VPA

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION

FOUNDED 17th JULY 1907

Camera clubs have existed in Melbourne since the 1890s.
An umbrella organization called the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was formed in 1907.
This guided amateur photography in Victoria for the next four decades.

Monday 27th May 1907 Page 8 - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.)

PROPOSED UNION OF AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUBS
A conference of delegates from amateur photographic clubs was held on Saturday, in connection with the photographic exhibition of the East Malvern Amateur Photographic Society. Dr. H.L. Murray presided and Mr Sydney Fox was appointed Hon.Secretary. The Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria and the East Malvern, Gordon College (Geelong), Working Men's College and Clifton Hill clubs were represented and letters were read from other clubs sympathizing with the aims of the conference. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

That it is desirable to form an association of photographic clubs in the State, whose object will be the government and advancement of amateur photography.

That the above resolution be forwarded to all the amateur photographic clubs in Victoria and if approved they be asked to send two delegates to a conference to be held on Wednesday 17th July. No delegate to represent more than one club.

That in the event of country clubs favorable to the scheme being unable to send delegates they may appoint delegates at Melbourne.

That in the opinion of this conference the decisions of the committee of the recent Australian Natives Association exhibition in connection with the allotment of their awards for the photographic competition were far from satisfactory.

The delegates from other clubs expressed great satisfaction at the success of the East Malvern club's exhibition, which was well attended, both afternoon and evening. It is the intention of other clubs to follow the East Malvern club's example of encouraging amateur photography and illustrating its advancement by holding an exhibition. The variety of the exhibits, which covered all styles of photography, from the long indoor exposure to the outdoor snapshot, was commented on and Camera enthusiasts did not fail to note the preponderance of toned bromide, a style of printing in great favor with the exhibitors.

Mr SYDNEY FOX
HON.SECRETARY
Victorian Photographic Affiliation 1907

Tuesday 16th July 1907 Page 6 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONFERENCE
A conference of Victorian amateur photographic clubs will be held to-morrow, at 8pm, at the rooms of the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria, 59 Swanston Street. At a previous conference held on May 25, the desirability of forming a Controlling body in connection with amateur photography was affirmed and it is proposed to constitute such a body at the conference on Wednesday next and draw up the necessary rules and regulations.

The following Clubs have notified their intention of being represented by delegates, viz.
Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria
Working Men's College Photographic Club
East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club
Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association, Geelong
Ballarat Camera Club
Clifton Hill Amateur Photo Club
Beechworth Camera Club.

Conference of Victorian Photographic Clubs adopting the Constitution of the

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION

From left to right: W.J. Edwards, F. Dutton (Clifton Hill); A.J. Relph (Working Men's College College);
C. Nayler, T.F.M. Smith (Footscray); H. Potter, J.H. Harvey (Geelong); D.W. Paterson,
Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria; E.C. Joshua, Sydney Fox (Conference Hon.Secretary)
(East Malvern); Henry C. Mais (Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria - President)

21st August 1907 Page 299 - The Australasian Photographic Review

A CONTROLLING BODY IN PHOTOGRAPHY
The following circular has been issued to all photographic clubs in Victoria. The resolutions contained therein embody the proposed contribution of the "Victorian Photographic Affiliation”.
CONFERENCE OF VICTORIAN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUBS
Dandenong Road, East Caulfield.
25th July, 1907

Dear Sir, I have pleasure in informing you that the Conference of Clubs, convened for Wednesday, 17th August, was duly held on that date at the rooms of the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria, 59 Swanston Street, Melbourne.

There were present, representatives from the:
Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria
Clifton Hill Amateur Photo Club
East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club
Footscray Camera Club
Gordon College Amateur Photo. Association, Geelong
Working Men's College Photographic Club
Young Men’s Christian Association Camera Club

Mr. H.C. Mais was elected President and Mr. Sydney Fox Hon.Secretary, of the Conference.

The following resolutions were carried:

That a body for the government and advancement of photography be now formed.
The name shall be the Victorian Photographic Affiliation.
The objects of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation shall be as follows:

To advance the art of photography.
To further the interests of the affiliated bodies.
To draw up regulations governing photographic exhibitions and competitions.
To promote combined exhibitions and inter-club competitions.
To arrange periodical conventions of the members of the affiliated bodies.
To arrange combined lectures and demonstrations on any subject relating to photography or allied arts.
To arrange for the publication of an official journal.

