Abstract: A self-contained photography studio apparatus for photographing at least one subject comprising means to support and spatially orient the subject to be photographed, means for illuminating said subject so as to provide uniform illumination and substantially eliminate shadows, and means for controlling the temperature on and in the vicinity of said subject, wherein each of the recited means is integral, and a method for using the apparatus.

Abstract: In a color-slide duplicator having a housing containing a light source which illuminates an opening in a housing wall, and a support for a camera above the housing for photographic reproduction of a slide to be duplicated; an assembly for supporting the slide comprises a carrier plate releasably and adjustably secured by magnets to the housing wall so as to span the illuminated opening which registers, at least in part, with an aperture in the carrier plate, and first and second parallel guide bars having undercut, beveled edges facing toward each other and being arranged on the carrier plate at opposite sides of the aperture in the latter, with one of the guide bars being movable laterally and resiliently urged in the direction toward the other guide bar, such guide bars being included in a quick-release mechanism by which the slide to be duplicated is positioned and held against the carrier plate over the aperture therein.

Abstract: A novel electro-optical switch is shown comprising a fixedly mounted lamp, a solid state photo-responsive transistor mounted in position to receive light from the lamp for responsively switching from one state to a second state and actuation means intermediate the transistor and the lamp for obstructing the light path between the lamp and the transistor.