*A note about this article – it was transcribed on company of this entertainment without behalf of the Archives Service Center at the including among the list an amateur University of Pittsburgh from an original news clipping [The Pittsburgh Leader, Sunday, photographer. October 28, 1888]. Large spaces in the Photographic concerns, realizing document are intentional as these are areas what an important part this will have to where text on the available copy was missing. do with everything of a social nature, ------independent of the other various uses to which it can be put, have almost an ENTHUSIASTIC AMATEURS endless style and variety of cameras now ______in the market, with innumerable RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF improvements both to simplify and PHOGRAPHY IN OUR MIDST better the results being introduced A List of Local Artists Who Have Taken almost daily. Up the Study and Made Name and Fame Outfits are advertised extensively by Their Artistic Work—The Practical throughout the country for the beginner, Purposes to Which the Art Can be Put from the $10 apparatus to those that cost for Profit as Well as For Pastime. for the more advanced pupils, away up in the hundreds of dollars, and from The rage for amateur which plates are finished that may well photographing increases as each year grace the drawing rooms of our most rolls by, and as it has come to be so palatial residences. popular for its artistic pleasure and Fishing clubs and other pleasure unlimited possibilities in the way of parties making extended tours, both at perfections, it is no wonder it has been home and abroad, never fail on their taken hold of and studied in its many return, to supply a large list of scenes branches by such a large number of our taken fro the enjoyment of the more local people. unfortunate ones who have remained at In fact, all stages of society have home, giving for their inspection and their representative amateur comment a fair representation of the fun photographers, and no association, party, had and the beauties of the natural club, or meeting of nay kind is scenery encountered, as well as the considered complete unless pictures of works of architecture or the ruins visited. the proceedings can be had to keep as For the various subjects, different souvenirs. The dramatic club, with is styles of lenses must be used; for gallery complement of actors, would no more work it requires a portrait. If the subject think of undertaking a performance be landscape view work without a photographic display of the the rapid produce the best characters and surrounding at its close, results, while, for views, the than would the picnic party or the family wide-angle lens produces the most group at a dinner, where four favorable results. For smaller pictures, generations participate. It has almost where space is an object in packing or become a breach in etiquette to give any carrying an instrument form point to social entertainment, unless the scene be point on ones’ travels, or for use on photographed as a keepsake for those in bicycle tours, the Detective, Kodask or attendance, and it would be quite a the Instantograph seem to enjoy the difficult matter to select a fair-sized monopoly.

1 The beginner almost invariably Of course perfect pictures are made at all makes in the first few attempts an seasons, especially so from February to excellent picture of some subject, to December, but it is pretty generally such an extent that his head swells conceded by all amateurs that the first proportionately and he believes he mentioned month produces the best knows it all; but his self0assurance is average results. soon destroyed with the change in For beginners what is termed a weather or the hundred and one other slow plate should be used; it will afford difficulties which present themselves in chances to rectify mistakes, and when an future attempts. It is only by patient exposure is made will not require such study and a compete memoranda of all close timing as the instantaneous. A few work done in the past; of time, weather seconds in cases where the light is good, and effects, that the amateur arrives at or extra minutes on a longer timed any state of perfection. When this plan subject, will be less noticeable and is adopted I is an earnest that one is produce a result which will be thoroughly interested in the art, and it satisfactory; on the other hand, will not belong ere the novice is able to instantaneous work must be timed to the fully complete each of his subjects, exact second in order to obtain a good which is a simple process when picture, and while it requires a more thoroughly understood. advanced pupil to work successfully, As between male and female produces results which cannot be amateur photographers, a difference obtained by the slower method, taking generally exists in the style of pictures with lightning-like rapidity the subject in taken; the woman who is naturally more motion as well as the still. tasty and particular in her subjects, It is surprising what an important shows an originality and style part the camera plays in most of the throughout her work, which is of the landscape painting of the present. more delicate and refined style, requiring Formerly the artist sought the shaded them for perfection; the man, like in mot nook he painted, at a specified hour each things of the kind he undertakes, is more day, to secure the delicate shading which impetuous and his work is generally of is everything for his profit and that sort, where his nervous energy can reputations. Often on account of a be expended in what is called change in the weather the effect would instantaneous views, requiring excellent be lost, necessitation a long and anxious judgment and a prompt and unhesitating wait on his part. Now he carries with manipulation of the camera. To him in all his meanderings a camera, call complete a picture, after securing all the the “Artist ,” and secures the apparatus necessary, the cost will vary, lights and shadows ……………..where but generally ranges from twelve to it previously required weeks to obtain. twenty cents each, according to the A flock of sheep to be introduced in the mounting used. painting can, by this method, be The best season in the year for photographed in all their natural photographing is during February, the positions while fielding or resting, with sun rays and atmosphere seeming to the best effects of light or shadow, and afford powers for perfect outlining that be so faithfully and actually portrayed cannot be equaled at any other time. that the painting with this help can only

