Photographic

When amateur photographers in Wellington hear the name of H. Farmer Macdonald they recollect a series of strongly dramatic prints that have been hung in exhibitions over the past few years. So members of the Photographic Club were very pleased recently to examine some of his character studies and hear Mr. Macdonald's own comments about them. Working from the classic example of the snap of the girl friend in the garden, he pointed out many of the traps for young players. Look out for trees growing like antlers from her hair, and for horizontal lines that will appear to decapitate her or amputate a graceful limb. A fairly low viewpoint, not so close as to bring about distortion, will provide the ever-interesting sky as a back-ground. The early morning and the late afternoon are the times when the sun gives the most suitable illumination. For general indoor work, make lighting conditions as similar to those outside as possible, one flood and a single spotlight being sufficient.

Question time brought out some useful hints on the selection of film type, development procedure and the elimination of undesirable features from pictures. Mr. Macdonald's breezy manner made his discourse as entertaining as it was instructive.

Watch the notice-board for details of a proposed visit to Perry's Studios.