Captain Curties, of the Royal Engineers, has written a series of
articles on the above subject, which were published in the _Broad
Arrow_. In the last of the series he gives a description of his
photographic outfit. His arrangements for exposing and developing the
plates in the field afford interesting reading. However, judging from
our own experiences on the scout, the picket line, or field, we should
say that the whole scheme, as portrayed by Captain Curties, is more or
less chimerical, and no matter how plausible the plan may seem or read
to the members of a theoretical camera club in their well-furnished
quarters, there are certain difficulties in the way which would make the
scheme impracticable, and even if these were overcome, the results would
be of but little if any use in actual service, a fact which will be
apparent to anyone who has seen active military service.
The captain in his articles says:
“The one object I have kept in view all through has been to simplify the
art as much as possible, and to make each photographic section complete
in itself, and able to take, develop, and print a picture without any
outside help in the shortest time possible. Having this end in view, my
equipment supplies in the first place two light knapsacks, to be carried
in a reconnaissance by two mounted officers or men. One contains a very
light fold-up camera, capable of taking pictures 10 in. by 12 in., round
which is wrapped the focussing cloth. It has not appeared to me
desirable to place before a general a view of a country smaller than
this. The extra weight would be more than compensated for by the
comprehensive picture obtained; moreover, in a small plate, I take it,
distance would not be fairly and distinctly portrayed. The other
knapsack carries three dark slides, very light but strong, each
containing two plates. This knapsack also contains the lens,
instantaneous shutter, etc. Both knapsacks are made to fit close to the
back, and, in addition to the straps passing over the shoulders, are
secured to the sword-belt, thus preventing any injurious motion when
riding. By the simple act of unbuckling one strap, each can be at once
unslung ready to be unpacked. The tripod, which is made as light as can
be consistently with strength and stability, is carried folded up in a
bucket attached to the saddle, and fixes immediately on to the camera.
We next proceed to the all-important subject of “developing” in the
field. For this purpose I use a tent composed of a large, folding,
umbrella-shaped top, made of a material which admits a deep ruby light.
When this is opened and fixed in the ground, it stands just clear of a
tall man’s head. Over it is dropped a sort of sack, open at bottom ends,
the top end being much smaller than the bottom end, and capable of being
drawn together by means of two cords. This sack is lightproof and
waterproof. The lower end is held down by means of a light iron hoop or
ring, which also folds up to facilitate packing. The hoop is attached to
the bottom of the sack in such a way that a border of the material
extends beyond it, and rests upon the ground. This, in the ordinary way,
is sufficient to keep out light, but should any find its way in, a few
handfuls of earth or stones heaped up round the border will effectually
keep it out. The stick of the umbrella is a hollow bamboo, open at the
top. It is pierced with holes to about half its length; this ventilates
the tent. A cap placed over the top of the stick excludes light, but not
air. We now have a complete tent in which a man can move about freely,
and use his hands without constraint, and, above all, he is not half
stifled, as one generally is in the usual run of developing tents. It
can be taken down at a moment’s notice, and packed in a very small
compass, the whole being exceedingly light and compact. A few stays may
be necessary in windy weather to keep it steady. The person about to
develop a plate slings over his shoulders, knapsack fashion, a small
metal tank, containing sufficient water to wash several plates; attached
to it is a gutta-percha tube and tap. Round the waist is buckled a broad
leather belt, in which are fixed bottles containing the developing
solutions, etc. A light fold-up trough, with a gutta-percha drain-pipe,
carried outside the tent, and two light shelves, hook on to the stick of
the umbrella. All that now has to be done is to lift up the walls of the
tent, step inside, and develop and print the picture, which by using
bromide-paper (undoubtedly _the_ process for military use), would take
something like a quarter of an hour, the printing, of course, to be done
from the wet plate. I may mention that I use scarcely any glass beyond
the plates (which I believe in); those articles which are made of glass
are protected to prevent breakage. I believe myself that the whole of
the articles now made of glass can be manufactured from a preparation of
celluloid, which is strong, light, and durable. I hope shortly to have a
complete set of bottles, measures etc., made of celluloid.”
* * * * *
M. STRAVOS ZELLIS, of Alexandria in Egypt, recommends the following
process for marking or lettering on the sensitized paper such names as
we wish to give the prints. He takes a piece of thin white paper and
traces upon it the words which he wishes to have at the bottom of his
negative, and oils it on both sides; having removed the excess of oil by
rubbing it between two sheets of bibulous paper, he coats it with
varnish on both sides and allows it to dry. On the other hand, he
removes from the bottom of the negative a portion of the gelatine, equal
to the size of the paper, and substitutes for it the paper, which he
sticks by means of a solution of gum arabic and water. He removes then
the air bubbles, which would prevent complete adherence, and this being
done, waits for his work to dry. If, when printing on the sensitized
paper, it is found that the letters do not show very white, the
defective portions should be retouched on the back of the oiled paper.
To write his name Mr. Zellis makes use of a mixture of gum arabic,
lampblack, and water. This process is simple, cheap, and gives excellent
results.--_Annals Photographique._
* * * * *
At the meeting of the Photographic Society of Berlin, President Stolze
exhibited the sketch of the Daguerre monument to be erected in
Washington city, at the cost of six thousand dollars.
Dr. Julius Stinde declared never to have seen anything more disgusting
(schauerlicheres) than this unhappy head of Daguerre, crushed under the
weight of a large ball, and attributes the depravity of our taste to the
high duty on articles of fine arts. He says that such monstrosities show
that we Americans are yet in point of art barbarians of the purest
water. Mr. E. Himly, as well as Dr. Stolze, takes our part, and shows
that the American photographic journals have unanimously condemned and
ridiculed Mr. H. McMichel’s scheme, and exonerate us as a body.
Bravo!--_Photographische Nachrichten._