Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

Ih[ amateur photographer ■a A CINEMATOGRAPHER a October nth, 1933 Perspective in Woodland Photography A Note for the Autumn Landscape Photographer. By C. R. DENTON. THE unexpected vista that you glimpse through the trees is one of the most charming features of an English woodland. A great deal of the charm depends upon the manner in which the amateur photographer treats the perspective of his composition. There are two kinds of perspective — linear and aerial — applied to picture-making. Now is the time of year to practise woodland photography at its best. The foliage is getting thinner and mist is frequently present, particularly in the mornings. In these woodland scenes both linear and aerial perspective help to make a successful picture. In a photographic print you are trying to in¬ clude three dimensions — height, width, and depth — upon a piece of flat paper which has only two dimensions — height and width. You can suggest the height and width of your woodland scene with comparative ease — the idea of space being conveyed by the comparative height and width of your trees. The third dimension — distance or depth — cannot be suggested by such direct methods. How can it be suggested ? By the introduction of linear and aerial perspective. If you examine the photograph that accompanies these notes you will see that the vista of path and trees appears to recede through the wood. This is simply an illusion, because these distant trees are in the same An Autumn woodland scene. plane on paper as the group of fore¬ ground trees, although they appear to be several hundred feet away. In this particular case your eye compares the size of the distant trees with the group in the foreground. You know in your own mind that they are similar in height and width, but owing to the distant trees appearing smaller they give you the illusion of the third dimen¬ sion. This is called linear perspective. This illusion is still further conveyed by the lighting of the subject. You will notice how the sunlight falling upon these trees has lightened their tones very considerably in contrast to the foreground group. If these trees had been rendered in the same monochrome value as the foreground they would not have appeared so far distant. But by being lighter they give the illusion of being farther away, and suggest the intervening atmosphere that is between the near trees and the distant ones on the flat sheet of paper. This is called aerial perspective. In this particular photograph we have the illusion of the third dimen¬ sion — distance — created and empha¬ sised by a combination of two funda¬ mental art principles, linear and aerial perspective. Separation of the planes of the picture would have been still more emphasised and the illusion of distance further assisted if mist had been present. Photographic Competition for Motor Cyclists & Cyclists CLOSING DATE, NOVEMBER 1st. — A REMINDER. OUR readers are reminded that the closing date is drawing near for the photographic competition that was an¬ nounced in these pages some time ago by the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers’ and Traders’ Union, Ltd. The competition is for photographs with a motor cycling or cycling interest. Cash prizes of ^25, £15, /io, and five of £7 2s. will be awarded to the best photographs sent in. We repeat the simple rules and conditions of this competition for the benefit of readers who have not already seen them : — ■ 1. The entries to be photographs taken this year showing beauty-spots within range of the motor cyclist or cyclist ; or photographs of tours, camping and other holiday incidents. The motor cycle or cycle should, if possible, be a feature of or be included in the picture in every case. 2. There are no restrictions regarding type of camera, plate, film or printing process used, and no limit as to the size of prints or number of entries submitted. 3. There are no entry fees, but a coupon, which will be found in the advertisement pages of The Amateur Photographer or The Motor Cycle every week, must be affixed to the back of each print submitted. 4. The copyright of the prize-winning prints to become the property of the B.C. & M.C.M. & T.U. Ltd. Any pictures submitted may be reproduced by The Amateur Photographer or The Motor Cycle at the usual reproduction fee. The competition will be judged by the Editor of The A mateitr Photographer and Cinematographer , whose decision will be final. The winning pictures will be exhibited at the Cycle and Motor Cycle Show at Olympia, November 25th-December 2nd. The closing date for the Competition is November 1st. All entries to be addressed : The Editor, The Amateur Photo¬ grapher and Cinematographer , Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.i. “THE YEAR’S PHOTOGRAPHY” TLIE Royal Photographic Society’s annual publication entitled “ The Year's Photography ” is again this year an attractively produced book of pictures and letterpress, which forms a comprehensive review of the society’s annual exhibition. There are sixty-four pages of reproductions in photogravure which are excellently done, and most of the outstanding pictures in all sections of the show are reproduced. Articles are included by Murry Barford (Pictorial Photographs), J. Dudley Johnston (Lantern Slides), Ralph Chislett (Natural History), and S. O. Rawlings (Record Work). The book, in paper covers, sells at 2s. 6d., and is obtainable from photo¬ graphic dealers or newsagents, or direct from the Royal Photographic Society, 35, Russell Square, London, W.Ca. 8 329