THE APPLICATIONS OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY.
We have brought our readers up to the present time. We have contrasted the wet-plate photographer of former days—who required to have at his elbow, whilst he exposed his plate, a quantity of chemicals and a tent to work in, and who consequently either was tied down to a very small size of plate or had to have in attendance on him several porters, or even a van or cart—with the dry-plate worker of to-day, who steps out on his work with a light leather case containing all that he requires, and who without assistance can walk a long distance carrying with him all the necessities for working even a comparatively large size of plate.
We have seen, on the one hand, the wet-plate photo grapher, who, having prepared his plate, dreaded lest it should dry in the camera ere the effect, possibly of sea and cloud, which he wished to secure had established itself ; on the other, the dry-plate worker, who can sit by his camera for hours if the effects he wishes come not sooner, and may smoke his pipe in peace knowing that his plate will in no way change.
Before entering on the practical working of the plates we may take a brief survey of the various ways in which photography as practised in the present day may be useful to members the general public.
As we write rather for the amateur than for the pro fessional photographer, we shall place amusement first, and amongst photographic amusements landscape work first of It would be difficult to think of any more delightful amusement than that afforded by amateur landscape photography. The occupation is a healthy one, and it is one which can readily be combined with any of an almost indefinite number of country occupations. The pedestrian can carry with him the academy camera, which will go into his pocket ; the tricyclist may without inconvenience burden himself with a somewhat larger-sized apparatus ; whilst the boatsman or yachts man is hardly limited to size at all. Full scope is given to any artistic feeling which the amateur may have, and many a picture will be taken which in after years may serve to bring back the memory of happy days. The enjoyment, too, of the scenes themselves is greater far when they are looked at with the view of selecting the spots and combinations of form and shade which will make a picture than when gazed on merely with a general idea of admiring what is beautiful in them.
Landscape work is that in which English photographers excel, and it is the branch of photography in which the amateur shows best, as compared with the professional worker.
Nor is there any reason why the fair sex should not in these days practise the art far more extensively than they do. In the days of wet-collodion the difficulties of carrying the necessary bulky apparatus were naturally more felt by ladies than by men ; moreover, the dirti ness of the process was a fatal objection in the eyes of most. Now these objections do not hold, and we should be glad to see members of the fair sex, who surely require rational amusement quite as much as their male friends, taking greater advantage of the opportunities which dry plates offer them. They would appear to be specially suited for the work. They are quite as often possessed of artistic taste as men, and more generally have had at least some slight rudiments of artistic training ; they are also neat and quick at manipu lation.
If the advantage tothe amateur landscape photographer by the introduction of dry plates has been immense, that to the amateur portraitist has been possibly even greater. The shortening of the exposure which dry plates make possible renders it practicable to take portraits in any ordinary room.
Very excellent portraits can be taken out of doors if advantage be taken of surrounding objects to modify the light, but there is a certain roundness of lighting which is scarcely to be got except indoors. This is afforded in perfection in the studio, but very fairly in an ordinary room, especially if it have a large window. Besides the superior lighting obtainable indoors, we have to consider that many have not available space for por traiture out of doors. To those will be specially wel come the facilities for indoor work which dry plates offer. So cleanly are all the operations in connection with exposure that there need be no hesitation, on that score at least, in converting the drawing-room into a temporary studio.