A Lady Photographer on the Art of Sitting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5280, 10 June 1895, Page 2

A Lady Photographer on the Art of Sitting.

It has been left for a lady enthusiast in practical photography to give some ' greatly-needed advice on the subject of preparation for the ordeal of the camera. Mrs Ward, a member of tho Pioneer Club, and co-editor with her husband of The Photogram, haß an article in that journal containing some sensible hints to sitters. She fays that a good deal of experience in English and American studios has taught her that many women think they " know better how to pose than the operator who sees them as they will look on the plate." .They tell him how they take best, and fall into a pose for which he knows he will be blamed when the picture is completed. Others, and they are legion, declare that they cannot bear " that horrid thing," meaning the head-reatj and, if gratified by its removal, either assume a pose of stony ligidity, or keep moving slightly, while they protest thoy are perfectly quiet. Certainly the ideal head-rest has still to be invented, but if the head, instead of being rigidly held, ia rested against the clamp 80 as to be supported merely, this instrument of torture may ab least be made endurable. On the subject of taßte in drees, our writer findß much to question and condemn. She says nhe is impressed with the want of good judgment that permits the wear of Btriped or large check materials, often made gorgeous by the addition of glistening trimmings, not to speak of tho great amount of jewellery generally considered the finishing touch, of grace. The woman who would give her face a soft and harmonious setting should wear soft materials or dull ei)ka of one carefully-selected colour. Mrs Ward thinks that the quick, instinctive judgment of a woman as to woman's dress is invaluable in the studio, and on this ground she raises a strong plea for the general employment of women photographers.