Taking your Likeness.

Patea Mail, 14 August 1882, Page 3

Taking your Likeness.

Surprising progress has been made in the facility of taking photographs. One of the simplest yet most effective improvements is the invention of a lid to open and close the camera inside instead of outside, thereby exposing the likeness-plate without the sitter noticing any movement. The old plan was to remove the cap-lid on the outside, and the sitter was, as it were, warned to put on his best expression just at the critical instant when his likeness was being then taken. This often caused a stiffness, a put-on look, as if the sitter was not in his natural manner. The difficulty with children was much greater, because the operator had to keep the child’s attention fixed, and also to remove the cap on the outside of the camera, which movement would often cause the child to turn, and spoil the expression. Mr Huff, from Wanganui, staying in Patea a short time, is taking children’s likenesses with increased success by the new simple plan of opening and closing the camera lid without the sitter knowing when it is done. 'A flap inside opens and shuts by a silent invisible process worked by air pressure. A long thin indiarubber tube is attached to the camera, and at the other end is an air ball which the operator holds easily in his hand, or puts in his pocket. He places the plate in the camera ; takes in his hand the ball at the end of the tube, and then walks about the room chatting and trying to get the sitter in an easy attitude. Thus thrown off his guard, and waiting as it were for the process to begin, the sitter has- his likeness taken by a quick exposure while you count 1-2-3. His expression is caught at the right moment when he is not aware of it; for the operator squeezes the airbulb, which raises the flap an instant, then lets it fall again, and the thing is done wilhont uny visible mechanism. It should be called the magic process, for it is more like clever conjuring than like elaborate likeness taking. The. advantage of this plan for children will be apparent. The instantaneous dry process, now in general use, is thus perfected by the- addition of this silent air-tube mechanism for letting in and shutting out the light. Mr Huff’s photographs are really g-ood. We have seen none better. He has also the aid of a lady artist who colors photographs admirably. Brilliant weather is no longer necessary for clear photographs, as dull days are equally suited to the instantaneous process. Mr Huff is building a large new studio in Wanganui, and is visiting Patea for a short time.

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