CAMERA ART

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 10

CAMERA ART

WINTER SHOW DISPLAY ! i SOME OUTSTANDING PRINTS I I I COMMENTS BY THE JUDGE j i I The following notes have been sup- ! plied by Mr H. E. Gaze, the judge of : Lhe photographic division at the Wai- j kato Winter Show. Mr Gaze stated Ihat, taking the exhibits as a whole, j they did not come up to the work of past years. However, there were some outstanding prints in several classes. Open Glasses.—'Landscape (with or without figure) : G. S. Dickson’s prize exhibit, “Autumn Pastures,” is a truly ' pictorial landscape, in which the at- j mosphere is suggestive of a painting by Claude. The sheep in the fore- I ground are happily grouped and the \ livelier light behind the far-off hills I gives one the impression of distance. ; The chief feature is a tree in the left j foreground, the portion showing being a proof of careful selection. Picture 31A by the same photographer is also a remarkably fine study. “Lyre of the Winds,” by R. Brialey, which won second place, is a fitting j title for a happily chosen subject. A 1 study of trees on what appears to be a hill crest, the bending branches and ragged sky are strongly suggestive of wind. Farm, Station or Rush Life. —“The Harvest, Canterbury,” by F. R. Lamb, secured first award, but does not come up to the standard of former years. In this study Mr Lamb is quite fori unate in his subject and the figures concerned in the picture are evidently doing some purposeful work. A rather regrettable feature is the reddishbrown tone which mars its otherwise pictorial quality. Pictorial Merit Although possessing some pictorial merit, R. J. Searle’s “Cattle in the Bush,” the second prize, is, like so many New Zealand bush scenes, expressive of conflict between light and shade. Incidentally, the cattle are quite well grouped. Adult Figure Study—As a class these entries are mediocre with the exception of F. L. Casbolt’s first award, “The Southerner.” This is a remarkably fine study of a sinister and expressive face. Although we presume the portrait was made in New Zealand, it nevertheless has a strong suggestion of having been taken in Mexico or South Texas. “Evening of Life.” the second choice, is quite a good study by J. R. Wall and succeeds in living up to its title. Child Figure Study.—The extiibits do not. quite equal the work shown in the same class in former years. ’■Reveille,” by G. Stephenson, is, however, a very pleasing study. The

I position of the child and its facial ex- > pression are suggestive of some pur- c poseful effort. The tonal quality of t the print is good and is enhanced by i the oblique sunlight. £ I F. R. Lamb’s study of a Maori girl 1 | is perfectly natural but commonplace. | . “The Wallflower,” by J. R. Wall in the same class, is technically weak, j but the expression and pose of the j child truthfully convey what was j evidently intended by its author. J Seascapes.—“ Evening,” by F. L. I Casbolt, is a combination study of sea, I hills and sky. The print is one in J which soft greys predominate in soft ! evening light and faithfully conveys | the impression of moving water in the j near foreground. Although in composi- • lion the print is not all one might de- | sire, the general effect is extremely i pleasing. j The second choice, “The Incoming I Tide,” by Miss T. R. Kent, is a forceful study of waves and rocks. A Fascinating Study Any Subject.—ln this varied array, C. S. Dickson's “Filigree” is a fascinating study of leaves and shadows on a white 1 ground. The arrangement has been | well thought out. j “Rangi Lands ITis Catch,” by J. Ri Wall, is an excellent portrayal of figi ures which seem to live. Rangi is an : excellent subject who, with his assist- ■ ant, is handling his lish in a businessi like way. Technically there is no fault to be found in this picture. In the same class “Sans Ornement,” Miss T. R. Kent’s contribution, is an unfortunate combination of landscape and nude figure. Although the tree | in the foreground, the distant hills and • autumnal sky are a perfect setting for ; J the model, the latter fails on account ; ’ of the legs from the knees down fonn- ; | ing one square and opaque mass. This j is especially regrettable because the * j figure appears to be beautifully form- , i ed and well posed. » j Architecture.—C. S. Dickson's “Be- . ! fore Matins” is a pleasing study of an . j excellent subject. “Sunlit Pillars,” by - I R. Brialey, is a fine example of sculp- • ! tured pillars. r Native Trees. —Miss Kent's prize - of this subject is enhanced by 2 . a beautiful sky and she has succeeded in creating a most pleasing landscape. The print has especially line tone and gradation, the shadows in particular being rendered in the richest black. I Animal Study. —J. R. Wall's "CuriQ 1 osity” is a delightful study of Jersey q i calves. The animals are mos-t happily _ | grouped and the pictorial, effect is enj ; lianccd by an unusually attractive sky. e ' As an animal study the print is exJ ceptional owing to the extremely high e ! key in which the masses are rendered. “ | Amateur Senior Division - Landscape.—C. E. Singleton’s “Eve--jniiig Pastoral” is undoubtedly one of o ! the most attractive exhibits in the dis1. i play. The tree in the right foreground n j is in the best possible position to balr j ance.the sloping hill and distant sky. The sheep in the foreground are well h ! grouped, while Lhe soft sunlight Tall--11 ling across the picture tends to comI plete a restful study. “Road Rhythm” s j by the same worker reaches the same* 11 j standard of masterful technique. Adult Figure-—’Marjorie,” by c. - Stephenson, is eertainlv the best figc ure study in llie exhibition. The en-

