Camera Club.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11743, 20 September 1902, Page 7

Camera Club.

The exhibition of the Wanganui Camera Club, in Sheriff's Studio, Ridgway street, continues to attract a considerable num.berf of interested visitors. Yesterday afternoon and evening;, desfpite the wet weatlher, there was a fair attendance. The reajly excellent collection of pictures is well worthy of inspection,. The exhibition will be open again this morning, afternion, and evening. Indeed, the committee might, with advantage both to members of the club and the public, consider the advisability of continuing the exhibition for some days next week. However, lest this suggestion, should not appeal to the committee, we advise those who have not yet seen the pictures to do so to-day. Continuing our detailed reference to the exhibits^ we will now refer to the photos exhibited by Nelson photographers. Mr. C. Y. Fell, No. 96, "Nuneham," is a charming picture, andl clearly not local. No. 93, "A Portrait," is the best of this gentleman's figure work, yet is hardly satisfying, the lighting being hard and the lines too straight, while the dark shadows destroy all depth. No. 99, "A Portrait," is more successful, and being in a new process has an added interesJt. Of his tree studies, No. 97, "Red Gum," is the most pleasing. Mr. H. V. Gully, No. 116, "'ln Harbour Waters," and No". ,117, "Nelson Haven," are soft and full of dqpjth and feeiing.

Of Mrs. Blackett's exhibits, No. 108 is the best, both technically and pictorially. Messrs Hamilton and Redworth'si No. 102, "Sunset—The Sands," is well rendered. No. 103, "Out Among tihe Daisies," tells its dwn tale. In No. 104, "Where the Wind Blows Fierce," the water lacks contrast.

Mr. H. Brusewitz, No. 121, "Study of a Head," is one of the most striking exhibits. No. 120, "A Creek Scene," likemany of that class, suffers from the absence of any distance to lead' the eye out of the picture. Mr. A. H. Patterstom, No. 127, "Pelorous River," suffers from too much light on the water. Compare tiiis with No>s. 116 and 117. No. 130, "Seagulls," is a successful snapshot.

Mra Erusewitz, No1. 122, "A Grecian Toilet," is a charming coinjposLtiion, while the technical work is excellent. The poses are easy and natural, the drapery and accessories well arranged, the lines harmonious and flowing, the lighting soft, giving a. roundness to the figures that makes this rank as peiii&psl the best figure study in the room. No. 123, "Gyneth," is another soft and harmonious! arrangement, the rendering of tihe lace on' tike shoulders being good. No. 124, "Ro-aes," .is simple and ta,slteftul. Would probably be improved by a slightly varied background. No. 125, "Island Bay," is a pleasing subject, though the lines in the foreground are somewhat stiff., requiring something on the iroadi Jta cqiifcrasib ftiienii. This lady's work betokens an aortas-tic temperament and technical -sfkdll' of a high order.

Wellington College Camera Club : —

These exhibits consist oi frames of miscellaneous subjects which give promise of growing, under judicious guidance, into a taste for work of a less dilettanti nature.

Chevalier La Fosse, No. 141, "Across the Sands," and No-. 112, "A Quiet Nook," ara two subjects which well illustrate how the master mmd1 makes pictures out of simple subjects.

Messrs. R. and! J. Beck, No®. 143 and Inn. —These are professional work of a high order and admirabl'ly render the subjects they refer to. The lovers of arcihitectm ial photography may well envy their confreres) at Home who have available such magniificent^subiects as most of tihe English cathedrals:' are. ■•■----■ ■ '

Wanganui Camera Club.—The exhibits from the local club are by their character sharply defined into two) sections—professional and amateur.

