PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY Photography with the object of obtaining illus trations for use in newspapers, magazines, books, etc. All important papers that make a special ity of printing photographs of current events have a permanent staff of photographers, are in touch with agencies which also have a similar staff, and have representatives here, there, and everywhere ; they keep a keen look-out for sub jects of interest, and make arrangements for recording everything that can be known before hand. Thus almost the only chance for the outsider is to be fortunate enough to secure a subject that could not be got by the usual press photographers. Even then he must make haste to turn his advantage to account. It is often advisable to send the undeveloped plate or film with all expedition to the paper likely to use the subject ; and, failing that, the negative must be developed, and clean bright prints made at once and dispatched. There are several means of expediting the production of a finished print from a negative, and these must be taken advan tage of. Any necessary description or explana tion must also be supplied. Then there is the class of work adapted for use in weekly papers and magazines. This sometimes allows of a little more time for preparation and dispatch ; but, as before, clean bright prints are essential. Next comes the work that can be used at leisure by various magazines. This often takes the form of a set of prints, probably accompanied by an article which they illustrate. They vary in cha racter according to the publication for which they are intended. They may illustrate tours, travel in out-of-the-way places, various forms of sport and pastime, persons and places of interest, architecture, curiosities, and so forth.
Lastly, there is a limited opening for work of a purely pictorial character, and in this class alone is it sometimes possible to employ processes that permit of some control and modification to secure the effect desired.
Although books are frequently illustrated wholly or in part from photographs, it is obvious that such work is already arranged for and does not allow opportunity for casual contributions.
The photographer who aims at supplying prints to the press must possess a keen eye, an alert intelligence for likely subjects and their adaptability for use, and must be a good tech nical photographer. He must be familiar with the exact class of work likely to be acceptable to any given publication ; he must know the addresses of the papers, and the times when matter must be to hand to admit of publication. He should also know the prices to be expected for various kinds of contributions.
The press photographer's outfit depends en tirely on the class of work he intends to under take ; and all necessary information is given under separate headings. Cameras of the reflex pattern or with direct-vision finders are the for the usual run of newspaper work. The points to be borne in mind in choosing the lens are definition, covering power, and ability to work at large apertures to allow of short exposures. Quarter-plate, 5 in. by 4 in., and half-plate are useful sizes, as enlargement is an easy matter ; in urgent work, enlargement should be left to the process-block maker.