FISH.
Here we have the easiest branch of nature photography. Beautiful fish pictures can be made by any one having ordinary skill with the Kodak. All that is necessary is an aquarium which may be made in the form of a box with one glass side and a movable glass partition set in grooves of about three, four and six inches from the front glass. This allows you to keep the fish near the front so that it will be in focus. It also prevents the back ground of vegetation being disturbed by the rapid movements of the fish when it is first placed in the restricted space. This vegetation should, of course, be selected according to the habitat of the fish you wish to photo graph, surface fish requiring nothing in the way of accessories, while those that live among the aquatic plants should have plants as accessories.
The aquarium should be white inside, a lining of white oil cloth being about the most satisfactory material, as it reflects a great deal of light and is easily cleaned. Good pictures can only be obtained by using absolutely
clear water, having plenty of sunlight, and by keeping the glass clean and dry. The slightest moisture on the glass (due to condensation) will com pletely spoil the picture. The water in the aquarium must be kept con stantly changed or aerated by vegetation, or the fish will die. The tempera ture of the water also is very important. With fish such as trout, accustomed to cold water, ice should be used so that the temperature will not be over 45 degrees. Avoid handling the fish more than is absolutely necessary. If you have to take them in your hand, grasp them firmly with both hands so that they cannot wriggle, but the better way is to use a small landing net. Place your camera exactly at right angles to the glass, and if you have bright sunlight, give short exposures, Th of a second being sufficient with an ordinary flat lens, unless the vegetation is very dark.