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1096 SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS merchant, doctor, lawyer, chief. We shall offer, beyond this, beginning training in selected special sciences of a thorough and tool type to those passing through the colleges, professional, and graduate schools into the professions utilizing scientific training. This is the field for the special sciences as we know them in the secondary schools. We shall develop service courses in applied sciences for those whose work calls for science train- ing below the professional level, and who are now thrown upon the industrial world with no adequate training. This latter train- ing would also presuppose a previous general training in science of the kind intended to meet the needs of all kinds of people for general integrating education. None of these things may come to pass. The prediction of the future economic and social developments is beyond the occult powers of a seventh son of a seventh son, much less those of an humble observer of the current scene. The things outlined here seem to be before us if there is any logic at all in the educational and social trends that envelop us today. TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY IN HIGH SCHOOL BY DEAN CHALLIS Dearborn High School, Dearborn, Michigan During the past year we have been offering at Dearborn High School a one semester course in photography. Previously a course was given which included, among other topics, a study of photography but at present the course is entirely photo- graphic. Most of the pupils taking the course are seniors. Two classes of about fifteen pupils each are conducted every se- mester. Certain requirements were found necessary. Each pupil must have a camera with time exposure mechanism, an income of forty cents a week to be used for photographic supplies, and a real interest in photography. For the sake of economy pupils must use cameras which take pictures not larger than 2^X4^ inches nor smaller than 1^X2^ inches unless they have justi- fiable reasons for larger or smaller cameras. Roll film has been found best and most economical for the pupils5 use. The assignments are made on a weekly basis. Certain pic- tures are to be taken, developed, printed, sometimes enlarged and mounted, by a specified date. The pictures are taken out-

TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY IN HIGH SCHOOL

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1096 SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

merchant, doctor, lawyer, chief. We shall offer, beyond this,beginning training in selected special sciences of a thorough andtool type to those passing through the colleges, professional,and graduate schools into the professions utilizing scientifictraining. This is the field for the special sciences as we knowthem in the secondary schools. We shall develop service coursesin applied sciences for those whose work calls for science train-ing below the professional level, and who are now thrown uponthe industrial world with no adequate training. This latter train-ing would also presuppose a previous general training in scienceof the kind intended to meet the needs of all kinds of people forgeneral integrating education.None of these things may come to pass. The prediction of the

future economic and social developments is beyond the occultpowers of a seventh son of a seventh son, much less those of anhumble observer of the current scene. The things outlined hereseem to be before us if there is any logic at all in the educationaland social trends that envelop us today.

TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY IN HIGH SCHOOL

BY DEAN CHALLISDearborn High School, Dearborn, Michigan

During the past year we have been offering at Dearborn HighSchool a one semester course in photography. Previously acourse was given which included, among other topics, a studyof photography but at present the course is entirely photo-graphic. Most of the pupils taking the course are seniors. Twoclasses of about fifteen pupils each are conducted every se-mester.

Certain requirements were found necessary. Each pupilmust have a camera with time exposure mechanism, an incomeof forty cents a week to be used for photographic supplies, anda real interest in photography. For the sake of economy pupilsmust use cameras which take pictures not larger than 2^X4^inches nor smaller than 1^X2^ inches unless they have justi-fiable reasons for larger or smaller cameras. Roll film has beenfound best and most economical for the pupils5 use.The assignments are made on a weekly basis. Certain pic-

tures are to be taken, developed, printed, sometimes enlargedand mounted, by a specified date. The pictures are taken out-

PHOTOGRAPHY 1097

side of school hours and are the only outside assignments made.The developing, printing, and enlarging are done during classtime using the school equipment. Two or three class periods ofthe week are used for this work and on the other days photo-graphic processes are discussed.The school equipment includes a darkroom which is used

mostly for film development. This process must be done in thedarkroom under very dim red light which is not enough forprinting processes. The room is 8X11 feet and is equipped withrunning water, workshelves, red light for developing, orangelight for enlarging or printing, individual lockers for chemicals,and an inexpensive electric clock with a second hand. Thelockers mentioned were made by the instructor and are largeenough to contain three quart bottles of solutions. Three sizesof glass developing trays are used for 8X10, 5x7, or print sizework. A graduated measuring glass and a bottle of acetic acidcomplete the darkroom equipment.

Since enlarging and printing do not require absolute exclu-sion of white light such work is usually done in the main. classroom. This room has black shades at each window. Four orangelights illuminate the room for enlarging or printing. The usualphysics laboratory tables are used as the worktables for trays,print boxes, and enlargers.

Print boxes are used and thus no white light escapes intothe rest of the room where it would interfere with other per-sons5 materials. The boxes were made at a cost of approximatelytwo dollars each. Automask print frames were used for the topparts, but the covers were hinged. Six print boxes have provedquite adequate although eight would be more satisfactory. Theautomask arrangement makes it easy to change from one sizeof picture to another.Four enlargers are now used: an Eastman autofocus model

"A55 which has been converted into a "B/5 a model "B," anEastman Amateur Enlarger, and an Eastman Miniature En-larger which will enlarge to ten diameters. The third meiy-

tioned, although only a sixteen dollar model requiring manualfocusing, has proved very popular because it will enlarge asmuch as five diameters.

In order to give pupils the most practice at the least cost 5x7inch enlarging paper is used most. The cost is approximatelytwo cents per sheet, whereas the 8X10 inch paper costs aboutfive cents per sheet. Pupils are shown how to make test strips

1098 SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

to avoid spoiling a whole sheet because of wrong judgment oftime.The same developer D-72 is used for all work. This saves ex-

pense and space and gives good results. Chemicals for the de-veloper and fixer are weighed and dissolved by the pupils atleast twice at the beginning of the course so that they will dis-cover how it is done. After learning the process the pupils useprepared powders which make quart amounts.

All materials used, such as films, papers, chemicals, and ac-cessories are bought from the school at reduced prices. In thisway the school neither loses nor gains by the pupils5 use ofmaterials. Pupils doing extra or wasteful work penalize no oneelse.

Certain types of pictures are explained and assigned. Sil-houettes, portraits, groups, architectural, candid, trick, sport,inside, night, and scenic pictures are included, as well as manyothers. A variety of types of work is essential to keep interesthigh. Intensive work in any one branch is left to pupil initiative.In winter months much work is done with photoflood bulbs.Reflectors are of cardboard and tables are used for tripods.The meaning of ^f5 numbers, depth of focus, function of

each chemical in developer and fixer, and exposure problemsare discussed extensively. Less time is spent on discussion oflighting and composition.

During class time motion picture photography, projection,and processing are explained. Technicolor, kodachrome, chrom-atone, and dufaycolor processes are discussed as samples ofcolor photography. Animated photography and sound films areexplained. Various types of cameras are demonstrated.No textbook is used in the teaching of the course. How to

Make Good Pictures and Elementary Photography are frequentlyreferred to, however, and a few copies are in the classroom.Magazines and newspapers have photographic articles of worthwhich trace the newer developments. The new book by Mees,Photography, has been a valuable aid.Although the writer has taught all of the usual high school

science subjects he has found photography to be the most inter-esting for both teacher and pupils. As a hobby or profession ithas value ranking above the more traditional subjects. Experi-ence has shown it to be a difficult but enjoyable course to teach.Why should not more high schools offer photography as a partof their curriculum?