Reforms in exhibitions.
We hope the reforms regarding exhibitions which we have for years advocated, and more fully set forth in a photographic journal, in an article entitled “An Ideal Exhibition,” may some day be adopted, but we cannot be very sanguine. However, until some such reforms are adopted, photography must struggle on in darkness, and the blind will continue to lead the blind; and all we can do is to caution others, and ourselves avoid the guidance of the blind, unless we too wish to be led into the ditch.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONCLUSION.
Advice.
We have then finished Book II., and we presume that the student has now mastered his technique and practice, but the end is not yet. The student may thoroughly understand the scientific side of photography, he may have mastered completely the use of his tools and he may be able to produce impressions on his plates such as he desires, but the end is not yet, for now he has to learn the practice and principles of art, he has to prove whether he can be an artist, for such is only given to a few. All can learn to draw, to paint, to photograph, to etch, but they may remain draughtsmen, painters, photographers, etchers all their lives, and never become artists. The history of art shows indeed how few become artists at all, and as for those who become great artists, they are as scarce as great poets. The student then must study art in some form or other, as well as his own technique and practice, which he could learn alone if he followed our instructions. Art, however, cannot so be learned, and the student should, if possible, attend some art classes. There are numerous art schools throughout the kingdom, and our student cannot do better than enter one of them and go through a course of drawing. Though no very profound knowledge is to be obtained at such schools, what is taught is better than nothing at all, and after all the student cannot expect to get the best advice on the matter, that is given to but the very few and fortunate.
In the next book we shall give what advice we can, but at the same time our student must study practically some branch of art; unless, indeed, he wishes to become one of the mighty band of art-ignorant craftsmen, or unless he is so fortunate as to be cast amongst highly talented artists, to whom he can easily apply for advice. For having learned his technique and practice he has but learned how to speak, he can only show his calibre by what he has to say and how he says it, just as all the world can write yet only the highly trained can write artistically.
In a very few months the student will see, if he is fitted by nature to become an artist, and if he is not our advice is give it up, or take up one of the scientific special branches, and if he is incapable of doing good work there, he must content himself to play at photography, as too many photographers do now, but in our opinion the art is not worth playing at, there are so many more satisfying games when play is the end and aim.
BOOK III.
PICTORIAL ART.
“He does not sufficiently understand that things are of value only according to their fundamental qualities, and he still believes that the care with which a thing is done, even if it is aimless, ought to be taken into account. In fact it would be a good thing to make him understand that things exist only to the extent of the stuff they contain.”
J. François-Millet.