The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-15
THEY PRESS THE BUTTON.
wAsHINGToN'S SMALL ARMY OF
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS.
There Are About Five Hundred of Them
and They Have Three Successful
Clubs-Some OF Those Who Take Es-
pecislly Good Pictures.

1t 10 many years since some literature-op-
pressed individual rose with yawn to remark
that OF the making Of books there was no end.
II this same cranky person had continued to
exist until the present year Of grace he would
also, no doubt, cry out impatiently that of
the making of pictures there was no end,
especially If he lived in Washington where
fully 800 amateur photographers industriously
press the button in season and out, while no.
body is in position to state exactly who does
the rest Washington, in fact is one of the
head-centrss Of the amateur Photographic
fad in this country, and it numbers among
Its amateur photographers men and women
who to distinction in this field add even
greater distinction in statesmanship, journal
ism, and society. Clerks who are pent up all
day in ill-ventilated Government Offices bend
ing over desks, find in amateur photography
q delightful and healthful relaxation after
offlce hours. The search for beautiful and
picturesque subjects takes them long walka
into the suburbs, where they forget the cares
Of Office and fill their lungs with the pure and
bracing air of the country. At the same time
Ii develops the love for the beautiful and the
artistic instinct and trains the eye and the
mind. Altogether, amateur photography is q
fad founded on good sense and deserves en-
couragement.
Dealers in Photographic supplies, of whom
there are three in the city, estimate that the
number OF amateur photographers here is fully
800, and that $4,000 would about repreeent
the value of their outfits.
There are in the city three amateur photog-
raphers' clubs. The oldest is the Washing
ton Camera Club. which formerly was entitled
"The Argents" Mr.. Max Hansman, who is
generally recognized as the most successful
amateur photographer in the District. is one of
its most prominent members His works in
clude every variety OF views. and their finish is
is an enthusiast on the subject and
devotes great deal of his time to his
hobby. The rooms of the club, which are
located in the Baltimore american Building,
opposite Wizards Hotel, are nicely furnished
and the walls are covered with the works OF the
members, OF whom there are about thirty. The
club has but one lady member, Miss Frances
b. johnson, whose interior views have gained
for her quite a reputation. Among other
members whose efforts are recognized as be-
ing Of an excellent character are Mr.. A. w.
Lothrop, Of Woodward & Lothrop; Mr.. e. B.
Wight, the well-known correspondent; Mr..
M. B. Waite, I. w. Smillie, of the Smithson-
ian Institute; Henry Talbot, of the Interstate
Commerce Commission; Mr.. Frazer, and j.
Albert Cole The club meets every other
w NCuuCeudy hb WHICH blm6 papers are
read and photography generally discussed and
views and experiences interchanged. Last
year 1t gave number of lantern-slide exhibi-
tions, and though no plans for this winter have
yet been arranged, 1t is likely that the same
course will be pursued The officers and
members of the club are: President, DR.. st.
George Elliot; recording secretary, Nj. B.
Waite; corresponding secretary, j. Albert
Cole; treasurer, A. W. Lothrop; D. w. Ash
ford, Howell Bartle, e. j. Collett, P. T.
Es,la ID
Daniel Fraser Max Hansman, Miss Frances
Johnston, Dr. William A. King, c. Miliken,
U. IL. Painter, Perry b. Pierce, Fred Perry
Powers, Frank Presbrey, DR.. Robert Reyburn,
DR.. William II. Seaman, +. A. Schneider, w.
E. Schneider, Henry Talbot, P. H. Ward, E.
B. Wight; honorary members: Hon. A. A.
Adee, DR.. Edgar Richards, Professor L. w.
Smilie.
The Capital Camera Club has it's rooms in
the building on the northeast corner of Seventh
and d streets, and, though in It's infancy,
promises to be success. This club has been
organized about three months and its members
have done splendid work. Its especial aim is
to encourage portrait photography. One Of
the rooms is fitted up with all the
appliances OF photograph gallery and
everything possible is done TO increase the
interest in this indoor work. Most Of the
members do their own printing and develop
ing. The officers Of the club are Alberr j.
lie Breton, president; John u. Mitchell, vice
prebueut, anu r. ID. DhnIe secretary ana
treasurer. Zach of these has taken views and
photographs which show much skill. Among
other members of the club who have had
much success with their pictures are +. j.
Cullen, r. w. Barrett, z. H. Pullman, Arthur
M. Poynton, Harry Il. Simpson, A. L.. Moore,
and DR.. A. j. Hall. The other members of
the club are John G. Morrison, Charles A.
Cooper, w. c. Ewing, G.. Nj. Washburns,
Charles K. Fairman, and Allan j. Houghton.
The club recently gave a wall exhibition,
which was visited by large number, who sI-
pressed their appreciation of the excellent
views.
The youngest camera club was organized
about October /. 1t is composed exclusively
OF members OF the Capital Bicycle Club, and
from it has taken the name, c. Bi. @. Camera
Club. The founder and president of this or
ganIzation 10 Mr.. Frank Boteler. The only
other officer is Mr.. D. 4. ShGrett, who occu-
pies the double position OF secretary and
treasurer. The club holds meetings every
two weeks, eId at each meeting en- amuse-
ment committee is appointed whose duty it is
to prepare the programme for the next meet
ing aud to lay out the ''runsh Each pleasant
Sunday the club takes q ''run" to some
point of interest in the suburbs and spends
the afternoon in picture taking. Ladies ae-