On this page we reproduce a curious photograph by M. Bracq, which
appeared some time ago in the _Photo Gazette_.
[Illustration: By M. Bracq. From Photo Gazette. FIG. 28.--A
CATASTROPHE.]
Despite all the terrible catastrophe which it represents, carrying
pictures along with him in his fall, the subject has not experienced
the least uneasiness, not even so much as will certainly be felt by
our readers at the sight of the tumble represented.
The mode of operating in this case is very simple and we are indebted
to _La Nature_ for the description of the method employed by M. Bracq.
The photographic apparatus being suspended at a few yards from the
floor of the room, in such a way as to render the ground-glass
horizontal (say between the two sides of a double ladder--a
combination that permits of easy focusing and putting the plates in
place), there is spread upon the floor a piece of wall paper, about 6
feet in length by 5 feet in width, at the bottom of which a wainscot
has been drawn. A ladder, a few pictures, a statuette, and a bottle
are so arranged as to give an observer the illusion of the wall of a
room, that of a dining room for instance. A hammer, some nails, etc.,
are placed at the proper points. Finally, a 5 feet by 2-1/2 feet
board, to which a piece of carpet, a cardboard plate, etc., have been
attached, is placed under the foot of a chair, which then seems to
rest upon this false floor at right angles with that of the room.
[Illustration: FIG. 29.]
Everything being ready, the operator lies down quietly in the midst of
these objects, assumes a frightened expression, and waits until the
shutter announces to him that he can leave his not very painful
position. This evidently is merely an example that our readers will be
able to modify and vary at their will.