With reference to backgrounds for a vertical, a good stunt is to have the backgrounds, say two of them, one black and the other a neutral tint, on shade rollers, and rolling from opposite sides. The good point of this method is that when in use, the backgrounds are held taut by- the roller, and when not needed are rolled up out of the way. The white ground is furnished by the lights coming up through the glass as taken up in the succeeding chapter.
In making set-ups where the articles have to be pinned to the background, while there are many varieties of pins, the variety known as "bankers' pins" will be found the most suitable. These are sold by the pound, and are strong enough to stand hammering into wood without bending. After the article is in place, the pins can be cut off close in with what are known as diagonal pin cutters, a tool you can buy at any hardware store for about a dollar and a quarter, and which is worth its weight in gold to any commercial operator. In this way, the means of holding the article in position does not show in the negative, and eliminates a lot of unnecessary work.
In making set-ups, especially on a vertical camera, you will have need for another very, handy article, and that is modeling clay or a substitute. One brand of substitute, which is popularly used, is known as "Paramount Plas teline." It keeps well, is reasonable in cost, and seems to last almost indefi nitely. There are several colors of this brand of clay, but the light gray-green seems to be the best for commercial work, as it does not shed its color as do the red and yellow. varieties. This clay will hold almost any fair-sized article in practically any desired position, and has the advantage, if it protrudes over the side of the article being photographed, that it can be sliced off with a knife without altering or endangering the position of such article.
When making set-ups on felt, velvet or glass, to prevent the clay from leaving any mark, and also to make it easily movable, as it sets in its position quickly, a small piece of glass at the lower end of the clay will be found very convenient.
Putty is another item which is a real need around a studio, and which is used for (lulling down bright surfaces. In using putty for this purpose, after applying, a wide camel's-hair brush should preferably be used in smoothing down uneven places, although a tuft of cotton serves very well. Just a word as to keeping this putty. Complaint has often been heard that putty gets hard and must be renewed frequently. If it is kept in an air-tight glass jar, free from contact with any paper or cloth, or anything that will absorb the oil, it will keep in good condition for months.
Without pin cutters, clay and putty, I would feel as much lost as I would without a lens.
As for the kind of dope to use on different articles, the modern comnier dal photographer does not rely so much on these as many people suppose. (Of course, there are a few exceptions, such as in photographing glassware, nickel parts on stoves, and silverware). He gets his results by the proper selection of plates, proper lighting and time, developing, and a well-balanced print.
Some operators go to great trouble to have articles painted colors different from what they ordinarily arc, to make them photograph, as they call it. "right." This has always seemed ridiculous to me, as the goods never look in the reproduction like the original ; there is confusion and argument in the fac tory, and all in all, it is not the best way to do. All work should be done with the least trouble to the customer.
Of course, there are certain occasions when some dope helps, especially in toning down obtrusive high-lights and lightening up dark corners. An excel lent mixture for this purpose is what is known as retouch white and retouch black, obtainable at artists' supply stores, and used principally by commercial retouchers. When mixed in the right proportions for the particular job and diluted with water, they are easily applied with an air brush, and any effect desired may be obtained easily and quickly.