PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
PRESTON, VICTORIA
1st December 1948 Page 751 - Vol. 55 No. 12 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The inaugural meeting was well attended and we were fortunate in obtaining as our guest speaker for the important occasion Mr. Cyril Stevens; this well-known photographic identity delivered an encouraging talk, promised his fullest assistance, and concluded by joining the club himself. An interesting display of photographs gave tangible evidence of the capabilities of members.
On October 4th a portraiture night was held, the model being Miss M. Mitchell. Most of the members took photographs, these being intended as entries for a contest to be held at the following meeting. This duly occurred on October 19th, when the prints were judged by Mr. S.C. Long for prizes donated by Mr. R.S. Gray and himself. Results were: 1, K. Smith; 2, K. Earl. The prints exhibited an interesting variety of posing and lighting defects.
On the same evening a constitution was adopted and the election of office-bearers conducted, resulting in: President, S.C. Long; Hon.Secretary, R.S. Gray; Asst. Hon. Secretary, A.L. Smith; Hon. Treasurer, Miss M. Fox.
A further meeting on November 1st was scheduled as a "D.andP. Night” for the benefit of members who had never before undertaken this work; the latter one and all expressed surprise at the simplicity of the process.
The syllabus for 1949 indicates an interesting program of lectures, demonstrations and one-man-shows. Enquiries should be addressed to the Hon.Secretary, R.S. Gray, York Street, Preston, or to Mr. S.C. Long, of Kodak Limited.
1st January 1949 Page 56 - Vol. 56 No. 1 The Australasian Photo-Review
INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB, PRESTON, VICTORIA
1st April 1949 Page 255 - Vol. 56 No. 4 The Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
On two recent occasions members have been entertained by Mr. Bruce Condon with his sound movie projector. The star attraction was a Kodachrome film of members taken at the club rooms.
The 1949 season shows promise of being a successful one; membership is still increasing, and the program arranged is meeting with approval.
The last meeting was devoted to a demonstration of print mounting by Mr. R. Winther and Mr. R. Gray. Mr. Winther gave a good practical demonstration of the general principles of mounting, and showed his own technique in mounting with rubber solution.
Mr. Gray demonstrated the many pitfalls in mounting with dry tissue. The demonstration concluded with an overwhelming majority in favor of rubber solution mounting.
A large cupboard has been installed in the club-room for the housing of equipment and books for the new library. Donations of books and magazines have been made by F. Hion, R. Gray and S. Long. We would welcome further donations of literature on the various branches of photography and art. Mrs. Gray has been appointed librarian.
The Studley Park outing was conducted in most unsuitable weather conditions.
The results of the January competition, “Holiday Spirit”, are:
“A” GRADE: F. Hion.
“B” GRADE: R. Gray.
1st June 1949 Page 389 - Vol. 56 No. 6 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The first of our last four meetings featured a demonstration of composite photography by Mr. E. Merton, of Kodak Ltd. Mr. Merton’s technique left nothing to be desired and his skill was acclaimed by all.
The second meeting was a print criticism night by Mr. John Bilney. Members who had not had this experience in any other club were amazed at the wealth of information gleaned from the criticism of their own and of other prints. Criticism by one capable of doing so impartially is one of the most effective methods of teaching, as has been evidenced by the fact that Mr. Bilney’s advice has been shown to effect in later competitions.
On the third meeting night, a subject almost entirely new to the majority of members was demonstrated by Mr. Bedford—it was color printing by the new “Printon” process. Although our club has been very active in the field of Kodachrome and Ektachrome transparencies, it was rather a thrill to see a printing process as simple as the “Printon” method.
Our last meeting was devoted to a one-man show by Mr. Alan Gray. This, like the print criticism night, proved very beneficial to the members in that it was they who criticized and asked the questions. Mr. Gray gave the explanations and his reasons for the use of the different techniques in evidence. A vote of thanks was passed to him for his fine display of prints.
This club feels that it is making good progress by the fact that it receives the same consideration as the longer - established clubs by those who are able to help and who do so.
1st September 1949 Page 548 - Vol. 56 No. 9 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The two July meetings brought two very varied aspects of photographic work before the members.
