A College Of Photography And Diplomas

We fondly hope that a college of photography may one day be instituted, where a good art and science training may be obtained, where regular classes will be held by professors and regular terms kept, and where some sort of distinguishing diploma as Member of the Royal Photographic College will be given to all who pass certain examinations. The M.R.P.C. would then have a status, and the profession which would then exist - but only exists as a trade now-would be able to draw up salutary laws for the government and good behaviour of its members, and the status of photography would be everywhere raised. The diploma of F.R.P.C. (Fellow of the Royal Photographic College) could be given to distinguish photographers at home and abroad as an honorary title.

But if such an institution is to have weight it must procure a charter. Money must be obtained to give honorariums to the lecturers, and the lectureships must be held by the best men. To begin with, all photographers in practice could be admitted upon passing a very simple examination in the subjects of elementary education and photography. If ever such a thing is brought about - and we trust it may be - we should find many gentlemen of education would join the ranks, as indeed they are doing now; and with the taste and education they brought to the work, we should see them working quietly in studios like painters, and the "show-case" and the vulgar mounts with medals and other decorations, and the "shop-window." and the " shop-feeling" would all disappear. We need not despair if we will all do what is in us to kill "vulgarity," for painters were not so well off as most photographers are now but a very few decades ago. What gives us hope for these golden days is the fact that we number in our ranks in some branch or the other probably more intellectual men than any other calling. We have an emperor, and quite a profusion of royal-blooded wights and aristocrats, whilst every learned profession gives us of its best. Law, medicine, art, science, all contribute largely important members to swell our ranks.

Here, then, we must end our introductory remarks, and we wish the student who comes to the study of photography with capacity and earnestness all success.

P. H. E.

Chiswick, July, 1888.