First Aid For Photographers.

Cue (NZERS), Issue 16, 31 January 1945, Page 30

First Aid For Photographers.

THERE are few of us who have not handled a camera .at one time or another; and it is a fascinating instrument. Even the most careless taker of "snaps" cannot deny that he has felt . excitement when he calls for his films at the. chemist’s shop.- He understands very well, if he is honest, that his failures are the result not of bad luck but of ignorance; and that if he took a little trouble to learn he would be. much more successful.

The days of abundance in cameras and films are a dim memory; but there are a few lucky people who, by mysterious means, still manage to feed their cameras with film. For those people this list of books in the ERS library . may be useful, and it may help those ..who have been interested in photography as a hobby, or earned their living at it, and would like to brush up old knowledge or dabble in. new. The list is divided into five groups. 1. For-the beginner and " snapper " The most elementary are given first. " Photography Without Tears ” (Natkin). Tips and hints with illustrations. ’’Photographer’s Rule-Book” (June). A well-illustrated book of elementary rules for beginners. ’’Photographer’s Guide to Better Pictures” (Shearcroft) is a more comprehensive book ‘ covering most aspects of photography, including darkroom work. L ” Guide to Better Photography ” (Abbott). A new book worth attention, profusely illustrated with real photographs. 2. For the amateur who has a fair grasp of general principles, and for the professional who needs a "brush up" on certain points. i ’’Lighting Ideas In Photography” (Herrschaft & Deschin) covers all

aspects of artificial lighting and includes a useful design for a 4-unit lighting set. s 5 ’’Photographic Optics” (Cox) is a comprehensive text-book on the science of optics as applied to photography. ’’Miniature Photography After Dark'' (Minicam). A helpful book on indoor and outdoor photography by artificial light and moonlight. ’’Contax Guide” and "Exakta Guide” are specially written for users of these cameras. Much of the information they contain is also of value to users; of other 35mm cameras. Pictorial Composition, ” (Baker)}/ discusses mainly the problems of composition in. landscape photography. "Composition for Photographers” is more advanced; a valuable course dealing with . portraits and landscapes; ’’Photographic Exposure” (Pitman); is a technical book for the advanced worker. ’’New Photo-Vision” (Gernsheim) is an essay on photographic art with many; fine illustrations. 3. For the professional or advancedamateur interested in special subjects. " Document Photography ” (Greeny wood) covers individual copying and mass mechanical recording, including the making of airgraphs. < ’’Nature and Camera” (Pike) is valuable for those interested in nature pictures and the technique necessary for good ” shots.” ’’Colour , Photography ? For. the Amateur.” A very complete book on all phases of the subject. r I "Infra-red For Everyone” (Greenwood) is a reasonably comprehensive text. z ; _ - ” Picture Making with Paper Negatives ” (Ward) and ’’Fascinating Fakes, in Photography” (Natkin) cover ei subject well and need no explanation.

"Flash" is a large well-illustrated book on ultra-high speed cameras. ’’Amateur Photomicrography’ explains photography through the microscope. . 4. For , the Press, free lance and advertising photographer. ' . ” Ideas for Press Pictures ” (Chamberlain) and "Free-Lance Journalism With a Camera" (Mallinson) contain plenty of useful advice. ’’Press Photography" is a good textbook, for the professional man. - Two books that deal with advertising

work up to an advanced stage are "Camera in' Commerce” (Charles) and "Science and* Technique of Advertising Photography” - (Nuremberg); both profusely illustrated. j 5. For it he amateur handyman and darkroom worker. Enlarging and " Making An Enlarger ” are two : of the most useful books for all workers who do their own enlarging. "Hints, Tips and Gadgets" gives ideas and plans for a wide range of photographic gadgets which the handyman can make. ■