Early Work In Photography
A Text-book For Beginners

22 Early Work in Photography. having an opening of the desired shape. Upon this mask we next place the sensitive paper (face downwards) close the printing frame, and expose to the light in the usual way. The black part of the mask, it will be readily understood, prevents any light having access to those parts of the paper covered by it. Hence it follows that only that part of the negative, visible through the central opening, possesses the power of transmitting light to the paper with which it is covered. The result will be a print, having a centre, of an oval (or other) shape, surrounded by clear white margins. The student will find much amusement in cutting out various shaped designs, to suit his own taste, and trying their effect in printing from various parts of the negative. The best paper for tliis purpose is known as black needle- paper, and the designs can be easily made if the paper be supported upon a sheet of glass and the cutting done with a sharp penknife. Another style of print which is popular among the general public, although personally we cannot confess to much par- tiality for it, is that known as a “vignette.” . A vignette usually has the main portion of the subject printed to full depth, while the edges are graded off until they merge into plain paper devoid of any impression. This effect is due to a retarded action of light brought about by covering the negative with an opaque shield pierced a with an opening of any de 2 sired shape. Appliances, CW known in the trade as "vig- netters,” are sold especially _for the purpose of producing such prints, and some of •them are admirable; but Pigiteller. the student may easily try an experiment invignetting if he will follow our instruc- tions. We do not advise a beginner to encumber himself with such apparatus until he has made a few experimental trials with the make-shifts we are going to suggest ; later on he may find it an advantage, especially if he adopts photography as a business. , . ,.. Still dealing with the same sized negative and printing frame as in the former experiments, we will now take a piece of cardboard, the dimensions of which are equal to the extreme outside size of the printing frame. A liole must now be made in the centre of this card the shape being governed by individual taste—but for our experiment let it be an oval The size of the hole must be less than will cover ————————. H»MM«_-M^_K«_M^MMM»M»^_M_I