The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-28
A Craze for Photographs of
the Human Form Divine.
Some Patrons of a Well-Known Los
Angeles Photographer.
His Experiences With Women who Want
Undrapsd Pictures-Men Are just
as Bad aud Even Worse-A
Peculiar Fad.

ened his tongue too much by even thai
simple assertion, but upon being assured
that his name would be held lnvlolats
in connection with any indiscreet re-
marks he might drop pulled at his cob
pipe and continued.
Il mean professional secrets"
About women suppose you are talk
ipg?"
ITO be sure, although men are just as
bad"
what, for instance?"
There is growing tendency in Los
Angeles for women, and the most re-
spectacle at that, with regulations above
reproach, to have photographs which
reveal their figures. Scarcely a day goes
by in my studio when there a not one
or more ladies who come in for that pur.
pose"
"How do they tackle the subject"
That is the Queerest part OF it. Some
women VINO appear the most timid make
bold dash at it the first thing and say
right out that they want picture taken
that will display their charms, while
others stammer and blush whom one
would not think cared very much.
"A married lady, whom every one would
know if pronounced her name, or even
described her minutely. came in last
week and wanted photograph. Iasked
her what style she wanted, and she re-
piled that she would like to be taken in
drapery. While her face is not particu-
larry handsome, she has most exquisite
! figure, in which nature seems to have
left very few faults"
Il would like it to be clinging," she
said, referring to the drapery.
"We have garment especially for
this class OF trade, and gave it to her.
She retired to the dressing room, and
when she resppesred was struck with
the graceful lines OF her form. | was
busily engaged in getting ready to take
the picture, when she said in quite
faint voice:
Don't you think this material is too
thick ?"
II scarcely knew what to say. She
WAS evidently lady and had no other
thought than to obtain likeness OF her.
SELF"
at will do very WE'LL" replied. She
said nothing for minute or two, and
then remarked:
"Well, think it is"
How do you wish your photograph
taken then, madam ?" | said.
81 would prefer something different"
she replied.
''Before | could anticipate what she
was doing, che had partially slipped out
OF the drapery, and in that fashion the
camera took very lovely impression of
very lovely woman. have no manner
nf dn.--. -. - .-~e,a s.ifq
may be had the photograph taken be-
81 ffeh haf t.ar "a
pressed from a casual remark she let
drop"
"Your experience WAS somewhat
startling. to say the least"
"Oh, ATS nothing There is very
pretty little actress in the city who has
a pretty figure, and knows it. She is
nothing if not devoted to art, and has
posed in my studio number OF times.
l wish l could show you some of these
pictures, but che made me promise
solemnly not to show them. | have
taken her in all kinds OF poses, but
probably the most effective was one
where she stands upon a pedestal, nude,
with the exception Of little scarf. As
she stands erect she holds in front of
her a silver dish upon which is an
apple, and she herself named the picture
| Forbidden Fruit 1t 10 fetching and
original conception and the young woman
entered heartily into the spirit of the
thing. 1t was pretty tiresome for her
before che could get just exactly the pose
| that wanted, but she was patient and
| it resulted in great success. That
! photograph will be painted some day by
a we'll known artist in the city, and Will
be greatly admired if l am not mis-
taken.
"And then there are women with
queer notions. Some Of them do not
want photographs OF thor entire figure,
but of some particular portions, and
others insist on having their photo
graphs taken IN tights. These are the
most trou blesome. They don't generally
know what they want, and worry the
life out of me. You would be sstonished
to see how eagerly some of the society
girle adopt the drapery costume. The
same feeling o freedom seems to AMI
mate them in the studio that is seen at
the beach. Girls who would scruple to
show the smallest part of the daintiest
of les think nothing of the bathing
costumes and the thousands OF eyes
upon them as they enter the surf 1t ls
about the same in the photograph gal
lery. They do not mind me. | am a
part OF the machine that takes the pic
ture."
Chow about the men? ?"
"Uf all the vain creatures in the world
men are the worst. They come in and
want photographs taken in bicycle cos
tunes, in boating costumes, in all kinds
OF abbreviated toggery, to show some OF
the boniest ind shapeless shapes ever
invented. And they think they are
fine. You ought to be in here come day
and see the circus. 1t would make you
laugh for an hour, as TouchstoEe says,
sans intermission.' It's great sport.
About 80 per cent OF the men who get
pictures OF their shapes have none, or
at best are only moderately well por-
portioned. The very ones who are the
worst in this respect are those who have
long, lanky arms, sunken chests. spindle
legs and various distortions OF the
human form divine. Occasionally run
across finely formed man. but they are
mighty few and far between | tell YOU"
Returning to the ladies once more,
how do the more rapid class tit in with
your former description ?"
''To tell you the truth they do not
often want photographs in the manner
l have indicated. Generally they want
all their clothes to be seen, and il Is
only occasionally that they come after q
figure photograph. No, it is amongst
the quiet people that the tendency
Shove itself the most. | would not dare