The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28
SHOULD WOMEN B Photographed
By ONE Of THEIR OWN SEX ONLY?
The Affirmative Answer Supported in a Novel
Way-The Baleful Male
Artist

LONDON, Nov 81 Women have
qua.led long enough before the malignant
glare OF the male photographers camera.
The sex has rebeiled at last against the
cynical brute who bids his victim '.look
pleasant" when he knows she Is shivering
In her shoes with apprehension lest the in
fernal machine IN front Of her records in
delibly face on which concentrated an
guish and mute appeal are the distinguish
ing marks. In her despair woman has
turned TO her own sex for relief. and the
outcome is that the lady photographer
finds herself forced to the front on a tidal
wave OF feminine energy and amid q storm
of applause. Women should be photo
graphed by women only" Is the cry that
has accom- panied the agitation against the
male photographer. What does he know
about the little pet vanities OF the sex
that call for a nice arrangement OF the
light and shade effect In the studios to en-
nance a sitters beauty or hide her facial
defects? Isn't It ordeal enough to have
ones photograph taken. without having
to put up with nAxss stupidity In addi-
ton?
What a pleasure. therefore, to be able
to call upon the woman who has come into
prominence through this agitation. and to
find her human, and that raresr OF all rare
things-an artist as well. / had made my
way through the mazes Of Regents park
TO Madame Garet-Charies' studio. and as
! prepared to listen to her story, / men,
tally congratulated myself on behalf OF
the sex that live In an age that had dis
covered the woman photographer.
Really, you know" said Madame Gar
et-Charies. Il never did take up photogra-
ply: l simply drifted into it. I had al
ways been fond OF playing with q camera.
and as my results began to get more and
more creditable 1 gave the art-for I do
txtxI~ IL
leisure time. studied the craft thorough
y. and people said SO many kind things
about my work, and editors TO whom I
sent pictures began to ask for more. and
really, that is all. After working for a
little over year now. ind myself a pub
lie character. being interviewed" And
Madame Garet-Charies laughed light
heartedly.
ventured to air my bette noir. the mere
photographer, the machine who
presses the button. leaving chance to do
the rest
Now" said my charming hostess. that
just fits in with my own pet theory, that
woman. as rule. prefers to be photo
graphed by woman. You see a strong
morning light is horribly realistic; It
shows up ones little deficiencies so, or it
accentuates the beginnings of a wrinkle
here anu a crowsfoot there. Now, every
woman. be she Of the new or the old va
rieiy. likes 10 feel that she Is being seen
to the best advantage in the presence Of
man. Therefore. when she Is posed by a
critical male, who notes all her little weak
nesses Of complexion or feature. she feels
Ill at ease. she loses whatever Of natural
ness she has. and as consequence the re-
suiting picture tsave the markD is more
suited to a cAamter OF horrors than TO a
Regent stresf showcase.
And more" went on Madame Garet-
Charles. what does the average pho
tographer know Of his sitter? And know
ing little or nothing of his subject, how
can he make faithful picture? I never
take anyone at the first interview I like
to have my sitters all to myself for a quiet
half-hour-over afternoon tea for prefer
ence-so that / can pick out their best
features. their best side. their most natu-
raj pose. Then when they are gone turn
over In my mind the collection OF facts I
have gathered, and fix definitely what 1
am TO do when they return to face the