MR N. K. CHERRILL’S STUDIO.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1365, 1 July 1878, Page 3

MR N. K. CHERRILL’S STUDIO.

[FROM THE PBESO.J There are few arts which have been so greatly im Droved of late years in the same ratio as that of photography. When one compares the somewhat smudgy, always misty, and generally unsatisfactory portraits of a few years back with the present really artistic productions of the photographic camera, this improvement is the more marked. Amongst the Christchurch studios there are few which will better repay a visit, or in which an hour can be more pleasantly spent, than in that of Mr Oherrill. Here one sees the art brought to the greatest perfection and the latest novelties introduced. As perhaps many residents have not had an opportunity of becoming personally acquainted with the secrets of the prison house —or rather the dark room—a few notes of a recent visit may not prove uninteresting. In the arrangement of the studio Mr Oherrill has gone to considerable trouble in order to obtain the very best light. Strange as it may appear, he does not work with the sun —that is, he has so built his studio as only to have a small modicum of the sunlight. The skylight is built facing the south, and is also so arranged as to have a modifying light from the north when required. Entering the studio from Cashel street, the first room is the reception room, 32 x 16, in which are displayed the photographs taken in the establishment. Off the reception room is a finishing and coloring room, which is also connected by means of a sliding panel with the printing room. At the other end of the room is the staircase leading to the studio, which is the same size as the reception room. Here Mr Oherrill is in his element describing the various novelties which he has in full swing. Prominent amongst these may be noted a most ingenious contrivance invented by Mr Oherrill for the more effective taking portraits. Inside the camera is fixed a small electric battery, to which is connected a wire. The front of the lens, instead of having the usual cap, and necessitating going through a very intricate performance, is covered with a shutter. The shutter is connected with the wire held by Mr Oherrill, and the raising and falling of it is managed by a mere touch of the finger. By means of this Mr Oherrill can sit by the child whose portrait is being taken, and amuse it, a simple touch being all that is needed to raise the shutter and close it when the operation of taking the portrait is completed. For the amusement of Mr Cherrill’s small patrons there is a very excellent musical-box, besides quite an array of dolls and other things likely to rivet a child’s attention. The invention of Mr Oherrill will effect quite a revolution in the matter of sittings, as it will enable the artist to do away with that stiffness of expression which detracts so much from the finish of photographic portraits. The artist can now seize the favourable moment when the sitter is entirely at his ease, and thus bo enabled to make an excellent picture. Another novelty which has been introduced by Mr Oherrill is the ceramic enamel portrait, which possesses the double advantage of durability and lasting retention of colour. The mode of producing these pictures is somewhat complicated, but the effect is very btautiful. The enamel ovals, before the portrait is taken upon them, resemble a watch dial in appearance, and are slightly concave. They are composed of copper. covered with porcelain. The picture is taken, and the film floated on to the enamel blank in water. When this operation is complete the picture is placed in a muffle in a gas furnace which has been heated to a white heat. The picture is thus, ns it were, melted into the porcelain. At this stage of the process the pietore is covered [with porcelain glaze and once more subjected to intense heat. This results in the picture being, so to speak, bet ween the porcelain glaze and the porcelain body, so that it is practically indestructible. When completed it resembles a very fine miniature on ivory, with the difference that ’ hardly any amount of wear will dim it. Another novelty which has recently been introduced is photographing on biscuit porcelain, the photograph being afterwards painted. Mr Oherrill has some very beautiful specimens of this description of picture. Connected with the studio is an electric bell telegraph, which is worked from the reception room and by means of a simple code the labor of running up and down stairs is obviated. In order to have all the accessories of the pictures complete, Mr Oherrill has recently imported from England a very handsome suite of carved oak furniture, which takes the place of the theatrical like properties one is so familiar with in photographic galleries. In the matter of mounts and frames, also, Mr Oherrill has an endless variety of novelties, which also show the great advances made in this branch of the art, as compared with those in which the twopence plain and sixpence colored, so dear to the hearts of the youth of a few years ago, were enclosed. In connection with this studio, it may be remarked that the owner has an idea of handing down to posterity the likenesses of those who have taken a distinguished part in the founding of the settlement and its progress, In fact, Mr Oherrill proposes to establish a sort of National Portrait Gallery which shall find a place in the Museum. Briefly stated, the proposal is to form a gallery of portraits of eminent men whose names ore connected with the present rapidly advancing prosperity of Canterbury, the intention of such a collection being to serve as a foundation for a National Portrait Gallery. It is proposed, if such a plan meet with the acceptance of the public, to offer sittings to representative men in leading positions; to make tfao portraits of a good size, and all of the same size, oo as to range together; and as soon as a suitable picture gallery is provided in which they can be hung, a properly finished and framed copy of each will be presented to the authorities, as a permanent addition to the collection. No charge whatever will be made either for the sitting or for the copy seat to the gallery. In the first instance invitations for sittings will bo limited to those who hold leading official positions, and if the movement should bo well supported in these quartura, it can bo then determined to what extent it should be eubsequently earned. Such a proposition is well worth considering, and might be carried out so as to form a really representative gathering of the Canterbury colonists. The other details in connection with the studio are a commodious and well lighted painting room, where the painting of photographs is done, a printing room, and the other accessories connected with a photographic gallery, in fill of which the same inventive genius is displayed in perfecting all the arrangements. Altogether one can spend an hour or so very agreeably in company with Jlr Ckerfiil in 4 rieit to bis