PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCOMFORT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 248, 11 August 1874, Page 5

PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCOMFORT.

There is one rule without an exception that I know of, and that is, it is indispensible that persons should be present when they are having their portraits taken. I mention this, because it seems to me that there are many nervous and vain folks who would be all the more pleased and satisfied if this was ordained otherwise. Those who read these lines will, I believe, entertain no doubts as to my surmise being, in a great measure, a correct one. I have lately seen a goodly number of photographs of residents of this district, and although in some cases the likenesses were very good, the greater portion of them had more the appearance of caricatures than anything else. This is by no means owing to any fault in the photographer, for the sun is a pretty acute delineator of the human countenance, but is mainly attribut able to the little frailties that many people cannot disburden themselves of whilst in the studio. They come with an ardent desire to look their best; and, certainly, in their attire and make-up, they are generally successful in this respect; but, in attempting to arrange their features for this momentous occasion, or in posing themselves a la Turveydrop, they are mostly unfortunate. When a young man carefully arrays himself in vestures of fine linen, and puts a gold chain about his neck, his mind, during the sittings, is very apt to be in a state of perturbation. Peradventure, he is fancying that his personal adornments have become somewhat disarranged, and hence his countenance is represented as wearing a rueful and discontented appearance. A friend of mine, a good-look-ing, active young fellow, showed me his carte

do visite the other day, and asked for my opinion of it. Well, lam sorry to say thnt, like the generality of people, I answered him not according to the promptings of my conscience. 1 believe I said that it was very good, whereas I should have said (pardon me, good readers) that it was d—d bad. Anxious to appear as prepossessing as possible, both in form and features, he had, no doubt, as he thought, thrown himself into an easy and graceful attitude, and conjured up a winning smile on his face. But, alas ! what a smile it looked in my unappreciative eyes. It was something between the look seen on the lips of an infant, when struggling under an attack of the spasms, and that on the face of a pugilist, who comes up smiling after being grassed by a heavy hit on what is euphoniously termed the sneezer. His arms looked as if they had been borrowed for the occasion, they appeared so rigid and uncomfortable looking; his tout ensemble would have impressed the uniniated beholder with the idea that he was gazing on thelineamentsof one whowas paralysed and demented. But these weaknesses are common to both sexes, in a considerable degree. And if some people will persist in opening their eyes beyond their natural distension, and screwing up their mouths as if they were whistling "Rule Britannia," (I refer here more particularly to the fair sex,) it is not at all surprising if their friends fail io look upon the photographer's efforts as what are commonly called speaking likenesses. For is it not often the case that an anxious solicitude for the state of her chignon or " fall,''' a general feeling of uneasiness as to whether her deportment is the correct thing, her dress becoming, or her appearance the same as she saw reflected in the glass before she left her home, are all-disturbing elements calculated to prevent any artist, however skilful he might be, from rendering a true "counterfeit presentment" of lovely woman. I think so ; and I also think that, instead of its being considered a likeness, it should be styled, " This is bow I appeared when I was having my portrait taken." There can be no doubt that to many the situation is an irksome one. But, oh ! young man, do, during these trying moments, try to appear unconcerned. Endeavour to forget that you have got your store clothes on. Steep your senses in forgetfulness. Don't let your mind be disturbed about your whiskers and moustache, the pimple on your nose, or the ring on your finger. And pray, oh ! pray, don't smile fictitiously, it always re-appears so sickly. And oh ! my fair young friends, do bear in mind that a mouth is a necessary adjunct to your features, and don't look as if you were trying to get rid of it. Even if your eyes are not so large and lustrous as you would wish them to be, do not get up a stare ; it always fails of the desired effect. But just think of dear Charles, and how happy you will be with him when he takes you to the forthcoming entertainment, and if you cannot be made beautiful, you will then, at all events, appear attractive. Cynic. Bannockburn.