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Photography : its Aims and Methods. 



By E. W. Barlow, Esq., F.R.A.S. 



(Read before the Photographical Section o?i December ist, ipio). 



Although the title of this paper is a somewhat wide one, I have 

 had a very definite idea in mind while writing it, viz., to review 

 the different types of photography as they exist among us 

 to-day, to define clearly their separate aims and to take some 

 general notice of the methods by which these aims are achieved. 



When photography was first introduced its marvellous powers 

 of rendering detail and its ability to copy exactly the objects placed 

 before the camera excited unbounded admiration, as well they might 

 do. Since that time each ensuing year has witnessed the extension 

 of the uses of photography in ever-widening fields of scientific and 

 technical knowledge, until we can now hardly imagine modern life 

 without it. 



During this period but chiefly within the last thirty-five years, 

 a movement, consisting of a departure from orthodox methods of 

 photographic procedure and having for its object the employment of 

 the medium as a means of artistic expression, has arisen, slowly and 

 doubtfully at first, but gradually gaining strength as it felt its way, 

 so to speak, until it resulted in what is known as artistic or pictorial 

 photography. 



Photography therefore has now two quite separate and totally 

 distinct aims and I wish to emphasise clearly their divergence and to 

 explain as far as possible the characteristic qualities of each. The 

 twofold nature of modern photography is illustrated by the appel- 

 lation of " the art- science " which it has received. 



It is of the utmost importance that all who take up photo- 

 graphy should fully recognise this difference and of what it 

 consists. Otherwise their work will fail by falling between the two 

 stools. The two great aims of serious photography are (i) Record 

 and scientific work, (2) Artistic work. I need not dwell on either the 

 nature or utility of the former, that is, of the exact and detailed 

 copying of objects, places and operations. 



Every branch of science owes a great debt to photography, 

 finding its co-operation invaluable. In many instances, notably in 

 astronomy, actual discoveries have been made by its means, some of 

 which could not otherwise have been achieved at all. The value, 

 also, of the records of daily life in our books and papers can hardly 

 be over-estimated, either from the standpoint of ourselves or of 

 posterity. 



In considering the other definite branch of photography, in 

 which the camera is used as a means of artistic expression, I 

 cannot do better than repeat the following words, written by 

 Antony Guest: — 4 'To set forth the distinction in a simple way 

 between the artistic and inartistic in photography it may be said 



