PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 17

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.

INTERCLUB COMPETITION RESULTS. The following are the results of tho New Zealand luterclub Photographic Societies’ ninth annual competition. The prints were this year judged in Dunedin, Mr A. H. O'Keeffe being appointed honorary judge. Seven clubs competed:—Dunedin Photographic Society, 889, 1; Auckland Camera Club, 776. 2; Wellington Camera Club, 720, 5; Invercargill Camera Club, 717, 4; Wellington Camera Circle, 665, 5; Timaru Photographic Society, 662, 6: Christchurch Photographic Society, 598, 7. Friendly rivalry among the clubs sustains the interest in this annual event but so far tho championship has not left tho South Island, Invercargill having held the premier position of live occasions, and Dunedin four times.

PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES ADMIRED. Though on a more modest scale than one would expect from a contest embracing the whole of New Zealand, the exhibition of photographs in the rooms of the Dunedin Photographic Club, is worthy of considerable attention. Displays from camera clubs in each of the main centres arc to be seen, together with accompanying details of the 1927 awards. Since the annua! competition of NewZealand camera clubs was instituted, some excellent examples of photographic art have been forthcoming. This year the judging took place in Dunedin, and. the exhibition was opened to the public yesterday afternoon, following the announcement of the awards made by the honorary judge, Mr A. If. O’Keefe. During the afternoon, Dunedin camera enthusiasts visited the rooms in satisfactory numbers, and there was a good attendance in the evening, when the work of amateurs in all parts of the country was compared and admired. The exhibition will continue this afternoon and evening, while to-morrow afternoon and evening will be the last opportunity given to the public to view the pictures. It was with satisfaction that Dunedin amateurs noted the success of their colleagues. Dunedin has secured first place with an excellent range of well-produced studies, including the champion photograph of the exhibition—“A Landscape Near Waitati,” by Mr G. Chance. This is the gem of the Dunedin collection, and is outstanding in its appeal to lovers of clear and clean-cut work, with well-balanced detail. Another excellent exhibit in the Dunedin section is “Tho Veteran Padre,” a portrait by Mr F. G. Denton. “Sheila,” a three-quarter length study in deeper tones, provides a clever example of how effectively careful lighting can bring the subject into attractive cameo relief! An unusual study was “The Lunch Hour,” depicting a team of wharf horses standing in idleness before a background consisting of the prow of a largo ship. It is tho work of Mr J. Treloar, “Melisande,” the second study exhibited by him, is the figure of a girl gazing into the depths of a forest pool and is a careful study, though the posing is not particularly ancsting. Tho Auckland Camera dub secured second place, one of the most effective of its studies being “Ephebos,” done with carbon transfer effect. The figure of the youth is well posed, and the exhibitor has given his print an unusual appearance comparable only with an etching. A fine Maori head study is exhibited by Miss Una Garlick. The title, “Solioquy,” is not perhaps, aptly chosen, but as a character portrait the work is outstanding. There is subdued beauty in “The Lagoon" by Mr J. C. Holland. Perhaps the most striking study in the Wellington exhibit, which secured third place, is “The Hay Shod,” by Miss 11. Johnson. It is a well-balanced rural scene in unusually dark tones, although the subject is given adequate prominence. “Pastorale.” by Miss G. Campbell, is another pleasing exhibit. The Invercargill Camera Club, which was next on the list of awards, has forwarded some good work, although there is nothing that catches the eye with any special features. “Curiosity,” a child study, is quamtly and well done by Mr A. C. V. Baker, while “Nature s Designing,” is a bold and effective piece of outdoor photography. “Evening,” by Mr J. W. Jones, of the Wellington Camera Circle, is a beautiful picture depicting two barges moored at the edge of a still expanse of water. It is a careful- and adequate study in subdued tones, and the atmosphere created cannot fail to please. The best, exhibit from Timaru is “In Summer Sunshine,” a river scene that has been carefully taken and treated. The Christchurch Club secured seventh place, its aggregate being lowered by a number of weak studies containing very little artistic value. The best was “Passing Through,” by Mr S. 11. Head, depicting a railway station scene on conventional tines.