Mr. F. J. Denton, No. 212, "Portrait of a Lady," is soft and technically well finished, but lacks reflected light to give the required roundness. No. 213, a life-size enlargement of two Maori boys, is an excellent example of good omtdoor work, the lighting of the faotes beinio- very good. No.' 211, "Morning Mists," a view on the Wauganui River, fails to convey the impression intended. Would* be improved perhaps if printed in another colour. No. 292, "Sunset," is effective and successful, tllie relative values being nicely maintained. No. 215, "Reflections," is well posed, easy, natural, and effective. Nor-216, "A Wet Road," does not appeal to on©. Mr. Parti ngtoni, No. 248, a portrait of a well known old identity, is the most striking, the lighting being- particularly good; and No>. 246 is another example of soft light and good technique. No. 249, "Taki Taki,". tine well known old chief, with his strongly tattoed face, is boldly treated. Nol 242, "A View oai the Waiiganui River," is one of tlie most |p,icturesque views we have seen of our noble river. The boldness of the rocks in the immediate foreground stands out in strong relief against the softness of the distan.ee, the only flaw being the want-of clouds. No. 240, "The Upper Diop Scene," is not so MUGcessful.

Mr. A. W. J. Mann, of KawJUa, sends a number,,of excellent local views.

No. 226, Mr. A. Elliotc, "Early Morning on the Maitai," is the best result we have seen obtained on this well known river, though- palpably much is due to hand work.

Miss Luxford, in No. 209, "Poor Foot," tells a tale of child life in a simple way. No. 253, "Dear Doggie," by Miss Blythe, is not so good, the composition! being poor. No. 224, "A Shady Pool," by Dr. Christie, is impressionistic, -but the absence of distance destroys all atmosphere. Mr. R. G-. Marshall shows a number of local views of no special interest. No. 254, six (portraits in gum Bichromate, by Mr. W. Beswick, are interesting as fiitsb b'teps in a process' which is now the rage at Home. His No. 255 tells a tale. The high lights are a little hard1. Mi1. C. Robb, No. 220, "Sunshine and Shade, Okehu," is a Sylvan scene—rather too much high light. No-. 223, "At the Fountain," is good technical work, but looks like a fashion plate.

Mr. J. Allison, Nos. 153, "Mount Egmont," 154 "Mount Ruapehu," 156 "Kaimanawa Mountains," 155 "Ruapehu from Eariod," -and 157 "The Crater, Mount Ruapehu," are each excellent representations of a very difficult subject. Considering the enthusi,a.sni shown by English and Continental photographers over Aljjine snow scenes, it seems strange that our local! photographers should care so little to ipourtray "the snow, the beautiful snow," so light and so charming, yet how cold and deadly! Mi. G-. R. Boultoß, No. 160, "'Twixt Sunshine and Shower," Manukau Harbour, is the most striking. No. 166, "Statuary," shows good work. Mr. G. Pownall, No. 179, "Watching the Rain," makes one feel quite sympathetic, as listening to the drip, drip we look out for the gems that, like buds in a bouquet, are interspersed throughout. No. 185, "Study in Marguerites," F. J. Kersley, is gcfod. Mr. H. Paul, in 186, shows soma meritorious snapshots. The technique is ex-

cellent, but wealth of detail wearies.

No. 288, "When the Wind Drops*," Mr. D. Hutton, is a yachting 'scene, which shows a sequel to the hopes and anticipations that surround No. 290, "The Start."

Mr. T. W. Dciwnes, No. 170, "Granny," and No. 171, "Old Friends," are an effai't in (the impressionist school, and would perhaps be better appreciated if the subject; was less -outre. No. 168, "The Tranquil Hour of Morn," and N.o. 169, "Veiled with the Mists of Morning," are two river scenes which show an earnest effort to delineate the ever-changing effects thait. so rapidly follow the rising of tho sun wihere the river has cut its rocky bed .amidst the towering- bush-clad hills. No. 173, "Where the Nibbling Flocks do Stray," is a little gem. No. 178, "Golden Sunshine," a similar subject differently treated, is not so successful. No. 177, "Impressionist," is too dark. The eye longs for something to rest on. . Mr. R. M. Murdoch, in No. 187, (: 'Pho-to-micrographs," shows good1 technical work. Mr. 0. E. Wildhore, No. 235, "Bush Fire," shows an event in the life of every pioneer, and the great effects that may result from a simple cause. Mr. C. W. Babbage, in No. 226, "An Evening Stroll," has a pleading subject, well treated. No. 232, "The Bell of Tawanga," is not sol successful. No. 230, "Play," is tot* dark. "A Band of Hope a* Castlecliff" and Moutoa Gardens after Snow" are the best of Mr. W. Ferguson's views. .