The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-02
LOOK NATURAL WHEN
HAVING PHOTO TOOK"

When one considers In what a stiff and
| self-conscious way one usually sits for IA
photograph Ii Is not strange that the pic
ture Is frequently unsatisfactory. Photog-
raphy nowadays is carried to such an art
that the most exquisite effects may be
gained and the most commonplace type
OF woman look like a poets dream. This
is charming, In a sense. but not altogether
| satisfactory from the likeness point Of
view, and II is the photograph that might
| be sent to n stranger to convey an idea
of ones real looks which one wishes To
attain.
No matter how skilful the photographer
Is he cannot do this unless aided by the
sitter, and Il should be the effort of every
woman before camera TO be responsive
to the demands upon her. III she Is this
she will Took natural and pleasant with
out being told to do Il, and will avoid the
frozen smile that ruins more than one pic
ture.
To put into precise words what this re-
sponsveness consists of Is trife diff
cult, but Intelligence has much to do with
II, and sincere desire to get the effect
the photographer Is aiming for. Ii wo-
man is thinking of helping the operator
she will forget herself In n great measure,
and the greatest difficulty of self-con-
sciousness has been overcome.
To pose like a tragedy or comedy queen
before a camera is bound to be unsatis-
factory In the end, and IL Is mistake to
dress uncommonly or extravagantly for
a picture.
For such costumlng detracts from the
familiar characteristics of the sitter ana
again the picture Is spoiled. If woman
will remember that photographers knows
much more about the business than she
does and that II is for the credit of his
reputation that he shall turn out the best
possible results, she may be more willing
to do and dress as he tells her than to
follow her own ideas.
one of the best photographers in this
country has gone back to Paris after
working year In New York.
IL am hurting myself here" she said
In explanation II have more sittings
booked than I could get through In six
months, but ye gods the objects! They
know SO much more about the work than
do. one woman, for example, came to
me yesterday bringing French svening
frock that she insisted upon wearing. IL
was smart and expensive. but IL was
about as much suited To her individual
style as Il would have been to a heather
Chinese. III she had taken a soft. simple
gown with straight lines she would nave
been charming, and ! could have turned
out an artistic picture.
"As II was she refused any but the robe
she had brought and | am obliged to do
eight pictures OF that making her look
sight, each going out signed with my
name | can't afford that"
Don't NJ YOU are short and stout. ask
the artist TO make picture OF you fun
length. He will II you insist. but he
knows he is doing great wrong thereby.
Nothing s more graceful and pleasing I'm
n picture OF a stout person than a sitting
at half length. the figure so turned as TO
hide the stoutness If a woman is slim
and angular she should not forget that
full length figure will make her appear
more slim and angular. Then the pretty
bust picture Is her only hope and she
should insist on having none other.s one
thing bear In mind when YOU visit the
studo-bring along your home expression.