ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 11

ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY

AN INTERESTING GALLERY. It would be hard to find a branch of photography not catered for by SwainLn’s Studios. At the Swainson gallery in the show there is a tremendous variety of photographic masterpieces, all ot them examples of portraiture at its best. When one thinks of the stilted and uncomfortable poses perpetuated in photograph relics of 20 years ago, and compares them to the examples Mr. Swainson has on view, one realises how important the natural expression or background is in successful portraiture. Iwo life-size character studies take pride of place on miniature easels. There is a sturdy, curly-haired youngster, clasping a play-ball under one arm-—he is “Young New Zealand.” The other is a violinist •razing with a quizzical expression as his bow drops from the still quivering strings. Mr. Swainson has a row of male studies, tastefully framed in dark oak forming the top line of his gallery, and “in each personality appears. Child studies there arc in plenty, with the sitters sometimes caught in gay mood, sometimes in grave, but always with that natural expression. Two especially remain in the memory—a little Eastern lady, eyes aglow and full of life as she bursts through a pinky haze of curtain in her greeny gauze head-dress and Oriental colourings, and a winsome Spanish senorita, a bright red rose in her dark hair, shawl over her white shoulders, and a tambourine, half-forgotten as she gazes interestedly aside, resting against her gily-coloured dress. Natural colouring creates a wonderful effect. But although the studio makes a specialty of studies and does if very well, animal-lovers should make a point of seeing a couple of animal studies in the gallery. A patient and dignified Spaniel and a majestic Bulldog both gaze unconcernedly into the camera. What better way is tlieie to remember a well-loved doggy, friend than this? There are well over 50 portraits in the gallery, and each is a true work of art. Appointments, if one wishes to preserve the memory of baby- as he is now, or to secure a photograph of the family while all are still at home, can be made at the show and on all such appointments reductions will be made.