DOI Artikel:
Norman W. Carkhuff, The Photographing of Fossils
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.30573#0056
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THE PHOTOGRAPHING OF FOSSILS.
The accompanying plate illustrates one branch of photography con-
stantly employed in the photographic laboratory of the United States
Geological Survey.
The study of fossils, or paleontology, forms an essential part of the
survey work and the most important conclusions are drawn from a com-
parison of these seemingly unimportant and imperfect fossil-shells. The
same species of animals and plants have lived in the past at the same time
and under similar conditions. Hence, when the fossil-remains of the same
species are found in the rocks at widely separated localities, it is concluded
that the formations in which they occur belong to the same geological period.
For purposes of comparison, the geologist is often dependent on illustrations,
and perfect figures of the type-specimens are therefore absolutely necessary,
since no verbal description can be sufficiently graphic for satisfactory identi-
fication.
In 1896 the writer was associated with Prof. Henry S. Williams, then
of Yale University, in an attempt to photograph fossil-shells, something
that had not been successfully accomplished.
It was Professor Williams’sidea that if the color and stains upon the
fossil could be eliminated a photograph could be made of its topography.
This idea proved correct, and after constantly experimenting for almost two
years, we succeeded in demonstrating that photographic figures could be
made for use of the paleontologist.
In 1900 the Geological Survey began using the method we had been
experimenting with, and has been using it ever since. In addition to effect-
ing a considerable saving in the cost of production over hand-drawings, the
personality of the draughtsman is eliminated.
In the plate A B C are straight photographs of the specimens, and
required thirty minutes'exposure. A' B' C' are from the same specimens
with the color eliminated, and required thirty seconds’ exposure. The
important feature is the shape of the specimen, not the color.
The negatives were made by Mr. E. M. Bane.
Norman W. Carkhuff.
The accompanying plate illustrates one branch of photography con-
stantly employed in the photographic laboratory of the United States
Geological Survey.
The study of fossils, or paleontology, forms an essential part of the
survey work and the most important conclusions are drawn from a com-
parison of these seemingly unimportant and imperfect fossil-shells. The
same species of animals and plants have lived in the past at the same time
and under similar conditions. Hence, when the fossil-remains of the same
species are found in the rocks at widely separated localities, it is concluded
that the formations in which they occur belong to the same geological period.
For purposes of comparison, the geologist is often dependent on illustrations,
and perfect figures of the type-specimens are therefore absolutely necessary,
since no verbal description can be sufficiently graphic for satisfactory identi-
fication.
In 1896 the writer was associated with Prof. Henry S. Williams, then
of Yale University, in an attempt to photograph fossil-shells, something
that had not been successfully accomplished.
It was Professor Williams’sidea that if the color and stains upon the
fossil could be eliminated a photograph could be made of its topography.
This idea proved correct, and after constantly experimenting for almost two
years, we succeeded in demonstrating that photographic figures could be
made for use of the paleontologist.
In 1900 the Geological Survey began using the method we had been
experimenting with, and has been using it ever since. In addition to effect-
ing a considerable saving in the cost of production over hand-drawings, the
personality of the draughtsman is eliminated.
In the plate A B C are straight photographs of the specimens, and
required thirty minutes'exposure. A' B' C' are from the same specimens
with the color eliminated, and required thirty seconds’ exposure. The
important feature is the shape of the specimen, not the color.
The negatives were made by Mr. E. M. Bane.
Norman W. Carkhuff.
