ART IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 146, 17 December 1924, Page 6

ART IN PHOTOGRAPHY

THE LONDON SALON

NEW ZEALANDERS' WORK.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, Ist October. Three New Zealanders have been successful in having their photographs hung in this year's International Exhibition of the London Salon of Photography. These are Mr. W. T. Owen (previously of Wangahui, now a resident in London), Mr. H. E.1 Gaze (Waikato), and Mr. A. M. Macdonald (Invereargill). They are in excellent company, for there are only some 400 studies hung. These are from photographers from every part of the world, so that the selection must have been exceedingly strict.

It is not until one has visited the Salon that it is possible to realise what artistic work can be done with tli9 camera. Indeed, it is necessary at times to remind oneself that the exhibits are not the pencil or brush work of an artist, but merely a mechanical process. Mr. Owen has taken a picture from the' Holborn Viaduct looking down Farrihgdon street towards Ludgate Circus. It is a mist effect, the picture being taken in October, and the traffic and buildings fade into phantom shapes before reaching the Fleet street crossing. On the left is the phantom tower of a well-known building. The effect of the. picture is striking, and it is quite easy to understand why it was approved worthy to be hung. Mr. Owen is the eldest son of Mr. Charles Owen, of Wanganui. He has recently been playing a part in the popular drama, " The Green Goddess."

■ It is rather strange that both the resident New Zealanders should have obtained entrance into the Salon with portraits, the one of two sisters, the other of two brothers. Mr. Macdonald'g contribution is called " Sisters," and shows two smiling girls. Mr. H. E. Gaze's work is entitled " Nocturne in F, Chopin." In this two musicians, who appear to be brothers, are absorbed in the nocturne they are playing on' tha violin and 'cello respectively. The photograph is a small one, and doubtless the selectors were drawn to the work because of the absorbed expression on. the faces of the two musicians.

Some of the more elaborate works are particularly interesting. Number l'in. the catalogue is a portrait study of the Prince of Wales, one which does him justice. A photograph' of a canal in Amsterdam is particularly attractive, and is more like a soft etching than a photograph. " Winter Moonrise " may have been prepared in the sunlight, but the effect is very wonderful, with the pale shadows of trees and feeble light from the rising moon.

One of the most popular pictures in. the Salon is that entitled " Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark." There are already three sale tickets on it. It is merely a black cat seated on the top of a post listening with eager ear to the song of the lark and expressing in its eyes and in every muscle of its body its covetous thoughts. Naturally, scenes about London are well represented, and one of the most striking is that from an Adelphi window, with the dome of St. Paul's as a background. Another is from the same vantage point looking down the Thames to London Bridge. In the distance, however, an advertisement of the " Daily Mail " obtrudes, not an uncommon aspect of London scenery.