International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1931)

g68 The accurate and lucid treatment, illustrated by various diagrams showing the sensitivity curves is a new contribution to the study of that important part of photographic chemistry referring to sensitive gelatine substances and the study of their improvement, both with reference to greater clearness of the pictures and the increase of the possibilities of photographic enlargement and other important improvements. Bild und Film im Dienst der Technik, by A. Kassally. (W. Knapp Halle, Saale). This treatise deals with modern photographic and cinematographic technique in the service of industry and of the auxiliaries of this powerful means of illustrating, publicity and diffusion. It will be found to contain complete indications for proprietors and directors of every kind of industry for the organisation of the photographic and cinematographic services necessary for publicity and cataloguing. The author begins with the problem of chosing the necessary machine or machines, a far from simple matter. He then examines the different types of apparatus, with reference to the characteristics which may make them more or less adaptable for certain purposes. The supports of the machines themselves are studied, as accessories for indoor or outdoor photography, with their different slopes, and expositions, varying according to the task in hand. The author then passes on to the subject of developing materials, colouring, enlargements, etc. Having completed the examination of photographic materials, he devotes himself to photography itself as a process equally capable of reproducing large factories or diminutive machine parts, requiring subsequent enlargement of the picture. In the case of small objects the background against which they are to be photographed must also be taken into consideration, as well as their exposure and the use of the reflectors. The author thus stresses the essential characteristics of industrial photography, — verism, in contrast to artistic photography, which may be modified at will. The indispensability of a photographic laboratory in industrial establishments is also pointed out, and hints as to its locality, organisation and control are added. Kurbel, manual of the Cinema, by C. Em MERMANN, G. SEEBER, Dr. K. WOLKER. (Knapp Halle, Saale). This is a manual for amateurs of the cinema, well got up, with plentiful illustrations, diagrams and photographs, which make it comprehensible, even to beginners without any technical knowledge. Beginning with a historical survey of the principles of optics and mechanics which led to modern cinematography, the writer proceeds to a general description of the necessary apparatus and utensils for the amateur. He then devotes himself to the film in particular, its various types and makes, development, retouching, colouring, inverting processes, and the equipment of the library. Next come the necessary instructions for " turning a film ", from the regulation of the open objective of the diaphgram, the use of the filters, etc., to the position of the operator, how to turn the crank, and other practical and detailed hints. The correction of the negative, the process of inversion and how to make the captions are separately and fully dealt with. Great care is taken to indicate the most practical and economical methods. An interesting study is made of the most frequent errors both in the making, development and projection of the film. How to avoid them and hints as to the preservation and maintenance of the machines and accessories, which are frequently neglected, complete the volume. The book contains a catalogue of the apparatus and accessories most in demand among amateurs.