The Victorian Photographic Affiliation shall comprise all photographic bodies in Victoria, which shall become affiliated to it in such manner as may be prescribed.
The Victorian Photographic Affiliation shall be governed by a council consisting of a President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Hon.Secretary and Hon. Treasurer and delegates appointed by the affiliated bodies, who shall meet periodically for the transaction of business. Each affiliation body shall appoint delegates in accordance with the number of its members on the roll on the 1st day of July in each year, as follows:
Under 25 financial members 1 delegate, 25 financial members and over 2 delegates. (Honorary members not to count).
All bodies which sent delegates to the Conference on 17th July, 1907, at which the formation of this affiliation was agreed upon, shall be registered as the original affiliated bodies on payment of the requisite subscription and agreeing to abide by the rules. Any other bodies wishing to join the Victorian Photographic Affiliation must make application in such manner as may be prescribed.
The annual subscription for each affiliated body shall be 10s. 6d. per delegate.
The financial year shall commence on 1st July, on which date all subscriptions shall become due and no body shall be entitled to representation on the affiliation until its subscription shall have been paid.
The secretary of each affiliated body shall forward in each year a list of the financial members of his body (excluding honorary members) as at 1st July to the Secretary of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation within fourteen days from that date, together with the names of the delegate or delegates appointed by his body to the council for the ensuing year.
The annual meeting of the council shall be held in July, fourteen days notice of which shall be given.
At the annual meeting of the council the report and financial statement for the past year shall be presented, the office-bearers consisting of the President, two Vice-Presidents, Hon.Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall be elected from among the members of the council, and any other business transacted of which due notice shall have been given. An auditor shall be appointed at the annual meeting of the council.
The President or one of the Vice-Presidents shall take the chair at all meetings of the council. Should neither of them be present the meeting shall appoint a chairman. The chairman shall have a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote.
After this constitution has been adopted it can only be altered at a special meeting of the council convened for the purpose, fourteen days notice of which must be given, and such alteration shall be carried by at least two-thirds majority of those present.
A copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the secretary of each club in Victoria, and that they be asked to send delegates to the number required as per above resolution referring thereto, and a list of the financial members of their club as at 1st July, 1907 (excluding honorary members), to a further conference to be held on the 21st August, 1907, at 8pm, at the rooms of the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria, 59 Swanston-street Melbourne, for the purpose of adopting the above constitution; following which the first meeting of the council will be held to elect office-bearers for the ensuing year and conduct any other business that may be brought forward.

I now have the honor to ask you, in accordance with the last resolution, to bring the above resolutions before your club, and have delegates appointed to attend the further conference to be held on Wednesday, 21st August next, at 8pm, for the purpose of adopting the above constitution. Kindly forward me as early as possible before that date, the list of financial members on your roll on 1st July last (excluding honorary members), and the names of your delegates for the ensuing year.

At the conclusion of the conference on 21st August, the first meeting of the council will be held, for the purpose of electing office-bearers for the ensuing year and conducting any other business that may be brought forward.

I am, yours faithfully,
SYDNEY FOX
CONFERENCE HON.SECRETARY

20th September 1907 Page 218 - The Australian Photographic Journal
21st September 1907 Page 355 - The Australasian Photographic Review

A Third conference of delegates from Victorian Photographic Societies was held in Melbourne on Wednesday 21st August 1907, when the constitution of the proposed Victorian Photographic Affiliation, which was drafted at the conference held on 17th July, was adopted, having been approved of by the different societies represented.

The business of the conference having been concluded, the delegates, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, became the Council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. Mr Henry C. Mais was elected President of the Affiliation, Messrs. E.C. Joshua and D.W. Paterson, vicePresidents and Mr J.H. Harvey, Hon.Secretary. Sub-committees having been appointed for the purpose of drafting rules for the governing of photographic exhibitions and competitions and for the conducting of the business of the Affiliation, the meeting closed.

The societies represented at the above meeting were:
Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria
Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association
Working Men's College Photographic Club
East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club
Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club
Footscray Camera Club.

21st October 1907
Page 242 - The Australian Photographic Journal
Page 396 - The Australasian Photographic Review

A special meeting of the council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was held on Wednesday 25th September, to consider a request from the committee of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work, that the Council would appoint three of its members to act as judges of the photographic competition work in connection with the exhibition. It was resolved that Messrs. E.C. Joshua, A.J. Relph and J.H. Harvey, should be appointed and that in the event of any one of these being unable to attend, Mr S. Fox should act as substitute.

