The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-02
IV-cHcICE OF SUBJECT.


important, and to get a pleasing pic
ture there are certain principles which
should be remembered, so that when a
view is being selected the finished pho
pograph viii make a picture worth
looking at, d pleasure to him who looks
at 1t and source of qualification to
the maker
Briefly, the points for consideration
may be said 70 consist of balance, con-
trast, clouds, light and foreground.
The first named is the inclusion of
more or less prominent objects to the
sides OF the picture, so that one may
have the effect of balancing the other.
These should not be OF equal size, the
arIlstlc effect Will be more pronounced
II unequal, bush, clumps of rushes or
a broken branch will often be ali that
Is required TO correct the Iopsided look
that we too frequently see in land
scape pictures. Secondly, a picture
without contrast always looks fiat and
undressing. 1t should be the aim of
the artist TO make this contrast grad
ual, never sudden or abrupt, the bright
hghts merging into the shadows with
out marsh or decided lines, and both
lights and shades so disposed as to
preserve the necessary balance. A
prlsht white object on one side of the
picture VIII throw the picture out I'M
less some similar light object can he
included on the other side. on this sinh
Ject II may be noted that the contrast
given by under-exposure-or the want
OF 1t, the result of over-exposure-is
not art, What is to be admired is the
soIt print, with plenty of contrast. but
WITH the softness of nature retained.
ClondS may be designated natures
background, and to obtain an effective
picture proper background is as
necessary as suitable foreground.
NothlhS gives picture such a finished
appearance as a good cloud effect; il is
not always that clouds can be obtained
on the same negative as the picture
itself, but when possible the erect ;s
always the best.
Methods of obtaining sky ana clnud
pictures will be treated of later on. The
SUBJECT OF lighting is of the utmost i'm
Portahee, and is probably the most diff
ncult TO deal with, and for this reason
deserves all the more study. We are
aware that a view will look entirely
dlherent at various periods of the day
When the sun is low in the horizon If
throws long, heavy shadows both
morning and evening, and when in the
zenlth IL gives scarcely any shadow at
all except underneath. Then. too. from
fall on the object, showing all detail
distinctly, or it may be behind the oh
Ject, throwing the side next to Us into
comparative darkness. All these give
dlHerent effects to the scene, and we
should study the view under the vary
ing conditions so as to select that light
ing which Will give the best result for
the object We have set before US. When
the sun is full on the scene and nearly
vertical the resulting picture will be
seheraIIy nat and wanting in contrast;
gooq eHects, with plenty of light and
Shaue, can be had with the sun more
or less to one side of the view: and at
times, with the light slightly behind
the CHOSEN position, a very pleasing ef-
rect may be secured. However no
nara and fast rule can be laid down
the particular light that witk suix one
scene VIII not suit another, conseouent
~ the choice must be left to the indi-
Vidual, whose object in every case
should be the securing Of a picture
conveying in an artistic manner the i'm
preston created in him by the view
ana the better he is able to show in his
MUIk that impression the more claims
VIII ne have to be an artist.
Again, the subject of foreground is
an important factor, as without some
tnlhg IN the nearer view there is a
prank which is at once noticeable. II
should, however, not be so pronounced
as TO draw attention from the main
subject of the picture, but must rather
De broken UP. For example. the most
charming cottage will be spoiled bv a
large lawn or broad roadway in front.
unless, indeed. il is possible to include
say "a horse and buggy, a couple of
chlldren or even dog TO break the
erect and draw the attention from the
unslghtly eXpanse. In like manner a
pretty view may be destroyed bv a
broad intervening field or stretch of
water, but put a couple of cows on one
or boat on the other and the whole
picture is changed.
The above hints are not by any means
complete, but are given as an indica-
tlon OF what may be effected by selec-
ton; II must be kept clearly in mind
that 10 get an artistic result one must
study the various compOnents which
are 10 be included in the picture. One
must have patience and the faculty of
observation. Having decided upon the
view DO not be in too great hurry to
take the picture. Consider what is the
best position, form your opinion as 10
the most suitable light and when these
are decided and the time is opportune
expose your plate.
Note-This subject viii be concluded
next week.