Early Work In Photography
A Text-book For Beginners

36 Early Work in Photography. observed to be almost entirely free of the creamy appearance it possessed before being put in the fixing bath. This appearance proves that the hypo is dissolving the chloride of silver, and that everything is going on well. The plate must be returned to the fixing bath (even if quite clear) until it has had a total immersion of fifteen minutes. After the plate is fixed it may be examined in white light, which can no longer exert any influence upon it. Then wash in running water for at least an hour. This may be done either in a special grooved trough sold for the purpose (which will hold about two dozen plates at once), or by putting the plate, film upwards, in a tray under the tap, letting the water run for an hour, or an hour and a half. When the plate is sufficiently washed there will probably be a slight deposit upon its surface, due to impurities in the water. This must be removed thus: take a wad of cotton wool and wet it under the tap, then (still letting the water run on the plate, while you hold it in the left hand) firmly, but gently, pass the cotton wool from end to end of the plate, being particular to wipe it all over. A final rinse under the tap will remove all particles of cotton, and the plate may then be put away to dry in a place free from dust. The best way to dry a plate is, at least in our opinion, to drive a couple of tacks in a wall (say tliree inches apart) and hang the plate between them with its back (glass side) resting flat against the wall, one of the corners being down- wards. In this way a lantern plate should be thoroughly dry in a very short time. We have mentioned other methods of exposure besides daylight. One capital plan (which has the advantage of being always constant) is to use magnesium ribbon. A sufficient exposure may be given to a lantern plate by burning one inch (more or less) of ribbon at a distance of three feet from the negative. Gas or lamp light may also be used, but they necessitate an exposure of from thirty to ninety seconds at one foot from tlie negative—more or less according to the size of the flame Of all illuminants we much prefer magnesium ribbon for this purpose.