The Washington times., 1902-07-07
Evolutions Frora Incep-
ton to Date Form In
tereStlng Study
WONDERFUL STRIDES MADE
Difficulties Experienced in Posing Sub
jects-Few People Able to Take Ma
tural or Graceful Position-Actresse
Best at This Business.

Evolutions in photography from the
time OF our forefathers to the present
day form exceedingly interesting study
and one well worth a little research.
picture taken thirty or even twenty
years ago looks like a caricature when
compared to the exquisite work of the
camera of today. The pose of the former
is strikingly humorous and the facial
expression is usually one indicative CT
torture.
Time was when photographer would
seat his subject, straighten his shoulders
by main force, fasten his head into an
impossible position by the aid OF dang
erous looking pronged instrument and
then give him the absurd admonition 10
look pleasant" II anyone ever had the
courage to look pleasant under those
circumstances, then he should be includ-
ed either in the list of heroes whose
deeds were not those of the battlefield or
else he is entitled to a niche among the
geniuses of his age.
Photography has only become an art
study within the past few years Form
erly the photographer main idea was
to get the real likeness, but in attempt
ing to do SO he neglected so many other
things that his efforts resulted in some
of the best caricatures known to the
present generation. An artist, an adept
in the latter form of drawing, could
hardly do better than many of the pic
ture takers of twenty years ago.
One of the chief faults OF the earlier
pictures was the undue prominence Civ
en- the hands and feet No matter how
dainty, how well-formed ones hands
and feet may happen to be. their monop-
oily of the foreground of a picture has
its Inconvenience. Some of the old
photographs and tintypes present start
ling developments OF this kind. In ad-
dition to the tendency to accentuate the
hands and feet it would seem that the
so-called artist photographer had ex-
hausted his ingenuity in an attempt to
get them into the worst position pos
sible.
Unnatural Figure Positions.
Some of them show the figure III an
upright attitude, with one
hand and sometimes both propped up
stiiiiy on the fingers. The feet are US
ually crossed in what is evidently
meant TO be an easy position. but which
gives them the appearance of two IMAM
mate objects that have gotten into the
picture by mistake.
4, 80. ~
Efforts of the old-time photographer are
not to be surpassed In point of variety. |
Many of them have the expression of
,onvicts who have just heard their own |
ieath warrants read and are waiting for |
he fatal summons. Others appear to |
have heard bad news from home just as
he man snapped the picture. Then 1t is |
always an easy matter TO determine
which pictures have been taken by the |
aid OF little bird on stick or the |
tinkle of n music-bOx placed in n con-
yenient corner of the gallery. In these
after the sitter's eyes, as rule. have |
IN expectant stare-a look that sug-
,ests choirs celestial or a particular
of belladonna.
The dress OF that time did much to
emphasize the awkwardness of pic
ure There was an absence OF graceful
.urves. all one could see being the wide
.preading hoop skirt of the women and
he peculiarly unbecoming long tailed
oats and baggy trousers of the men
Affairs. photographically speaking.
lave been completely revolutionized
Turing the past few years. The pho
ographer of today makes his profession
s much OF & study as the lawyer or the
octcr Every little detail is studied
nd reasoned ont. The moment patron
nters a gallery the photographer begins
o study him or her, as the case may be.
he light and shade of facial expression
:, OF course, one OF the most important
actors, and the natural grace of the
erscn or the absence of ii contribute
luch to the success or failure Of tho
Handling the Hands.
Contrary to a general understanding.
he hest results are not obtained by al
owing the subject to fall into what he
r she deems a natural and comfortable