SOUTHERN TASMANIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
ANNUAL EXHIBITION 1926
NOTES IN PASSING
J. BURGESS WATT
April 1926 Page 165 - Australasian Photo-Review
On taking a quiet stroll round the room one was struck with the vast and extensive variety of subjects and the enormous number of exhibits, the subjects ranging from wattle blossoms to oak trees and from small birds to polar bears, and truly the snapshotter has lost no chances in providing material for thought in the minds of the onlookers.
The most pleasing feature of the exhibition was that, from a pictorial point of view, it was much ahead of any previous show staged in Hobart, and unquestionably there has been honest effort put forth in an endeavor to produce work that can compare with that of mainland exhibitors.
The Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society would be well advised to adopt the principle of other clubs in having standard sizes of exhibits instead of having prints ranging in size from 5 x 4 to 15 x 12. Not only should the prints be a certain size, but also the mounts. It would be much better from an artistic sense to have all exhibits on, say, white mounts, and, if framed, in half-inch moldings, instead of having such a variety of colors. Brown prints on green mounts, etc., lend no tone and upset any effort at harmony.
Of course, in a Club which has members in all stages of advancement, it is almost impossible to show work that is always of an exhibition standard, and while beginners should be encouraged, it is necessary to point out that no matter what the eventual treatment of the print, if the perspective is wrong to start with nothing can put it right. The same applies to the use of short focus instead of long focus lenses; this failure in some of the exhibition exhibits was very apparent.
Again, special attention should be paid to the trimming and mounting of prints, leaving out the undesirable points and thus enhancing the value of that which remains, and a good trimmer is desirable in order to ensure a straight line. In this connection prints are better mounted straight out, rather than that cut mounts be put over them.
An exhibit of more than ordinary interest was the stereo slides by Messrs. J.C. Breaden and G.B. Davies. These gentlemen have indeed succeeded in reach ing perfection in this most interesting line of study. The slides were very beautiful, showing the relief and distance only to be seen to full advantage through the stereo scope. The subjects chosen were full of interest, besides showing good judgment in composition and lighting. Many of the slides were toned, and others were hand colored, which added life and beauty to an all-round excellent exhibit.
The set of wattle prints by Mr. J.C Breaden and hand-colored by Mrs. Breaden were excellent in their treatment, showing more than a photographic and pictorial knowledge, as only an enthusiast of botany could have procured such fine examples of this beautiful yet delicate native flora.
April 1926 Page 166 - Australasian Photo-Review
The Exhibition Gallery of the Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
Photograph by courtesy The Tasmanian Mail.
April 1926 Page 164 - Australasian Photo-Review
THE VIOLINIST
Dr. C.F. Hodgkinson
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
We are indebted to "The Mercury", Hobart, for the following report:
An admirable exhibition of photographs by members of the Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society was opened yesterday in the Mayor’s Reception-room at the Town Hall. Hobart, and were on view from the 18th to the 20th March inclusive. Two hundred and seventy studies of a varied nature are shown, and modern methods of photographic treatment have enabled the exhibitors to attain a standard of artistry which would scarcely have been thought possible in the earlier days of the camera’s history.
Not since 1922 has the Society held such an exhibition as this, and a marked feature of it is the greatly increased number of works in the bromoil process, which consists of bleaching a bromide print, and then bringing the image back by the application of various inks with a brush. The effect achieved is extremely artistic when well carried out, and a number of exhibits in this class by W. R. McKay are among the most pleasing in the show. This method of treatment is now being universally adopted for art photography. The greater part of the work shown comes from about a dozen enthusiasts of the Society, and, as regards choice of subject, there is a notice able increase in the number of portrait and architectural studies. The standard of work is, in some cases, quite up to the level of mainland exhibitors, and members are to be congratulated on the excellent all-round display.
OPENING CEREMONY
Mr. J.C. Breaden introduced Lady Lewis, who, in the absence of Sir Elliott Lewis, performed the opening ceremony.
Lady Lewis said that Sir Elliott regretted very much that a business call to Launceston had prevented his being present, but he had asked her to express his best wishes for the progress of the Society. The Society, she mentioned, had been started as a camera club by Mr. Charles Davis and the late Mr. C.R. Davies, and had set itself a very high standard in the production of artistic photographic studies. The exhibition was very fine, and it gave her much pleasure to declare it open.
THE EXHIBITS
The most interesting, probably, of the exhibits, are the bromoil studies of Mr. W.R. McKay, who shows some 20 or so pictures. mounted and framed. Mr. McKay has been most successful in the use of his medium, and has achieved a softness of effect which is most pleasing, without contriving to envelop his subjects in the fog which some photographers unfortunately mistake for artistic effect. Among his architectural studies those of the G.P.O., the portico of the Town Hall, and “Sun light in Church” may be remarked as being of special excellence, and among the landscapes the most attractive are “A Road side Cottage”, “An Old-Fashioned Street”, and “Sunlit Pathway".
