A CHEMISTRY CLUB PROJECT in PHOTOGRAPHY LEONARD J. FLIEDNER George Washington High School, New York City
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T THE first meeting of the spring term of the Chemistry Club of the George Washington High School, the members, old and new, were asked to submit plans for their individual and group projects. One group of five pupils selected "Developing and Printing Pictures" as its project. The writer was asked by these pupils to a d as their faculty advisor. When the group met to discuss the project, six additional pupils who were also interested presented themselves. This show of interest in photography led to the
suggestion that they apply to the General Organization for permission to organize as a Camera Club. Permission was granted. The story of the organization of the club in the school newspaper brought more applications for membership. The club held its first meeting with about twenty members present. The usual organization was effected immediately. Officers were elected and a simple coustitution, modeled after those of other school clubs, was adopted. A committee was appointed to for-
mulate a plan'for the work of the club. This planning committee met with the faculty advisor to arrange for suitable activities. It soon became evident that the interest of the group was backed by little or no experience in photography. It was therefore decided that we would start a t the beginning of the process. Accordingly, the next meeting was devoted t o a talk and demonstration by one of the members on the structure and function of the important parts of the camera. A second pupil described and demonstrated t h e correct use of the camera in taking pictures. At the next meeting the topic of discussion was printing pictures. After the process was described and demonstrated, each member printed several pictures t o help familiarize himself with the method. The logical order after taking the pictures would, of course, have been the development of films. Because of the size of the group and the greater amount of light permissible in printing pictures, it was decided to illustrate the processes of exposure, development, washing, and fixing by reversing the order and learning how t o print before learning how to develop. At the following meeting, both tank and tray development were demonstrated. In spite of the fact that in the tank development the film could not be seen, the pupils were able to understand what was happening in the tank from their previous experience in printing pictures. Subsequent meetings were devoted to practice in developing and printing films and pictures, to criticizing finished pictures for workmanship and artistic qualities, and to group excursions to points of interest for photographic work. On these trips both still and moving pictures were taken.
One project that occupied a considerable portion of our time was the photographing of exterior and interior views of our own beautiful building. A number of excellent pictures were obtained. These prints proved to be of great interest to all who saw them. So great was the interest that the club decided to make a supply
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of the pictures and to offer them for sale to the pupils and faculty of the school. The proceeds of the sale were to be given to the school relief fund that provided carfare and lunch money for needy pupils. It was decided to sell several sizes. Contact prints were sold for five cents, postcards for ten cents, eight by ten enlargementsfor twenty-five cents, and eleven by fourteen enlargements for fifty cents. Samples were made and submitted to the General Organization for approval. Several members of the club acted as salesmen. The others worked in the dark room making the prints and enlargements. A careful check was made on production and distribution to avoid embarrassing financial difficulties. The sale was an overwhelming success. As the demand increased it was necessary to purchase supplies and more equipment. The project was halted by the approach of final examinations and the end of the term. It is planned to continue the sale of the pictures in the school store next
CHEMICAL EDUCATION
year. The project netted approximately thirty dollars which the Camera Club proudly presented to the supervisor of the Student Relief Fund. The club also arranged with the senior class committee to have a page of pictures published in the yearbook. With the aid of the art advisor and the yearbook committee the page shown in the illustration was set up and printed. This project is described by the writer because it appears to him to have had a variety of educational values. It helped the pupils concerned in cultivating a hobby for their leisure time. They learned how to organize a sales campaign and to raise money for a worthy cause. Its socializing value is illustrated in the cooperation of the club with the art department, the senior committee, the General Organization, and the Student Relief Fund committee. I t is hoped that this report may contain suggestions useful to other chemistry and photography clubs.
