PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 58, 5 September 1901, Page 6

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

MORE OF THE PICTUBB6. Wo conclude our notico of the photographs which are being shown at tho Intercolonial Exhibition in tho Ait Uallery. , ANIMAL LIFE STUDIES. Thero aro thirty-one* entries in thin section, and they arc of varying degrees of merit, with practically nothing rising dbovo tho ordinary level. Strong exception can fairly bo taken to tho judges' awarding of tho coveted green ribbon to No. 232. The prize picture represents iv bull, held by a rope — only that, uud nothing more. Tho exhibit is entitled "A Young Lord," aud is by Fred J. •Wiliiams, of Napier. It has apparently secured first) honours because the picture is technically correct, but .it is obviously undeserving of such a valuable prizo as the green ribbon curries. If the judges deemed this the best entry in tho class, then they would have been justified in following tho course adopted in tho portraiture class, and awarding no first prize. Tho second prize is awarded to a, print of a Persian kitten (No. 228) of which the most that can be said is that it is "a. pretty little thing." W. H. Bicker'ton, of Christchurch, secured the third prize, and R. Pheeney's "Cattle" won tho yellow ribbon. This picture snows a strong cloud effect, the grouping of the cattle being pleiising, and tho whole having an out-of-the-ordinary appearance. No. 253 is a nice- study of horses, and tho reason given for its not having roceived honours is that the judges considered tho grouping faulty. No. 243, again, presents just as happy a study of cattle, but was marred in tho judges' eyes through a slight technical defect in the printing. In tke opinion of many visitors to the exhibition, both the pictures just noted should have received honours. STUDIES IN STILL LIFE. By tho way, it would bo well if tho managers of the exhibition woro to mako a clear definition of "still life" for guidance in futuro contests. Pictures have been entered and hung this year which obviously are not withii* the nuigo this section is meant to cover. For instance, what have Maori carvings, ancient ironwork, statuary, and gateways to do with still life? pf tho twenty-two entries in this class, no less than nine "have nothing to do. with tho case/ yet tho first prize has been awarded to the photograph of ancient ironwork (No. 261). Tho picture is oortainly beautifully taken, tho detail being reproduced with exactness. "Frosted Leaves" (No. 278), H. Davidson's second prize bromide, is a clever littlo picture, technically perfect. Tho versatility of Mr. T. D. Needham is shown by his exquisite Hower study "Christmas Lilies" (No. 259), which received a white ribbon. W. A. Taylor, of Chrlstchurch, secured fourth award for a well-lighted reproduction of a jar of primulas (No. 260). Among other exhibits may bo mentioned a good toned bromido (No. 267) from Mrs. Alice Brusewitz, of Nelson. HAND-CAMERA WORK. Although there wero but fifteen oxhibits of hand-camera work entered in this contest, some beautiful "bits" were included. Mr. Leedhnm, .who caught the jud^os' eye with everything he entered, secured yel another green ribbon with a frame of six photographs (No. 283), which contain evidence of the Aucklaudor's taste and judgment. Excellent work, marked by rich, warm toiies. A complete contrast of tones and subjects is offered in tho frame of six which won tho second prize. Theso pictures (No. 283) represent views in Wellington Harbour, by W. 11. Tustin, whose highclass work must have given the judges some difficulty in deciding which frame should have tho green and which the red ribbon. Harry H. Seed, also of Wellington, was awarded tho whilo ribbon for a (rumo of six small .toned prints of cvon merit. Mr. Seed's good work may bo said to have placed him an easy third. Henry Winklcmnn, of Auckland, showed six excellent prints of Auckland yachts. THE WORK OF JUNIORS. Class I. was pet apart for workers under 17 years of age, who were permitted to send in any nubjeot. Tho youthful 1 photographers of the city have responded liberally to the invitation, there being about fifty exhibits on the wall. They make a bravo show, and some of the work contains promise ol a bright future for the workers. As previously mention*

cd, Lowb Jenkins, of Wellington, liub a .strong iopro<:ciitatiou, and l>e has taken boi.li ihe green und red libhons. There ,is need for him 10 juy more attention to li'aiuionious mourning and frafning than is shown in No. 316, for instance. Tho third prize picturo (No. 336) is a good uomposition from Ilettio Suckling, of Christchurch, who gives a nice suggestion of atmosphere in her work. Douglas Cook, of Wellington, got the yellow ribbon for a dainty bit of seascape (No. 336 a). No. 337 is a landscapo that rises above the average.i Good tasto is displayed in Nos. 329 and «330, two pictures from a liberal entry from students of Wellington College. Altogether, the Collegians' work is promising, considering that the majority of the boys are boginners. Their progross reflects credit upon thoir preceptor, Mr. A. C. Gifford, one of the enthusiastic members of our Camera Club. FOR. EXHIBITION ONLY. Members of the Wellington and Nelson Camera Clubs and the Dunedin Photographic Society havo sent in a nice col- , lection of work, consisting of 109 exhibits. Mr. J. Skottowo Web'b, of Dunodin, shows some good work, both in animal and marine subjects.' Nelson sends ar-particularly interesting collection, H. V. Gully's bromido enlargement "In Harbour Waters " (No. 388) being "a fine picture. Conspicuous among the work shown in the Nelson corner of the gallery are some specimens in gum bichromate by C. Y. Fell. Those prints are curiosities which are attracting much attention, as they are ueproduced by a process scarcely known in the colonies, and which is causing much interest among photographers at Home. The Frenob artist, Do Machy, has made £ specialty of the gum bichromate process, and his work is having a vogue. Mr. Fell has obtained some success with the process, whioh gives a pleasing effect, and affords a fine medium for photographers with developed artistic tastes. "The Lake" (No. 407) is quite up to the Watsonian standard. That y pbrtioa of the public which is interested in the turf will be attracted to Thos. M. Hardy's pictures of the four champion Tacera, Advance, Ostiak, Tortulla, and Boreas. George Moodio, of Wellington, has a fine set of pictures of the colony's ibeauty-spots, which ar* likely to catch tho eye of the tourist. Nos. 444 and 445, by H. S. Hislop, show good sudies of sky and reflection. , There is a very interesting collection of yachting subjects, some of tho pictures being meritorious. Altogether, the third intercolonial exhibition contains much that is of general interest and nol, a few pictures which attract the close observation and detailed examination of the expert photographer. Despite last night's rough weather, tho attendance at the exhibition was tho best of the season. An enjoyable concert was given during the evening under the direction of* Mr. T. Pringle. Miss Pago contributed solos on tho pianoforte, and vocal solos wbre given by Miss Burnett and Mr. Pringle, the accompaniments being played wth taste by Miss Pringlo. Mr. E. J. Harrison's phonograph also contributed to tho programme. Mr. Pringle has arranged another musical treat for this evening, when instrumental, items will be rendered by the members of the talented" Kennedy family. » 1