MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1925, Page 7

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY

A FINE EXHIBITION

During the p:ist, month the Kodak Proprietary, Ltd., h; 1 s hold exhibitions in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in order to give' the professional photographers in New Zealand an opportunity to study the ideas and methods of the leading photographers in the world in the production of highclass portraiture. Mr George Woollev, of the Art Studios, Whangarei, took full advantage of the invitation to the Auckland session, and he says that he feels certain that it should tend to raise the standard of photography generally all through New Zealand. Two whole days were fully occupied with lectures by Messrs. Van der Velden, of Melbourne, and Simpson, of Wellington, and in the two evenings 18,000 feet of film was shown. This film, costing £100,000 to make, is the largest so-called industrial film ever produced, and its action is so realistic that one feels one is watching actual incidents in an actual studio. The Hylan Studio, in which the film was taken, was built specially for this ' film on the latest and most scientific principles, and one could not fail to grasp all the advantages of having such a place to work in. The picture carried one through every department from the time the appointment was made until the finished work was delivered. There were several amusing incidents to ease the monotony in showing •how to deal with various, sitters, such as .a hen-pecked and nervous husband being brought;,to have his photo taken, and the anything but cheerful-looking dancer who Expected to [appear an angel. But the whole film was most instructive and the 60 photographers who were present in Auckland will go back to their work with renewed vigour and fresh ideas to improve their work generally. Apart from the lectures and pictures, all the very latest appliances were on view, as well as actual specimens of the work of the best English and American photographers. One of the best features of the conference was the fraternity element it introduced, which in the past has, been sadly wanting among photographers. To the moving pictures, Mr. Beauchamp, New Zealand representative for Kodak, Ltd., also invited amateurs, and the concert chamber of the Town Hall was crowded each evening. Besides beihg helpful to them in their hobby, he said, it would also give the public an insight into the amount of work and knowledge necessary for the professional side of photography. So many people had an idea that a photo- i graph should be produced at the cost of a few pence and they did not take into consideration such things as expensive appliances, rent, wages, and ] other "overhead charges/' to say • nothing of the artistic knowledge necessary to produce good pictures. Moreover, the amateur's time was not reckoned in the cost of his productions. ] Mr. Beauchamp then enlarged upon the tremendous part photography was playing in the world today in every walk of iife, and concluded by saying he was very pleased to see so many taking advantage of the exhibition Kodak, Ltd., had provided to give further knowledge to those interested.