Camera Club Holds Interesting Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6728, 10 December 1931, Page 8

Camera Club Holds Interesting Meeting

At a mooting of the Manawatu Camera Chib held this week, the results of the monthly competition were announced as follow: Open: Mr Hobday 1. Flower study: Miss Johansen, 1 and 2. In the still life studies the placing's were: Mr A. Stewart 1, Mr Killner 2, Mr Fleck 3. An interesting event was the exhibition of still life pictures taken at a recent special meeting of the members. The pictures that were taken were seen by members for the first time and a good deal was learned from the results. Tho subjects photographed varied from Ornaments to books and even ordinary household utensils, and some very good groupings were obtained. The genera, result was so good that another evening on tho same lines was agreed upon. The lecture for the evening was given by Mr 11. Billons. As a photographer of many years’ experience, Mr Billens was ablo to describe the early methods and difficulties that had to be overcome in the first days of photography. Tho method of manipulation of tho old wet plate process was described, and tho limits of the early dry plate system, due to slow plates and slow lenses, and as one member interjected “quick children,'” and the lack of scientific knowledge were humorously described. The early methods of printing and their gradual development to the modern high grade production wore also spoken about. Tho lecture was highly interesting and certainly instructive, giving to tho younger members a good idea of the difficulties, skill and perseverance required by the old photographer. There was an interesting discussion after on “pin hole” photography without a lens and the quality of the old

wet plate negative compared with niodem ones, tho general result being that the modern dry plate far exceeds the old one in its results, save in line work for reproduction and printing, Mr Sears illustrating that point.