New-York tribune., 1902-08-03
LESSONS IN PHOTOGRAPHY.
FOURTH IN A SERIES ON SUGGESTIONS FOR
TAKING GOOD PICTURES

FOURTH IN A SERIES ON SUGGESTIONS FOR
TAKING GOOD PICTURES.
One of the most important facts that should be
impressed upon the is that she should not
try to photograph all outdoors once. The best
pictures, whether they be paintings, etchngs or
photographs, are composed Of only a few objects.
Everybody knows, or should know, that group Of
three four persons makes pleasing pict-
than a group of twenty. There is more in it
more character, more detail and more expression.
Two or three cows in a picturesque pasture. with a
brook and single tree. make a better picture than
a herd Of cattle grazing on the edge OF wood
dog and child in natural pose hardly be
made into poor picture. if the lighting and
posure good, but a dozen children and many
dogs would be difficult subject even for
perienced photographer.
One who wants good pictures should strive to
avoid crowding. Get near enough something to
make it the prominent feature of the photograph.
and let whatever else enters into the composition
be so situated to be subordinated to this prin-
cipal theme. One trouble with most Of the photo
graphs made by amateurs is that they contain too
much and nothing IS prominent-nothng so pre-
dominates everything else as to afford per
spective and relief. TWO in a foreground one
to fill the left end Of the plate and the
other midway between the centre and the opposite
end and three times far from the camera, will
make pretty picture whatever else, provided it is
not tree trees. fills the remainder of the space
Three people in natural postures the bank of
clad in dark clothing. a clump of bushes If their
apparel be light colored, make a very attractive
picture, provided they end Of the plate
and not staring at the 1t is best to place
them that they shown at least two
thirds the height of the plate and to have the
taller at the outside, the shorter in centre and
the other the inner side of the group with a
tree. building Flagstaff other tall OBJ
Ject completely filling the height of the plate as a
background for the group, the stream and its
distant shore showing less than half high at the
other end.
1t is well to avoid monotony In composing a pict-
ure. II there are three women in bathing
tunes they should be engaged in as many different
acts associated with bathing. One be sitting
the sand, another talking with the first and ar
ranging her cap, and the third Wrnging her skirt
Two women. one in cycling costume. resting grace
fully her wheel, and the other in characteristic
garb, with her open parasol forming the
background for her head and shoulders, the in
the attitude of conversation look we'll Care should
be exercised, however, to have them
end OF the plate with a distant view of a low
lying field or distant wood the other Avoid get
ting the prominent object in a picture exactly at
the There is other place the plate
where II will not be more pleasing. Portraits
exceptions this excellent rule, and there a
few others. The highest part of a building should
plate, If possible. BY highest part is
necessarily the taIlest. but that which will be tall
in the photograph. II the camera is properly
situated this will be. in most the
corner In the case of church may be the nearer
corner with the steeple little TO side OF the
boder outline nearest the camera. On a beach II
should be a of people. a building a boat
the camera, building or pier Whatever
fill the height OF the plate, to afford both per-
spective and relief.