Letters on Landscape Photography by Henry Peach Robinson

Author:Henry Peach Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781936102129
Publisher: Hol Art Books
Published: 1888-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

No. VI

Various Subjects

We did not finish the day’s work in the last letter. Indeed, we have only taken one picture and parts of another. But if that one picture is right, we have done a good day’s work. For I do not count the value of the day’s work by the quantity of pictures secured; yet I, as do all other enthusiastic photographers, like to get all I can out of one of the few days in the year that are perfect for the practice of our art.

On our way up the mountain we passed a small lake—Llyn Gweryd—a wild tarn amongst the hills, on which we have often enjoyed pleasant sails and rows in the summer days, and fishing with the long line from the punt in the evening twilight of, the days in the photographic time of year. Let us see what kind of picture we can make of the boat-house, which is a picturesque, weather-worn wooden building, covered with decayed and moss-grown thatch. We get out the old punt, in which there is room for ten or a dozen people. This we draw to the bank to the right of our picture, and it makes a grand object for our foreground. It should keep clear of the boat-house, which is to the left, and allow the boat and any figures we may have to appear dark against the shining waters of the lake beyond. In the middle distance is a tiny island with a tree or two on it, and beyond a beautiful curve of the banks of the lake, fringed with low trees and undergrowth, and backed with hills which are far enough off to look pale and atmospheric. This is not a case for rustic figures, so our models are useless. But here come some of the lazy people from the house who find it too hot to paint or play tennis. We will impress them into our service. We will take the camera a sufficient distance away to avoid making the figures too important. What we want is a landscape with a little life in it to give additional interest. The party from the house is coming nearer. Don’t let them know what you are going to do. The punt is so placed that some of them, with their aquatic propensities, cannot fail to jump aboard. It follows as I said. One of the men takes up a boat-hook and walks to the head of the punt to steady it while the others get in. Another man now jumps in, and is helping a lady to get on board, while several others stand on the bank waiting their turn. Now is your time. Yell out, “Steady all, keep your places.” They know what you mean, and keep as they are while you make a little alteration in the group—not more than you can help, and without fuss.

The man with the boat-hook should put some action into his figure, and the others

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