1950 07 00 True Camera

Magazine Overview

Title: TRUE
Subtitle: THE MAN'S MAGAZINE
Issue: July
Publisher: Fawcett Publications
Price: 25c
Date: July (year not specified, but content suggests 1950s based on incident dates)

This issue of TRUE Magazine, a "Largest Selling Man's Magazine," prominently features "FLYING SAUCER PICTURES ON PAGES 44-45" on its cover, alongside an image of an antique gun case. The cover also lists the price as 25c and mentions "A Fawcett Publication."

The Camera Sees Flying Saucers

The main feature of this issue is a collection of photographs presented as evidence of flying saucers. The article, titled "TRUE presents the first photo roundup of the mysterious sky craft," addresses the question of why flying saucers haven't been photographed more frequently. It explains that while many sightings have occurred over the past three years, photographic evidence is limited due to the circumstances surrounding these appearances, such as occurring at night, being brief, distant, or fast-moving, and cameras not being readily available.

The magazine presents fifteen incidents that have yielded pictures, noting that the results sometimes defy expectations. The article emphasizes that TRUE has verified the authenticity of the photographic images appearing in the original negatives but cannot definitively confirm the objects as flying saucers due to a lack of firsthand knowledge of the circumstances of their capture. They are offered as representations of the images received.

Key Photographic Evidence Presented:

• July 4, 1947, Seattle: The first photo of a flying disk, an enlargement made by Frank Ryman, indicated by an arrow in a twilight sky.
• Near Chicago: A saucer seen low by Robert Kirk, described as almost glasslike, which produced a dark image on film.
• Alaska: Two "ghostly disks" appeared white in a color photo taken by Eugene Havord.
• Tucson: William Rhodes snapped a picture of a "Saucer" that, when enlarged, showed an irregular shape and pale center.
• April 16, 1950, Fort Worth: Ira Maxey's photo shows three strange objects in a thunder cloud.
• Hawthorne, Calif.: Betty Malles captured a "weird object" while about to photograph a plane.
• Catalina Island: A disk sighted by Bob Jung registered clearly above a steamship in a night photo.

Advice for UFO Photographers

The article provides practical advice for individuals who wish to photograph flying saucers. It notes that ordinary film may not capture subtle effects that the human eye can perceive, but can sometimes reveal more than the observer saw due to sensitivity to different wave lengths (like X-rays).

For capturing clear images, the magazine suggests using a fast-lens camera with an infrared film and deep-red filter, set at f-4.5 at 1/100th second for normal light conditions. Alternatively, a fast telephoto lens with a yellow filter and fine-grain film, set at f-11 at 1/200th second or higher, is recommended.

Crucially, the advice is to "grab any camera that's loaded" if an opportunity arises, even a simple box camera. Photographers are urged to call witnesses, take multiple pictures, and try to include ground features for perspective. They are also advised to use a professional photo finisher for special care and to send the negatives and prints to TRUE Magazine for examination and potential publication.

Other Content

The magazine also includes a narrative piece by Roy Chapman Andrews detailing a hunting expedition for a ram in China, his interactions with the Black Dragon village, and the eventual successful hunt. This story appears to be unrelated to the UFO theme but occupies significant space in the issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the presentation and analysis of photographic evidence related to flying saucer sightings. The magazine takes a stance of cautious investigation, presenting the images as genuine photographic records while refraining from definitive pronouncements on the nature of the objects. The editorial stance is to collect and publish such evidence as part of an ongoing "investigation of Flying Saucers," encouraging reader participation by submitting photographic findings. The inclusion of a narrative adventure story suggests a broader appeal to male readership interested in exploration and unusual experiences.