[Illustration: Copyright, 1894, by W. J. Demorest. FIG. 72.--A
PHOTOGRAPHIC FEAT.]
By the use, or rather the abuse, of a lens having a very wide angle,
say, 100 degrees, some very amusing effects can be obtained by
apparent exaggeration of perspective. We say apparent advisedly, for
if a view made with one of these lenses, say of 5 inches focus, be
viewed by the observer at a distance of 5 inches from the eye, the
perspective will appear correct; but, of course, this is never done
under ordinary circumstances. Every person, unless extremely
short-sighted, will hold a photograph at a distance from the eye of
about 12 or 14 inches.
[Illustration: FIG. 73.--A WIDE-ANGLE STUDY.]
The effect of using a wide-angle lens under ordinary conditions is to
make objects in the foreground appear ridiculously large, while those
in the background have a diminished appearance. Fig. 72 is an example
of this; it is hardly necessary to observe that the gentleman's pedal
extremities were not so gigantic as represented in the photograph.
Fig. 73 is another and scarcely less painful example of this
exaggeration.
In the _Practical Photographer_, some time ago, it was humorously
suggested that sportsmen could, by means of the camera, bring home
apparently indisputable evidence as to their skill or prowess. Thus,
for instance, you and your friend Jones have been out fishing
together, and realized the truth of the old saying about
anglers--_i.e._, "a worm at one end of a rod and a fool at the other."
You have, however, managed to catch a fish (any sort will do) about
the dimensions of a good-sized sprat. It is the usual custom of
anglers, I believe, to view their captures through magnifying-glasses
before discoursing upon them. A better plan, however, is to photograph
your fish, and then there can be no dispute whatever, because it is
the popular belief that photography cannot lie. However, all that is
necessary is to hang the fish in front of the camera to the bough of a
tree, we will say, with a piece of black thread. You then retire
several paces behind it, holding up your arm as if you were holding up
the fish. Your friend will then adjust the camera so that the fish
just comes under your hand, focuses, places a very small stop on, so
as to get everything sharply defined, and makes the necessary
exposure. Thus it is possible, with a little trouble, to obtain
everlasting records of your marvelous day's sport, for you can
easily make yourself appear to be holding a fish of gigantic
proportions--say, 5 ft. long, or so. Fig. 74, 75.
[Illustration: FIG. 74.]
[Illustration: FIG. 75.]
Our illustrations are from "Photographic Pastimes" by Herman Schauss.
With a very wide-angle lens it is also possible to make a photograph
of a little suburban garden, and it will appear to resemble a park or
palace grounds. This is a trick often adopted by auctioneers and
estate agents, so that in viewing photographs of property, it is
really impossible to form any safe idea regarding the place itself.