Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1899-07-21
THE sTRANGEsT PHOTOGRAPH.
Amateur photographer ArTanges q Tab
leau of the Cruc.fzicn.

MIR. L Ill. Day, q Boston book pub
Usher, who is one of. the leading stu
dents and followers of amateur pho
Biography in this country, not long
ago arranged and had photographed
a composition Of living figures which
for its daring realism is the most
Startling feat of photography ever at
tempted.
The subject was "rhe Crucifxion,"
Mr.. Day himself posing as the central
figure, the Saviour on the cross.
About ten persons were in the group,
and they were posed after Rem
brandt's painting.
Some time ago, as it is told, Mr..
Day had himself photographed upon
cross, but the cross was on the
ground, and the result was not sat
isfactory. Then came, as it is under
stood, the idea of reproducing the
scene at Calvary, and over year ago
he began to perfect the details.
Mr.. Day lives in Norwood Center,
Boston suburb, and two miles from
his home is a spot that seemed to him
ideal. Having visited the original
Calvary in his travels abroad, he rec
ognized in this spot the nearest APP
proach to Calvary itself that had ever
come under his observation.
One by one the required number Of
models were secured. Mr.. Days
mother assumed the part, so the Sun
day Journal is informed, of the Vir-
gin Mary, and a prominent teacher
of Delsarte that of Mary Magdalen.
From studies of the accepted typ
zeal faces of the Lord, Mr.. Day made
up his own. He assumed that the
general contour of his head and fea-
lures was similar, and to carry out the
resemblance he let his hair 60 uncut
until it fell upon his shoulders, while
his beard was trimmed to accord with
that shown in the portraits of the
Saviour. Two men were found who
posed as the thieves.
The three crosses were made under
Mr. Days direction, of substantial
timber, to stand about ten feet high.
During a trip south Mr.. Day had gath
cred lot of thorns for the crown.
The bodies of the three men on
the crosses were nude, with the ex-
ception Of girdles. They were held in
position by cords, with small rests
under their feet, but in the palms of
their hands nails were painted, as
though driven in, while blood from
the wounds was also initiated.
The semblance of blood flowing
from the tearing of the flesh by the
crown of thorns and the wound in
the side was brought out on Mr.. Day
with red paint.
The posing of the group occupied
several hours. The crosses were
reached by stepladders. The others
in the group took their positions, and
the whole was then pictured. Pre-
viously Mr.. Day had the camera OPP
Grated by one of his employees, but for
the last scene it is said that artists
competent to get the very highest and
best results were hired. The total
cost of the production of this unique
photograph must have been heavy,
Of the models, the two thieves are
said to have been paid five dollars
each for every appearance.
For some time after the last pic
lures were taken the crosses remained
in the ground. The two side crosses
were then taken away, and still later
the one on which Mr.. Day had been
suspended was removed.
In explanation of his making one
Of the most sacred and revered events
in Scripture a subject for amateur
photography, it is said that Mr.. Days
inclination as photographer is for
extraordinary effects.
He has been interested in pho
Biography for ten years, and, while he
is member of the Boston Camera
club, he is probably better known in
England than in New England. He
is a member of the London Photo
graphic salon, and is one Of the three
American members of body known
as the London Link-Ring society. He
has a studio on Pinckney street in
Boston, and occasionally has exhibi-
tions of his own work.
1t is said that his picture of the
"Crucifxion" is intended for the next
exhibition of one of the London So
cieties, and will not be shown in this
country.-N. Y. Journal.