International Exhibition of Nature Photography

Abstract

THERE was a large assembly of naturalists and Nature photographers at the opening on October 16 of the Country Life International Exhibition of Nature Photography at the British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, South Kensington. The Earl of Onslow, president of the Society for the Protection of the Fauna of the Empire, referred to the great value of Nature photography and cinematography as “a very powerful incentive towards the preservation of wild life in all its forms”, and to the fact that the Exhibition contains a large number of subjects that have never been seen before. He went on to remark that “there is a very grave danger at present hanging over us and that is that unless wild animals, big-game and birds of all kinds are carefully preserved a great number of species will become extinct and they will be a downright loss to the world in general. We could do without poison snakes but most other animals are a very valuable asset not only from the natural history point of view, but from the scientific point of view and from the point of view that they tend to preserve the balance of Nature.” The audience, which included, among many others well known for their interest in wild life, the Duke of Sutherland and Lord Desborough, afterwards inspected the Exhibition. More than thirteen hundred photographs are displayed on screens in the Whale Hall, one wall being devoted entirely to the work of pioneer photographers, which includes the late J. H. Symonds' picture “Goldfinches fighting on Teazle”, “Marsh Harrier” by the late Col. H. Moore, and no fewer than seventeen fine studies by Mr. C. J. King. The Exhibition will be open—admission free—until November 30. A souvenir volume (55.), containing reproductions of 120 pictures from the Exhibition, has been published.