On July 4th, Mr. J. Henderson presented a One-Man-Show of his pictorial work. The series included a very wide range of subjects, showing the versatility of the 35mm camera in expert hands. Mr. Henderson emphasized the necessity of evolving a satisfactory technique of negative and print production so that these aspects become automatic and the thus allow the photographer to concentrate on the pictorial interpretation of his subject. The prints shown certainly indicated the author’s ability to carry out the theme intended.
At the meeting on 18th July, “Copying Technique” was the subject of Mr. E. McBride’s talk. He dealt very fully with the many problems encountered both in commercial and amateur aspects of this phase of photography.
Mr. R. Winther was the winner of the A Grade and Mr. K. Earl the winner of the B Grade awards in the Portrait competition. Members were privileged to hear a personal commentary on the prints by the Judge, J.D. Miller.
Enquiries about the club’s activities are welcomed by the Secretary, Mr. R.S. Gray, York Street, West Preston.
1st October 1949 Page 653 - Vol. 56 No. 10 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Mr. G. S. Harrison gave an instructive demonstration of the brometching process at the meeting on August 15th, showing the possibilities of excellent print quality produced by a process much neglected by photographers. Members then made some quite successful attempts at the process under Mr. Harrison’s supervision.
A display of lantern slides made from the negatives by Frank Hurley, official photographer with the Shackleton Antarctic Expedition of 1913-1917, together with a fine commentary by Mr. L. Wright, delighted members at the meeting on 29th August. Apart from their undoubted fine pictorial effects, the quality of the negatives produced under extremely difficult conditions was wholeheartedly acclaimed.
All enquiries are welcomed by Mr. R.S. Gray, Hon. Secretary, 18 York Street, West Preston.
1st April 1950 Page 258 - Vol. 57 No. 4 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Recent meetings have continued to further the Pictorial Photographic Club policy of “something interesting all the time”. Mr. Allan Wilson’s talk on his experiences as a photographic salesman contained many amusing anecdotes interspersed with some very sound advice on technical matters.
The final February meeting was a highlight of the 1950 program, when Mr. Athol Shmith paid us a visit. Mr, Shmith emphasized the point that although a commercial photographer usually possessed a large range of equipment, excellent work could be done within the scope desired by the amateur with quite simple equipment. By demonstration, with the co-operation of Mrs. Shmith, the speaker showed how essential it is to become thoroughly familiar with one’s equipment to enable the photographer to work quickly and avoid tiring the model.
The first competition for the year resulted in wins for K. Earl and G. Sim in A and B Grades respectively.
Mr. R. Gray, secretary, welcomes inquiries at his address, 18 York Street, West Preston.
1st June 1950 Page 394 - Vol. 57 No. 6 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The meeting on 11th April was in the form of a showing of motion picture films by Dr. Crooke. Members were treated to a pictorial 9,600-mile trip through Central Australia and Queensland, with an interesting and amusing commentary by the photographer. Many of the sequences showed how common-place objects and events could be enhanced by a little planning; many localities showed most inviting possibilities for still photography. Dr. Crooke answered a number of questions at the conclusion, finishing up with another film of a Canadian holiday.
The second April meeting was devoted to a criticism by the Judge, Mr. Alan Gray, of all entries in the Landscape, Seascape or Tree Study competition. He pointed out that the photographer should strive to reproduce the effect visualized at the time of taking the picture, and all processes should be aimed to that end.
Competition results were as follows:
“A” GRADE: 1, F. Hion; 2, K. Earl; 3 (equal), R. Gray and F. Hion.
“B” GRADE: l, G. Baker; 2, G. Sim; 3, G. Earl.
Night Outing: G. Banfield.
1st July 1950 Page 461 - Vol. 57 No. 7 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The meeting on 7th May was in the form of a demonstration of print finishing by Mr. J. Henderson, who very ably showed methods of spotting out both black and white spots from enlargements; this was followed by doping to produce a final “wet” appearance.
Club member Mr. Keith Earl spoke on “Portrait Lighting” at the second May meeting, illustrating his remarks by practical demonstration, producing several of his own successful competition prints to illustrate the use of various lighting arrangements.