2 fail on account of the artist’s inability to S. Bell is an expert and reproduce perfectly. employs his moments with any sized Aside from the many practical camera, from to the largest size, which uses to which the camera can be put, its is 18x22 . Perhaps his best effort is a use alone for pleasure is enough to picture “Snow and Sunshine,” and warrant a large number of advocates; which has forth a good deal of even to such an extent that in our midst comment and . at the present day, a flourishing amateur T. Carter manipulates a 5x8 photographing society exists, Scoville camera and Dallmeyer lens. He independent of numerous other has been photographing off and on for individual who carry on the art for their quite a while, can be looked upon sole satisfaction and amusement. as one of the pioneers. His taste in The Pittsburgh Amateur photography is of the kind and he Photographers’ society was organized on was the inventor of the folding tripod. May 25, 1885, and from the fruits of this W. H. Nimick uses the Blair first meeting has sprung the following camera and Euryscope lens. While his list of local amateur photographers who productions make a fair average with his are well known by the work they have cotemporaries, he has of late not been so accomplished. The original meeting of ardent in the pastime of picture-taking. this society was held in the office of F. R. C. Perrin has a Blair camera George S. Orth, and the following and Darlot lens. He is very enthusiastic, officers were elected: A. S. Murray, taking a great many pictures when president; George S. Orth, vice business will permit. Being careful with president; F.R.C. Perrin, corresponding all subjects he undertakes, he is above secretary, and W. E. VonBonnhorst, the average in his results. He has a treasurer. Other members were: F. penchant for photographing machinery, Smythe, T.K. Gray, J.R. Hunter and W. and has taken prizes in this line at all the H. Nimick. The object of the society society exhibitions. as now, was for mutual improvement A. K. Nimick carries a Compact and to further the art. Meetings have camera and Beck lens, as well as one of been held each month, and each time the Prazmowski’s make, and in his travels of memberships showed large gains, though Florida and Mexico he never the society now has over one hundred fails to have his outfit with him. names on the membership list. It has L. S. Clarke devotes most of his required no little care and trouble for the time to the Detective camera, and with LEADER to procure the following list of excellent results. Some of his views of amateur photographers with the kind of the late centennial occasion are cameras and lenses they have been remarkably good. He is a prize winner using: George S. Orth uses a Blair at all the society exhibitions. camera and a Prazmowski lens, the latter William Connell boasts of his being the first of the kind ever Blair camera and Prazmowski lens. introduced here. He was W hile he is very enthusiastic over the successful with it that at the last annual occupation, he has of late not had much exhibition he won the prize in his class. time to devote to this pleasure. He most of his work to architectural subjects and is uniformly successful.

