A [reproduction] of the picture is given herewith, and it will be seen at once that the “spirit” image is copied from it.
In a recent number of “The Australian Photographic Journal” we read of the following novel method of making so-called “spirit” photographs: “Take a negative of any supposed ‘spirit’ that is to be represented, put it in the printing frame with the film side out; lay on the glass side a piece of platino-type paper with the sensitive side up; clamp in place the back of the printing frame and expose to the sun for half a minute. Now place in the printing frame the negative of another person to whom the ‘spirit’ is to appear, and over it put the previously exposed sheet, film side down; expose to the sun for two minutes until the image is faintly seen, then develop in the usual way, and the blurred ‘spirit’ photograph will appear faintly to one side or directly behind the distinct image. Sheets of paper with different ghost exposures can be prepared beforehand.”
“Spirit” photographs might easily be made by means of Professor Roentgen’s newly discovered process of impressing an image upon a photographic dry-plate without uncovering the shutter. The process would, however, entail considerable expense, and would necessitate the use of so much costly apparatus that we will content ourselves with the simple mention of the possibility.
ARTIFICIAL MIRAGE.
The mirage is a well-known natural phenomenon, especially in tropical countries. Our engraving shows an interesting experiment which permits of reproducing a mirage by photography. A very even plate of sheet iron is taken and placed horizontally upon two supports. The plate is heated very uniformly and sprinkled with sand. A small, painted Egyptian landscape is arranged at one end of the plate, and the “eye” of the photographic instrument is so placed that the visual ray may be said to graze the plate. The mirage can be photographed as shown in our [engraving].
ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION AND PHOTOGRAPHING OF A MIRAGE.