DOI Heft:
No. 5 (August, 1893)
DOI Artikel:Townsend, Horace: Art in photography: an interview with Mr. Frederick Hollyer
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17188#0212
An Interview with Mr. Frederick Hollyer
Whistler. In face of this result it seemed to me my medium. I think that the fact is that as
almost impertinent to ask Mr. Hollyer whether in regards photography as well as other things we are
his opinion there could be such a thing as "Art " inclined nowadays to talk too much and to do too
in photography, for was there not lying before me little." " Very truly and modestly put, Mr.
as I hesitatingly put my query, a clear answer in Hollyer," said I, " but I am afraid you have some-
the affirmative ? He met me, however, with no thing more than an inclination to evade the real
expression of lofty scorn, but with a somewhat point at issue." " Well," was the reply, " to speak
quizzical smile replied, " I really don't know, but frankly, I am quite convinced that something, call
to tell the honest truth I have got rather tired of it art or what you will, but something apart from
the very words 'art and artistic,' and at times am mere mechanical and scientific excellence, not only
FROM AN UNTOUCHED PHOTOGRAPH BY FREDERICK HOLLYER
inclined to say rude things about those who can, but should, find its way into every print from
insist so strenuously that they are artists, with a every negative that leaves the photographer's
big A, and seem to forget that they ought first and studio. In landscape photography, for instance,
foremost to be photographers. The fact is that that something may be of the nature of selection,
my association with the eminent artists whose and selection is, as I understand it, an important
works I have been permitted to render into black part of the equipment of every painter. Observa-
and white by means of my camera, has rendered tion too, I think, must be fostered by the photo-
me exceedingly diffident in making any claims at grapher as carefully as by the figure-painter, for if
all. I am content to do the very best work I can his work show not the presence of this quality in
with love as well as care, and to let the rest shift himself it will be a mere piece of mechanism. 1
for itself. If there be art in the result I am quite have some prints here from negatives taken by me
sure that those who have a right to be dogmatic many many years ago, to which I may, I hope
on such questions will find it out, if there be no without egotism, refer as showing the importance of
art I am sure it is my fault and not the fault of proper selection. This view of Waterloo Bridge, for
194
Whistler. In face of this result it seemed to me my medium. I think that the fact is that as
almost impertinent to ask Mr. Hollyer whether in regards photography as well as other things we are
his opinion there could be such a thing as "Art " inclined nowadays to talk too much and to do too
in photography, for was there not lying before me little." " Very truly and modestly put, Mr.
as I hesitatingly put my query, a clear answer in Hollyer," said I, " but I am afraid you have some-
the affirmative ? He met me, however, with no thing more than an inclination to evade the real
expression of lofty scorn, but with a somewhat point at issue." " Well," was the reply, " to speak
quizzical smile replied, " I really don't know, but frankly, I am quite convinced that something, call
to tell the honest truth I have got rather tired of it art or what you will, but something apart from
the very words 'art and artistic,' and at times am mere mechanical and scientific excellence, not only
FROM AN UNTOUCHED PHOTOGRAPH BY FREDERICK HOLLYER
inclined to say rude things about those who can, but should, find its way into every print from
insist so strenuously that they are artists, with a every negative that leaves the photographer's
big A, and seem to forget that they ought first and studio. In landscape photography, for instance,
foremost to be photographers. The fact is that that something may be of the nature of selection,
my association with the eminent artists whose and selection is, as I understand it, an important
works I have been permitted to render into black part of the equipment of every painter. Observa-
and white by means of my camera, has rendered tion too, I think, must be fostered by the photo-
me exceedingly diffident in making any claims at grapher as carefully as by the figure-painter, for if
all. I am content to do the very best work I can his work show not the presence of this quality in
with love as well as care, and to let the rest shift himself it will be a mere piece of mechanism. 1
for itself. If there be art in the result I am quite have some prints here from negatives taken by me
sure that those who have a right to be dogmatic many many years ago, to which I may, I hope
on such questions will find it out, if there be no without egotism, refer as showing the importance of
art I am sure it is my fault and not the fault of proper selection. This view of Waterloo Bridge, for
194