An ordinary meeting of the council was held on Wednesday 2nd October, at which Mr H.C. Mais, President, occupied the chair. A letter from the Hon.Secretary to the proposed Australian Natives Association Exhibition was read. This had been sent to the Amateur Photographic Association, but was referred by that body to the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. It contained an intimation that the committee would be glad of any suggestions relating to the photographic section of the exhibition which it was proposed to hold in 1908. It was agreed to postpone this to the meeting to be held on the 16th October.

It was decided that as the Ballarat Camera Club had complied with the requirements under the constitution, it should be registered as one of the bodies forming the Victorian Photographic Affiliation.

The committee of the Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club wrote asking the council to nominate three judges for the competition work at its exhibition to be held in November. Messrs. E.J. Porteous, J. Ford Paterson and C. Douglas Richardson were nominated and Mr Robert Harvie was nominated as a substitute in case any one of those gentlemen could not attend.

The council devoted the remainder of the evening to considering the report of the subcommittee on exhibitions and competitions, after which the members adjourned till the 16th October.

20th November 1907 Page 271 - The Australian Photographic Journal
21st November 1907 Page 435 - The Australasian Photographic Review

The committee of the Exhibition which the Australian Natives Association, proposes to hold in 1908, having invited the Council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation to make suggestions concerning the regulations for the Photographic Competitions in connection with the exhibition, a Special Meeting of the Council was held on the 21st October, for the purpose. Various modifications of and additions to the regulations previously in force were proposed and it is satisfactory to note that these suggestions of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation have been adopted by the exhibition committee and will be published in the prospectus in due course.

Medal - ANA Exhibition 1907

This is a black and white postcard of the Exhibition Building,
showing the southern facade with the lake in the foreground in 1907.

Saturday 11th July 1908 Page 4 - Geelong Advertiser (Victoria)

GORDON COLLEGE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION - ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Report also noted with pleasure that one of the most popular members, Mr J.H. Harvey, had again been elected as Hon.Secretary of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation.

21st July 1908 Page 274 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The annual meeting was held on 1st July 1908, when the Australian School of Photographers was admitted to the Affiliation and a letter from the Footscray Camera Club announcing its withdrawal was read. The report and financial statement were also adopted.

The Hon.Secretary announced that the following members had been appointed by the respective Societies to act as members of Council for the year 1908-9; Messrs. H.C. Mais and D.W. Paterson, for the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria; Messrs. H.L. Potter and J.H. Harvey, for the Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association; Messrs. A.J. Relph and E. Bray, for the Working Men's College Photographic Club; Messrs. S. Fox and W. Churchill Fisher for the East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club; Messrs. W.J. Edwards and F. Dutton for the Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club.

Nominations for representatives of the Ballarat Camera Club and the Australian School of Photographers have not yet been received.

It was resolved that it is desirable that the Affiliation hold an exhibition at an early date and that an exhibition committee, consisting of one representative of each Club, with Mr. F. Dutton as Hon.Secretary, be appointed, such committee to consist of Messrs. Mais, Relph, Fox, Dutton and Harvey.

It was decided also that a portfolio of prints to circulate among the affiliated bodies should be established.

J.H. HARVEY
HON.SECRETARY.

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT - YEAR 1907 - 1908
It will be fresh in the memory of all the members of the Council that the formation of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was the outcome of a conference of representatives of the different Photographic Societies, which was convened by the East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club for the purpose of forming a combined body for the government of exhibitions and competitions and for other purposes connected with the welfare of the Societies in which united action would be more advantageous than individual effort.

This conference followed upon a suggestion made by the Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association that the Hon.Secretaries of the various clubs should be asked to meet during the currency of the exhibition of the East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club in May 1907.

The first meeting was held on Saturday 25th May 1907, and there were represented at it the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria, Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association (Geelong), Working Men’s College Photographic Club, East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club, Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club. At this conference it was decided that it was desirable to form an Amateur Photographic Clubs Council, the object of which should be the government and advancement of amateur photography and it was arranged that a second conference should be held, in order to create such a body. This conference was held on the 17th July 1907, on which occasion, in addition to the Societies represented at the previous conference, the Footscray Camera Club and the Y.M.C.A. Camera Club were represented. (The representatives of the latter body attended no further meeting and it is not represented in the Affiliation). At this and a third conference, which was held on 21st August 1907. the constitution of the proposed governing body was discussed and finally adopted, when the representatives of the various Societies present automatically became the Council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation.

