Early Work In Photography
A Text-book For Beginners

How fo Use the Outfit. 65 apparatus into the open-air to learn the use of the swing back (and other movements), and try his skill at focussing. Let us first examine the plate-holders, and then adjourn to the dark-room and load them with sensitive plates. We advise the student to study the plate holders, and ascertain just how they are to be opened and closed, before attempting to handle them by the dim light of the dark-room. The most generally-used plate holder in England is known as the " book form "; this is hinged at one end, and the two sides, when folded together, are fastened with brass clips. At tlie end--opposite to the hinges—are two pieces which Fig. 4.—Camera arranged for Fig. ^—Book-form Double D-ARSL use with Short Focus Lens, 6 5 7 Motrble LareSltae, extend beyond the end of the holder, sufficiently far to be grasped between the fingers and thumb. These are the ends of the shutters whicli protect the plates from light until we wish to expose them in the camera. The shutters usually have a clip of some kind attached near to the pro- jecting ends, whicli prevents them from being accidentally withdrawn. Let us now find this clip and release it, and then pull the shutter out as far as it will come ; it cannot be entirely pulled out from the book form. Now close it again and test the other side; fasten the shutters again, and undo the oilier clips so that the holder opens on its hinges, 'f in id ■ holder is painted a dull blac and 1 a central metal partition which (in the best makes) is also hinged at one end. In some holders this partition is quite loose, but such loose pieces are only a thorn in the flesh, and should be discountenanced.