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the photographic news. Vol. XXVII. No. 1307.—September 21, 1883. CONTENTS, The New Regulations of the Pali Mall Exhibition 593 Point of View 591 Science at the Fisheries’ Exhibition 595 Some Foreign Journals 596 Photographic Blocks for the Letter-Press Printer 598 Organic Compounds in the Sun 598 Notes 600 Patent Intelligence 602 Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society 60S page Box for Rapidly Drying Gelatine Negatives. By T. G. Whaite 604 Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.—Judges* Report 604 The British Association 605 A Dictionary of Photography 606 Correspondence 606 Proceedings of Societies 607 Talk in the Studio 607 To Correspondents 608 The Photographic News Registry 608 photographers in tha making of pictures, and hence, in hazard an opinion on a question of art. It is all very well exhibition, it is difficult to discover, unless the judges are to argue that no matter the rank or position of an indi vidual, he is only a juror, and as such he is entitled to no prepared to constitute themselves a committee of investi gation, and to undertake lengthy chemical research. It will not do, obviously, to take matters for granted, without some test or proof, and here, we suspect, will be the first difficulty our judges will encounter. Even in the simple case of a new shutter or other technical matter, the gentle men appointed as judges are likely to desire some practical trial before awarding a medal, so that, in any case, the labours of the judges are certain to be much more onerous than those imposed upon former bodies. more voting power than a brother juror ; but, practically, since you have invited among you two gentlemen of high rank in art, to give you their advice, you can hardly do otherwise than accept it. In any case, their opinion, if ex pressed decidedly—and artists are not given to mincing matters—is very likely to influence that of other jurors most materially, and is apt to remove doubts which would , be more duly considered if masters in the art world were not present with their high prestige and responsible names. No one, especially a juror, is likely to admit that he has been influenced in his decision by the dictum of a brother juror, and therefore our assumption here is only what is possible, and not what in reality does take place. But, at any rate, this fact is patent: that medals have occasionally been awarded on the score of art excellence, for which a frequently estimated as virtues by the non-photographer. A photograph may be sharply focussed, or it may be judiciously out of focus; the background may be brightly illuminated, or it may be filled in with delicate haze. photographer-juror would not care to hold himself re- than he who suggests important modifications in known sponsible. The result of a stain on the plate, or of un formulae ; but how proof of these are to be submitted at an steadiness in the apparatus, have been known to be pointed out by painters as adding artistic effect to a pic ture, and a medal awarded in such cases goes as a premium to faulty technical work, and not for striving after artistic effect by the aid of photography. The painter—and he is quite right from his point of view—tells you he cares not to what the result is due; it has the effect in his opinion of bettering the picture, and so he accords to it his sup port. The matter does not admit of argument at all, for he declines to go into technical details ; but if you want his opinion, there it is. It may seem to many that we are taking an exaggerated view of matters, and so doubtless we are; but it is none the less a fact that technical blemishes in photography are word, the scientific and technical side of photography is to be eligible for honours as well as the artistic aspect. To this new state of things we feel sure our readers will be agreeable, for if the Society is to look after the interests of the scientific photographer, as well as the art photographer, its honours ought to be equally divided. Of late years, it is true, the Society has done something for the scientific worker by the institution of a silver progress medal; but' this is only awarded once a year, while makers of pictures compete annually for a round dozen of medals at least. Unfortunately, wo fear the new regulations will not be so easy to carry out as they were to conceive. The discoverer of a new developer, a new sensitizing medium, or vehicle for the same, it would bo easy enough to reward, no less This is as it should be, for there or, at any rate, not estimated at their full value. Again, ! I in the presence of two distinguished Academicians, if these THE NEW REGULATIONS OF THE PALL MALL EXHIBITION. The “ new departure ” in the regulations is twofold. In the first place, it will be seen that medals are to be given not simply for pictures, but may be awarded by the judges for “ artistic, scientific, and technical excellence." In a the awards as the distinguished painters who have, year after year, consented to act as judges of our Exhibition. Painstaking to a degree, and bringing to the subject in A cakeful perusal of the circular issued by the Photo’ hand a vast amount of artistic experience, these gentlemen graphic Society of Great Britain, concerning the Exhibition have loyally, and to the best of their endeavours, sought to be held next month in Pall Mall, will reveal several to do justice to the varied claims set up for medals. But points of importance, to which we may call our readers’ from the nature of things they could not be supposed to be attention. The date for sending in pictures is Friday next, conversant with the difficulties that beset photography and the 28th inst., and a “ special notice," printed in red ink, photographers in tha making of pictures, and hence, in warns all those whom it may concern, that this date is to some cases, these difficulties were not recognized by them— be strictly adhered to. This is as it should be, for there or, at any rate, not estimated at their full value. Again, cannot be a doubt that on many occasions, pictures have i • I J been carried into the Society’s Rooms at the last moment, to happen to be among the jury, it needs a strong man to the hindrance of officials and direct prejudice of timely " ’ " ...... exhibitors. Fortunately, the constitution of the judges, another novel feature, is such as to be quite capable of dealing successfully with the scientific and artistic sides of photo graphy. 1’here are no painters of note, no Royal Acade micians ; but their absence, at any rate in this particular instance, is not to be deplored. No member of a jury, so auunnaveu, JI I may - acu u wiu far as our experience goes, ever gave so much attention to These things, and many others, the photographer with skill