Mr. H.C. Mais, was elected President of the Council; Messrs. E.C. Joshua and D.W. Paterson, Vice-Presidents; and Mr. J.H. Harvey, agreed to undertake the duties of Hon.Secretary.

Sub-committees were at once formed, in order to prepare a set of regulations for the government of exhibitions and competitions and for the conducting of the business of the Council and these committees met many times before programs were agreed upon. The members of the sub-committee to draft regulations for exhibitions and competitions were Messrs. H.C. Mais, A.J. Relph, D.W. Paterson, S. Fox, and J.H. Harvey; and Messrs. E.C. Joshua, F. Dutton and T.F.M. Smith were those selected to prepare rules for conducting the ordinary business.

Eventually the drafts of the regulations prepared by these two committees were submitted to the Council and after very careful consideration, which occupied a period of six months, during which time four ordinary monthly meetings were devoted exclusively to the consideration and discussion of them and each of the various regulations discussed most exhaustively from all points of view, it was resolved at the meeting held in March 1908, that a copy of the regulations for the management of exhibitions and competitions should be forwarded to each delegate for the information of the members of his Society.

While the regulations were, as a whole, unanimously approved of by the Societies, alterations in the definition of the term “amateur” were suggested by all the Societies that took part in the deliberations with the exception of the Gordon College Association, the East Malvern Club, and the Footscray Club, while one club suggested the alteration of the system of judging recommended.

On further consideration by the Council at the meeting held in June 1908, a majority of the members voted for the proposed alteration in the definition of “an amateur”, but against any alteration in the manner of judging competition work.

In addition to the ordinary meetings which have been held since the Council was constituted on 21st August 1907, four “special meetings” have been held. The total number of meetings held by the Council during the ten months of its existence is 14.

During the year the patronage of the Affiliation was, by request, accorded to the exhibition of the Clifton which was held in November 1907. At the request of a committee of management of the Exhibition of Women’s Work, the Council selected the judges for the photographic competitions which were organized in connection with it, and appointed Messrs. E.C. Joshua, A.J. Relph and J.H. Harvey. The Committee of the Australian Natives Association Exhibition asked the advice of the Council in connection with the conditions which had been framed for the photographic competitions for that Exhibition, with the result that the Council recommended certain modifications, all of which the Exhibition Committee adopted and at the request of the Committee, the Council appointed the judges for the competitive work at that Exhibition, the choice again falling upon Messrs. Joshua, Relph, and Harvey.

The Council also, at the request of the Clifton Hill Club, nominated the judges for the competitions at the exhibition of that Club, which was held in November 1907.

During the year the Footscray Camera Club has, in consequence of internal alterations, retired from the Affiliation, but the hope is expressed by its senior representative that it may, at an early date, again join the affiliated bodies.

The Ballarat Camera Club and the Australian School of Photographers have joined the Affiliation and the Ladies Photographic Association has written asking for admission.

Considering that the practical work of the year has been condensed into ten months, that the varying ideas and interests of seven different photographic bodies, possessing an aggregate of 400 members, have had to be met and that eventually this has been accomplished in a satisfactory manner, the Council is to be congratulated upon the result of the time and labor which its members have gratuitously devoted to the production of order from “chaos” and in relinquishing their positions for the year they can conscientiously say that their time has not been spent for naught.

J.H. HARVEY
HON.SECRETARY.

21st October 1908 Page 361 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
PROSPECTUS
The Hon.Secretary of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation writes to us from Melbourne as follows:

Herewith I have much pleasure in forwarding you copies of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation First Open Exhibition Prospectus, to be held in the Victorian Artists Society’s Galleries, Melbourne, in February next.

The Victorian Photographic Affiliation, is the governing body in connection with amateur photography in Victoria, all the leading clubs in the State being affiliated with it. This in itself should be sufficient reason to ensure the success of the undertaking.

Exhibits are being invited from England, Europe and America, as well as the other States and according to information received, the committee have every reason to believe the exhibition will be a thoroughly representative one.

