SCIENTIFIC PHOTOGRAPHY.— LECTURE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 240, 20 September 1884, Page 2

SCIENTIFIC PHOTOGRAPHY.— LECTURE.

A lecture on Scientific Photography, which has been looked forward to for some time with interest, was delivered last evening by Mr. W. F. Crawford. The audience was far beyond the capabilities of the room, and treated the lecturer to many hearty an I well merited rounds of applause. Mr. Crawford commenced by giving a history of photography from the year 1802 up to the present time pointing out the various phases through which the art had gone, and more especially the wonderful progress that had been made in the science during the last three or four years. He then gave some very amusing anecdotes relating to his becoming possessed of the art and his experiences with various subjects since. The process of photography in all its varied branches was ably explained and in a way that must have made it clear to the dullest comprehension. The walls of the room were covered with specimens of Mr. Crawford’s handiwork some of the pictures being two feet square. They comprised every description of scenery—rippling brooks and forest glades, majestic billows and the gentle waves lapping the sea shore, the noble mountain and the gentle dell, the stately church and the humble cottage ; while human nature was represented in all stages from the aged parent with his numerous descendants, to the little boy with his pussy cat. The animal creation also had many representatives—notably a very longlegged equine quadruped standing on the sea beach. At the conclusion of the lecture Captain Porter proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and referred to the work being done by the institute. He endeavored to dispel tae idea that the work undertaken was beyond the compass of the most meagre capacity—an entirely erroneous idea which had by some means got abroad. Other gentlemen followed, after which Mr. Crawford replied. He suggested the formation of something like an Art Society, to include representatives of all branches of art, who might endeavor to promote an annual exhibition. Mr. Crawford promised to continue the lecture at a future date,-to which proposal we are sure one and all will reply in terms of the form laid down in a certain branch of trade referred to by the lecturer, “ I don’t mind if you do ! ”