Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-09
Tricks OF THE TRADE.
Ingenious Devices by which the Waning
Profits of Photography are Augmented
In New York.

Ingenious Devices by which the Waning
Profits of Photography are Augmented
/ In New York.
| Nse York SGA.
The fact is that our business is over
crowded" said the old photographer.
There are too many in for cutting one az
others threats. And the professionals sut'
fer to an extent that you would hardly
imagine from the encroachments OF the
army of amateurs, many of whom are really
skilful operators, and who are becoming
more numerous every dsy.
The cream OF the business, in New YORK
at least, goes to halt dozen famous ar,
lists, while the SKINNED milk is divided
around among the rest of us. In the con-
seuuent struggle for our several shares we
have to adopt good many lodges TO eaten
on.
The spirit pictures were a good fake
while they lasted, but when people found
out that they we're simply trlck-nothipg
more than common photo taken ons plate
already prepared with a shsdowy figure or
two-Ihe demand for them stopped, and we
had to hustle around for something new.
Sunday work, for the accommodation
of persons who esnnot get away IRON their
occupations during the week, has been
something of help, and always will be, l
suppose. Taking pictures IN fancy cos
tunes was paying thing and quite the
rage at one time, thong h it has not caught
many of late. Some gIrls used to come
for pictures OF themselves as pages, sheP-
herdesses, nymphs of the ballet, and stat
uss; while others, poor creatures,
who lived hardly on 81 or
s. q week, seemed TO draw
certain comfort from being pictured in
uuseuly robes laden with imitarIon jewels,
Young men, too, used occasionally to re-
uuire our aid for counterfeit pEesenIments
of themselves as Indian hunters sEd tap,
oers As q rule, those who wanted the |
most impressiVely ferocious get ups were IN
real life the most thiG-ches'ed, Psscesble-
looking limbs. But we didn't have to hire
or buy one male costume 10 a dozen or
even twenty female.
Another dodge, one that just paid hv-
ing wages, but nothing more, taking II
week in and wee k out, was the photograph
ing of stores with the proprletors standing
in the doors or on the sidewalk, with en-
ployes grouped in the background.
The taking Of pictures by the electric
light caught q good many curious
while it was fresh, but the novel,
" soon wore off Besides, even at the best,
it was a very considerable more
EXPENSIVE process than operat
iug BY sunlight, and did not leave
the margin OF profit that would have
been necessary to make II profitable. Inc
latest catch is in advertising for handsome
children as models. Every mother Iatur-
ally thinks that her baby Is the prettiest
one alive When tie idea is presented to
her mind of not only having her beautiful
baby pictured as q model, 10 the envy OF
all other mothers, but Of actually being
paid for that Joy, it fssciuates her. In less
lime than COW could turn q handspring
she his fixed upon the large sum she will
demand, and OF course receive, for
her baby to be pho
and has even settled how the
money shall be expended for baby further
sdornment and comfort. Then she goes
10 the photographer who wants models and
MS ise work begins. Mothers have to o.
treated in various ways, but the operP.or is
a chunp who cannot take picture OF any
decent looking baby so that, with frame OF
malicious raffy, it's mother will De pleased
If the subject has got little beyond
baby hood, his job that lar, IS all the easier,
Tor all children are graceful, and Uncon
,ciously put themselves IN pretty stti'
,udes. IL is only the mothers attitude
hat has to be changed From one who
mas come to get money, she must be trans
formed to one who hiss come TO leave
money. So the model market Is already
supplied fully, greatly to the operators re,
yret because a mora beau lul ehlid ne
never, etc, etc or the proprietor of the
, allery is unfortunately oas, and the oper-
stor has no authority, to his Infinite sor-
row, for q more charming inf,nt he never,
etc etc or it Will BE question that
must be carefully considered before decls'
ion between another baby and this one,
out there can be little doubt that such
D lovely boy ss this, etc, etc
~ if the mother is one
,ha. seems to require rough medicine, her
osbv, though good average, will not do
for model. owing to CERTAIN iRpe-tections
slight, perhaps, out nevertheless sPpsssnt
70 an artists eve. All the while there Ia
Inc negative. a very good presentment OF
the blessed baby, making his own appeal
with mute clog ueuee 10 the mother. The
end of it ell is, of course, thai whether from
hope or pride or Gun aiug expectation Of tn-
huenciog selection, or spite, or just because
she wants them anyway, the morher orders
q dozen Of bsby's pictures. The fact is
that no photographer really wants child
models"