PHOTOGRAPHIC SALON

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 3

PHOTOGRAPHIC SALON

ITERNATIQNAL cot T.EC.TTOY FEATURE OF WINTER SHOW MANY SUPERB EXHIBITS (By H. E. Gaze, F.R.P.9.) Last year many people wondered at the reality of an International Photographic Salon being held in Hamilton. This year there is cause for greater wonderment, not only because we have received a greater number of entries from foreign countries, but because among the entrants are several of the recognised world's greatest exponents of pictorial photographic art. Although the number of accepted prints does not exceed that of last year, the result is a higher standard in almost every class. The following comment is made upon a few of the most appealing pictures. Class A Th» first award is priven to Alfred Blytli. of Edmonton. Canada. A careful study of this print excludes the possibility of any other title than that given to it, “Winter Shadows." It is a remarkably good composition in which long parallel shadows, thrown from tree trunks by a lowering sun. make an arresting pattern on the ground. It is completed by a dark sky and. a lurid ground light In the middle distance.

In this ■class also is a print entitled “A Corner In North China" by Liu Shu-Chong. The scene Is dominated by a pagoda-shaped castle, while In the foreground are two travellers In a primitive cart with wooden wheels, drawn apparently by three mules. In its Oriential quietness, it is a very interesting picture. "Weeping Willow", "Hurry Down", "Interesting Haze" and ‘Proceeding" by the same worker are all worthy of note. The entries for class B are disappointingly few, and apart from the head of an Indian "Mista Jim" and a portrait head of a girl, both by Alfred Blyth. there is nothing worthy of mention.

From Ohio, U.B.A. In Class C the first award goes to Vince Thrapp. of Ohio. U.S.A. The print is called "Time Out." <r which in New Zealand we say "Time Off." It is a good study of the hands of a workman shown in the act of braking bread. The hands are well portrayed, but the bread is a little too white in tone. On the whole creditable work for a novice. By the same worker "Attic Shadows" is a study of light and shade and an old spinning wheel. In this the shadows are somewhat weak, but the composition Is good. "Idylle" by Charles Buyle, Belgium, is a rather attractive print of bathers and wet sand. An unusual amount of space In this picture is devoted to the foreground, but the tidal action of the sea has made a pleasing pattern on the sand. In Class D there is a portrait head of a little girl called “Bright Eyes," by Sami. Logan, F.R.P.S. England. In this pretty face the eyes are unusually bright and the print being technically good, it is altogether worthy of Mr Logan. Belgian Successes The first award In Class E goes to Leonard Mlsonne. of Gilly, Belgium. Although his picture bears the title “Printemps". it is not redolent of the "Springtime" with which we are familiar in this country, there being little more than a suggestion of sunlight through distant clouds. But we must remember that it is a Belgian landscape. As such, it is superb in composition and rural beauty. Such distance, such trees with budding foliage and delicate tracery, could only be rendered by a master worker. Second place is given to the same worker for "La Nuee S'en Va 1” (The Storm Passes Over"). 'This is a city street scene propably in Belgium. It is a remarkable composition of buildings and human figures, and the sky through which the sun is almost breaking casts a. vivid light on the 'wet pavement. The shadows, although almost black, are rich in detail and the wintry atmosphere Is rendered with power and truthfulness. Special mention should be made of "Tree Poem" by Sami. Logan F.R.P.S. (England). This appears to be a study of silver .birch trees, which have undoubtedly been photographed by the worker lying on his back and looking upwards. The silver and dark grey of the just, budding branches make a delightful pattern against what is probably a dark blue sky. "The sun breaking through the fog" by K. F. Pesak, Czechoslovakia, is an unusual and remarkable piclure. It resembles a snow scene, amj is composed of two small trees in the left foreground with the sloping roofs of cottages appearing faintly, like shadows through the fog. The faint image of the sun breaking through on the upper right, combined with the mysterious and fascinating process of printing, result in a picture to be remembered.

"Baumstudie im Herbst" by Pans von Reitzenstein (Merano. is a charming study of the sunlit, tracery of trees in which, by a very happy and cunning composition, the worker 'has succeeded in the creation of an exquisite picture.

Home" M. B. Hegarty. County Cork. Ireland'. In this, the worker shows graceful trees filling the left half of the picture, with a stone cottage in the middle distance, from all of which deep shadows and reflections fall in a foreground of water. The distant light in the sky at lower left, graduating to a grey at top right, together with a richness of tone, combine in a charming landscape. Dramatlo Power "Memento Mori" 'Remember there is Death' by Axel Bahnsen takes first place. This is a subject of dramatic power. It depicts a profile of a beautiful girl in death. Bending over her. is the sinister face and part figure of a form draped in black. This face i? modelled with great power, while the lighting arrangement has givpn to it a merciless inscrutability, in daily life mostly try to forget about death, but in lnokine at the and mouth of this figure, onp can almost hear the words "Memento Mori." A portrait head of Dudley Johnstone. F.R.P.S. by Dr. Max Thorek F.R.P.S. is also notable It is splendidly modelled. effectively lighted, and being entirely un-retouched. is truthful even to unkindness. "Blowing Bubbles" is a charming nude study of a girl by W. \Y. White of Ohio. U.S.A. Both the figure and face are beautiful, the expression un-camera-conscious. The figure is gracefully posed, and the flesh texture

