PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22767, 20 July 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Prizes Awarded There were 58 entries from seven schools in the /photographic competition arranged by the Christchurch Photographic Society. The prints were judged by Mr F. L. Casbolt, president of the society. The following were the prize winners: Barbara de' Lambert (Christchurch Girls’ High School), “Evening Clouds,” 1; C. K. Anderson

(Christ’s College), “Morning Mists, 2: Ruth. Adams (St. Margaret’s College), “Don’t Want , a Wash,” 3; George Weigel (Shirley Intermediate School),. “River Mists,” 4. The special trophy for the school sending the best set of prints was awarded to .Christchurch Girls’ High School. Mr Casbolt gave a detailed criticism of. each print, pointing out mistakes in technique, composition, and lighting, and showing where the photographer had succeeded in his aim. It was” difficult to judge all the prints equally,; because they

were not all the sole work of the competitors. The rules of the competition allowed entrants to have their work developed, printed, and mounted by experienced workers. To those who had done their own work Mr Casbolt gave some helpful advice. . The variety of subjects treated was good, and there were some interesting attempts to make studies by artificial light. The winning photograph was described by Mr Casbolt as a very

pleasing pictorial composition. He showed how the cabbage tree and the dark mass of the base led round towards the waves which curved to the distant land and the clouds. ’ The whole effect _of curved composition was particularly pleasing; the ivory paper used was suitable for the subject, and the tones were excellent. Mr Casbolt suggested that a more suitable title than “Evening Clouds” could have been chosen for this very pleasant picture. “Morning' Mists, Lake Pukaki,” the second prize photograph, was a picture in delicate tones; its par-

ticular merit was the subject itself, and Mr Casbolt congratulated tbe photographer on seeing that the picture was there. The title he considered good, the only suggestion he could make being that the quality of the snow in the foreground would have been shown more clearly if a white paper with a crisp finish had been used. Hints about the suitable uses for cream, ivory, and white printing paper were given by Mr Casbolt to a very attentive audience. Remarks .on titles were also listened to with eager attention. A

photograph of a billy and a glass of milk was well named. “HCealtla.;” one of three horses looking towards the camera was also fittingly titled “Photo, Please!” But a very delicate snow scene, a very pleasant pitcure, was spoilt by the title, “Who Said it Couldn’t Snow?” The judge said that short titles were generally the best, and that unusual ones, helping with the composition of the picture, to' concentrate attention on the main point of interest, were to be sought.