DRESS FOR SITTERS The part played by dress in photography is an important one ; and a question put frequently to the photographer is : " What dress shall I wear ? " As a general rule the more simple the dress the better if the portrait is to be what may be termed a lasting one. Peminine fashions change rapidly, and a photograph taken of a sitter dressed in the prevailing fashion soon becomes " dated," as it were. Colour is not of the iniRortance it used to be, as, with the modern isochromatic plates and screens, fairly correct interpretation of tone has become possible, and the rendering of a yellow dress as black, or a blue one as white, ought now to be a thing of the past. W. Ingles Rogers carried out, many years ago, some important experiments, and the salient facts in his report may be summarised as follow : A gentleman's ordinary dress is not sufficiently artistic to warrant a full-length presentment ; its colour is preferably black. In the case of uniform and special dress, the full length is preferable. Ladies require more careful treatment from the standpoint of dress. As a rule, long dresses make the best pictures, both because the length of drapery gives height and dignity, and because graceful and flowing lines are then more easily obtained. As a matter of fact, the female figure has no waist. It is a pure invention, and a conventionality of form. If, however, such a thing has to be considered and sustained, the best place for confining the dress is just below the armpits. This disguises
any lack of length in the lower limbs, and grace and dignity are gained without the usual in artistic curving of the hips.
Next to form comes colour, and in this con nection no rule can be laid down that will pro duce perfect results with unvarying fidelity. Much depends on style and complexion ; but, all other things being equal, monochrome (black, white, or grey) gives the most favoured results. Gaudy tints are opposed to the principle on which the " science " of photography is based, and are only tolerated by the camera when neutralising an otherwise monotonous effect.
In cases of necessity—for example, where the sitter's wardrobe does not contain what the perfection of photographic art requires—the table of tints, with their relative photographic qualities, given in the preceding column, will repay a careful study.
As for materials, the following are the most suited to photography, arranged in the order of preference :— Silver ornaments are preferable to gold, and if diamonds are worn they should be slightly smeared with soap to deaden their reflection during the brief period of exposure. Long, drooping curls or waves are effective in semi profile, but give to the full-face sitter an effect of solidity. The arrangement of the hair gives a man his individuality in appearance, and therefore should not be interfered with.