“SHOOTING” BABIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1940, Page 6

“SHOOTING” BABIES

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE CONTEST. INCIDENTS AT THE REGENT. Yesterday a man walked into the Regent Theatre and fearlessly declared that he would “shoot” 17,000 babies in New Zealand during the next few weeks. Indeed he claimed to have “shot" over 5000 already! He proved to be Mr. Leo Hill, cinema photographer, who has been retained by Cinesound Review to "shoot” babies who are entered in the St. John Ambulance Association's Centennial Baby Contest. All this talk about shooting had no dread when the realisation | dawned that the weapon was nothing I more fearsome than a camera. The language of the studio, however, has its | own expressive meaning. "Yes,” he added, "I have shot over 5000 of the bonniest youngsters you could possibly see. and I’ll shoot another 17,000 before I go back to the routine tasks of a news-reel camera man.” He gave an insight into the varied life of a camera man, from floods to all kinds of disasters. “And now it is babies—thousands of them.” he added., "and it is a delightful experience." He went on to describe his methods of captivating the youthful interest, observing that it might not be known generally' that in the ten feet of film devoted to each contestant thre are no less than 160 different photographs. When the film was developed in the laboratory a selection was made of the best individual photographs from which a post card size enlargement was made —the mother receiving the ten feet of film and the enlargement. Over 50 babies were snapped this afternoon at the Regent Theatre, there being, of course, the baby who would not be coaxed or commanded, either by' the cinema operator or embarrassed parents. But tact came to the forefront for Mr Hill just suggested that the child should be removed from the glaring lights for a minute or two while ne dealt with the next subject, when lo and behold, the recalcitrant baby was again on its best behaviour, sitting up and "looking for the bird" in approved style. The cinema clicked just at what might be termed the’ psychological moment, the result being about 50 different photos .combined into a strip of film, showing baby in action, smiling. bored, or just interested —but all remarkably faithful portrayals. Each child must have been somewhat perturbed at the really strange surroundings. with very bright lights and a strangely clicking camera Iml a few feet away. However, there was little fright or alarm. Although each baby was as distinct in temperament as in appearance, by cajoling and other arts each was photographed at its best