3 Louis Koelle has a 5x8 Scovill camera and Prazmowski lens. For many camera and Waterbury lens. He is years past he has given the art careful somewhat of an artist in coloring study and to-day is considered an photographs, and uses the camera for authority among amateurs. The figures and groups. principal views he has taken embrace Dr. C. A. Wilson employs his scenery about Rock point and some camera, a 5x8 Scovill, in the operating excellent views of the family homestead, room at the Homeopathic hospital of where his earlier days were spent. scientific purposes. W. E. VonBonnhorst is a pioneer John Carlin has an 8x10 Anthony photographer; being well up in the art he outfit, and is always found on hand for has taken numberless good views, but any excursion planned by the society of while still enthusiastic, of late years he which he is an active member. has not been very active in the work, A. S. Murray is the oldest and having business cares and most enthusiastic amateur photographer responsibilities which demand most of in the vicinity. His first experience dates his time. back to the tin type era when an outfit T. J. McTighe, who has lately was given to him as a birthday gift, and been residing in New York, is an which he worked with more or less enthusiastic photographer. He wields a success for quite a while; this was 4x5 Scoville outfit and does excellent followed up with the more elaborate wet execution with it. plate apparatus which required a house J. W. Brown uses the Blair and wagon to transport. In those days it camera and Dallmeyer lens; he is fond of required for exposure of one plate the travel and on all excursions from this dark-room rigged up on the ground. city takes with him this outfit. His South While taking pictures under such Fork scenes have been admired by circumstances, when dry plates first many, principally the groups h has taken came out, it is no wonder he was quick around the cottages. to catch on. At present he uses a A. G. Barnett on all his summer Detective camera, and makes the vacations takes with him his Blair assertion that the time is not far distant camera and Euryscope lens. To better when both the tripod and focusing cloth his opportunities for landscape scenes he will be dispensed with entirely. He has has made frequent trips in his buggy to photographed from Maine to California. various points of interest, and his results F. Smythe uses a Blair camera have always been more than satisfactory. and Beck lens and executes excellent Willie Walker uses the Blair work. He devotes all the time he can camera and Beck lens; is an enthusiast spare from bicycle riding to the and admirable photographer and has seductive art. won several special prizes at the annual H. Hunter works with a Blair exhibitions of the society. camera and Darlot lens, photographing N. Wells has won prizes on every machinery landscape, or exhibit, and usually in very large classes. figure work; he has with electric His work is accomplished with a Blair light …………… camera and Prazmowski lens, and he is Wrenshall owns one of the considered away up among the amateur complete outfits, composed of a photographers.

4 J. O. Horne’s principal pictures J. T. Wood, on Saturday, when have been taken at South Fork, and his he has recreation after school duties, best effort was in taking a group there, employs his time with a Blair camera catching each person in the nick of time and Darlot lens. His results from snap- with a wide-open expression on their shots of the campus are good, and make countenances. He uses a Blair camera a diary for him to keep of his school-boy and Anthony lens. days. H. G. Otis has a Petite camera, Marvin Scaife while traveling which he uses principally for lantern abroad, found the necessity of a good slides, and works with good results. photographing outfit for taking scenes G. A. Hays consoles himself with through the lands he journeyed in, and a Compact camera and Prazmowski lens. bought an English camera and He has worn out the case of his outfit in Prazmowski lens. As a result he has in carrying it through West Virginia his possession now a complete looking for old clocks. His battlefield illustration of his trip. scenes, as well as architectural subjects, Lucien Scaife is the owner of a have been admired by his many friends. 5x8 Scovill outfit with which he has G. M. Newcomer uses his 4x5 made some most satisfactory views Blair outfit for photographing test about Harpers Ferry. columns. He does not do much other Horace Moorehead has a work than in this line. Compact camera and Prazmowski lens. W. E. Lincoln takes his Scovill He has taken his outfit to Colorado and camera and Prazmowski lens with him secured excellent photographs of the into the White mountains, and his geysers and basin-fountains as wells as landscape scenes have won for him interesting views of the Garden of the several prizes. His hobby is Gods. instantaneous work, and locomotives his Theodore Tonnele won a prize special subjects. on single figure composition, with his G. V. Marshall is a member of Blair camera and Beck lens some two Hampton’s battery, and the products years since. from his Blair camera and Euryscope Reed Bailey makes a specialty of lens of scenes about the Little Round photographing machinery; he uses a Top mountain taken for many years Blair camera and Morrison lens with successively, illustrate the changes from good results. the war-like then until the peaceful now. E. C. Schmertz works with an Thomas Kennedy devotes most Anthony outfit and his subjects generally of his time to making lantern slides with turn out in the most satisfactory manner. his Lancaster camera and Darlot lens. O. C. Ganter is the photographic His excellent work won for him a prize member of the Soho fishing club: he and at the last exhibition. his camera are indispensable C. F. Sidell, when out with his paraphernalia on all excursions made by bicycle, takes his Blair camera and the club, and the views he has taken on Prazmowski lens. Some of his pictures their various trips are away above the taken at Gypsy camp during the past average. summer are excellent. He is above the T. K. Gray, with his Blair camera average among amateurs. and Darlot lens, takes in all the society

