Early Work In Photography
A Text-book For Beginners

CHAPTER VIII. HOW TO USE THE OUTFIT. Requirements —One box gelatino-bromide « Ordinary ” plates (cost quarter plate is., whole plate 4s. 3d.) A box contains one dozen plates. 12EFORE attempting to use the outfit we have described 0it will be well to carefully examine it and try a few experiments with a view of becoming used to its , . various movements. We therefore urge the student to restrain his probable impatience, and postpone the actual exposure of a plate until he has acquired some dexterity in setting up his apparatus and focussing an image upon the ground glass screen. He will thus ensure almost certain success with his first negative, and this will always be a matter for self-congratulation in after years. If the student follows our advice, and buys his outfit from a dealer whom he knows to be reliable, he will have all the various movements pointed out to him and briefly explained. Such a practical demonstration—even if confined to a half- hour—will be of lasting benefit. If there is no chance of such instruction, the student must first of all carefully over- haul the camera and master its intricacies for himself. As we liave already pointed out, all modern cameras are made in a poitable form, and consequently fold up into small compass. We must first release the milled screws upon each side of the camera by giving them about two turns from right to left and then look carefully for the spring stud (or, perhaps, folding hooks) by which the camera is closed This will usually be found upon the top edge of the camera near to the leather handle. Upon releasing this fastener, the camera will open from the centre. . Ihe focussing screen (i.e. the ground glass) must be held in an upright position while the piece of polished wood (winch is in reality the base-board) is allowed to gently fall until it is at right angles to the glass screen. When it arrives at this position it may be clamped by means of two milled screws, (A, Fig. 2) which will be found one on each side of tlie upright part of the camera.