Every care will be taken of the exhibits and immediately on the close of the exhibition, they will be returned to their owners.

These copies are now at the disposal of any person requiring them and we shall be very pleased to impart such other information as may be forwarded to us for the purpose.

The Affiliation is making and wisely as we think, a new departure in the matter of awards, the only ones announced being the gold and silver medals of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation for the two best pictures in the General Section and diplomas to the best and second best pictures in each class of the same. A private letter from a member of the committee remarks on the subject: “We intend to have a rather vigorous selection and to try the experiment of making the honor of having work accepted the attraction. This may not suit the pot hunting fraternity, but should be acceptable to those who desire the advancement of our art”.

That there will be other awards offered from outside sources may be taken as a foregone conclusion, but the official decision to confine theirs to two medals and a limited number of diplomas is sound in theory and should be proved wise in practice.

In one direction only do we take exception to the regulations and that is in regard to the appointment of judges, of whom there are to be two, one artist and one photographer. If the artist to be chosen happens to be an artist-photographer, that is to say, a skilled photographer in addition to being an artist, there can be no room for dissatisfaction with the awards. On the other hand, should he chance to be a very clever artist, but at the same time gleefully ignorant of the very rudiments of photography, there will be, as there almost invariably has been on similar occasions, friction of a more or less injurious nature, which may well prove prejudicial to the best interests of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. There should, however, be no difficulty in connection with this matter, as it would be, indeed, but a poor compliment to the many clubs and societies interested in the movement, to entertain a doubt as to their ability to nominate on short notice two thoroughly competent photographers who have established an indisputable claim by their works to be called artists.

It is a well-known and lamentable fact that the ability to take good photographs and the capacity for making artistic pictures are not always present under one hat; but we take the liberty of believing that there are very many members of the Affiliation who can do both things at the same time and presumably, they will not all be included in the list of exhibitors. Even so, there will still remain a large number of equally well qualified men outside the Victorian Photographic Affiliation to whom the duty might be safely entrusted, and with an assurance that it would be honorably performed.

In the best interests of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, we trust this matter will be deemed worthy of further consideration, for the avoidance of all possible cause of dissatisfaction with the awards.

21st November 1908 Page 417 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
A special meeting of the Council was held on the 5th November, to consider a number of amendments to the Constitution, suggested by Mr. Sydney Fox, which the experience of the last twelve months proved was necessary. The principal amendment provided for an extension of time to the affiliated bodies for paying the annual subscription. Hitherto a club failing to pay its subscription by the 1st July was debarred from taking any part in the annual meeting and would have to be re-admitted when the fee was paid. All the amendments were adopted after very little discussion.

The Exhibition Committee reported that Messrs. Baker and Rouse had kindly placed a trophy valued at £l5 15s., at the disposal of the Committee, on the understanding that it should be devoted to the Genre Class and that the donors should have the prior right of publishing the winning picture. The Council expressed much gratification at the generous offer and trusted that it would be the means of inducing a large number of entries for that particular section. After some discussion, it was decided to issue a special leaflet announcing the trophy and at the same time decided upon a definition of Genre: “A figure study representing work or action, illustrating an incident in everyday life”.

It was decided to offer a prize of £2 2s. for a suitable design for the Diploma and the Exhibition Hon.Secretary was instructed to issue a circular setting forth the conditions. Designs have to be in the Hon.Secretary’s hands by the 1st December.

After some discussion it was decided to inaugurate an Inter-Club Portfolio to circulate among the various affiliated bodies. Further discussion of the regulations was deferred until the next meeting. The Procedure Rules were further discussed and after being finally adopted, were authorized to be printed, together with the Constitution and Exhibition Regulations.

F. DUTTON
PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Friday 11th December 1908 Page 5 - Bendigo Advertiser (Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
It is announced that the first exhibition promoted by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation will be held at the Victorian Artists Society's galleries from 6th to 13th February 1909. The exhibition is to be open to both professional and amateur photographers throughout the world. In addition to exhibits from all the Australian States, it is expected that pictures will be sent from England, America, India and Japan. It is intended by the affiliation that the best Victorian exhibits shall be forwarded to the International Photographic Exhibition, which is to be held in Dresden next year from May until October. Medals will be presented for the best and second best pictures sent to the competitive section, while diplomas will be awarded to the best and second best photograph exhibited in each class in this section. Entries will be received up to 15th January, the last day for the delivery of exhibits being 29th January.

