MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 4

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY.

THE SCHMIDT STUDIO. In the gay Yuletidc, when felicitous greetings are speeding over land and sea, thero are few branches of art. or industry -which are subjected to greater pressure than photography. Where expressions of goodwill cannot bo voiced in person the next best method is surely to secure representation by photographic proxy; but first of all the prospective subject must decide the venue of this all important operation. Photography is essentially an undertaking in which it is extremely unwise to experiment, or in other words to risk spoiling the ship for the sake of tho proverbial ha'p'orth of tar. Auckland is particularly well furnished in this reflpoct, having a studio which secured five «old medals and two special awards at the New Zealand International Exhibition, Christchtirch,' 1906-7, and first diploma and gold medal at the Anglo-French Exhibition, 1908, besides being a medallist at tho World's Fair, St. Louis, 1904. These were the Schmidt modern art studios, which contain one of the finest displays of artistic portrait photography in Now Zoaland, or Australasia for that matter.

To casual observers th? large entrance hall and reception rooms off Queen-street present. all tho interesting and varying features of an art gallery, while to those schooled in the higher branches of the ever transcending photographic art the large array of highlyfinished specimens provides a profound study in the most modern methods and processes. "Right here it is opportune to mention the new Pastello art portraits, which provide the most delicate background colouring effects without detracting one iota from the natural expression of the portrait, as is so often the case in coloured photography. This process was originated by the proprietary of the Schmidt studios, and also registered, but nevertheless it has been so highly thought of by the profession in Australia that efforts aro being made there to produce work on similar lines. Truly imitation is the sinccrest form of flattering. " These," said a photographic expert, indicating a striking series of framed "Pastollos," while piloting a Herald representative through the seasonably arranged studios yesterday, "is my idea of photography in its' most modern form. The background colourings, you see, can bo secured in a variety of light, fleecy shapes, which throw the figure into pleasing relief and produce even more artistic effects than coloured photography. And there is nothing whatever to obliterate the likeness of the face." In all probability the old order of photography will continue to change in sympathy with the evolution of art and commerce in all its branches, but in the meantime it is interesting to reflect that Pastello »work is tho very latest and most effective method of photography, also that Auckland is in the vanguard of up-to-date ideas. Another dainty stylo of pictures are the Claro Art Portraits, which obtain somewhat similar results to the Pastellos, with the exception that instead of colouring they comprise all black and white work, tho background effects being produced with pencil and brush. For the matter of choice the two styles form interesting comparisons. The Pastello portraits arc really the outcome of an elaboration of the Claro process. Something altogether novel in picture spheres is provided by the Sepia and crayon process. The surface is rough, and the dark tinting is a sufficient departure from the beaten track of portraiture to appeal to unconventional taste. All these and very many more, including platinotypes and pencillings, go to make up the endless profusion of processes in which the Schmidt studios ply their artistic calling. Parenthetically, it might be remarked that art is engraven in the Schmidt family. The exhibition triumphs which have already crowned their life's ,work, aro such as artists in any part of the world might justly feel proud, and New Zealanders would not be patriotic if they were Jacking in a just mead of, nraise. Another member of the family (Mr. Armen A. Schmidt), who has been completing his art studies in the Royal Bavarian Academy with conspicuous success, is returning to .Auckland in a few days. But this is by the way. For many years tho patronage that has extended to the Schmidt modern art studios has been the most distinguished that New Zealand could give. Each succeeding Governor, from the time of Sir Hercules Robinson to His Excollency Lord Plunket, has-' visited the operating-room, with the result that an imposing frame now encircles a collective vice-regal souvenir at tho head of the stairs leading to the airy reception room. Near by is a framed certificate of patronage from the present Governor. A series of enlargements of tho late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon and members of the Ward Cabinet, hang in eloquent testimony of the high stage of perfection to which this branch of portraiture has attained at the Schmidt studfos. The photo, of the Hon. R. McKenzie is the only one needed to complete tho group which is to be hung in shield form in Parliament House. The present and past Mayors of Auckland, cloaked in their official and more or less picturesquo robes, also hold prominent places among the array of enlargements. Group photos, have been made a decided specialty, and from this point of view alone a visit to tho studios is entertaining. The reflection here arises that in these days of over changing environment there aro perhaps few more interesting forms of mementos than photos. Seizing the present, they preserve the picture of to-day, past many milestones in the march of life, until in the distant to-morrow, they remain in revival of thoughts and scenes of long ago. Scores of faces beaming with tho merry smiles of Christmastide have been converted into such mementos at tho Schmidt studios during the past week or two- Taking tho display comprehensively, it contains many rare types of beauty. In one corner of the "gallery" are some feminine faces, with striking Grecian features, whilo but a few steps takes the spectator to a picture in which the subject is of undoubted Roman descent. So here in this young Dominion it transpires that tinges of Old World types remain. But there are also maids of lustrous eyes and complexions, that have received tho delicate tinting which tho salubrious climate of tho Antipodes so kindly imparts. Here a coy brunette looks archly down, there a smiling blonde flashes fojth a ray of sunlight, and then somewhere else, as though bv way of comparison, tho photographed faces of some country cousins, who had visited the Schmidt Studios on their trip to town, modestly look the whole world in tho face. Perhaps, after all, it is not wholly the good looks of those who enter that aro responsible for the striking photographic productions, but that the art of securing satisfactory posing effects, in which tho operating experts aro past masters, also plays an important part. Tho delicate results ar.d sympathetic touches Which havo been secured by an unobtruding spray of flowers, a hand mirror, or a tennis racqucft, aro surprising to tho layman withal their apparent simplicity to the skilled artist. A favourite method at tho Schmidt Studios is to photograph a lady as though sho were looking through an array of promiscuously, arranged flowers. A combination of artistic effects is tho result.

With the artistic instinct so developed it is not surprising that considerable time and much patience should have been expended in tho production of highly pictorial photography. These are of distinct academic value. For instance, there is one largo picture containing as pretty a sylvan scene as it would be possible to find in picturesque New Zealand, with a maiden of golden hair and delightfully shy expression on a rustic bridge in the foreground. There are dozens of such studies, notably, those entitled "Clematis," 'The Waterfall," "Summer," " A Warm Summer Day," etc. Last in reference, but not least in point of interest, is the children's gallery, wherein are contained scores of bright, happy faces, with tho natural expressions that can alone be obtained in babyhood. One particularly fine set is entitled "Young New Zealand,' and another takes the title of Our Babies." In retreating from the truly artistic atmosphere which pervades the " Schmidt" Modern Art Studios one is possessed of the reflection that the experts therein are thoroughly con-' versant with their art, from Alpha to Omega,