Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-28
HANDLING CAMERAS.
SHOULD WOMEN BE PHOTOGRAPH
ED BY WOMEN ARTISTS ONLYf
AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER SUPPORTED.
The BaIefuI Male "Artist"-Wbat
Woman Doesn't Shudder at the Re-
collection of Many Awful Expert
ences Before His Camera.

LONDON, November 1.-Women have
quailed long enough before the malig-
nant glare of the male photographer s
camera. The sex has rebelled at last
against the cynical brute who bids his
victim '1ook pleasant" when he knows
she is shlvering in her shoes with appre-
hension lest the internal machine in
front of her record indelibly a face on
which concentrated anguish and mute
appeal are the distinguishing marks. In
her despair woman has turned to her
own sex for relief, and the outcome Is
that the LADY photographer" finds her
self forced to the front on tidal wave
of feminine energy and amid a storm Of
applause. women should be photo
graphed by women only" is the cry
that has accompanied the agitation
against tho male photographer. What
does he know about the little pet vani-
ties of the sex that call for a nice ar
Tangement of the light and shade effect
In the studies to enhance sitter's
beauty or hide her facial defects? Isn't
At ordeal enough TO have ones photo
graph taken, without having to put up
with a mans stupidity in addition?
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 rarest
of all rare things-an artist as well. had
made my way through the mazes Of
Regents Park TO Madame Garrett
Charles's studio and as L prepared to
listen to her story 1 mentally congratu-
lated myself on behalf Of the sex that
live in an age that had discovered the
woman photographer.
Really, you know" said Madame
Garet- Charles 81 never did take up pho
Biography, 1 simply drifted into it. had
always been fond of playing with
camera, and as my results began to get
more and more creditable, l gave the
art--for / do think it an art-more and
more Of my leisure time. L studied the
craft thoroughly, and people said SO
many kind things about my work, and
editors to whom 1 sent pictures began to
ask for more. and-really, that Is all.
After working for a little over year
now, / find myself public character,
being interviewed" and Madame Garet-
Charles laughed light-heartedly.
/ ventured TO air my bette noir, the
mere man photographer, the machine
who presses the button, leaving chance
90 do the rest.
'Now," said my charming hostess,
'that Just fits In with my own pet theory,
that woman. as a rule, prefers TO be pho
tographed by woman. You see strong
morning light is horribly realistic; II
shows up ones little deficiencies so. or 1t
accentuates the beginnings OF wrinkle
here and a crowsfoot there. Now. every
woman. be she Of the new or the old
variety, likes to feel that she is being
seen TO the best advantage-in the pres
- x.rt,a elx0 &C.
posed by critical male. who notes all
her little weaknesses of complexion or
feature. she feels i'll at ease. she loses
whatever OF naturalness she has, and, as |
a consequence. the resulting picture (save |
the markD Is more suited TO a chamber |
OF horrors than 10 Regent-street show
case.
> And more" went on Madame Garrett |
Charles; what does the average pho |
tographer know OF his sitter? And know
ing little or nothing OF this subject. how
can he make a faithful picture? never
take any one at the first interview. I |
like to have my sitters all to myself for
a quiet half hour-over afternoon tea for
preference-so that can pick out their
best features, their best side. .heir most I
natural pose. Then, when they are gone,
turn over in my mind the collection Of
facts have gathered, and fix definitely
what am 10 do when they return to
face the deadly lens. Plenty OF times
ladies have said to me when they were
going away after having sat. How quick
ly you work? They know nothing Of
the mental labor that went TO make the
actual sitting easy and swift"
Then you have no other special
methods OF work. I asked.
No" she replied, beyond certain
technical tips. known only to myself are
my sister, Miss Rita Martin. who is my
rlght-hand man. so TO speak. My sole
creed is TO know my sitter and use every
little bit OF that knowledge. / try to
make people feel at home-to feel that
knsx sfs not In q studio. Then they fan