Physics in Photography

Abstract

IN taking a retrospective glance at the remarkable phenomena exhibited in photography, an endeavour will be made to explain them as far as possible by the light that may be thrown upon them by modern research, and at the same time to suggest extensions which probably may be given to this branch of science by further investigations. We may perhaps be open to rebuke from some for venturing to call photography a science; but surely as long as there are problems in it to be solved which require direct scientific solution, and which perhaps indirectly lead to the research in other directions, so long, at least, must it be something beyond a mere industrial pursuit. It is not the fashion to deny to electricity the honourable distinction of being a science, although it has become an industry in its application to telegraphy; why, therefore, it should be considered correct to consider the study of the chemical action of light upon compounds as something to be remitted to the intellect of those who are merely interested in it commercially, it is difficult to understand. It would surely be much better that men of science who employ photography in their laboratories and observatories, should endeavour to understand the science of attack with the weapon they are using, instead of regarding it as a simply mechanical agency, which is only worthy of the attention of, perhaps, a half-educated assistant. If our men of science who employ both were to be as ignorant of the principles of electricity as they too often are of those of photography, research would be very much restricted in its results; and it may, it is believed, be said with truth that a familiarity with even the first principles of photography would very much extend it. We may remark, by the way, that to instil a love of science into youth, an education in photography would seem to be of great value, as experiments can be made which have a real meaning to the experimenter, and which, by allowing an almost endless variation, offer an unlimited field for the exercise of the reasoning faculties. A study of photography, in short, must encourage the study of chemical and physical sciences, if a distinction may be made between the two.