EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 10

EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

AN INTERESTING DISPLAY.' The Wellington Amateur Photographic Society's Exhibition was opened in tho Art Gallery, Whihnore Street, last night. J[r. P; N. Denton, president of the society, in the course of a preliminary speech, congratulated the exhibitors on the generally high' standard pi their work, and said that tho exhibition was an encouragement to the society to persevere in its effort to develop the photographic art in Wellington. The owning coromony- was performed by tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. V. Luke, M.P.), who referred to the great advances made in photography during recent years, and particularly in the branches that had been developed for war purposes. Ho considered that tho exhibitors had reason to be proud of their efforts. The exhibition is probably the most important that has been held in Wellington by students of photography. There aro nearly 300 exhibits! which have been arranged on the walls of tho upper gallery, and they'include many works of groat merit. An Australian section contains over thirty pictures that have bi;on .lent for exhibition only, and it is interesting to compare the Australian work with pictures that have been drawn ft'oin all parts of Now Zealand. A survey of tho wulls Toveals the old contest between tho photographers who seek for rocro faithful reproduction and technical perfection and those, on the other hand, who seek to make tho camera a channel for tho expression of their own ideas and inspirations. Success undoubtedly rests with the makers of pictures rather than with tho makers of mere phptograpns, but it is worth while noting that sound technical knowledge is tho basis on which the picture-makers have built. The nonstudious photographer may "fluko" a good picture occasionally, but he cannot hone to achieve such, consistency in excellence as is shown by several exhibitors whose work is already familiar. It is a good 6ign that the older exhibitors have not been able lo capture all the awards' at this year's exhibition. In the open class the judges have given first place to "Sunshine and Shadow," a very pleasing interior by .1. W. Johnson, and second placo to "Remorse," a, figure study in the nude by B. T. "Robson. Thie figure study is technically of n high standard, but its pictorial-- value is open to argument. A camera in dealing with the figure errs always on tho side of meticulous accuracy. It is interesting to notice that two of tho pictures in this class—E. T. Robson's "Remorse" and hie "Motherhood"—are seen to much greater advantage as enlargements in the amateur class. A great deal of the work shown in the. yavions sections of tho Amateur clussos will repay examination. Mention should be made of some effective brom-oil pictures by J. W. Johnson, whoso "Dutch Figure Study" is a very interesting example of a. process that offers great scope to the pictorial photographer. Tlit- exhibition will be open daily until November 2, from 10 a.m. until 9.30 p.m. The prize-winners are as follow:— Open Class, any subject— J. W. Johnson, 1; E. T. Robson, 2; J. W. JohnAinateur Class (Senior Section), Landscapo and Seascape— J. W. Johnson, 1; E. T. Hobson. 2; J. W. Johnson, 3. Amateur. Class (Senior Section), Portraiture and Figure Study—o. E. Jones, 1; P. N. Denton, 2; J. S. Dick, 3. imateur Class (Senior Section), Animal and Still Life-E. T. Robson, 1 and 2. 1 Amateur Class (Senior Section), Architecture—J. W. Johnson, 1; E. T. Robson, 2; J. W. Johnson, 3. Junior Class, Landscape and Seascape— J. S. Dick, 1; Mrs. Byrne, 2; J. S. Dick.

3 ' 'Portraiture and PigUTO Study—A. S. Mitchell. 1; J. S. Dick, 2; C. W. Kerry, 3. Animal or Still Life— J. W. Jones, 1; A; B. Morrison, 2. Architectuie— J. W. Jones, 1. Schools Class, best set of five pictures—Brooklyn School, .1; Scots College, 2. ' / '