The Fourth Hong Kong International Exhibition Of Photography
By Francis Wu, F.R.P.S., F.P.S.A.
The Hong Kong Photographic Society will present, for the fourth time, an International Salon of Photographic Exhibition. This salon, which is one of the greatest functions of the Society, is held annually at about the same time.
It is generally known that salons receiving entries from countries all over the world are considered as famous whereas those having fewer entries are thought of as less prominent. Large salons such as the Royal or the London Salon of photography, have receive entries up to a few thousand prints, while on the other hand, the lesser ones’ receipts average to only a few hundred.
In order to form an International Salon, a photography society must first have a locality, which the salon is to be held; it is not advisable to have two or more salons in any one community and at the same time, although a salon is not a competitive organization of camera clubs.
Another necessity in the formation of an International Salon is the enacting of certain rules, for example, the methods of judging and of exhibiting.
A set amount depicted as an entry fee, is also a requisite for the success of a salon.
The limitation of the amount of prints to be entered by any one person is also an expedient factor in the constitution of an International Salon. The restriction of the number of prints from any exhibitor is usually four though the amount may vary according to the rules of the salon.
The fifth essential rule is that the size of prints must be so that the regularity and uniformity of prints on exhibition may prove relaxing and pleasing to the public. The maximum size of all entries is usually 16” by 20”
That plain mounts are preferable is another indispensable item in the recipe of entries. Light colored mounts are always held in greater flavor than a photograph being gaudy or bright mounts.
Prints are always returned to their respective exhibitors two weeks after the exhibition. Notice cards are sent to each entrant after the judging Salon catalogues are usually forwarded at a later date.
Amateurs as well as professionals who are interested in photography take active parts all over the world. Photographic monthly journals usually publish a calendar of the International Salon schedules so that the exhibitors may know in advance what salon they may send their prints to and where and when it is to be held.
Hand-colored prints are never accepted because all photographic work must be done exclusively by the entrant himself photographically.
To have four prints accepted out of four is considered outstanding; to have one accepted is regarded as good. On the average, only about ten to twenty percent of the prints submitted for selection can be accepted for hanging. Certain salons offer prizes such as medals and plaques for exceedingly good prints – their salons offer “honor labels” All prints accepted for hanging receive a salon lable. The American Photography’s prints static’s on “Who’s Who” in photography ranking prominent photographers of the world according to the number of their salon acceptances and merit. As seen by the above samples, entering in a salon is very beneficial to all photographers whether they may be amateurs or professionals. The International salons act as a guiding yardstick of photographic standard.
The Hong Kong International Salon may truly be called an International Salon, as prints are sent in by photographers from the United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Hungry, America, Canada, India, Malay, Japan, Australia, Cuba and China. Besides the support from foreign exhibitions, The Hong Kong International Salon receives much promotion from Hong Kong itself. More than 600 prints will be placed in a panel before judges, between who will be artists, photographers and art critics. Out of the 600, only 125 prints will be selected for the exhibition. The judging will be a silent one, with red and green lights only to signify whether the prints are accepted or rejected. The prints receiving more votes have the firs chance to be “in”. Any print that has been voted for by all of the judges is unanimously considered as an “honor” or outstanding print.
The Fourth Hong Kong International Salon will be opened to the public on November 22-26 at St. John’s Cathedral from 10am to 6pm,
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