DOI Heft:
No. 162 (September, 1906)
DOI Artikel:Neil, C. Lang: The animal photographs of Charles Reid
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20715#0349
Charles Reid's Animal Photographs
taken the portrait. The travelling photographer’s
charge for one small picture was fifteen shillings.
“It was in 1864,” says Mr. Reid, “that I first
found myself the owner of a small camera. This
instrument would compare very unfavourably with
the camera of to-day, yet it served its purpose at the
time, being used for the production of many portraits
of people who had never before had their features
transferred to glass or paper. Much as photo-
graphs were admired and sought after in the
first blush of their appearance, old-fashioned people
concluded that the thing could not last, that the
custom would inevitably die out as soon as every
person possessed a portrait of himself—even one
glass portrait—and I have good reason to retain a
vivid recollection of the astonishment that prevailed
in the quiet country village where I then lived
consequent on the announcement that I had
actually resolved to build a glass-house to take
portraits in. Some of my acquaintances pitied,
others remonstrated, while a few viewed the under-
taking as an act little short of madness, and
prophesied failure and ruin as the result. Doubt-
less the recollection that there are false as well as
true prophets, coupled with the hope that this
marvellous invention had a great future in store,
impelled me to follow the bent of my inclination
and proceed with the building—a course I never
had reason to regret.”
Portrait photography became Mr. Reid’s business,
but whenever possible he made opportunities for
taking animals of every available breed as a hobby ;
and in course of time gradually amassed a large
and varied collection of animal photographs, which
became known and admired, and led to his being
very frequently commissioned by leading breeders
to take their favourite animals.
Many an interesting experience has fallen to his
and his sons’ lot. Usually, to secure a particular
picture—say of Highland cattle—they journey to
some remote district in the Highlands or Islands of
Scotland, having previously ascertained by personal
investigation or otherwise where the materials for a
picture are to be found. It would be an endless
SHEEP ON MOUNTAIN PASS
FROM THE PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLES REID
328
( Copyright, Autotype Co.)
taken the portrait. The travelling photographer’s
charge for one small picture was fifteen shillings.
“It was in 1864,” says Mr. Reid, “that I first
found myself the owner of a small camera. This
instrument would compare very unfavourably with
the camera of to-day, yet it served its purpose at the
time, being used for the production of many portraits
of people who had never before had their features
transferred to glass or paper. Much as photo-
graphs were admired and sought after in the
first blush of their appearance, old-fashioned people
concluded that the thing could not last, that the
custom would inevitably die out as soon as every
person possessed a portrait of himself—even one
glass portrait—and I have good reason to retain a
vivid recollection of the astonishment that prevailed
in the quiet country village where I then lived
consequent on the announcement that I had
actually resolved to build a glass-house to take
portraits in. Some of my acquaintances pitied,
others remonstrated, while a few viewed the under-
taking as an act little short of madness, and
prophesied failure and ruin as the result. Doubt-
less the recollection that there are false as well as
true prophets, coupled with the hope that this
marvellous invention had a great future in store,
impelled me to follow the bent of my inclination
and proceed with the building—a course I never
had reason to regret.”
Portrait photography became Mr. Reid’s business,
but whenever possible he made opportunities for
taking animals of every available breed as a hobby ;
and in course of time gradually amassed a large
and varied collection of animal photographs, which
became known and admired, and led to his being
very frequently commissioned by leading breeders
to take their favourite animals.
Many an interesting experience has fallen to his
and his sons’ lot. Usually, to secure a particular
picture—say of Highland cattle—they journey to
some remote district in the Highlands or Islands of
Scotland, having previously ascertained by personal
investigation or otherwise where the materials for a
picture are to be found. It would be an endless
SHEEP ON MOUNTAIN PASS
FROM THE PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLES REID
328
( Copyright, Autotype Co.)