5 excursions. He is not only one of the wagon he made an extensive trip south originators of the society, but has to Harper’s Ferry, Shenandoah valley, photographing down to such a fine point Charleston and other historical points, that he is looked upon as an amateur securing some excellent views, although away above the general run. wind and weather were at times against Miss Ellen S. Paul uses a him. He is looked upon as above the Rochester camera and Steinheil lens. average. She possesses excellent views, not only Charlie Davis, a lad but 12 years of scenes on and about her father’s of age bids fair to excel most of the orange groves in Florida, where she amateurs. He has won a number of visits yearly, but has a large collection, prizes in special compositions of animals made while upon her recent trip to at the annual exhibitions. He uses the Europe. Her pictures show a delicacy Blair camera and Prazmoswki lens and and care to detail which place her away has taken some remarkable views of the up in the ranks. interior of the courthouse. He also has a L. C. Bergermister has a Blair Detective camera with which he snapped camera and Dallmeyer lens, which he pictures of the centennial parade, and bought for steamboat photographing, secured a tip-top picture of ex-President river traffic and canal views. Hayes during his address at the W. R. Bull, the genial dedication of the court house. photographer most Miss Edith Darlington has a of the Dispatch’s cuts, uses a num b er of cameras but uses the camera and makes many elegant views Detective most. She has won a number . of prizes from the society for her C. C. Mellor uses the Blair excellent work. camera and Prazmowski lens as well as O’Hara Darlington, with his the camera; both are used in Blair camera and Prazmowski lens, connection with the microscope for frequently accompanies his sister on photomicrograph…………. has a view-taking excursions. He has won collection of slides and pictures…….to several prizes on is art compositions, any scientist in the country, and ……..he notably a duck picture, securing the does is among the best by our amateurs. birds while they were feeding in a pond. Campbell Bakewell has a To obtain this result he filled a pocket Detective camera which he uses with corn and, after having everything in principally on his ………..trips, as well readiness, threw the corn into the pond as for regattas and other……..subjects. and while the ducks were feeding took G. B. McCandless discarded them in a most novel situation. bicycling……………photographing; he John E. McCrickart took the best invested in a Blair camera and pictures at the opening of Davis Island Euryscope lens, and has a preference for dam. When not engaged too much with photographing horses, in which subjects politics, he devotes his spare time to he excels. instantaneous work on horse races and W. L. Lapsley has a record from other like sports. away back. Some three years ago he Geo. Singer has a large collection invested in a Blair camera and of pictures taken in and about Bar Prazmowski lens. Securing a covered

6 Harbor, with his Anthony camera and Darlot lens; her penchant in picture- Dallmeyer lens. taking is to produce something which Dr. W. F. Wilcox manipulates a will be both original and unique. 5x8 Scovill, using it principally in the Among other of her good pictures is a dissecting room. “wheelbarrow” scene, which has been Dr. R. L. Walker follows out the commented upon and praised highly for scientific line with his Eastman camera its artistic merit. and Prazmoswki lens. As a naturalist Mrs. E. M. Byers travels for her photographer he has excellent specimens health a great deal, and on all occasions taken of birds, bees, plants and flowers; takes with her a Blair camera and he also employs his camera some in Prazmowski lens. Her subjects are all cases of surgery. carefully selected and the work she does J. W. Morrison uses various shows the thorough artist. cameras in his picture-taking; among W. H. White is a good but erratic others, a 5x8 Scovill, with which he does artist with his photographing apparatus, excellent work. which consists of an Eastman camera Miss Nellie Metcalf has a Blair and Prazmowski lens. camera and Beck lens, which she has J. M. Tate photographs for used principally at the school she is pleasure; he is much interested in a attending, and with excellent results. Kodak which he intends to purchase, and F. W. Rites, with his compact will then be able to take anything from a camera and Prazmowski lens, travels a humble bee to a brown stone front. good deal and has photographed from Louis B. Hays uses the Scoville the Palisades on the Hudson river to camera and Prazmowski lens. He has points among the pine forests of the far lately taken a trop to Denver and the north. northwest and has brought home a cart Jos. T. Speer has a Detective load of negatives. He is considered camera. He took it with him to Cuba among the best in amateur work. and carried it into the arena while a bull George Heisey won an prize for a fight was in progress, taking views at composition about two years ago; he various stages as the fight progressed. uses the Blair camera and Prazmowski These subjects are filled with interest lens,. His special subjects are a and have been carefully studied by his collection of……..pictures of mare and many friends. He presented an elegant colt, which he has photographed in lantern with all its paraphernalia to the almost every conceivable…… society. C. A. Ashburner, in his scientific Miss Maggie Boyle has been researches, has used his Eastman camera using a Detective camera, which and Dallmeyer lens to unusual good accompanied her on her European tour. advantage. Whether in Arizona or Texas, She has an elegant list of souvenirs of or throughout the great oil fields nearer her trip, which have been greatly home, it has been one and the same, for admired by her friends. he has a complete……..of pictures to Miss Ida Walton is an recall each place. enthusiastic and original amateur Rev. J. A. Bausman has lately photographer. She has an elegant outfit purchased a camera for out-door composed of an Anthony camera and recreation and as a relief from the

