And trees 35 



of the most beautiful flowers are in pendent clusters of 

 racemes, and cannot be laid down without losing all form 

 and grace. The fragrant blossom of our common wild 

 locust is one of these subjects, and not only must it hang, 

 but hang at the same angle a.s on the tree, if a natural 

 photograph is to be obtained. Indeed, the artistic 

 worker will in every case try to so dispose the flowers 

 he is endeavoring to perpetuate upon glass as to give a 

 natural air to them. "Bouquets" are usually stiff and 

 abominable, uflless they closely follow nature's disposi- 

 tion of bloom, bud and leaf. 



In photographing these difficult pendent subjects, I 

 have Usually found it best to use a vase, kept out of the 

 composition if at all possible, though Sometimes it must 

 show. Sometimes, too, the flowers are secured on longer 

 branches, and tied in a natural position, the branch run- 

 ning off the side of the plate. A little experience will 

 soon show the worker of artistic tendencies how many 

 beautiful things he can do, if he mixes much brains with 

 his developer, plates and camera. 



I cannot leave this section of flower- 

 Suggestions, photography in natural size without sug- 

 gesting some lines of work. The earnest 

 amateur will soon be delighted with what can be done, 

 and he will want a definite object. It is easily had. 

 Take up a whole family — the rose, for instance. Follow 

 it from the lovely sweet-brier through the glories of reds, 

 whites, pinks and yellows of every form and style and 

 fragrance, clear to the newer single types, as the dainty 

 multiflora, the royal Rugosa, the vigorous Wichuraiana. 

 Take up the blossoms of fruit trees, and get keen 

 enjoyment out of cherry, apple, pear, plum and quince 

 flowers, finding many difficulties and much satisfaction. 

 Or hunt up the common, yet unobserved flowers of our 

 native trees — the white maple in early March, the Ameri- 

 can elm right after it, the red and the Norway maples, 

 the catkins of birch and poplar, the gorgeous horse chest- 

 nut, the lovely dogwoods. I well remember the enjoy- 

 ment I had in mystifying friends with a photograph of 

 the flowers of the Norway maple, which all admired, and 

 none recognized. And the exquisite yellow, green and 

 orange flowers of our native tulip tree, the Liriodendron, 

 when photographed in true values, will also astonish 

 and please. The splendid white blossoms of the dog- 

 wood are attractive, and difficult enough. 



The "promised land" is open to every nature-lover; 

 go up and possess it. No aristocratic orchids need 

 apply ; this is a democracy of beauty for all. 



