Wilson's quarter century in photography : a collection of hints on practical photography which form a complete text-book of the art . ctory and defiant of all. When one sits down to lookquietly at nothing, the expression of the eye naturally subsides into blank is a sort of excitement in sitting for a picture like that of having a tooth drawn,though without the dread of pain. The heart is generally making better time thanusual; and the eye, sympathizing, will often remain entirely expressionless, or will for-tify itself with a frown. This condition of affairs is aggravated by the
Wilson's quarter century in photography : a collection of hints on practical photography which form a complete text-book of the art . ctory and defiant of all. When one sits down to lookquietly at nothing, the expression of the eye naturally subsides into blank is a sort of excitement in sitting for a picture like that of having a tooth drawn,though without the dread of pain. The heart is generally making better time thanusual; and the eye, sympathizing, will often remain entirely expressionless, or will for-tify itself with a frown. This condition of affairs is aggravated by the necessity of abright light from above, which taxes its strength, and by the fixed gaze maintained forseveral moments upon one point, not generally very distinct. The result is apt to be apoor picture, because the eyes are unnatural and meaningless.—Rev. A. A. E. Taylor. 65. I have lately been examining some of the best plain photographic portraits I canfind, and they seem to me to be, as the artist says, out of keeping. At first siuht theyappear perfect, and all right, but they dont w^ear well. After a little study they grow. 160 Wilsons quarter century in photography. mass or twinkle of light. So much for an outdoor study, not too difficult forthe camera to equal in every respect. weak, and, unlike good art, they do not reveal some fresh beauty every day. The like-ness is there, but it is thin and spectral—the inner light fades out of them, and in a littlewhile they are lifeless and automatic. Looking carefully for the cause of this, I think itis found in the lack of artistic cultivation in the photographer. Of course, I am not com-petent to say how much of it is due to the imperfections of machines and materials, butthe difference between an artistic photograph and a bad one is already so great that Ibelieve much more may be accomplished with the material now in use. Whatever im-provement may be made in the means, I still think true progress is to be gained by thestudy o
Size: 1465px × 1705px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidwilsonsquart, bookyear1887
