See The Railway Station

I wandered into the Grand Central Station in New York City with a new camera—a Speedex 2¼×3¼. It had been given me as a present by my partner in photographic and other joys, who was tired of seeing me lug around an 8×10 view camera and plates. I thought the light looked interesting in the big station and opened my little box. Appeared on the scene the station detective. “Not allowed to make photographs without a permit.” “Where do I apply for it?” “At the stationmaster's room.” I walked half a mile and interviewed a pretty stenographer. She said, when I showed her the tiny camera, “Certainly you can make snapshots with that little thing. What we don't like is putting up a big camera on a tripod.” I went back in triumph, showed my permit, and shot. F4.8 Zeiss lens, wide open, one second exposure. Enlarged on P. M. C. No. 5, to 11×14 with Smith lens.