_8, Kingsland Green, January 29, 1872._
SUGGESTION FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.
_To the_ EDITORS.
GENTLEMEN,—The continued complaints which one heard from people after
the close of our photographic exhibition, that they had not seen it, did
not know when it opened or when it had closed, and the strong interest
they felt in it, induce me to believe that a comprehensive exhibition of
photography in all its shapes—the new processes, the landscape and
humanity of different countries, &c., &c.—might be made of very great
interest, and to pay its way as well.
In the spring, and even now, London is filled with collections of
paintings, which make photographs look tame. In the International
Exhibition they are equally put out; and if they are to be seen and
judged properly they must be in an exhibition by themselves. No
intelligent collector hangs works in colour with photographs or
engravings; and exhibition goers, passing from a gallery of pictures,
will not stop to look at photographs. If, therefore, we could, under the
direction of the photographic societies, make in October a collection of
cosmopolitan photography, and connect with it a display and comparison
of lenses of all makers, we should enable the art to claim its just
consideration.
Colonel Stuart Wortley’s suggestion as to contributions of negatives
would give a photographic exhibition, if adopted, a special technical
interest; and we might in this include examples of negatives by the dry
processes.
The question of retouching might be decided without difference of
opinion by having two classes of works—one touched on the negative, and
the other in which no touching other than stopping out pinholes should
be permitted. If awards are made—and in this I recall Colonel Wortley’s
mention of the medal of the Photographic Society—no award should be made
for a touched negative unless a print from it before touching should be
submitted _to the judges_ at the same time, but not necessarily for
exhibition.
It is clear that when we talk of excellence in photography we mean
something other than what a draughtsman may do in the way of
supplementing photography. Works which do not enter for an award may
omit mention of the distinction I have indicated.
I believe that such an exhibition would excite a very general interest,
and do more to improve the knowledge of photographers on practical
details than years of casual acquaintance of what other men do.
I am, to a certain extent, an outsider, and cannot do more than suggest;
but I hope that some of the influential masters of the camera will take
up the question.—I am, yours, &c.,