THE CONVENTION AT WASHINGTON.

The time for the Eleventh Annual Convention of the Photographic Association of America is approaching, and we hope the craft through the length and breadth of the land are preparing for it. Mr. J. M. Appleton, the president, sends the following circular, which should be carefully studied by every photographer, and also a specimen of the blank form to be filled up by intending exhibitors. Those who may not have received a copy should apply to him.

We published a list of the prizes to be awarded in our March number, and now print the following:

RULES FOR JUDGES AND EXHIBITORS:

RULES GOVERNING JUDGES IN THE GRAND PRIZE.

1. The points to be considered are: First, historic; second, originality; third, composition; fourth, lighting; fifth, technique.

2. Ten marks to be the highest for any one point, consequently, fifty marks the most that can be given to any one picture.

3. The standard of this award must be thirty-five markings out of a possible fifty.

RULES GOVERNING JUDGES IN CLASS A.

4. The principal points to be considered are: First, originality; second, composition; third, lighting; fourth, technique.

RULES GOVERNING JUDGES IN CLASSES B, C, D AND H.

5. The following points to be considered are: First, lighting; second, posing; third, chemical effect; fourth, general effects or finish.

6. Ten marks to be the highest for any one point, consequently forty marks the most that can be given to any one picture.

7. The above regulations also to govern Class A.

8. Applications for space must be made to George H. Hastings, No. 147 Tremont street, Boston, Massachusetts.

9. Entries to close on Tuesday, July 15, and no space to be allotted for exhibits after that date. All exhibits must be shipped so as to reach the exhibition on the Saturday preceding the opening of the same, and all charges to be prepaid.

10. Each picture or set of pictures must be marked with a letter signifying the class in which it is offered for competition.

18911. The exhibition of photographs connected with the convention is to be considered an art exhibition pure and simple. In order not to detract from this standard, no sign of any description shall be allowed in the hall devoted to the display of photographs, except the names and addresses of the exhibitors.

12. No exhibit for the grand prize or classes A, B, C, D and H to occupy space of more than eight lineal feet, and in class E, ten lineal feet.

13. All photographs exhibited must be from negatives made since the tenth annual convention, held at Boston, Massachusetts, August, 1889.

14. All exhibitors must see that their displays are properly placed before 10 o’clock A.M., on August 12, and no exhibits will be admitted after that date.

15. All art exhibits must be sent to George H. Hastings, Art Department, Photographers’ Association of America, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C., all charges prepaid.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA.--SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, AUGUST 12 TO 15.

Office of the Secretary, }

Iowa City, Iowa, May 24, 1890. }

To the Photographers of America:

The eleventh annual convention of the Photographers’ Association of America will be held in the Smithsonian Institution at Washington,. D. C, August 12 to 15, inclusive, and from present indications the attendance will be larger than ever before. Why not take a few days’ vacation and attend this meeting? If you only knew the treat that awaits you in Washington, every photographer in the land would attend, if they had to close their business for a week to do so.

A visit to the places of interest in Washington, the most beautiful city in the world, will alone be worth the time and money spent. The fine collection of paintings in the Corcoran Art Gallery is of special interest to photographers, as it contains some of the finest pictures in this country or in Europe. A visit to the capitol and government buildings, the Washington monument, the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, and many other interesting points will add to the pleasure of this occasion, and is alone well worth the time and expense of the trip.

The Committee on Railroads have secured a rate of one and one-third fare for the round trip on all trunk lines in every direction. In order to obtain this rate, you must obtain a receipt from the ticket agents of whom you purchase tickets on all roads, and have them signed by W. V. Ranger, second vice-president, at the convention, this will entitle you to a one-third fare returning.

The headquarters of the convention will be at the Ebbitt House, and the following rates have been obtained at the different hotels: Ebbitt House, two in a room, $2.50 per day; Ebbitt House, one in a room, $3 per day; the Arlington, $3 per day; Millards, $3 per day; the National, $2.50 per day; the Riggs, $3 per day; the Harris, $2 per day; and many other hotels from $1.50 to $2.50 per day; also several on the European plan, rooms from 50 cents to $1.50 per day.

If you will look at the benefits to be derived from attending this meeting, we feel sure that you will take the time and meet with us.

The unveiling of the Daguerre memorial during the convention, to be permanently placed in the Smithsonian Institution, will be one of the special features. This 190memorial is the gift of the photographers of America. The fund is raised by one or more dollar subscriptions from the photographers (which it would be well for you to send in your subscription at once to one of the different committees, and help the matter along, and do honor to the man who first brought to light this noble profession of ours).

You will miss it if you fail to come. There will be some of the finest specimens of American photography ever exhibited, as well as European. I have the promises of exhibits from all the leading photographers of the world.

Rules and regulations, list of awards, entries for competition, etc., will be mailed on application.

Is not this association worthy of your support? Any photographer of good moral and professional standing is eligible. If not already a member, lose no time in uniting yourself with an organization already a power in the land. It has stood the test of time (eleven years), and has a creditable standing throughout the length and breadth of the civilized world.

To become a member, send five dollars if a proprietor, and two dollars if an employé (which pays entrance fee and dues for first year), to the treasurer, G. M. Carlisle, Providence, R. I. If already a member kindly remit your dues ($2.00), and by so doing avoid waiting your turn at the entrance when you arrive at the convention, as none can be admitted whose annual dues remain unpaid.

EXTRACT FROM CONSTITUTION.

Article II., Section 4.--The annual dues become payable on January 1 of each year, and any member failing to pay the same prior to the adjournment of the annual convention shall forfeit his right to membership, and can only be reinstated on payment of an initiation fee ($3.00) and ($2.00) dues, $5.00, as provided in case of admission of new members.

Become a member and get the benefits of the art lectures, practical talks, and a grand exhibition of photographic productions and stock exhibit. Fraternally yours,

D. R. Coover, Secretary.

[We expect to publish, in our next number, an additional article on this subject, from the pen of the president, J. M. Appleton, which will reach our subscribers in ample time for the convention.]

S.

The average newly-fledged photographer wishes to begin before breakfast. The barn or the back-yard fence is good enough for him, and if nothing else alive is in sight, it is easy enough to try it on the dog. Few dogs, however, have a proper sense of the responsibility of being photographed. After everything is carefully arranged, they get up and want to go home. Sometimes they remain silent until the picture is started, when they begin to stroll around and make eight or nine dogs on the plate; or they sit still and only wag their ears, until the negative shows something like a halo of ears. This would give a professional photographer much worriment of mind, but the amateur is generally wise enough to see that his failures are the funniest things he has.--Photo. Times.

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