Real photography is quite different from snapshot work.  It is a hobby so fascinating and with such great possibilities that there is scarcely anything that will give a boy or girl more real pleasure in life and a better opportunity to be outdoors than to become an expert outdoor photographer.  Unfortunately it is a rather expensive pastime, but even with a moderate priced instrument we can obtain excellent results under the right conditions.  I have seen a prize-winning picture in an exhibition that was made with a cigar box, with a pinhole in one end for a lens.

Even though one does not care to become an expert photographer, by all means get a camera and make snapshots.  It is quite a common idea for an amateur to attribute his failures to defects in his material or outfit.  You may be sure when you fail it is your own fault.  Dealers in photographic supplies constantly have complaints from customers about defective materials, and certainly nine out of every ten of these cases are simply due to the carelessness of the operator with perfectly good material.

It is well for a beginner in photography to start with a simple snapshot camera.  They can be bought for three or four dollars up to twenty-five.  Such cameras are used with films, and simply require the operator to expose his film in plenty of light and with the proper attention to the distance that the object to be photographed may be from the camera.  Until we can accurately estimate distances, such as 8, 15, 25 or more feet, it will be far safer to pace off the distance, remembering that a long step for a boy is about equivalent to three feet.  Some cameras have a universal focus and require no adjusting, but an adjustable camera will usually give better results.

Some cameras are so constructed that they may be used either as a hand machine or on a tripod for view work.  They can also be adapted either to films or plates and be operated with the ground glass for focussing, or if desired, the focussing scale and view finder may be used.

The size of our camera will depend largely upon our purse.  The cost of the camera itself is not the only thing to consider.  All the plates and supplies increase in proportion to the size of our instrument.  A good all around size is 4x5, or if we really wish to become photographers the 5x7 is a standard.  A number of new sizes have recently been introduced and have proven very satisfactory.  Perhaps the best size for a snapshot camera is 3-1/4 x 5-1/2.

There are a great many makes of cameras on the market, but even at the risk of advertising one firm more than another it is only fair to say that there is really nothing better in pocket snapshot machines than the kodaks.  In view cameras it is different.  There are instruments of a dozen makes any of which will produce excellent results.  The tests to apply in selecting a view camera are its workmanship, compactness, and the various attachments and conveniences it has.  The salesman from whom you purchase will explain fully just what its possibilities are, especially if you take some experienced person with you who can ask questions.