( 9 ) 



decidedly more picturesque in the irregularity of its parts. Another 

 very general and agreeable composition is that in which the greatest 

 mass is allowed to take a position a little to either right or left of the 

 centre, sloping towards the sides, the objects which balance it being 

 placed in close proximity (Fig. 8). 



In the infinite variety of aspect in which nature is presented to us, 

 it is obvious no code of rules could be formulated to adequately suit all 



circumstances, so that one's own personal judgment must be largely 

 relied upon for selection and arrangement, and, in proportion to the 

 artistic knowledge we possess, so will depend the success or otherwise of 

 our productions. 



Strong Lights. 



It must be remembered that brilliant light and strength of tone act 

 in a powerful manner on composition. A very small quantity of black 

 and white in violent contrast wUl require a large amount of middle or 

 half-tone to subdue it and preserve the harmony of the whole. 



You will allow me to suggest, when photographing from nature, thfi 

 necessity of bearing in mind those colours which are likely to give these 

 strong contrasts when reduced to black and white, in order that you may 

 make due allowance for their balance in your composition. I am told it 

 is an excellent plan to use a piece of cobalt blue glass when selecting ji 

 subject, as the tones can more readily be estimated by this means rather 

 than on the ground glass. 



