The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-09-11
Flattered by tho Camera

"Taking photographs. said a pho
tographer to st. Louis Call rcprcsen-
tative, '.is a curious experiences. and
requires a diplomacy and delicacy in
handling the subject which debar the
blunt and unpublished man from sue
ceeding to any great degree. Getting
n subject ready and then pleasing after
ward is nearly akin to the art of
legerdemain.
"How is thatP Tell all about the
way you make success of your art?"
asked reporter.
''Well, you see, all persons that
come to have their pictures taken have
formed preconceived ideas of how they
intend to pose and how they want to
look when transferred to paper. Per-
haps the first attitude they strike will
in nine cases out of ten be impossible
to do them justice, simply because
they can't SEQ themselves, and either
have their chin too high or too low.
You then put the rest against their
heads. ask them to raise their chin and
look q certain way. This has won
derful bad effect; it tears them all to
pieces. And now comes in the soft,
pleasing palaver that must restore the
SuDJcCIS
everyday action and naturalness. The
great idea is to make them forget that
the cherished attitude and Ajax-defy-
ing-lightning look which they had been
practicing on for weeks had been de-
strOyed, and n modern, everyday style
substituted. To do this requires talk.
The slight-of-hand man talks all the
time to distract attention; the artist
must talk to attract the mind so as to
forget the ideal picture.
I'm some cases. though. of course, I
have little trouble. Fastidious young
men and gay, dashing bellies are very
hard TO please, and will make you take
their pictures over dozen times ifyou
happen to bring in clear outline some
peculiar ruffle or article of jewelry
attached to their person. Why, once
took young lady's picture over fif-
teen times, and then it did not please.
l began TO despair. But knew some
thing was the matter; SO racked my
brain to discover the reason. 1t was a
pet little frontal curl that, when she
would leave the glass. would move
from the original spot where she had
carefully placed it."
'lIow did you remedy matters?'
why, when she sat down | preten6-
ed was placing her head better for the
rest. and so guided the recalcitrant
curl to the position her fancy desired.
Dudes? Well. most of them are sus-
ceptible of tlaItery and want a picture
to have q certain esthetical look,
whether it is true likeness or not
They strive for a languid position, and
generally manage to get it. for they
have practiced so long by habit.
Ladies. as general thing, are harder
to please than men. of course, but you
must study them. know what TO say
when you show a proof, and never
lack for a word. You must not give
one time to argue to you that her eyes
do not appear well taken, or that her
nose is too retrOusse. but see that de-
feet Immediately yourself and suggest
another sitting. This makes reputa-
ton, you know. and n well-established
reputation is the result of experience
and good common sense.
''Oh, yes, l could tell you of the
vanity of prominent ladies and gentle
men. but those are professional secrets
and L Will not disclose them"