File:The American annual of photography (1918) (14758079286).jpg

Identifier: americanannualof1918newy (find matches)
Title: The American annual of photography
Year: 1918 (1910s)
Authors:
Subjects: Photography
Publisher: New York : Tennant and Ward
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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primary excuse for this kind of picture.Fitness thereto must govern our choice of models, their ar-rangement and their costuming. Considerable definition isusually demanded in genre pictures; in fact, with most pic-tures that include the human figure. The finding of persons able and willing to pose for genrepictures, or in landscapes, is not an easy task as a rule. Theurban dweller who has professional models at his hand isfortunately situated. Others will have to depend upon friends,remembering to subdue their probably exaggerated zeal, ortrain such models as they can otherwise find. Many genrepictures will be taken of subjects caught on the instant; such,for instance, as one finds about shops or along the wharvesor even in the streets. The one exception to sharp definition is in the picturing ofnudes, which usually fall within the genre classification. Theuse of nude figures is probably the last thing the photographershould undertake, because absolute perfection of technique and 124
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W QI—((/3 12; w m I—I W 125 the most ripened artistic judgment are needed to make suchwork either unobjectionable, effective or beautiful. There isa distinction between the nude and the naked, between thepresentment of an artistic nude amid natural surroundings,and the picture of an undressed person outdoors. The modelfor such work must be draped around with poetry and imag-ination and sentiment or the picture fails. Indeed, it runs thedanger of becoming positively abhorrent. Hence, more or lessdiffusion is always acceptable. The substitution of the veiledfigure for the absolutely nude becomes often advisable; thetreatment of the figure emotionally and ideally rather thanliterally, continually demanded. Deprived of the customary restraint of clothing and the ideaof its protection, the average person is rarely able to move otbe passive naturally. Moreover, the approximately perfectfigure is seldom to be found. The painter corrects the imperfections; the camera lens is deadly accura

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