It is simply an attempt to introduce the work of some of our best photographers until a more comprehensive picture can be formed. This is by no means a comprehensive survey of nineteenth century New Zealand photography. The 94 pictures, of which 50 are original prints. For how else can we evaluate our progress? It is our hope that these memorable images will in turn inspire today's photographers to be more critical of their own work. Many of these photographs were recognised as superb works in their own time, and no doubt were a great inspiration to the young photographers of the day. And what a delight it must have been to see the first Masterton band suspended upside down, and in and out of focus on the 10 x 12 inch stage of Bragge's black-cloth theatre. Just imagine the excitement of a giant catfish to photograph - or an 18ft. I'm not sure that Dr Barker, Alfred Burton or James Bragge resented being thought of as mere "machine men", but I am convinced that they felt good working in photography. While Miss Sarah Coombridge, in 1905, elegantly dusted the skylight of James McAllister's old Stratford studio, Alfred Stieglitz as an art in its own right. They are fine photographs as well as being vital, charming, beautiful and sometimes amusing historical documents. We hope it will also be seen how very good the best of them are. It's hard to look at early photographs without first thinking how old they are.
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