The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (June 1898)

———_ form, and the undergrowth is also bolder and more varied, and to this undergrowth a great deal of the picturesqueness is due, In the wood the branches of the trees are so interlaced and confused that it is very difficult to make them look well in a picture, and if the sky shines through the chances of halation are very | probable, to the ruin of the whole effect. It is seldom worth while to photograph a tangle of leaves unless certain branches are free and conspicuous sufficient to indicate the character of it. Plane and sycamore trees are excellent in this respect, their leaves being very characteristic. Full exposure should be always given to these subjects and backed plates used. Old-fashioned farmsteads will generally supply plenty of material for picture making, whereas modern up-to-date places are much too smart and tidy for the purpose, abounding as a rule in straight lines, well repaired fencing and square brickwork, everything so orderly and well kept that it does not give the picturesque a chance. possibly his chief virtue. objections are raised to photographers wandering about a farm in search of pictures; it is, however, only courtesy to.ask permission before doing so, even if the place seems almost open to the highway, as occasionally some crusty occupier will resent the slightest intrusion on his domains with the most bitter animosity if his consent is not asked, so it is best at all times to obtain the preliminary permission, then one can go about with a comfortable conscience, feel they are not trepassing, and also get useful assistance in moving some object or other to more suitable positions. i ELEecTRORAMA.—At “ Niagara,” Westminster, London, a novel exhibition has just been opened. It consists of | the projection of photographs covering a circular screen of 400 feet in circumference and 40 feet high. projection apparatus, which hax been invented and patented by Mr. T. W. Barber, C.E., consists mainly of 10 lantern stage fronts radiating from a common centre, the illumination being obtained from one jet of peculiar formation with 10 nipples, which has been designed and made by Mr. C. W. Locke. The slides are 7} by 64 inches, and when projected join perfectly, thus giving one the impression of standing, say, on the breakwater at Margate, from which position the town, sea, and sutrounding country can be viewed. The projection apparatus (of which we shall give an illustratod description in next issue) is under the management of Mr. C. W. Locke, who, at stated intervals during each day, will also project cinematographic pictures in the lower hall of the building. ‘This exhibition should become immensely popular, as about 150 complete sets of pictures (tinte3) are already completed, The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 95 fairly j The lazy slovenly farmer is much the | best purveyor for photographers, which is | As a rule no | The i SS ee es EEN The Lanternist’s Practical Cyclopedia.*—No. XX. By CHARLES E. RENDLE. PHoToGRaPHy.—The art of producing pictures, or of obtaining accurate representations of objects on a chemically prepared base, by the action of actinio light. In the last century the alchemists, Steel in 1777, and Ritter in 1801, investigated the cause of chloride of silver turning black when exposed to light, Further developments were made some years Jater by Joseph Nicephore de Niepe and others till 1839, when Daguerre announced his discovery of what was called the Daguerreotypa, and which has been outlined in an earlier article under his name. With certain modifications the silver process has gone on to the present time, the various results generally bearing the name of discoverer or inventor, such as the Talbottype of Talbst, Woodburytype of Woodbury, and go on, but-as most of the many branchas of the photographic systems have been sketched under their several headings, as Dark Room, Leas, Iodising Solutioos, and so forth, the student is therefore asked to look them up. PHoToRaMic Errects.—The term given by Mr. J. Hay Taylor 1a the OpricaL Macic Lanrern Journat of November, 1889, to the animated picture photography by Mr. Friese Green, of London.—See Kinetoscope. PHospHoRus.—A combustible non-metallic elementary substance of a yellowish colour, luminous in the dark and very poisonous. Combined with hydrogen and oxygen forms several acids, the most important being phosphorio acid. : Preacy oF SLIDEs.—Unfortunately slides are sometimes copied by the uascrupulous and offered for sale, or hire. And as a slide is not protzcted by law any more than hundreds of other things, artists would do well by copyrighting their works and to protect themselves against the pirates. Pratinum.—lIs a dullish white metal forming one of the gcoup with which iridium, palladium, etc., are also ussociated, and with these, or some of these, is invariably alloyed when found. Its spec‘fic gravity is 21:05, or twenty-one and a half times heavier than water, tough, but very malleable, and can be rolled into the thinnest of sheets, or drawn into wire finer than the finest of cottons. Owing to its infusibility it can only be melted in an oxy-hydrogen or electric furnace, The chlorides of platinum are usod in phot»graphy for what are known as the platinotype process. 1n consequence of it: resistance to the action of acids, and its infusiblity, it is largely uselin the construction of chemical apparatus, and lead, tin, and caustic alkalies, however, attack it. It is considered as one of the precious metals, its value varying like silve>. Approximate coat at present time that of 18 carat gold. ; Pxeumatic TrRouca.—Invented and used by Dr. Priestly. It is an apparatus mostly used forthe purification of gases, and consists of a trough of water, in the centre of which--under the water—is a be2-hive stand. Ono this stand is placed the glass cylinder also filled with water—or providing the gas be soluble in water, mercury is used in place of water. The weight of the air keeps the liquid in the vessels, the tube leading from the gas generator is directed from bottom of bee hive stand to cylinder, the gas risas to the top of the collecting vessel and drives down the water or mercury and son becomes ful'y charged with the gai entirely free from the admixture with air. * All rights reserved,