Fluorescent substances, such as bisulphate of quinine, can also be employed. This compound, although almost invisible to the eye, photographs nearly black. If a white piece of paper be painted with the substance, except on certain parts, the latter only will appear white in the picture.
We hope that it will not be inferred that we desire to explain how to deceive persons with regard to photographs of “spirits,” for this is not so; we only hope that they will be made merely for amusement, and, if possible, to expose persons who practice on the gullibility of inexperienced persons.
PHOTOGRAPH OF “SPIRITS.”
The [engraving] on page 436 is a reproduction of a “spirit” photograph made by a photographer claiming to be a “spirit photographer,” and to have the power to call these ladies and gentlemen from the “vasty deep” and make them impress their image upon the sensitized plate by the side of the portraits of their living relatives.
Fortunately, however, we were in this case able to expose the fraud. Mr. W. M. Murray, a prominent member of the Society of Amateur Photographers of New York, called our attention to the similarity between one of the “spirit” images and a portrait painting by Sichel the artist.
PAINTING BY N. SICHEL.