TRANSPOSING NEGATIVES.
If you wish to make a quantity of prints from one set of negatives, it would be advisable to transpose the negatives themselves in order that the prints therefrom be identical. A Stereo Kodak Cutting Guide is furnished with each stereoscopic Kodak. This guide may be used to trim both negatives and prints. If the camera produces negatives three inches or more in width, it would be necessary to trim the prints exactly three inches wide, which with one or two exceptions is the w idth of a single stereoscopic print. In order to obtain prints which are perfectly stereo scopic, it is first necessary to select some particular point of interest near the center of each negative. For instance, place the film on an easel in contact with a sheet of glass in such a manner that you will be able to view it by transmitted light, the film side toward you. Place the guide on the right hand negative, the straight edge in the center over some particular point of interest in the middle distance. If margins remain on both sides, trim the negative at the right of the guide. It may then be removed to the left hand negative, the straight edge in the center being placed over the same point of interest as was selected in the right hand exposure. When in this position, trim the negative on the left. The negatives should then be separated and transposed, the cut edges brought together so that they will be even at top and bottom and fastened to a sheet of glass (which will fit in your frame) by means of small stickers. When using glass plates, they may be marked and then cut and transposed the same as films, the two halves being supported upon an extra sheet of glass. The negatives are then in a condition to print from. When printing, it would be advisable to use Solio, Kloro or Glossy Velox, which may be obtained the proper size for ordinary stereoscopic views. If the center of the sheet of paper is placed directly over that point where the films are matched together, after the print has been toned and washed, it may be mounted on the regular x 7 stereoscopic mount without further trimming.
If only a few sets of prints are to be made from the negatives and you do not care to go to unnecessary trouble, prints may be obtained from the negatives without cutting them and after being toned and dried may be trimmed and transposed. When. making prints from the negatives before they are transposed, it would be necessary to mark each print so that there would be no chance of getting them mixed before mounting. To trim prints requires care. The same guide used for trimming the film may be
used for the prints by simply selecting the same point of interest in each print and then trimming on both sides. A very slight difference would ruin your picture, so be very particular in locating the guide. Pay no attention to the difference in the appearance of objects at each side of the print ; as they will differ owing to the two negatives having been made from different points of view. NN'hen trimming the bottom and top of the prints, select some prominent object in the foreground and place the edge of the guide across the bottom of the print, trimming at right angles with the upright line. After the bottoms of both prints have been trimmed at exactly the same point, then trim the top so as to bring the print to the proper size, 3 x Prints must be identical in size and must be trimmed by measure ment from a common point at or near their centers, otherwise they will not be stereoscopic When trimming and transposing Stereo-Brownie* negatives, the above instructions may be followed, but due to the fact that the camera is of different size, the Cutting Guide is a trifle smaller and it is, therefore, necessary to separate the prints after they have been properly trimmed and mount them -A of an inch apart in order to obtain the proper stereoscopic effect. This may be easily accomplished by marking the mount in the center and placing each print at an equal distance from it.
For the benefit of those who are not in possession of a Stereo guide we would suggest, as a substitute, a sheet of glass of the proper width with an upright mark drawn through its center.
In obtaining the best stereoscopic effect, much depends upon the choice of the subject. When all objects in your picture are at a distance, the view appears flat. As we judge distance by perspective, it is necessary to have rather a strong foreground, some figures or a tree or two will answer this purpose nicely. To thoroughly understand this, look at a distant landscape devoid of foreground, first with one eye and then with the other ; both appear the same. Now place a figure of some kind directly ahead of you, say to feet, then view the same subject with the left eye closed, and you will see more of the view on the right hand side of the figure. Then close the right eye and note the difference. When we bring together in the stereoscope the two views made from different points, we find perspective and solidity of form, just as we do when we view it with both eyes.