Disregarding flat and commercial type lightings, the speaker pointed out that lighting for pictorial portraiture could be divided into three classes — {a) Basic, (b) Plastic, and (c) Dynamic. While advocating a slightly modified basic lighting for high-key work and photographing children, Mr. Earl claimed that the most successful pictorial portraiture was done by using the third type. A low-key background, combined with careful use of the main light for emphasis, and the second light only to lift the shadows, provides the possibility of great plasticity to flatter round or sharp features. The speaker concluded by giving some useful hints on approach to the subject, and outlined his working methods, which were to give very full development to the negative, print on a soft paper, and locally reduce to brighten highlights.
At the first June meeting, a discussion on the relative merits of large and miniature cameras was held, the President (Mr. R. Winther) taking the part of the “quarter-plate and over” and Mr. H. Baxter, vice-president, that of the miniature. Members were given the opportunity of questioning both speakers, and a lively discussion ensued.
1st August 1950
Page 523 - Vol. 57 No. 8 The Australasian Photographic Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Mr. Broadhead, judge of the portrait competition, pointed out at the meeting on June 19th why he had selected the placegetters. It was not enough, he said, to have an idea, and present it as a reasonable composition. Every detail should be attended to. The speaker advocated a little reinforcement of shadows with oil color and a brightening of highlights by local reduction as long as neither became too obvious.
PORTRAIT RESULTS:
“A” Grade: 1st Equal (two prints), K. Earl; 2, F. Hion; 3, F. Hion.
“B” Grade: l, A. Smith; 2, A. Smith; 3, M. Baker.
COLOR TRANSPARENCIES:
“A” Grade: l, R. Winther; 2, K. Earl; 3, M. Sharp.
“B” Grade: l, A. Smith and A. Stevens (equal); 2, R. Porter; 3, D. Eccles.
Prominent Collins Street photographer Peter Fox spoke on “Panchromatic Make-Up” at the meeting on July 3rd, illustrating how make-up could be used to enhance the subject by suppressing undesirable features, and improving skin textures. Mr. Fox’s assistant was then made-up firstly in street make-up and then by an amazing transformation into a very realistic character study of a gruesome, repulsive old witch. Members had opportunities to photograph the transformation at all stages by multiple speed-flash equipment made available by Mr. Fox.
1st September 1950 Page 584 - Vol. 57 No. 9 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Members were treated to a fine demonstration of home production of natural color prints on July 17th when Mr. John Morrison, of Kodak, visited us armed with an array of dishes and solutions for the Dye Transfer process.
Using previously-prepared matrices, Mr. Morrison produced some very good examples of color prints, working under conditions as experienced in any amateur photographer’s home. A notable feature was the possibility of altering the color balance by strengthening or weakening the content of any of the three colors laid down, merely by varying slightly the strength of one of the chemical baths.
A collection of photographs from the Portsmouth and Southsea (England) Society was exhibited at this meeting.
The final July meeting took the form of an informal night, when a discussion was held amongst members on prints entered for the “Open” competition. Good and bad points were discussed, and it was interesting to see the variation in individual opinions. Finally, a vote was held, and results have been recorded to compare with the judge’s placings when these are announced.
The club has purchased a fluorescent light, and we should now be able to view our exhibits under first class conditions.
1st December 1950 Page 781 - Vol. 57 No. 12 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Well-known worker, Mr. J. Henderson, spoke on and demonstrated “Background Projection" at the meeting on October 9th. Mr. Henderson said that it was his practice to collect negatives of any subject such as an iron grille, fantasy painting and even the bluestone walls of a gaol! From these he prepares positives which are projected onto a translucent back- ground of draughtsman’s tracing paper, suspended behind the model. Careful lighting of the model, using well-hooded lights and paying particular attention to the direction of lighting to match the projected background, produces some excellent effects, Mr. Henderson produced several of his exhibition prints to illustrate his talk, and then proceeded to a practical demonstration during which members were able to observe some fine studies.
The second October meeting was occupied by a demonstration of Dufaycolor processing by Mr, Courtney. Mr. Courtney’s method is a combination of the better features of two processing schedules, and he produces transparencies easily the truest to natural colors seen by the writer.
