Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-16

~ y January is an interesting eX
| HI II hibition of pictorial pilot oGraphs
will ne opened to the public by
the National Geographic Society in
Hubbard Memorial Hall. These photo
graphs We're taken by the Peruvian en-
petitions of the National Geographic
Society and Yale University in 1871,
l191e. 1918. 1914 and 1915. under the
direction of Prof. Hiram Bingham of
Yale. They are i'll fact, for the most
part the work of Prof. Bingham and
represent an unusual combination OF
scientific knowledge and artistic IN
stinct. The 155 prints to be exhibited
are engagements of tiny pictures
selected from no less than 10000 mega
tives made in the five years.
The first real function of photoS-
raphy is to bear witness-to give hon
est, reliable testinony-but THIS II does
not always do. Nothing can be more re
dishonest than camera unSkilNuiiN
handled But these photographs carry
conviction. They bring TO the observer
a realizing sense of places heretofore
unseen and even unknown. Broad views
are set forth with comprehensive
sense of distance. but at the same time
detail is accurately shown. Technically;
these are wonderful photographs anu
artiStically many merit hlSn prdisc'
To get such effects as Prof. BlnG nam
has obtained requires choice of view
point and of time. An artist may com
pose his own picture. but me photoS
Iaphers compositions must ne iouho
ready made and he must search Tor
them diligently and with discerning
eve. The light furthermore must ne
Just right.
The photographer in this instance has
NOT resorted to the eXpedients some
! nv nj
to secure artistic results: he has never
apparently, for moment IorSo,.en
that he is first a scientist: his pictures
explain themselves and at the same
time internret nature 1t is not dull.
dry tale they tell. but one fun OF action
and romance
| There are pictures in this collection.
recalling the art OF the ahciehts' Pio
|ture; of the lost city. begun by the
predecessors of the lncas, probablE
1000 years ago, which was discovered
by Prof. Bingham. and has been IN
covered by the expeditions unoer ms
charge-a wonderful record of a past
civilization shown in its arts OF build
ing and decoration. This city was set
900 feet above the sea. in one OF the
most inaccessible parts of the Andes.
sixty miles north of CuZce. Peru. IN
il are about 200 edifices, built OF white
granite, including palaces, temples,
shrines baths, fountains and many
stairways.
A picture of one of these SsalrWaSS
lis most interesting. recalling to the
traveller stairways of similar character
found in Bella gio, on Lake Como. There
are some really wonderful views OF the
country, it's mountains. plains and val
leys. and almost always In connection
with either human or animal life- y
picture of oxen on a bare hillside gives
la surprisingly fine impression OF land
formation and contours, as well as a
pictorial sense of size.
There are two pictures of a rapidly
flowing stream, which are full of mo-
ton, or rather the illusion OF motion
Some of the views of snow-covered
mountain slopes give splendid spacious
suggestion. There are some fine rem
behring's of cloud effects.
Best of all. perhaps. is the 1915 group,
in which will be found picture of the