The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-12
THE AMATooR PHOTOGRAPHER.
Mr.. j. A. Bates Graphically Depicts
His joys and Sorrows.

The lecture by Mr.. ]. A. Bates at the
Young Mems Christian Association hall
last night upon amateur photography was
enjoyed by large audience, Mr.. Bates
adopted the Josh Billings style and de-
nominated his lecture "The Joys and Sor-
rows of an Amatoor Photographer, by
Prof. B. A. Jates, @. F." The final let
tiers, &C. F., p were understood TO stand
for camera fiend -
As humorous lecturer Mr. Bates
proved so successful that his hearers
were agreed that it was fortunate for
James Whitcomb Riley and the host of
other humorous lecturers that he is so
engrossed in the music business that he
is unable to take the humorous platform
at present. He showed by his remarks
that he possessed an extended acquaint-
ance with both the Joys and sorrows of
the amateur photographer. The latter
were especially dwelt upon in a manner
which was very much appreciated by
the audience, numbering many camera
fiends.
The pleasure of the lecture was greatly
enhanced by the Illustrations displayed
by DIR. ;. A. White. IL would be impossi-
bic to reproduce Mr.. Bates inlmitable
lecture Without the aid of the numerous
apt illustrations. His ANALYSIS of the
Photographic craze is something worth
considering by those who have not yet
contracted the disease
The Photographic craze" said Mr..
Bates, lis an insiduous disease, attacking
all ages and conditions. Commencing
usually IN mild form, but running its
course with rapidly increasing strength
and malignity until the victim is totally
wrecked in pocket, happiness and char
acter. The victim generally starts in
with small toy camera-we know one
whose first outfit complete cost but
SLt5-and with no expectation of
doing more than passing away spare
time. BY accident he makes
a fair picture and then he gets the fever:
buys larger camera and a new one every
rev weeks; trys every make of lens,
Single, double, reCtiiinedr widc-anyie
compound, rectangle, planatic, pneumatic
and dogmatic; takes all the Photographic
magazines; experiments with all makes of
plates and every known developer; hires
all the children. goats, cats and coons
in the neighborhoOd to pose for him ;
haunts the Photographic galleries and
pumps the photographers dry squints and
snaps all day and develops all night and
tones the rest of the time. His pluck and
perseverance are wonderful; but, alas, he
never gets there. Sooner or later, and
generally it is sooner, a Gay comes when
he realizes that he can't Judge the light,
| can't focus, can't expose properly, can't
pose subject artistically, can't develop,
can't tone. In fact don't know even the
A B C's of photography. That tired feel
ing comes over him; life becomes a hollow
mockery. He retires to the solitude of
his backyard and ANONYMOUSLY gives up
the fight"
AS if in contradiction of this exposition
of amateur photography Mr.. Bates eX-
hibited some specimens Of the amateurs
art which would have been creditable to
the most experienced photographer.
These pictures, he explained, were the
work of himself and his twin, r." the latter
beng Mr.. j. deBruyn Hops. The illus
trations included the bluff at
Isle of Hope, an avenue at
the Hermatage avenues at Bonaventure,
and Laurel Grove, views taken in Chicago
and the confederate monument as it APP
peared on April rs. Mr. Kops' picture
was thrown upon the board, as was also
Paddy Walkers" the well-known
musician. Both received applause.
Mr. Bates was generally congratulated
upon his lecture, which was voted by all
the amateur photographers present to be
truthful narrative of their separate
careers.