ri pprly portraypd. "Composition” by J. N. tnwallar. of Bombay. India, is a pleasing stud> of an Indian girl child in which both light and tone are effectivply used, and although the pose of the figure falls snort of being graceful it quite serves the purpose of its title. ' PHOTO SALON—2 R Much praise is due to Dr. Max Thorek for his head of "Shylock." It is, although almost handsome, a typically Jewish face. The modelling and lighting betray the hand of a skilled worker, while the face expresses almost everything that Shakespeare could have desired for his character. Strong Classes The award In Class G Is given to "The Dandelion," by Otmar Schick (Czechoslovakia). It is a delightful study of seven blooms in seed against a black background. Not only is it perfect in composition, but as it Is printed in a pigment process, the blooms stand out in such relief that by a child's blowing upon them, one would almost expect them to vanish. Also worthy of mention is a charming study of Alther blooms, entitled "After the Shower" by f. B. Bristow. The blooms nnd leaves are bespattered with raindrops whic-h give them a crystalline clparness. In design the picture is charming. "The. Pelican" is by H. H. The Princess Aberhard von Arenberg, of Germany, in this we are doubly honoured because the Princess is one of the world's famous workers in Nature studies. By this example of her work both artistry and perfect technique are manifest. "The Pelican" is a print worthy of contemplation. In Class H the first award goes to N. B. Cooper. A.R.P.S. (Bombay. India). It is a remarkably good study of the head of what’ appears to be a pomeranlan. which is perfect In pose and expression. The print Is excellently toned.

There are also two remarkably good prints by Francis Aszmann (Hungary). They are "Ponies" and "On a Dusty Way." The former shows a mob of ponies being driven across a Hungarian plain. The drover wielding a huge whip is dressed in a picturesque costume of his country. This Is one of the most attractive studies in the Salon. There are several other good studies in this class, the chief of which are: "Horses" and "Mama Goes Where Papa Goes," by Dr. Max Thorek, F.R.P.S. A Great Picture "Penitence" (Cain and Abel}. This picture (Class J) wins the Challenge Cup and also the Salon Medal for this class. It Is by Francis Aszmann, of Hungary. it depicts with striking clarity the naked figure of Cain standj ing upon the crest of a hill. The whole of the background including the sky is taken up by the shadowy face of God. The face is vengeful and unrelenting—the 'God of the Old Testament. In looking at this it is not difficult to Imagine Cain's having already answered: "Am I my brother's keeper?" The figure of Cain is powerful and athletic in the prime of youth, and symetrically perfect. But the pose of the figure, with feet apart and arms hanging limply, the rounded back and bowed head, dramatically reveals "a broken and a contrite heart." It is probably the greatest picture of its kind seen in this country. "Duel," also by Francis Aszmann, although a different theme. Is treated technically in the same manner. It depicts again with startling clearness, two young men fighting to the death with swords. The background and sky are filled with a visionary image of the girl for whom they fight. She has a beautiful face, which looks down upon the duellists, and by expression suggests a fearful apprehension for the result. As a picture, it also is powerfully dramatic. From Czechoslovakia, M. J. Krejcik sends "The Beauty of Winter." This is a marvellous snowy landscape. From a white foreground the middle distance and lower sky are merged Into a dark grey above. A tree covered with frozen snow rises from the left foreground, while a suggestion of sunlight brightens the ground and some cottages in the middle distance. This is an excellent piece of work.

As a contrast to the last mentioned. "Early Spring," by K. F. Pesak (also Czechoslovakia) is an unusually beautiful picture made from a portion of a silver birch tree and a cloudy sky. The title in this instance is suggested more by the worker's excellent composition and sense of design than by any tangible evidence of Spring. The print is beautifully finished in what appears to be a pigment process.

There are In this class many other fine examples of photographic art, of which "Summer," by Dr. Max Thorek. should be noticed; as also "Queues Voiles." a charming study of fish by H.H. The Princess Aberhard von Arenberg. The fish and weeds are delightfully depicted through luminous water. By Otwar Schick is a sludy called "Rosary," showing a pair of gnarled toil-worn hands only. There is age and character expressed in the hands, while the prayer-book upon which the beads are resting effectively assisls as an accessory to devotion. For Exhibition Only By way of conclusion it is important that mention should be made of the pictures sent in by Alex. Keighley, Hon. F.8.P.5., of Yorkshire, and those of Marcus Adams, F.R.P.S.. of London, for exhibition only. These exhibitors both enjoy world-wide reputations in their respective ways for excellence and technique in artistry. The former has sent four large Carbon prints, two being composed of figures with Eastern romantic architecture. a third is a landscape with sheep at a drinking pool, and the fourth, 4 Adieu," depicts a fisherman taking leave of his baby-girl to join the fleet, which is on the verge of departure. These are all remarkable for conception, composition and pictorial effectivenessMarcus Adams sends studio portraits, artistically mounted. Notable amongst them are a group of the Royal Family, H.R.H. the Queen with the two Princesses, and one of the Princess Margaret Rose alone. The portraits are all perfect in pose, tonal gradation and lighting, while the expressions arp what one would expect from beautiful children. In short, they are examples of perfect studio portraiture. W'p are most particularly fortunate In having secured so many six in all examples from Leonard Misonne (Gilly. Belgium . Each is a masterpiece of pictorial photography, and probably more than from any other worker, they come as a revelation to The Salon is one of which the Winter Show Association should be proud.