Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1931)

MOVIE MAKERS Cine nocturnes— [Continued from paae 371i Square in New York City or the "White Ways" which have been made of the main streets of almost every city and town in the country. There is usually plenty of action to be found in such places and the use of half speed may be resorted to, although it will make the action jerky and unnatural. Scenes taken at night should remain on the screen longer than would be necessary for similar shots taken in daylight as it requires a number of seconds for the audience to become accustomed to each scene, after which they will begin to appreciate it. Striking shots which cannot fail to hold the attention can be secured by photographing electric signs at night. This is especially true if the signs happen to be of the variety which change their appearance at regular intervals. If one is lucky enough to come across an electric sign such as the one at Times Square, New York City, which depicts a young girl on a swing, a telephoto shot showing nothing but the animated part of the sign will prove very effective on the screen. It must be HK' I ;3fc ! remembered that different colors have actinic values not always corresponding to their brightness to the eye. Panchromatic film should be used but, even here, the red lights will be a total loss if an exposure is given which is correct for white lights. The usual run of white light electric signs will require an exposure of about f-A if the camera is running at normal speed. If the sign looks especially bright to the eye or if halfspeed is being used, exposure can be cut down to /:5.6 or /:6.3. The amateur wishing to make shots such as the night scene shown on this page can, without danger of overexposure, open the diaphragm to /:1.5 or /:1.9, and leave it that way for all scenes. While the lights may appear bright to the eye, they are not really so and, if there is no action to be seen or if the action is relatively unimportant, it is better to use half-speed as that will double the exposure. A feature of night photography which is clearly illustrated in the twin pictures is the absolute elimination of detail in the foreground which would indicate that just the things which mean so much to daylight pictures are of no use to a nocturnal shot. At about four o'clock on most afternoons, the sun takes on a reddish appearance due to the hundreds of extra miles of atmospheric dust and haze its rays must penetrate in reaching us. As this atmospheric condition acts like a filter, nothing but the longer rays succeed in getting through, so the sun gets redder and redder until it sets looking like a ball of fire. That is why sunset hues provide meagre actinic values to the cinematographer who happens to be using materials not sensitive to red. It is therefore again strongly recommended that panchromatic film be used in all twilight photography. 393 Night "filters out" the ugly foreground detail as shown by companion shots STANRITE . . . The Stantite Tripod was developed to fill the need (or a lighter, more compact, more rigid tripod. Mahogany and Chromium finish. Overall size 55 inches. Telescopes to 21 inches. Weighs 3% lbs. Price $1 2.00. . . . The Panrite Universal Tilting Top added to the Stanrite Tripod (see illustration) makes an ideal combination. Exceptional tilting range; revolves with unequalled ease, smoofhnessand precision. Holds any camera. Chromium plated. Price S9.00. . . . The Lockrite Attachment makes it possible to instantly attach your camera to the Panrite head. Chromium Plated, Price. $3.00 FOTOLITE . . . From the laboratories of Testrite come the new Fotolite Reflectors. Treated by a new and exclusive chemical process, they enable you to take sparkling clear pictures on any dark day or on any night, right in your own home. Can be plugged in on any electric light socket, ready for instant use. No. 5 (for 500 watt bulb), complete with stand $1 2.00 No. 5 Twin set, 2 reflectors on one stand. . .$20.00 No. 10 (for 1000 watt bulb), complete with stand and carrying cases $19.00 No. 15 (for 500 watt bulb), complete with stand and carrying cases $16.00 The ideal Home Movie Fotolite Outfit, consisting of a No. 10 and a No. 15 Fotolite, complete with stands and carrying case $36.00 (Above prices do not include bulbs) Film Carrying Cases, Ten-reel capacity $6.50 Twenty-reel capacity $9.00 Reflector Board With stand, complete $8.00 SOLD BY DEALERS EVERYWHERE TESTRITE INSTRUMENT CO. 57 East 11th Street, New York, N.Y. Mail this coupon for illustrated folder — FREE! TESTRITE INSTRUMENT COMPANY, 57 East 11th Street, New York City. Gentlemen: Without obligation, please send me illustrated Folder. Name Address City State