International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

Kodak Discloses Wartime Camouflage Detection Film ESPECIALLY developed for wartime aerial photography, a new film which ■can pierce camouflage by photographic detection of synthetic coloring, was unveiled in Cincinnati last month by Dr. Walter Clark of Kodak Research Laboratories, speaking before the fall meeting of the Optical Society of America. Known as camouflage detection film, the unusual material is a combination of color and infra-red film and pierces camouflage by providing prints in false colors so that camouflage paint appears red against the green background of natural grass. Basis infra-red photography has also been used for camouflage detection because green paint, which may match grass and foliage visually, usually has much stronger absorption in the infra-red and thereby prints dark on an infra-red photo. New High Speed Color Film Pointing out that over 80 per cent of our wartime intelligence reports concerning the enemy was derived from ^aerial photo reconnaissance, Dr. Clark said that during the early part of the war, a special film known as Kodacolor Aero Reversal was devised for aerial color photography. This film was so designed that it could be developed in the field and was widely used for recon naissance in both the European and Pacific theatres. Continuing his discussion of aerial photography, he mentioned the important role it has played in the preparation and revision of maps, pointing out that accurate measurements can be made from large numbers of aerial photographs in a short time; while ground surveys would be long, difficult and sometimes impossible. Photography from the air can also be used in geological and hydrographic surveys, crop and soil erosion studies, railroad and highway building and pipe and power line surveys ; he told the meeting. Infra-Red Photography "In many cases," he stated, "special requirements caused by the peculiarities of this type of photography make demands not usually encountered in ordinary work. For instance, aerial photos are always made from cameras on moving bases, so that the film must be very fast. Since a certain amount of haze always exists between the airplane and the ground, tending to flatten out ground detail and make it indistinguishable, aerial film must be able to increase the contrast. Not only that, but it must also respond to green and red light so that it can be used with filters and at the same time not produce too grainy a picture." "In extreme cases," he continued, "where long distance or high altitude photography is necessary, the obscuring effects of haze may be so pronounced that it becomes necessary to use infra-red film." In concluding his discussion on infrared photography, Dr. Clark declared that such radiation can penetrate haze and show up details otherwise invisible. This type of photography has proven most useful for forest surveys since the softwood trees develop dark and the hardwood trees develop light, thereby making it possible to distinguish individual trees or clumps of trees from one another in forest areas. RCA Victor Awarded Navy Citation For services rendered the United States Navy during its 1947 Reserve recruiting campaign, the RCA Victor Division of the Radio Corporation of America at Camden, N. J., was awarded a citation signed by the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN. Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman, USN, Commandant, Fourth Naval District, presented the award along with individual citations to Frank M. Folsom, executive vice president in charge of the Division, John K. West, public relations director, and Robert Merrill, Metropolitan Opera star. Process backgrounds with B&L Super Cinephor Lenses FILMING technique often calls for projected process backgrounds instead of location shots. To obtain maximum edge-to-edge brilliance, contrast and sharpness in projecting backgrounds, many leading Hollywood photographers depend on Bausch & Lomb Projection Lenses. Only the finest quality lens could meet this tough test satisfactorily, because critically precise camera lenses pick up flaws in the projected image. For sharp, brilliant pictures on your screen that pay off at your boxoffice, take a tip from Hollywood — use Bausch & Lomb Projection Lenses. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., 616-K St. Paul Street, Rochester 2, N. Y. BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL COMPANY ROCHESTER 2, N. Y, 28 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • November 1947