AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY (Pr., La Photographie Automatique ; Ger., Auto matische Photographie) A term frequently applied loosely, and refer ring strictly only to apparatus that carries out the entire operation of making a finished photo graph. To this class belongs the automatic machine exhibited by M. Enjalbert at the Paris Exhibition of 1889. Full directions to the sitter were shown in turn at the proper times on the face of the machine, which was started by drop ping a specified number of coins into a cash-box. The duration of the exposure was indicated by the ringing and cessation of a bell, and a finished ferrotype portrait was delivered in about five minutes. Apart from the liability to get out of order, the great drawback to apparatus of this description is that it cannot make allowance for the sitter's possible inattention to instructions, or for variations in light or temperature. Partly automatic machines, with an attendant or operator, have in consequence enjoyed greater popularity. The illustration shows a typical so-called automatic camera of the kind used by itinerant photographers and at exhibitions The box in the centre of the upper shelf is filled with forty ferrotype plates in sheaths, which may be inserted in daylight, a heavy lid being then placed on top to keep them flat. On drawing out and returning the rod A, which is attached to a plunger, the bottom plate is pushed into a horizontal holder. By turning a milled head at the side, the plate is raised into position for exposure at the back of the small fixed-focus camera shown to the left. Having ascertained that the sitter is correctly placed by inspecting the image in the finder—the small concave lens seen at the top—the exposure is made by press ing the bulb, this being connected to a rubber tube passing to the shutter through B. Any exposure may be given according to the length of time the pressure is continued on the bulb. By means of another small rod in the side the exposed plate is allowed to drop into a wire cradle, controlled by the knob C. The cradle
is raised or lowered by turning the knob, while on the attached rod are marked distances to indicate how far it must be drawn out to bring the cradle over each trough in turn. Having allowed the plate to remain in the developer a stated time, the knob is turned to raise the cradle and the rod is pulled out to the distance marked for the fixing bath, in which the cradle is left till the plate is fixed. The knob is then again turned and the cradle transferred in a similar manner to the third or washing tank ; after which the panel in the front can be let down to examine and remove the plate. With a little practice the apparatus is very easily manipulated, a finished positive being obtained in about one minute.
Another branch of automatic photography— or, rather, automatic exposure—is that in which a photograph is obtained by the action, although without the concurrence, of the subject, as when securing pictures of wild beasts in the jungle, or in taking a flashlight portrait of a burglar. The latter undertaking is quite feasible, and various arrangements have been patented for the purpose, in which, for example, the unwel come visitor is supposed to make an electric connection by stepping on a mat or opening a window, thus rendering a platinum wire red-hot and firing a charge of magnesium flash-powder, while at the same time actuating the exposure shutter of a camera. The one thing against the idea is the fact that the modern burglar would undoubtedly prevent the survival of the record by smashing the camera to pieces. The auto matic photography of animals, birds, and reptiles in their natural surroundings is, however, an accomplished fact, and some admirable results have been obtained. The exposure—or, at night, the simultaneous exposure and ignition of flash-powder—is usually arranged by causing the animal or other subject to disturb an elec trically connected cord, or to make a contact by treading on a prepared stone, branch, or twig.