Calliope

Chapter 5: Early Steps Part 3

"I can explain the physics behind the engine, but I'd be as helpless as the next man if I was asked to repair one. We are fortunate to have a man who is very good with the machines."

"So you take those contraptions on your expeditions?"

"Not normally, but our next one is a sea voyage, and we'll be on a steamship."

"Heh." Alistair guided the horse through an open gate into a tiny courtyard. They unhitched the horse and pushed the buggy into the stable.

Pentam burned with impatience to learn more about the photography, but Alistair rubbed down the horse, gave it fresh water and hay before he turned to unpacking the gear from the buggy. Once again Pentam carried the oddly heavy crate and followed Alistair into the house.

Alistair put his gear down in a side room, then waved Pentam on to a door at the end of the hall. He opened it and revealed a room with all sources of light removed.

"The camera takes the photograph, but this is where the magic happens." He grinned at Pentam. "Don't worry, I know it's chemistry. You could probably explain it all to me, but when you see it, you'll agree it looks like magic."

The first part of the process took part in absolute darkness.

"You got to set up your room where you can lay your hands on what you need with no mistake. Put the wrong solution in at the wrong time and you've wasted your time."

After a light splashing of water, Alistair tugged at Pentam's arm.

"Come, we're done here for the day. Negative's got to dry. I'll show you the camera now."

Back in that side room, Alistair set up three legs with a platform on the top, then put a box on top. He fastened the box and stand together then put a large black cloth on the box. Pointing to a cover on the front, he took it off, then helped Pentam under the cloth.

"Look through the wee hole there."

"Everything's upside down!" Pentam stared, fascinated, through the camera.

"Aye. There's no film in there now. This is where we put the film in." He showed Pentam a slot at the back of the box. "Once you put the film in, you can't see through the camera, so make sure it's pointed right." He handed Pentam the cover from the front of the camera. "Put this on before you load the film. The plates are glass, but the important part is the coating. It's got silver in it which turns black."

Pentam nodded, recalling something from a lecture about the chemistry of photography. He'd review his notes later.

"This is important." Alistair took the cover back and put it over the lens. "You need lots of light to get a good picture. Uncover the lens and count to thirty, maybe longer if the light's bad."

"That won't work well on a ship." Pentam's disappointment wrenched at his gut.

"Some use flash powder to add light, but I don't expect that'd go over well either."

"I'll have to think about it, maybe there's another way to create enough light."

"You figure it out, son, every photographer will thank you."

"Right. So the image is on the glass. What were you doing in that room?"

Alistair pulled a glass sheet from a slot in his desk. "The silver needs help to make the image strong enough to see. That gives you this. It's backward, a negative we call it. The more light, the darker the silver. Once it's dry we'll use it to expose a paper covered with silver to light and get this." He handed Pentam a paper. He compared the image to the one on the glass.

"Amazing." He looked around the room. "You talked about needing to be rich to afford the hobby."

"Aye, t'ain't cheap, but happens I have some spare equipment you can use. I wouldn't mind being a patron of the sciences, considering the sciences have given me my living."

Pentam opened his mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say.

"You come by tomorrow and I'll start training you. Could use a hand with the gear, and the best way to learn is by doing."