Part 5 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 48.--PHOTOGRAPH AND DISTORTIONS WITH THE ”TRANSFORMISTE.”]

According to the arrangement of the slits, the caricatures obtained will be different. If, for instance, the first slit be a vertical one, and the other, _i.e._, the one nearest the picture, a horizontal one, the picture, in comparison with the original, will be distorted lengthwise. If, however, one of the slits forms no straight line, but a curved one, the transformed picture will show either lengthwise or sideways curved lines, according to the slit being a vertical or a horizontal one. The form of the resulting picture will also be different according to which one of the slotted plates is placed more or less obliquely in the box.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 49.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 50.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 51.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 52.]

The slits must be made very exactly; above all, their edges must be absolutely sharp, every incorrectness being transferred to the picture. They may be made about one-third of a millimeter wide; if they are too narrow the picture will not turn out sharp. In making the slits it is a good plan to cut them in thin black paper, and to mount the latter on gla.s.s plates.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 53.]

In a later description of the apparatus we learn that the discs containing the slits are often made circular in shape and so arranged that they can be revolved as shown in Fig. 53. This, of course, allows of a still greater variety of positions of the two apertures in relation to each other and an increasing number of grotesque effects.

Reproductions of some of the pictures obtained are given.[3] See Figs.

48 to 52.

[3] Reprinted from _La Science en Famille_.

PHOTOGRAPHING SEAWEEDS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 54.--SEAWEED PHOTOGRAPH.]

Of all the glorious creations of nature few are more beautiful than the delicate sea mosses to be found by the sea sh.o.r.e. Many delight in preserving them in a dry state, mounted on cards, but unfortunately they are usually so fragile that after a little while they fall to pieces. The photographer, however, is able to reproduce these beautiful formations and preserve them in a more permanent form by means of his camera. It is true that he cannot reproduce their delicate colorings, but the photographs can, if so desired, be lightly printed on platinum paper and colored as well as possible by hand.

STAMP PORTRAITS.

A SPECIAL camera is sold for making these little pictures.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 55.--STAMP CAMERA.]

It contains a number of lenses all of the same focus. In front is an easel where the portrait is attached, surrounded by a suitable border.

The images given are about the size of postage stamps (see Fig. 56), and when the negative is printed on a printing out or developing paper, toned or developed, they can be perforated and gummed at the back. They are very useful for sticking to letters, envelopes, and for business purposes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 56. STAMP PHOTO.]