Dr. C.F. Hodgkinson has an exhibit of about 30 prints in bromide and is the most prominent of the exhibitors in portrait studies. “The Violinist” is probably the best of these, but “A Man of Character” and a self-portrait are also very good. Dr. Hodgkinson also shows a number of still life studies of pear blossom, roses, etc., and succeeds in making some very charming pictures of difficult subjects.
Most of Mr. J.C. Breaden’s bromides are landscapes. Views of Fitzroy Place and the Hutchins School are among the best, while “Mist on the Derwent” is excellent of its kind and a marine study, “Outward Bound,” is also good.
April 1926 Page 167 - Australasian Photo-Review
ST. PAUL’S, MELBOURNE
Dr. G.F. ROBINSON
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 168 - Australasian Photo-Review
CACTUS
Dr. G.F. ROBINSON
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
Mrs. J. C. Breaden exhibits some hand colored landscapes which are as effective as it seems possible to make what is usually a rather unhappy blending of mediums.
Mr. J. Chandler, represented by several toned bromides, has not been altogether fortunate in his choice of tints or delicacy of coloring. The best of the exhibits are “The Clock Tower”, “The Avenue” and “Where Shadows Play”.
Mr. S. Burton shows three photographs, “Snugly Moored”, “Sanctuary” and “After Rain”, all of which are attractive and quietly effective.
Of Mr. J.R. Cooper’s sepia-toned and black and white studies, among the most pleasing are “On the Banks of the Lachlan", “A Busy Corner” and “The Seiners”.
Mr. A.G. Brady is represented by a modest two prints in a process which was very much in favor prior to the advent of the bromoil system, namely, gum bichromate. He shows views of “Cadbury’s from Triffit’s Point” and “At the Docks”.
Perhaps the best works in Mr. G.B. Davies’s exhibit are “Summer Sunshine”. “A Richmond Farm” and the survey-ship “Geranium”. Of Mr. A.E. Lodge’s sepia toned bromides, “Aspen in Autumn” is noteworthy, and “Conway Castle” and “A Welsh Mining Town” are also well carried out, while “80-Peep” is a charming portrait pastoral. Miss Madge Jackson shows several hand-colored studies which are effectively executed and Mr. C.W. Roberts has been equally successful with his flower studies. Mr. F.S. Rodgers shows some well-executed landscapes and a particularly charming study of two draught horses, while Mr. V. Oxenford has effectively treated an unusual subject in “Bowsprit”, “Drying Sails”, “The Old Derwent Mill” and “The Ruined Homestead” are among the most noteworthy of a display of some 15 photographs by Mr. F. G. Robinson.
An exhibit of outstanding excellence in its class is formed by a number of admirable studies of Tasmanian birds in their natural environment by Mr. M.S.R. Sharland, some of which have been made even more realistic by tinting in colors. The studies form a most interesting group both from an ornithological and photographic point of view.
Several scenic studies are shown by Mr. H.W. Thomas and of these “Winter Sun light” and “Close of Day” are particularly attractive. “Smiles” also is an admirable study. Mr. H.A. Kerr exhibits two bromoil studies of St. David’s Cathedral, which are quite well carried out. An interesting feature of the exhibit is the set of stereoscopic transparencies by Messrs. J.C. Breaden and G.B. Davies, while a collection of New Guinea photographs, loaned by Miss F. Walker, is also on view. “The Restless Sea” by Mr. P.W. Ferris is, perhaps, the most noteworthy item of his exhibit.
Among the other exhibitors who show photographs reflecting considerable credit upon their workmanship are M.W. Winch, N.J. Rodgers (14 years), E.E. Jones, E.T. Parlato, R.L. Clements, F.B. Cane, D. Breaden (12 years) and O.C. Avery.
April 1926 Page 169 - Australasian Photo-Review
A SCHOOLGIRL
Dr. G.F. Robinson
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 170 - Australasian Photo-Review
THE OLD FARMYARD
J.C. Breaden
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 171 - Australasian Photo-Review
A WELSH MINING TOWN
A.E. Lodge
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 172 - Australasian Photo-Review
BECALMED
H.W.Thomas
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 175 - Australasian Photo-Review
SUNLIGHT IN CHURCH
W.R. McKay
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 176 - Australasian Photo-Review
THE SEINERS
J.R. Cooper
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 177 - Australasian Photo-Review
AN OLD-FASHIONED STREET
W.R. McKay
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 179 - Australasian Photo-Review
SUMMER
Dr. C.F. Hodgkinson
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 180 - Australasian Photo-Review
AT ANCHOR
Dr. C.F. Hodgkinson
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 182 - Australasian Photo-Review
SEASHORE
Dr. C.F. Hodgkinson
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society
April 1926 Page 185 - Australasian Photo-Review
ST. DAVID’S
P.W. Ferris
From the Exhibition of the
Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society