18th December 1908 Page 459 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held on 3rd December, when several verbal alterations were made to the rules and regulations with a view of making them as perfect as possible before being printed.

The draft copy of the objects and rules of the inter-club portfolio was considered and accepted after some discussion. The objects as set forth are:
(a) To stimulate and encourage members of affiliated clubs to produce new and improved work by creating friendly rivalry among the various clubs;
(b) to provide a means by which the best pictures produced by the members of the affiliated clubs can be circulated for the benefit of others;
(c) to provide for just and friendly criticism of the work of affiliated clubs by a competent body of critics and by the clubs themselves, so that members may remedy their faults.

The rules provide that the portfolio shall be issued quarterly, beginning next March and that each club shall contribute three new pictures in each issue, which must be the work of separate individuals. At the end of each year the Portfolio Committee have to make an annual report, showing the comparison of the work produced by each club.

The Council decided that the portfolio rules should be printed in the handbook for the information of affiliated members.

With a view of disseminating information about the Affiliation among the members of the associated clubs it was decided to defray the cost of posting a copy of the handbook to each member, together with a special circular drawing attention to the closing date for entries for the Exhibition, 15th January 1909.

F. DUTTON
Press Correspondent

22nd January 1909 Page 38 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The last monthly meeting of the Council was fully occupied with matter pertaining to the forthcoming Exhibition, to be opened in the Victorian Artists Society’s Galleries, on 6th February next. The Exhibition Hon.Secretary reported that there were numbers of entries coming forward by each mail. A letter had been received from Mr. Fayette J. Clute, Editor of “Camera Craft”, asking for a supply of Entry Forms. The Royal Photographic Society, London, wrote requesting that English workers should be exempt from sending the official form as they only had a few and there was not sufficient time to obtain further supplies. Mr. J.J. Rouse wrote that he had received word from the Editor of the “British Journal of Photography”, that he was communicating with the leading English amateurs and would give the Exhibition every assistance in his power. Mr. Snowden Ward and Mr. Mortimer had also promised their assistance to make the affiliation’s undertaking a success. Other letters received from foreign workers showed that an active interest was being taken in the Exhibition. It is to be hoped that leading Interstate workers will not be lacking in enthusiasm. Over three hundred Handbooks and Circulars relating to the Exhibition had been posted out to affiliated members, so that no excuse can be made of “want of knowledge”.

It was decided that the first part of the Inter-Club Portfolio should be issued about 15th March next. The Council anticipates the Portfolio will be a great incentive to the improvement of work among the affiliated bodies. It is pleasing to record that the critics of the affiliation are beginning to recognize that the Victorian Photographic Affiliation has been the means of creating a healthier spirit in the various clubs and the cause of amateur photography has been materially advanced by the prospects of the Exhibition.

22nd January 1909 Page 43 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION EXHIBITION, MELBOURNE
The officials expect this show to be quite the finest ever held in the Commonwealth, judging by the entries that have already come forward.

The Kodak people have sent a large exhibit from America, but applications for British exhibits arrived in London too late, as the Dresden Exhibition people, whose show opens early in the year, had already scoured the country for entries and promises to exhibit there had been made by the leading men.

Messrs. Baker and Rouse have given a trophy, valued at £l5 15s, for the best Genre study exhibited, the only condition being that they shall have prior right of publication. We hope to be able to reproduce the winning picture in a later number of the A.P-R.

February 1909 Page 64 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION EXHIBITION, MELBOURNE

THE SNAKE CHARMER
By Mrs. William Smith
Winner of Messrs. Baker and Rouse’s £15/15/- Trophy at the Exhibition, of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

Monday 8th February 1909 Page 8 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)
Saturday 13th February 1909 Page 34 - Leader (Melbourne, Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
On Saturday afternoon the first exhibition held in Melbourne under the auspices of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was opened at the Artists Galleries by Mr H.C. Mais, President of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. There was a large attendance of visitors.

