The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

Tzvelve The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER May, 1935 Candid Portraiture Miniature Camera Photography A Letter From Australia Met (A and Paraphenylene-Diamine Formulas: Last month we mentioned the tendency of workers to incorporate metol in their paraphenvlene-diamine formulas to obtain better gradations in their negatives, and now we are presenting two formulas recommended by Mr. E. W. Lowe, of the Edwal Laboratories. Past experience with formulas suggested by Edwal would indicate that the following should be of great help to the miniature camera photographer. The trend lately is to employ formulas which will not only satisfy fine grain requirements, but will produce a negative of proper contrast and gradations as well. Mr. Lowe's formulas are as follows: Di amineH (Paraphenvlene-diamine Hydrochloride) 12 grams Glycin 6 grams Metol 5 grams Sodium sulphite 90 grams Trisodium Phosphate Monohydrate 24 grams Water 1 liter This formula will give a grain almost as fine as the Sease No. 3 Formula, and can be used on normally exposed negatives. The gradations and contrast obtainable are excellent. Diamine-P (Paraphenvlene-diamine) 10 grams Glycin 5 grams Metol 6 grams Sodium Sulphite 90 grams Water 1 liter Development time for both formulas: 15 minutes at 70° F., 18 minutes at 65 °F., for all emulsions except the fine-grain type as Panatomic, Micropan, etc. For the latter films the developing times are 10 minutes at 70° F., and 12 minutes at 65° F. In regard to the latter formula, Mr. Lowe states: "This latter formula is excellent for normal exposure and indeed may be used when the exposure has been much less than normal. Some of our tests of it on underexposed negatives have given remarkably good results. Negatives developed in it will give fifteen diameter grainless enlargements unless over-exposed. If the solution is allowed to age for two months after being made up the grain produced is as fine as that given by the Sease No. 3 Formula. In addition, the tone scale is very long and the gradations are excellent." Here is some further interesting matter mentioned by Mr. Lowe in his letter to us: "With your permission we will here insert a few remarks which have been occasioned by inquiries from various of our customers. Paraphenvlene-diamine Hydrochloride, or as we call it, Diamine-H, is in no way interchangeable with Paraphenylenediamine, or Diamine-P, and neither chemical should be used in formulas designed for the other. Diamine-H contains only about sixty per cent as much Paraphenvlenediamine as Diamine-P, and unless allowance for that fact is made, solutions containing it will not retain their developing powers as long as those containing Diamine-P. When formulas for the use of Diamine-H are made up, considerable care should be used to weigh exactly the specified quantities of Diamine-H and Trisodium Phosphate Monohydrate, since a small excess, or the Trisodium Phosphate, will give a very considerable in grain size, and on the other hand an excess of Diamine-H will cause flat under-developed negatives." Candid Portaiture : To mention candid photography in relation to the miniature camera is nothing new, for the small camera is ideally suited for such work. Many amateurs are, however, neglecting its value for portraiture. In working with a large camera the subject must necessarily be "posed," for every time the sitter moves out of position it is necessary to correct the focus via the ground glass. Then again, when the actual exposure is taken the sitter must remain posed for the duration of the exposure, which is relatively long, because of the slower lenses on larger cameras. With the miniature camera, the lamps can be properly arranged, the subject instructed in the position which to take, and a snapshot taken every time the subject assumes a suitable pose. Nor are many lamps needed to enable Left — Child Portrait. Photographed by A. Wolfman. Taken with a Leica Camera, and Perutz Peromnia film. Exposure made by daylight. Center — Candid photograph taken in subway train, using only the illumination furnished by the train. — Photograph by Kip Ross. Right — Child Portrait. Photographed by A. Wolfman. Shots of this type are extremely simple with the miniature camera. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.