PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 260, 7 November 1906, Page 8

PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE EXHIBITION.

SOMEWHAT MEAGRE DISPLAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHUP.CH. this. day. Among the attractions which have been devised to sustain interest in the Exhibition during its six-month, season is a monthly photographic competition. The first is to be held in December, and is confined to photographic clubs. One of the deficiencies of the Exhibition is a catalogue, which, like many other things, is in course of preparation. lam therefore somewhat at a disadvantage in describing the photographic section which occupies a disappointingly small space in the North Gallery. If Auckland exhibitors had not contributed freely there would have been a sad display of empty hanging space, and when it comes to awarding the gold, silver and bronze medals which are the prizes for December, I should not be surprised to find the Northern city make a clean sweep. The best picture of bush scenery comee from a Southern worker, Mr. George O. Wertel. - It is a green-tinted carbon print showing the lovely moss-grown trunks and tangled undergrowth to be found in the darkest depths of the forest. Mr. H. Winklemann does well with a pretty, bit near Lake Waitakerei, though it is somewhat hard, and obviously touched up. His ability is more adequately demonstrated in the splendid series of yachting and shipping studies which almost monopolises that section. Here is found an effctive atmospheric study by Mr. F. D. Leedham, of Auckland, "A Misty Morning," showing a ferry boat slowly making its way out from the tee through the crowded shipping. Messrs. Warren and Cornie, of Auckland, exhibit a few yachting pictures showing the boats bending down to a stiff breeze, throwing the waves aside in good style. Mr. E. W. Payfron comes out in bromide work with a fine cloud picture and a beautifully posed figure of a Maori. "A" Princess of Maoriland." Of the few genre studies Mr. Arthur A. Binnie's (Dunedin) head of a fisherman is best. There is a special section for animal and bird life subjects, to which Mr. James Finn, of Auckland, contributes a pleasing farmyard picture, which does not seem ■ to have been specially treated though as an enlarged snapshot it is excellent. By elimination of bacteground and subordinating detail Mr. Nelson Stedman, of Napier, secures a stationary effect in his photograph of a horse, "Hard Labour." The study is most effective, for the heavy draught animal has its head down pulling with all its power upon two chains which are taut as violin strings. It was intended to show examples of scientific and technical photographs, process work and lantern slides, but the response seems to have been nil. Douui.less the competitions will meet with more success, and Auckland photographers, who turn out so much excellent work, should seize the opportunities offered.