PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 75, 30 March 1933, Page 11

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

TELLING EXHIBITION1

EYE FOR THE PICTURESQUE

(From /'The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, February J,G.

A great deal of interest has been taken in recent months iv tho longdistance photographs published by "The Times." Tho originals of these, together with about a hundred ordinary studies which have from time to time been printed in "The Times," are now on viewat the Guildhall Art Gallery. Tho exhibition was opened by Priuce George, who was welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

_"Besides the advance on tho technical side that has been made by the Press in this country," said Prince George, in replying to a speech of welcome, "there, has been a great artistic development, of which this exhibition is a fine demonstration. The Press pliotogi-apher has shown that, besides being a 'snap-shotter,'. ho can achieve serious work of the highest quality. Colour has already boon introduced, .and will, no-doubt, soon be a familiar feature of a newspaper. "Pictures of the kind we see here" not only provide the keenest pleasure, but_ have tho valuable effect of cultivating- good taste. I am particularly glad that their setting should be that of this country, especially just now, when there is a general revival of interest in the rural beauties of England. Many pictures here must bring back the happiest recollections,to our kinsmen overseas, and they also show to readers in all countries that the beauty of our countryside is unsurpassed." .;

In thanking the Prince for his attendance, Major--Astor said that it was very appropriate that the - prevailing background for these pictures should be the beauty and homeliness of the British countryside. "To those who are confined to the town or city," lie said, "wo hope our pages may offer a window through which they may look out to the loveliness of the lamlseape which may bo beyond their reach. To others we hope it may help to recall and refresh pleasant memories, and we trust that through our columns :."ul through such exhibitions as this the art of the photographer may "bring to the public greater knowledge and appreciation of their own country." SOME OF THE SUBJECTS. "Britain Illustrated" might well be the name applied to this exhibition. The' pictures have been taken by the staff photographers, and are a true instantaneous record of light, weather, and atmosphere as the eye behind tho camera saw them. As such, they demonstrate tho skill and judgment needed to recognise the elements which go to the making of an artistic picture. Indeed, it has been stated, that many of the pictures are remarkably like the characteristic productions of certain eminent painters. The titles of some of the pictures will indicate the typo of subject the photographers have so ably dealt with:— "Crocuses by Magdalen College Bridge, ] Oxford"; "Silver Birehcs in Ashilown ' .Forest"; "The .Elm Avenue at. Kineton"; "Winchester Cathedral from the College"; "The Seven Sisters from Hope Cove"; "Magnolias, Kew Gardens"; "Spring Blossom in the Yale of Evesham,"_ and "A Glade in tho Forest of Dean." All these landscapes aro typical of the loveliest parts of the Homeland. Of a more impressionist typo are the night protographs of tho "Searchlight Tattoo, Aldersliot"; "A London Street Market by Night"; and ''A Night Express, St. Pancras." Hunting scenes are depicted in "Crossing the South Downs, near Clayton Mill"; "Cub Hunting with the Southdowns"; and the "Beaufort Hunt- at Compton Bassett." Manufacturing is not neglected, and we are given a. view of "Preparing Orb for the Furnace"; "The Staffordshire Potteries"; and "Tapping a Furnace in n. Sheffield Steel Works." Among the dozen photographs made with the aid of the infra-red, rays is one of tho French coast taken from 22,000 ft in the air over Dover. It is a remarkable picture, with the Channel below looking like a wide vivcr, and a few miles of French territory with tho principal features of tho landscape plainly outlined.

A picture which appeals as a work of art is that of Lincoln Cathedral, taken from a distance of five miles.