APPENDIX I.
Books on art.
We are continually receiving letters from correspondents asking us to recommend them some books on art.
Now we can deeply sympathize with these earnest fellow-workers, for at one period we wasted much time in vexation of mind in reading the works of “self-appointed preachers, who knew many things save their subject.” When we endeavoured to learn something of art we put the very same question to our teachers, and the answer came, “There is nothing worth reading; some good things have been written by painters but they are old now, for art has developed greatly of late years, one thing only we can advise you, don’t read anything not written by a practical man.”
When we came to consider the writings of artists, we found that but very little had been written by them, and we can only repeat to the student, with the full conviction of experience, that he must read nothing save that written by practical artists.
Technique and Practice of art.
The technique and practice of art can be taught in studios, and its principles can be scientifically recorded, but the poetry of art cannot be taught, only hints can be thrown out. The poetic qualities which make an artist as distinguished from the craftsman are born in a man and cannot be acquired by any amount of training. It is for this reason we must suppose that artists have, as a rule, thrown out suggestions and hints rather than enunciated any laws: these hints and suggestions, then, coupled often with the rhapsodies of literary men, form the body of all writings on art.
The only books we know of from which the student will derive some benefit are Leslie’s “Life of John Constable.”
Books recommended.
William Hunt’s “Talks about Art.”—This excellent little book is often contradictory and illogical, but nevertheless we heartily recommend it.
Photographic libraries.
In the body of this work we spoke of recommending a few books which every photographer should have in his library, and if he has no library he should at once make a modest beginning. The library is, to the intellectual man, the armoury wherein are kept the arms which he must wield in the battle for truth.
Every photographic society in the world, worthy of the name, should collect all journals, pamphlets, and books bearing on photography, as well as all books illustrated by photography and photographic processes. Scrap-books should be kept in which are pasted all newspaper and magazine articles on photographic subjects. Photography is but young, and there is plenty of time to make such a collection complete. If all the numerous societies subscribed, it might be worth while to reprint whole volumes of rare journals.
The numerous photographic societies in this country could easily get library subscriptions, or even organize entertainments amongst their members and friends to procure the necessary funds for a library.
Books recommended.
The Camera Club has set an admirable example in this direction which will no doubt be followed. Among the books we should recommend the student to begin with are—
| Captain Abney’s Treatise on Photography, Longman and Co. | ||
| Professor Tyndall’s Lectures on Light, Longman and Co. | ||
| Dr. Lömmer’s Optics and Light Dr. Vogel’s Chemistry of Light and Photography | } | International Science Series. |
| The late Mr. Sawyer’s ABC of Carbon Printing. The Autotype Company. | ||
| Dr. Eder’s Modern Dry Plates, Piper, Carter, and Co. | ||
| Dr. Ganot’s Physics, Longman and Co. | ||
| Professor Roscoe’s Lessons in Elementary Chemistry, Macmillan. | ||
| The late Professor Bloxham’s Laboratory Teaching, Macmillan. | ||
| Messrs. Hardwich and Taylor’s Photographic Chemistry, Churchill. | ||
| Mr. Jerome Harrison’s History of Photography, Trübner and Co. | ||
Dr. Wilson’s edition of Burnet’s Treatise on Painting. This book can be obtained of Messrs. Lund and Co., St. John Street, Bradford.
The late Mr. Baden Pritchard’s Photographic Studios of Europe, Piper, Carter, and Co.
Mr. Bolas' Cantor Lectures on Photo-mechanical Processes, Piper, Carter, and Co.
Mr. Hodgson’s Modern Methods of Book Illustration.—Mr. Hodgson’s was the first book on photo-mechanical processes, and it still remains one of the best.
Dr. Liesgang’s Manual of Carbon Printing, Sampson Low and Co.
Messrs. Welford and Sturmey’s Photographer’s Indispensable Handbook. Iliffe and Son.
Mr. Chapman Jones' Science and Practice of Photography. Iliffe and Son.
Traité Encyclopédique de Photographie, par Dr. Charles Fabre. Paris, Gauthier-Villars.