Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS PART I NESTS CONTAINING EGGS Outfit required.-- Long-focus camera. Ordinary lens, the longer the focal length the better. Plate-holders. Dark cloth (not rubber). Isochromatic plates. Tripod with fourfold telescopic legs and extra extension legs, attachable. Ball-and-socket camera attachment. Small mirror. White reflecting-cloth. Pair pruners. Lock-saw. Climbing-irons. Armed with this apparently elaborate outfit, we will begin with what may perhaps be considered one of the most simple branches of natural-history photography. Photographing a nest, though not difficult except in certain peculiar cases, calls for a considerable degree of artistic sense, for so much depends on the composition of the subject and on the lighting. A nest properly lighted makes a beautiful picture, one that calls for the admiration of all who see it. But look at a photograph of the same nest taken without the slightest regard to the lighting, is 2 and it is absolutely uninteresting, at any rate from a pictorial point of view. Another thing to be borne in mind is the arranging of the surroundings. It is frequently necessary to remove some of the small branches and leaves that the nest may be seen to better advantage. In doing this the greatest care must be observed. The cutting away of much of the surrounding vegetation would leave the nest unprotected. It is therefore advisable to resort to tying back the branches that form the principal obstruction, cutting away only the smaller twigs or leaves. Don't break these twigs, for in doing so you are very apt to shake the nest, and perhaps loosen it from its support. Cutters, such as those used in pruning trees, are best adapted to this use. If a twig has to be cut, darken...