The speaker showed some excellent Dufaycolor stereopairs for members to view. Surely color stereoscopy is the ultimate in photography? Nothing could better the depiction of an object in its natural colors and showing all three dimensions.
1st January 1951 Page 56 - Vol. 58 No. 1 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
A pictorial journey to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road and Mount Gambier was the feature at the first November meeting, when Ray Winther and Jim Henderson showed their Kodachrome impressions. During the screening, the authors made a running commentary. Many of the frames were of fine pictorial quality, and showed the evidence of much forethought in the selection of viewpoint and lighting.
An informal discussion of the entries for the “Men at Work” competition took place at the second November meeting. Mr. R. Winther was the successful A Grade competitor, with Mr. G. Sim winner for B Grade.
Our second annual members exhibition of prints was held at Preston Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday, 2nd and 3rd December. It was open to the public, who generously responded to our appeal for the building fund for the Preston District Hospital.
It is considered that the one hundred and fifty prints shown are of a quality well able to hold their own with the efforts of older established clubs. The Pictorial Photographic Club is very proud of its progress made in only two years of activity.
An attractive program, including instruction for beginners and advanced members, has been planned for 1951.
1st February 1951 Page 118 - Vol. 58 No. 2 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Monday, December 11, saw the members of the Pictorial Photographic Club enjoying an informal evening on the occasion of the annual Break-up and Award Night.
A program of 16mm sound films was shown by Vice-President M. Sharp, including a number of comedies for the benefit of the children. This was followed by a review of the prints judged for the print of the year by the Judge, Mr. J. Bilney, who congratulated the club on its fine work and gave some sound advice to members on several particular weaknesses which he had noticed.
Presentation of the awards was followed by a magnificent spread for supper to which members and families did full justice.
Awards were as follows:
PRINT OF THE YEAR: F.P. Hion (“Nature’s Sowing”).
A GRADE AGGREGATE (THOMPSON SHIELD): F.P. Hion.
B GRADE AGGREGATE (SHARP CUP): A. Smith.
C GRADE AGGREGATE: Miss M. Fox.
1st April 1951 Page 251 - Vol. 58 No. 4 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Practical demonstrations, firstly of copying, by Mr. R.S. Gray and, secondly, of the art of still-life photography, by Mr. F.P. Hion, started the ball rolling this year.
Collins Street photographer Peter Fox followed on 12th February demonstrating, with the aid of his assistants, methods of hand-coloring photographs. Although members probably will not reach the perfection of the well practised demonstrator, no doubt they will be able to produce a very passable effort as a result of the lecturer’s hints. Mr. Fox is very generous with his aid to photographic clubs, and a great debt is owed to him for his friendly advice.
The meeting on 26th February took the form of an illustrated lecture by a member of the staff of Kodak on photography by ultra-violet and infra-red light, ranging from crime detection to pictorial work.
The club is looking forward to a very good year, especially as it hopes to attract amateurs to “do their own” by conducting beginners classes commencing on the 9th April with “Contact Printing”.
A welcome is extended to all photographers to attend our meetings. Particulars may be had from the Hon.Secretary, Mr. R.S. Gray.
1st June 1951 Page 378 - Vol. 58 No. 6 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Both April meetings were of an informal nature, but we are believers in this form of meeting as an aid to club fellowship.
On April 9th, a practical club night was programmed. Two sets of lights and two backgrounds, one black and one white, were available and each member so wishing selected a background and a model from among the members, and went to work to produce a portrait. Expert advice was available from the more experienced members. A competition will be held later when members will submit pictures made from negatives exposed at this meeting.
On April 23rd, a discussion night saw many topics of photographic interest brought up, and a number of problems solved. The concluding feature was the screening of a selection of Kodachrome slides by the President, Mr. R. Winther, made in the districts around the Buffalo River, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty.
Enquiries from prospective members are always welcomed by the Secretary, Mr. R.S. Gray, York Street, West Preston.