vironment where the figure is taken is delightful. Marjorie appears to be totally un-camera-conscious. The head is delightfully posed, while expression of the face and the setting of the hands are suggestive of the joy of life.

Seascape.—Here €. E. Singleton proves himself to be as masterful in seascape photography as he is in landscape. The subject of the first prize, his “Scintillation,” is one of the finest studies we have seen. The print is beautiful in balance and tone, in which richness of the deeper shadows merging into brilliant sunlight truly conveys all the worker has claimed for it in his title. The print is beautifully toned and mounted.

Miss Black's “Force Unfurling” is an excellent expression of the sea in another mood. The forceful movement of the passing wave is considerably aided by vivid sunlight.

Child Figure Study. “Treasure Hunters,” by A. G. Schmitt, is what appears to be a lucky snapshot, in which three naked children are in perfect harmony with their surroundings. “Hullo," by Miss L. E. Black, is a pleasing child portrait in which the expression conveys all that is claimed for it. The print is nicely toned and the low key in which it was taken is almost as pleasing as it could have been in brilliant sunlight.

Farm, Station, or Bush.—This class is mediocre. “Rustic Grandeur,” by D R. 13. Bain, is a pleasing landscape of a peaceful subject in an even key. there being very little contrast between the deepest shadows and the highest lights. The tone and quality of the print arc good. Miss Black's “Toilers” is an unusually fine study of work by horses. Combined with a typical upland landscape, a striking feature of this print is the cloud formation.

Architecture. —Remarks on the first prize have already been published. C. E. Singleton’s “Modern,” which took second place, is fine, revealing buildings at an unusual angle which makes for a very successful picture. Native Trees.—“ Solace” (A. G. Schmitt) is quite a pleasing study of a group of trees, whilst “Kahikatea,” by W. Rickerby, is also pleasing. Any Subject—The exceedingly dainty still life study. “Curves.” by Miss L. E. Black, easily wins pride of place. The arrangement of the objects used for composition is eloquent of asthetio artistry. This exhibitor shows herself a versatile artist, taking into con- ! side-ration other examples of her work. : “Action,” by A. G. Schmitt, the second 1 choice, is a forceful picture in which j the human figures appear to be mov- [ print is good in balance and tone, the I bridge in the middle distance and trees in the far background being somewhat obscured by mist, give an effective and desirable distance. “The Lone Lily,” by R. J. Searle in this section (11. G.), is a clever and delightful study. Animal Study.—As mentioned before the dog study by R. J. Veale is marred by the cut-out effect, which is to be deplored. The position of the head and the expression are remarkably good. A. T. Price’s "Old Joe” is an exceedingly good study of a beautifully formed horse’s head. Numbers 172 (J. B. Stuart) and 162 (N. Fletcher) in this class are also worthy of mention.

Junior Division Seascapes. —T. R. Kingsford’s “Turn of the Tide” is a very creditable study of rocks and living water. Adult Figure.—Miss A. D. Fair’s “Business in View,” which received first prize, is as much a study of architecture as it is of a figure. Since the figure is apparently alert and alive and the picture as a whole is helped by brilliant sunlight, as a combination it is is exceedingly pleasing. Animal Study.—J. K. Pallister won this class with a very creditable study of draught horses. Farm, Station or Bush Scene. — “Harvest Time in Marlborough,” by T. R. Kingsford, is a fine study typical of its venue, in which the foreground, the trees of the middle distance and a sunlit sky are eloquent of autumn. Child Figure.—Miss A. D. Fair has been quite original in her choice of subject. The figure in "Bath” is quite naturally posed, while the expression on Lhe face conveys an effort on the i part of the sitter to keep the soap out of her eyes.

OUTSTANDING WORK Amongst those whose examples of work are outstanding we note G. S. Dickson, R. J. Searl and Miss L. E. Black and Thelma Kent, with whose name we have long been familiar; but another and a stranger to us is Mr G. G. Singleton, of Wellington.

Mr Singleton is quite a young worker, but any of the six prims he sent in (three of which took first prizes) would attract attention at any exhibition. In conclusion there are several quite attractive studies by membes of the Waikato Camera Club, none of whom should be discouraged when competing with the practised workers above mentioned.