7 confinement of his study. He takes uses the Rochester camera and excellent views, and is artistic in Prazmowski lens. whatever subject he attempts. J. W. Elliot employs his spare G. G. Bruce has an Eastman moments with his Anthony outfit in camera and Bomke lens; his results from photographing plants, flowers and flash-lights and blue prints at the last shrubbery; his results show many exhibition will attest the use to which he beautiful subjects in anything which has put his work. pertains to floriculture. John W. Beatty, instructor in the W. M. Faber, with his Peerless art school, has a Clarke detective, which outfit, potters around, photographing he manipulated last summer at Scalp principally machinery. He works his Level with excellent effect. He finds it a instrument with good results, and has most useful addition to his summering taken some excellent subjects. outfit. John Furgeson, while being an J. H. K. Burgwin, who is now enthusiastic tennis player, is no less located at Petoskey, Michigan, and is devoted to the photographic art; with his interested in railroad engineering, uses Blair camera and Beck lens, he has for practical purposes as well as executed a series of excellent recreation, a Blair camera and photographs. Prazmowski lens. Rev. J. Fisher photographs G. W. Bassler has an Anthony principally, interiors, and uses his outfit. He has made a notable number of Anthony camera with a Prazmowski lens groups in and about Zelienople. for the healthful diversion which it Henry Berger with his Blair affords. camera and Prazmowski lens has taken R. A. Franks has taken almost a some excellent views from Observatory numberless amount of views, principally hill; he is also quite a microscopist, throughout Sewickley valley. His efforts having about the best instrument in the meet success and he has a city. lovely not only comprises scenic J. H. Babcock has a series of effects, comprised of his many excellent views taken of the Pack-saddle friends. One of his best ideas is a “water on the P. R. R., as well as fine subjects mellon taken in the act of of the railroad washout on Chartiers eating. creek, which occurred last summer. He ………Haskell, with his Anthony uses the Anthony camera and outfit, artist, and has secured Prazmowski lens. some excellent ………of Sewickley Willie Caldwell, son of Charles valley. Caldwell, has a Blair camera and Darlot ………Pears is quite an artist in lens. During the heated months of the his line and invariably takes his Scovill past summer, while at Somerville, he outfit when on a fishing or sketching made a series of views remarkable for tour. their clearness as well as artistic beauty. W. I. Nevin has caught on to the T. H. Dickson, although a photographic fever and has made some comparative new-comer in the field of excellent views with his Rochester photographing, has proved by his work camera and Prazmowski lens. that he will soon become an adept. He

8 W. R. Means uses the Rochester have been greatly admired by his compact camera and Prazmowski lens. friends. His best effort is a photograph of the H. W. Tautde carries a Clarke Cyclorama, taken with the open lens and detective all over the country. He is a by natural light. member of the society, and his C. A. Painter has a detective best effort was made during the past camera which he uses when cruising summer in Baltimore, where he took around in his steam………He has some very comical effects. He is secured some excellent views of the original in his work and an expert in the natural scenery along the river shores. art of snap shooting. C. J. Schultz employs a Blair Tom Hartley has views and compact camera and Prazmowski lens, elegant ones they are, taken at which he uses to good advantage in Chautauqua with his Blair compact photographing bridges, both complete, camera and Prazmowski lens. and under way of construction. N. S. Woolridge has an unbroken H. B. Shallenberger not only has record in…….trip made to Erie. With a Lancaster outfit, but an Eastman his Blair camera and Prazmowski lens he camera and Prazmowski lens, which he made four dozen snap shots without a uses in taking dynamos and converters. failure. His most notable picture was a Dr. O. W. Saddler, in his trips to group of cattle made from the car Florida, takes with him his Scovill outfit, window and while in motion; it was and has stored away a series or quaint taken near Rock Point. scenes, among which the best are those Harry Watts, during his summer of negroes on the plantations he has vacation in Sewickley, made a number visited. of interesting pictures with a Blair John G. Stevenson, with his Blair camera and Prazmowski lens. camera and Beck lens, has made a series of pictures in and about Bedford, which

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