Camera Work: A Photographic Quarterly (1903 (Heft 1))

NOTES BY THE WAY.
ARTISTIC REQUISITES.
FROM A consideration of the articles that appear in this
first number of Camera Work — early brought to my
attention by editorial- and proof-reading — and espe-
cially from their general trend, the widest lesson to be
derived by the general reader would seem to be as to
what were the requisites for the execution of good
pictorial work. They are sincerity, feeling, taste, and
technique. And imagination ; yes, of course, all one
has to spare of it: but not fancy ; rather beware that
rainbow-chaser. One might add originality — at
least in treatment. But is not originality rather a result, which can be
attained by those whose work evinces use of the other qualities — at least
according to the modern theory of individualism ? I' faith, if no two noses
are alike, is not each nose an original work showing “ repetition with slight
variation?” But to be more serious: if the worker be sincere to self and
to subject, he probably brings new matter or new treatment to the field of
art — indeed, in its primary sense, is not that what art, as a result, means ?
If he also shows feeling, he pretty surely does offer something at least a
little different from anything done before; and if he is guided by good
taste, what he brings is probably worth respectful consideration. But
without good technique, which is his art-language, he stammers and can
not express himself clearly. Stutterers are not winning orators; moreover
there is a charm inherent in mere execution when it is good. Where would
many of our modern painters be, otherwise ? The resultant of these four
qualities — sincerity, feeling, taste, and technique — may not be great: but
there is little, even of indisputably original work in the world, that is “great.”
To be so, it requires a high order of imagination, and that means, genius.
BUT some industrious photographers never accomplish anything worthy of
a moment’sconsideration. If they are sincere, taste is usually the vital
attribute immediately lacking. They were not born to it and they have not
cultivated it. As for the insincere; when pretense supplants sincerity,
when cheek takes the place of taste, and self-conceit of feeling — what
results may we expect! And if certain kinds of photogs seem ever
unsatisfied and unhappy — not with their work, mind you, but with the
estimation in which it is held — it is because they are working for achieve-
ments which they do not achieve, and a standing they can not stand for.
“ Oh, why am I so beautiful ? ” exclaimed the repulsive Katisha, and I
suppose to these artists refused recognition their self-accredited talents must
come to seem almost fatal gifts. They are out cup-hunting; it is delusive
hope that keeps them working, and not any real love for, and pleasure in
the execution of their work. Such can not understand what art really is, for
they can not comprehend the joy of the artist in putting the best that is in
himself into his chosen work. Dallett Fuguet.

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