VIGNETTING THROUGH THE CAMERA.
This was a method at one time much practised, and gives a very striking result.
The advantage, however, lies in obtaining softness while preventing too much spread ing. In the case of persons wearing white dresses the effect is weird, not to say hard ; but when the model is dressed in a costume of pleasing half tints, wearing, say, a lace collar round the neck, the effect may be made very pleasing. It will be understood that the method is only suitable for children and ladies. Cut the card to the exact interior dimensions of the camera bellows, and in the centre of this cut an opening to the shape of the desired vignette. Place this card inside the camera (it may usually be supported by the folds of the bellows) so that it comes about one inch away from the dry plate. The exact distance will depend upon the character and quantity of the light, and is best found by ex periment ; the effect being usually judged by the appearance on the focussing screen. If the outline appears too defined, it must be removed further away ; while if it appears to spread too much it must come closer. In judging the effect on the
focussing screen, the eye must not be placed too near, but the general effect taken. An example of one of these vig nettes is given in one of the full-page plates. Another method which has been tried consists of placing in the dark slide a glass prepared after the manner of the vignetting glasses. This conies in front of the dry plate, and, of course, shields out the margins of the picture so that they appear as clear glass on the negative. Such an arrangement is managed in the studio slide, but due allowance must be made for the alteration in the focus by readjustment of the register to the focussing screen. The method can not, however, be recommended, as the results are bound to be more or less hard as compared with the former plan. There are various other methods of obtaining curious marginal effects, but of these one or two only need be described.