Members of the Society were much interested in an address given last night by Mr. F. E. Hodges on the subject of hand-camera work. Whilst not ing as an "expert," Mr. Hodges discussed some of his own experiences which might possibly be of use to other members. Tu the early days of its appearance, the hand-camera was used as an adjunct to the more elaborate photographic worker's outfit. Later on the Kodak Company popularized the portable camera, and now there are many designs in use. It was pointed out that fine work can be done with the hand-camera, something more than mere snapshotting or even record work. Despite the absence of the focussing screen the hand camera has certain great advantages over the old substantially constructed stand cameras, with their heavy lenses and shutters, In its readiness to 817 seize th> fleeting opportunity the hand camera scored over the stand pattern, and in this respect the plain box form magazine camera was hard to beat, although rather more bulky than the folding type, and that, in spite of its involving as a rule the use of plates. Plates had many good qualities as compared with films, and so the mi azine camera really scored again in this respect. The absence of a stand caused some difficulties, but it was possible to overcome these by different ways of holding the camera, For instance, held well up, and using an eye level finder, the point of view was s0 high as to make up for the lack of a rising front, which could not well be used without a stand. Situations often occurred in which " stand could not, in any case, be used—say in confined spaces where ths stand would take up too much room, or on top of a wall where there was not space to put the stand legs, But the particular value of the hand camera in pictorial work, lay in the possibility of securing the more elusi effects of lighting, and also of getting views of native life. Native figure studies could be snapped up without attracting attention by holding the camera under the arm facing the subject whilst apparently engaged in looking in another direction, Attention was directed to the value of getting out in the early morning for landscape views. The low angle of lighting afforded by both Into evening and carly morning work was advantageous, but the latter was perhaps to be preferred, partly because the light is then whiter and more acti Reference was made tothe length of exposure possible with a hand camera and as much as 1/10 and even 1/5 or a quarter of a second could be possible.
Prints and lantern slides iMlustrating various points were exhibited.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.