Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.
HOW TO MAKE "DOUBLES."
A photographic operation which gives a great deal of amusement is the making of "doubles." A double photograph is one in which the same person is represented twice, both portraits being taken on the same plate. Doubles are made in the ordinary camera, the only apparatus needed being some device by which either part of the lens or part of the plate-holder is covered. This being done, the person to be photographed takes his position before the camera, half the plate is exposed, and the shutter closed. The subject then changes his position to the opposite side, and the other half of the plate is exposed. When the picture is developed it will look as if made by one exposure.
One way of making doubles is to have a box which will fit the front of the camera so that it will project about three inches beyond the front of the lens. A double door opening exactly in the middle of the box should be fitted to the front of the box. The doors should meet in a close straight line, so that when closed there will not be any danger of light getting into the camera before the plate is exposed. Care must be taken that the doors meet on a line exactly in the middle of the lens, so that when either door is opened only half the lens will be in operation.
Another and simpler way is to cut a plate-holder slide exactly in half, arrange the camera, close the shutter, put in the plate-holder, take out the slide, and slip the half-slide in its place. Make the exposure, take out the half-slide and put in the plate slide, pose the subject for the other half of the picture, and take out the slide and put the half-slide in the holder over the part which has already been exposed.
In arranging for the picture it is more convenient to fix on some line or small object which shall come in the centre of the plate when the exposure is made. The subject to be photographed should stand at least nine or ten inches one side of this central point, for if the drapery of the dress overlaps, the picture will show a blur.
In making the exposure great care must be taken not to move the camera, as if it is moved even the very least bit, a blurred line will appear in the picture showing just where the two exposures join. The focus must not be changed unless a plain background is used. In making the exposures for the two pictures the time of both must be equal. This is more necessary for an exposure made out-of-doors than for one made in the house. If the exposures are unequal in time the negative will be unequal in development, and, as a consequence, half of it will be lighter than the other.