lamp which is made of Osram (opal) glass. It produces a soft white diffused light suitable for use with enlarging machines. As the regular Photoflood lamp, its light is equivalent to 750 watts, but it has an approximate life of five hours. When using chloride The Foth Derby Enlarger papers the regular lamp the enlarger can be replaced with the opal glass Photoflood. Precaution must be taken to prevent overheating with the subsequent buckling of the film. Papers are supplied in various degrees of contrast to compensate for the variations in the tone range of the negative. A thin negative is improved by printing it upon a hard or vigorous paper. Conversely, harsh, contrast}' negatives require soft papers, whereas normal negatives are printed upon medium papers. Papers are also supplied in a large variety of surfaces, the selection of which is dependent upon the effect which the finished print is to convey, or the purpose it is to serve. For the usual commercial photography, a glossy surface paper is required. The general run of amateur photographs are best printed upon either a glossy, or semi-glossy paper. Printing mediums for artistic photographs and portraits can be chosen from a host of surfaces which manufacturers offer. There are standard surfaces such as smooth matte, rough matte, the mentioned papers being supplied either in white or buff color. Then we have specialized surfaces made by the various manufacturers such as Fabric Rough, Cyltex, Crystal Stipple, Porcelain Stipple, Gevaluxe Papier Velours, etc. Such papers have distinctive surfaces which lend themselves admirably to various subjects. Thus crystal stipple produces a sparkling photograph having the appearance of a crayon drawing upon a rough paper. Grevaluxe is a comparatively new paper, possessing a velvet like surface and exceedingly beautiful deep tones, which are ideal for landscapes and portraits. It is difficult to describe each of these specialized surfaces, the photographer should experiment with each from time to time, finally standardizing upon a few. The same principle can be applied to the general type of photographic papers. Various makes and types are tried, a final decision being made upon a few which serve best for the general run of work. As a developer the common MQ formula is suited for both chloride and bromide papers. This can be purchased in small tubes which contain the necessary amount of chemicals. By dissolving the contents of the tube according to the directions a suitable developer for either chloride or bromide paper can be had. For those who wish to prepare their own solutions the following MQ formulas are listed: (Turn to Page 23) Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.