ART IN LIGHT AND SHADE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3032, 20 March 1917, Page 8

ART IN LIGHT AND SHADE

INTERESTING EXHIBITION OF. PHOTOGRAPHS. Tho photographic exhibition which was opened last evening in Edmanson'e rooms, Lambton Quay, is littlo but Rood. That is to say, tlioro aro noarly all our good amatour photographers represented, and what work there is on show is of good quality. Thero aro perhaps .half a dozen or so that may not do singled out as show pictures, but on the other hand there aro sonio gems that create in all visitors tho deeiro of possession. The greatest area of wall paoe is occupied by tho works of Mr. ,T. H. Kinnear, of Auckland, who certainly deserves all Uie space that can bo afforded, for his 6eaecapes aro tho dominating feature of tho show. Ho lias a penchant for snapping , yachts under full sail and ships under any condition, ljut the glory of his v work are the "white wings" of Auckland Harbour "in flight." His yachts aro very much "alive." . Racing clouds overhead and a scudding sea below, and the yacht tearing along under a press of sail, is just about the liveat thing imaginable in photography. Our yachtsmen aro advised to 6ea Mr. Kinnear's yachts, particularly Nos. 15, 24, 35, 51, and 56. A photograph of the barquo Myfield, with all sail set, makes a graceful picture, but .most curious of ail is his photograph of ship Golden Gate, hull down; that is to say, the •-• photographer has caught a splendid view of the oncoming ship, whilst her hull, is hidden by an intervening wave. The animation of the se-i, and the clean cut outline of every sail and rope on tho oncoming ship makes for a perfect seascape. Another prolific exhibitor whose work is uniformly sound ie Mr. E. T. Eobeon, who has two little gems, the only fault being that they are too little. One is "A Yorkshire Pastoral," a flock of sheep ambling down an English country lane, flanked by a picturesque stono wall. The composition is very perfect, the atmosphere just right, but one wants a microscope almost to see how good it is. If it were four times as large "A Yorkshire Pastoral" would bo talked about. "A .Woodland Stream" (25), by the samo exhibitor, is almost as good. It is a glimpse of Arcady—a littlo rtream rippling through slender trees, with sunlight on every ripple, and a, gradual melting into an open blaze of sunshine in thq background. A largo photograph (53) of a snow-covered field, threaded by a stream, is evidently an importation.' Tho lack of features, and tho staring expanse of snow that dispenses with half-tones, does not commend it as a subject for picturesque photography. Mr. B. A. Edmanson has a nicciy composed photograph, of leafless trees against a bare sky —forming a. lace-liko tracery, both delicate and clean, and tho leaf-strewn pathway leading "to tho trees forms a harmonious foreground. - Two or three otherwiso excellent studies have been rendered less interesting photographically "by the huge treo trunks in the foreground, which come out quito black. There, are some interesting interiors, wiOi good lighting effects in tho architectural section, and in the animal and still-life Section there aro a couple of eplendid dogs' heads, and some attractive studies in flower portraiture. The exhibition includes four views of Wellington in other days, shown by Mr. H. Masters, being photographs from that old master of the wet plate, tho late Mr. Bragge. THE OPENING FUNCTION. Though tho doors were opened yesterday afternoon, the formal opening took place last evening. In calling on tho Mayor (Mr. .1. P. Luke) to declare tho the president (Mr. P. Denton) said that tho society had. been formed some six years, and had ptruggled along bravely. This was tho first fullfledged exhibition, and everyono would congratulate the oonimittce on the ,fine 6how made. There was work from all parts of Now Zealand, and thoy would agree with him that tho work was of great merit. The object of tho focicty was to encourage mfcmbors to photograph picturesquely, as well as taking the more form, and it was tho socioty'e ambition to help members to realise the artistio side of photography, which meant hard work audio ng work, ns in all other phase 6 of art.- On the walls they would iind evidences of most artistic work, and some hurried work. It was not possible to get good pictures from a negative right away after:taking them, and in giving negatives out to develop them- they lost the greatest pleasure the camera 'gives one. Beginners should study their negatives, and find out which were tho best positions, and concentrate their attention on getting the best results from it. The Mayor said he was present to identify the city with the work of tho Rociety. Ho wished the society well, and hoped that, its future would bo even more successful than its present. Mr. Luke referred to the Art Gallery, a.nd what was contemplated when tho war broke out. He though Mint when Wellington did get its Art Gallery, that one wing filioukl • bo devoted to the art of photography. (Applause.) On behnlf of tho city he congratulated tho Eocioty on the fin© show it had mado, and hoped it would continue to . add honour and distinction to Wellington. (Applause.) 'Mr. W. li. Edmnnson then read Jjhe list of awards, which were as follow:— Landscapes.— J. W. Johnson ("Grooto Kirk), 1; J. S. Trayenii ("Ploughing"), 2; E. T. Kobson ("A Sunny Corner") and ,T. W. Johnson ("On 'a Dusty TCoad. Evonin""), 3! Hon. mention, It. A. Edwards, E. T. Robson (twice), .T. S. Trav-na. Seascapes.— J. H. Kinnenr ("Barque Mamircwa), 1; .T. H. Kinnear ("Running Before the Wind"), 2; E. C. Isaac ("Calm After the Stormy Seas"), 3. Hon. mention: .1. H. Kinnear (twice) and B. A. Edwards. . Figure and Portraiture.— J. \\. .Tohnfion ("Gobbler," gold medal winner), 1; K f! Tsnac ("In Pensive Mood' , ) and K. A. Edwnrdn ("Violet"), 2) .T. W. Johnson ("The Smith"), It. Hon. ijention: J. W. Johnson. K G. Isaac (twice). Still Life.— J. W. Johnson ("Fruit Study"), 1; E. T. Kobson (Obnoxious ■Reau'f'os"), 2; A.. Thomson ("Single Roses") 3. Hon. mention: A. Thomson. Architecture.-.!. W. Johnson /"Sunlight"), 1; W. L. Edmanson ("The Library"), 2; A. Birkinsmi ("NigliK Customhouse Snnnrc Dimedin"). 3. H.on. mention: J. TftlloYd Weir and W. L. EdmanThe iiulsos vrcro Messrs. H. Davidson, John Ifiiillip. and .T. M. Ellin. Tn. giving judgment the jud?es said that it was ono of the best shows ever seen in the Dominion and was very creditable to the society. The work on the whole was of a very liigb order.