A bag made of yellow calico, single thickness, has been recommended for changing the papers in the open air. I am satisfied it will not do, especially if the sun is shining; it may do in some shady places, but I have never yet seen any yellow calico so fine in texture as not to allow of the rays of light passing through it, unless two or three times doubled. I have proved to my own satisfaction that the papers will not bear exposure in a bag of single thickness, without browning over immediately the developing fluid is applied.
With regard to the using of thin collodion, as recommended by Mr. Hardwick in the last Number of the Photographic Journal, I am satisfied it is the only plan of producing thoroughly good positives; and I have been in the habit of thinning down collodion in the same manner for a long time, finding that I produced much better pictures with about half the time of exposure necessary for a thick collodion.
H. U.
Light in Cameras.—I cannot sufficiently express my acknowledgments to "N. & Q." for the photographic benefits I have derived from its perusal, more especially from the communication in No. 240. of Lux in Camera. Since I took up the art some months ago, I have had (with two or three exceptions) nothing but a succession of failures, principally from the browning of the negatives, and on examining my camera, as recommended by Lux in Camera, I find it lets in a blaze of light from the cause he mentions[[3]], and thence doubtless my disappointments. But why inflict this history upon you? I inclose for your acceptance the best photograph I have yet produced from Dr. Diamond's "Simplicity of the Calotype." Printed from Delamotte's directions:—
First preparation, 5 oz. of aq. dist.; ¼ oz. of muriate of ammonia.
Second process, floating on solution 60 grains of nitrate of silver, 1 ounce of distilled water.
Is there any better plan than the above?
Charles K. Probert.
P.S.—The view inclosed is the porch and transept of Newport Church, Essex, from the Parsonage garden. Is it printed too dark? I wish I could get the grey and white tints I saw in the Photographic Exhibition.[[4]] Had your readers behaved with ordinary gratitude, your photographic portfolio ought to have overflowed by this time.
Footnote 3:[(return)]