COBBLER'S PAGE I
have now retired and so have the opportunity to take a long holiday.
Photographically, a prolonged holiday focusses the mind. What film?
What gear to take? How much of each? Looking through "The
Practical Photographer, (Library Series) No.10, July 1904, the special
holiday edition you would have no problem if you followed their list: "Tripod,
Camera, Spare Fronts (lens panels), Slides (film), Plate Holders,
Changing Box, Focussing Cloth, Spirit Level, View Meter(?). Changing
plates or film requires Lamp and Lights(?), Drawing Pens(?), Turkey
Twill(?), Orange or Red Paper(?), Dusting Brush. Repair
Kit: Black Court Plaster for repairing bellows, a small tube of glue
to repair wood cracks, a bit of velvet to repair light leakage between
camera back and elsewhere, a pillbox of assorted screws, fine copper
wire to repair Tripod, and a small tool pad containing; a screwdriver,
bradawl, gimlet, chisel file, and a pair of pliers. A
compass to select viewpoints. Films:
It is important that care should be taken to open and seal films as
quickly as possible to avoid heat,damp or salt spray." So
there you have it, a basic kit! The
sheer bulk of such a kit required a lot of dedication and of course to
make all this worthwhile you had to choose your holiday destination
with care. Again there is advice from the Practical Photographer. "
If a coastal destination is chosen it is desirable to find one with
good inland scenery. Coasts are of a somewhat limited character so
with subject matter there is a probability of the photographs being of
a repetitive nature. But with varied inland subjects to hand the mind
is kept interested, the power of observation quickened, and repetition
is less likely to happen. When a family man takes his family it is
desirable that a place has some object of interest, amusement, games,
walks, bathing etc for members of the party who are not photographers
By this arrangement each member of the family may be agreeably
occupied without being an incumbrance on any other." Of course to
enjoy all this activity one needs to be healthy and strong, if only to
carry all that gear. PP has wise words on Health. "One
hardly need say that it is better to lay in a stock of
good health and poor negatives than make a series of 'Gold
Medal Winners' at the cost of ones bodily constitution. For instance a
city clerk who spends eleven months of the year seated on a high stool
going on holiday starts off with a tenor fifteen mile walk the day
after his arrival will be knocked up for the next three days. Better
to start with a short walk and daily increase in mileage as he gathers
strength." As
you get into the car or, as in my case, the train to start your
holiday you will have the edge on the photographers of 1904. Your gear
will be lighter even if you are carrying two cameras and all the
lenses. Your films will be compact as could be your camera too. Your
results should be better, particularly in the action snap field. Your
landscapes are possibly not as good because despite your lightweight
gear you will not have put in the mileage of walk ie. the 10 to 15
miles a day necessary for good landscapes and you probably left your
compass at home. But if you have chosen your destination well others
in your party can amuse themselves while you go out capturing prize
winning pictures standing beside someone talking into a camcorder or
even using a digital camera. Enjoy your holiday and keep your health. |