AUCKLAND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8534, 7 April 1891, Page 6

AUCKLAND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

The exhibition of the Auckland Photo graphic Club, at the Museum Buildings, last evening, was largely attended, in fact there was the largest attendance that has yet been recorded during the exhibition. The transparencies shown hist evening were a series of views of the Waitomo Caves, by Mr. Thos. Humphries, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and of bush scenery by Mr. J. C. Morton. Mr. Josiah Martin, as usual, gave the. descriptive lecture, chatty and explanatory, which, from his personal knowledge of the subjects, he was well qualified to do. The views and the lecture were greatly appreciated by the numerous visitors. The Exhibition will re-open this afternoon at one o'clock, and finally close this evening. Among the transparencies to-night will be some photographs furnished by Mr. R. Hauna, which have been executed by Captain Sinclair, of the s.s. Tarawera.

THIRD NOTICE. Mr. W. Park shows some good bromide enlargements of bush scenery. They are characteristic, and show much judgment in the selection of the " bits," which are on the Waitakerei and Nihotupu streams. He also has another picture of two children, who are smiling as only children can smile. Mr. Pegler shows three frames of silver prints, and have a tone and depth which give a beauty that up to the present no other method can equal. In the hands of Mr. Pegler these qualities are well brought out. Mr. B. Myers exhibits four small frames, which show promise. We trust that in any future exhibition this gentleman's work will be more marked in character, and that he will allow himself more scope for artistic treatment.

Mr. Smith, of Kauri Timber Company, shows a number of photographs, which exhibit careful treatment.

Mr. William Fenton has on view some specimens of crystoleum worka portrait of a Maori and a lady—which are creditable. Mr. Graves Aiclcin sends five photographs of the Niagara Falls, which are well displayed on the walls. They are American work, and show the high excellence which photography has attained in that country. They are double printings—that is to say, the sky is not taken at the same time as the rest of the negative, but the whole is so skilfully managed that this can only be detected 011 the closest examination.

Messrs. Wildman and Lvell, the wellknown booksellers, have placed on the tables several numbers of " Sun Artists," published by Kegan, Paul and Co. Kaeh number contains four pictures wonderfully reproduced. The composition pictures by W. P. Robinson are marvellous. In some of them no less than four negatives have been used. One of the pictures, " The Kiss of Peace," should be carefully studied ; but where everything is a masterpiece, no description can do justice to them. Mr. J. R. Hanna also places on the table a journal, " Our Celebrities," each number containing three large photographs of eminent persons. Among them we noticed Madame Adelina Patti, Sir Morel Mackenzie, H. M. Stanley, &c. Mr. Chapman, bookseller, exhibits a number of whole plate views of Scottish scenery. It is needless to say, the workmanship is admirable, and they show us what historical ground every inch of the old country is. Mr. Eugster, of the Swiss Bazaar, has kindly lent the Club four stereoscopes with views containing Continental and American scenes. They are certainly some of the finest we have seen in Auckland. To look at them is the next best thing to making the " grand tour."

At the end of the room, over the dais, are ten photo-mechanical productions of Dr. P. H. Emerson's work. He is the apostle of naturalistic photography, and photographers are divided into two schools, of which he claims to be leader of the artistic section. The Auckland public themselves are now able to form a judgment on the merits of the two.

Messrs. Murray and Spencer exhibit some specimens of their photo-mechanical work. The examples are good, one of the White Terraces being specially noticeable. Messrs. Crawford and Stewart, electrographists, have also a number of exhibits by their method showing what can be done, using a line ground, which gives a texture to the print which is wanting in ordinary collotyny. We would suggest that at the end of the winter the Club should hold another exhibition of subjects peculiarly characteristic of the season. To-night closes tl\e' exhibition, and those who have a love of what is refining and artistic should not lose this last opportunity of visiting the Museum Buildings and inspecting the specimens of photographic art.