PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION. 19 
easier to make something out of an over-exposed than an under- 
exposed negative, but it is fatal to all artistic work. 
Gordon’s and Ferguson’s prints were sent up to a Public School 
competition at Uppingham, where their order was reversed, G. Fer- 
guson taking the second, and Gordon the third place. 
REMARKS UPON THREE SETS OF PHOTOGRAPHS. 
These are submitted to me as being pictures in some competition, 
but what the nature of the competition is I am not informed. In all 
competitions rules are laid down, but as I am ignorant of these I will 
simply take the pictures as they are and remark upon them. First I 
must say that pictures are judged in three ways, viz : 
1. Composition. 
2. Light and shade. 
3. Technical excellence. 
These three are sometimes demanded in every competition, some- 
times 1 and 2 are criticised to the exclusion of No. 3, and where any 
doubt exists as to the merits of 1 and 2, No. 3 would have the casting 
vote. 
1. The best series is marked G. F. C. Gordon, mounted _half- 
plate pictures. 
2. The second best: quarter-plates, mounted, and marked 
Ferguson. 
3. The third are in an envelope, T. G. R. Reeves. 
In the three series one picture only has any approach to composi- 
ticn : viz. a view of a mountain torrent, signed on the back with my 
initials, F.D.; but it is uncer-exposed and the light and shade marred 
by an over headlight. I am aware that when out for a holiday it is 
not always possible to chose one’s time, but in a competition possibil- 
ities are not taken into account, we can only judge by results. With 
this exception Gordon’s series err on the side of over-exposure. For 
technical excellence the series is far ahead of the others, and to him 
as well as the other young dabblers in the black art [ offer my 
congratulations, particularly that they are not too proud to submit 
their beginnings to be torn in pieces by a relentless judge 
The next series marked Ferguson are nearly all under exposed, 
consequently the quantity of the light and shade is difficult to deter- 
mine ; the composition is marred by endeavouring to get too much of 
the subject into the picture. The technical excellence has not been 
