Taking pictures of clocks
When re-assembling small striking clock movements, eg French mantel clocks, it is sometimes necessary to re-position the smaller wheels of the strike train in order to set them correctly. The problem is to open the plates at the top of the movement just sufficiently to allow re-positioning of the wheels.
This is greatly facilitated by removing the top two locking pins from their pillar spigots and prising the plates apart using modified split pins which have been tapered to form fine wedges and which can be pushed in astride the pillar spigots on the inside of the plate.
This little device has proved beneficial to me and to several clock-repairing friends. Howard ThompsonThis is not a complicated hint on how to take photographs but if you want to make records of your clocks or details of your horological workmanship, then you may find this idea a very useful adjunct to your notetaking, especially if your drawing skills don’t rival those of Michaelangelo.
Photographs can be used for learning, remembering, selling, collecting or just good old reminiscing.
The idea is based on a cardboard box and several sheets of medium-weight card in a variety of colours. At its most basic, you would need a box with cubic dimensions between 2ft and 3ft. The inside of the box is painted white (leftover acrylic ceiling paint or similar). This is our lightbox. Now staple, tape or glue a batten, a strip of wood or heavy card right across the bottom front of the box. This will hold the coloured card to sit in a nice curve inside the box. White, black, blue and a red will give adequate choice to provide good contrast to your subject, be it brass, steel or wood. Figure 1 shows the general idea.
The light box takes up very little room and, if left in place permanently, you can very quickly place a clock or part in the box to photograph it. Natural light will be amplified and reflected around the box helping to eliminate shadows and dark areas and show as much detail as possible. The curved card will give a background free of unwanted lines and clutter with its colour chosen to accent the clock or object.
Figure 2 shows an old reflective slide screen fastened to the wall in a roller-blind fashion. This is useful for larger clocks. I use both items with a small cupboard that holds my photographic gear and serves as a table top for my light box. They stand in a corner by the window.
I won’t go into photographic detail as Clocks is a magazine about clocks not photography, but suffice to suggest that if you rely on natural light then use a tripod with your camera. If you are using flash then your camera can be hand-held, but do expect more unwanted reflections and shadows unless you have a ring flash to eliminate them.
Brian Barkworth, Australia
