This Department is conducted in the interest of Amateur Photographers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Camera Club Department.
PAPERS FOR BEGINNERS, No. 16.
TRANSFERROTYPE BROMIDE PAPER.
Transferrotype paper is worked in the same way as bromide paper, the difference in the papers being that prints made on this paper may be transferred to glass, tiles, placques, lamp-shades, or made into transparencies and lantern-slides.
Expose the paper, develop and finish in the same way directed for bromide prints in last paper, taking care that no alum is allowed in any of the solutions, as that prevents the picture being transferred.
After the print is washed lay it face down on the object to which it is to be transferred, being particular that the surface is perfectly free from any grease or dust. Squeegee the wet print into perfect contact with the surface of the object, and see that no air blisters are left between the print and the face of the support. When it adheres perfectly, put over it a piece of blotting-paper, place a weight on it, and set away to dry. When it is thoroughly dry, pour nearly boiling water (180° Fahr.) on the back of the paper until it begins to blister, or until one corner can be lifted with the point of a penknife, when the paper can be pulled from the back of the picture. After the paper is removed, rub the surface of the picture with a tuft of surgeon's cotton dipped in warm water, as to remove any bits of paper that may be left on the transfer, and put away to dry in a place free from dust.
If the picture has been transferred to a lamp-shade, as soon as it is dry varnish it with a thin coat of dammar varnish, and heat in an ordinary oven for a few minutes, when the shade may be washed without injury to the picture.
Window-transparencies may be made with transferrotype paper, and if the print is transferred to opal glass it will make a much more brilliant picture than when made directly on the glass. For placques, tiles, etc., the paper may be bought in different sizes, according to the object for which it is designed. Small squares of heavy plate-glass ornamented with transferrotypes are pretty, and make timely Christmas gifts.
Sir Knight W. H. Tobey asks if animals could be included in the prizes offered for figure studies, as there are no prizes offered for animals this year, or if a picture of a boy and a dog would be called a figure study. He also asks if the pictures for different classes should be sent in separate packages, and how many figures may be introduced into a figure study. Picture of animals alone will not count in figure studies, but a boy and dog, a milkmaid and cow, a boy or girl with horse, etc., etc., would come under the head of figure studies. Pictures for different classes may all be sent in one package, but each picture must be marked with the name of the class to which it belongs. There in no limit to the number of figures in a figure study, but the larger the number of persons included the less chance of making a successful picture.