1st August 1951 Page 512 - Vol. 58 No. 8 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
The first June meeting was held in the Kodak Gallery, Collins Street, where Miss Catherine Perkins, of Peter Fox Studios, demonstrated “Glamor Lighting” with the aid of members of the Peter Fox staff. Simple props in the form of scarves, and cardboard cut-outs projected on to the background, were used to transform a conventional portrait into a glamor shot. Undoubtedly, spotlights are essential to produce the crisp results desired. Members were able to photograph the model and afterwards to try their hand at lighting a model themselves under the expert eye of Miss Perkins.
Prints entered for the Open competition, which closed at the June 18th meeting, were analyzed and discussed by a group led by Mr. Baxter.
Messrs. Kodak Limited kindly screened the sound film “Highlights and Shadows” for the meeting on July 2nd, and members saw the part of photography which is so much taken for granted — the manufacture of cameras, films and papers in the various Kodak works. What an eye-opener to see the massive precision machinery and thousands of operations concerned in the behind-the-scenes activities of the vast Kodak organization.
The result of the Open competition, with commentary by the Judge, Mr. Stan Harrison, were as follows:
A GRADE: l, F.P. Hion (two equal listings); 2, F.P. Hion; 3, E.H. Baxter.
B GRADE: l, J.N. Lee; 2, G. Earl; 3, J.N. Lee.
At this meeting, a group of prints from the newly-formed Healesville Camera Club was shown and judged at the request of that club.
Hon. Secretary of the Pictorial Photographic Club is Mr. R.S. Gray, York Street, West Preston, to whom enquiries should be addressed.
1st September 1951 Page 578 - Vol. 58 No. 9 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
On July 16th an informal discussion night was programed and numerous photographic subjects were brought before the meeting, including the copying of old, faded and cracked photographs. Opinions varied as to the wisdom of making an intermediate print for retouching, some members holding the view that copying twice is not good, as they believed that any photograph “lost” something in being copied even once.
The July 30th meeting was in the form of a camera night, when members got together for some practical work. The more experienced members were there to advise the beginners, and much good work was done with some simple two and three light arrangements. With the aid of a beach hat and a shawl, member Ken Banfield was transformed to a quite presentable gaucho, and much clicking of shutters took place.
1st October 1951 Page 646 - Vol. 58 No. 10 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Mr. Ted Rotherham, at the meeting on 13th August, showed members a number of his very fine prints of nature subjects, and gave a full exposition of the methods followed in his work. Nature photography was meaningless, he said, unless the results were sharp, and no efforts should be spared to achieve this end. Backgrounds should be kept simple to avoid confusion, and the arrangement, while keeping the insect in a natural environment, should be studied to obtain the most pictorial result possible.
The second August meeting was in the hands of committee member Alan Smith, who demonstrated Ektachrome processing. Although the process entails a larger number of steps than one is usually accustomed to in black-and-white processes, Mr. Smith showed that, by attention to instructions, no difficulty should be experienced in producing an excellent result.
1st November 1951 Page 704 - Vol. 58 No. 11 Australasian Photo-Review
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Judge’s comments on entries for the portrait competition were read at the meeting on 10th September. The judge pointed out that backgrounds should be very carefully attended to in portraiture, as they contributed a great deal to the mood of the picture. A fault which should be avoided is to allow the model to appear obviously just “dressed-up”. Make-up and accessories should aim to make the pose appear a natural one for the type of model. Results were as follows: A Grade: 1, R. Winther; 2 and 3, R. Gray. B Grade: 1, G. Sim; 2, M. Baker; 3, G. Sim.
At the Annual General Meeting, held on 24th September, office-bearers were elected as follows: President, E.H. Baxter; Vice-Presidents, R. Winther, R. Gray, A. Hogan; Hon.Secretary, M.M. Baker; Assistant Secretary, J.N. Lee; Treasurer, A. Smith; Committee, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Baxter, G. Sim.
The first October meeting was in the hands of the President (Mr. Baxter), who gave a short talk on making photographic Christmas cards. He indicated that the process was, broadly speaking, one of combining printed matter with a picture, and outlined the methods of achieving this as well as some of the pitfalls to be avoided. Numerous masking aids were shown, together with various styles of card ranging from the very simplest to a four-sheet ribbon-bowed example.
An instructive program is planned for the coming year, and interested photographers should contact the Secretary, Mr. M.M. Baker.