The various awards were:

GOLD MEDAL FOR BEST PICTURE IN EXHIBITION: E.C. Joshua (East Malvern Club)				SILVER MEDAL FOR SECOND BEST PICTURE: E.C. Joshua (East Malvern Club)
INTER CLUB COMPETITION:						TROPHY, VALUED AT £15/15/- AS SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE WINNING PICTURE IN THE GENRE CLASS:
FIRST: Photographic Association of Victoria		SECOND: Working Mens College Photographic Club		THIRD: Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club		FIRST: Mrs William Smith
LANDSCAPE, SEASCAPE AND RIVER SCENERY:		PORTRAITS:		GENRE:		ARCHITECTURE:
FIRST: W.C. Fisher	SECOND: J.P. Campbell	FIRST: Harold Cazneaux Sydney	SECOND: Harold Cazneaux Sydney	FIRST: Mrs William Smith	SECOND: W.J.C. Cowper	FIRST: Mrs. William Smith	SECOND: E.A. Bray
ANIMAL STUDY:		STEREOSCOPE WORK:		LANTERN SLIDES:		TRANSPARENCIES:
FIRST: J.T. Stephens	SECOND: Norman C. Deck Sydney	FIRST: William Morey Sydney	SECOND: H.E. Kennedy	FIRST: W. Howieson	SECOND: P.H. Williams Adelaide	FIRST: W.J. Edwards	SECOND: R.W. Harvie

Monday 8th February 1909 Page 11 - The Age (Melbourne, Victoria)

THE OPENING CEREMONY
The opening ceremony of the exhibition conducted by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation took place on Saturday afternoon, when there was a large attendance of the general public and great interest was taken in the proceedings. Mr H.C. Mais, President of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, briefly explained the steps which had been taken with the view of inducing the various photographic clubs to work in harmony together. The object in view was to advance the art, to promote combined exhibitions and inter-club competitions and to arrange for lectures and demonstrations. The present exhibition was the first held under the regulations and it had the valued support of all the best photographic workers in Victoria, There were also exhibits from the other States. In glancing round the walls the visitors would observe the praiseworthy nature of the work. Some excellent pictures were to be seen, They would form an incentive to young members and an object lesson to older ones. The display proved that photographers in this part of the world were capable of holding their own. Great advance had been made in the art during the last few years. This was specially noticeable because of the manner in which photography was now being used for illustrating books and magazines. Some of these productions were, as they knew, very beautiful. The old style of wood engraving was altogether superseded. The camera was also being made use of to photograph the heavens and was thus of great advantage to the astronomer; whilst the medical profession generally was benefited by the valuable information gained by the use of the Rontgen rays. He thanked the judges and all the others concerned for the way in which they had carried out their work and he hoped the exhibition would be a success.

Monday 8th February 1909 Page 11 - The Age (Melbourne, Victoria)
Saturday 13th February 1909 Page 34 - Leader (Melbourne, (Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The Victorian Photographic Affiliation commenced its first open exhibition on Saturday at the Victorian Artists Society's galleries, Eastern Hill. The exhibition represents the largest of its sort, ever held in Australia, and comprises an inter-club competition, for which six photographic clubs have entered; a section open to competitors practically all over the world, a non-competitors section and a large loan collection from various photographic firms. Through out the exhibition there is full proof that the art of the camera has been taxed to its utmost and full use has been made of its pictorial resources in monochrome and it only remains now for color-photography to be perfected.

In landscape Mr E.C. Joshua has been particularly successful in coping with the difficulties of sunlight, and has drawn on the beauties of the Treasury Gardens for some of his best effects of light filtering through trees. Mr James Campbell shows a number of very effective studies, but generally inclines to too strong contrasts of black and white. Mr Norman Deck, Sydney, has done some fine landscape work, but he also is sometimes prone to the same fault, though his "Edge of the Wood" and "Shadow and Sunshine" are two excellent examples of their kind. Mr Churchill Fisher has chosen a difficult composition for his "Across the Creek" and has made something really fine of it and Mr William Knox, New York, shows some glimpses of healthy foliage in sunlight. "Lake Bolac, Morning", by Mr D.W. Paterson, and "Pastures by the Sea" show special aptitude for choice of subject and a rare regard, for massing. Mr J. Williams has made use of the screen in a little winter's evening scene, which has the tone qualities of a fine painting. Two particularly attractive street scenes are from the cameras of Mr E.C. Joshua and Mr Ernest Bray who have managed to obtain movement and atmosphere together with a happy, if accidental, massing of the darks. Mr Arthur Wills and Mr F. Dutton are also exhibitors in this section. Among the portraits is a fine, painter like head of a musician by Mr Harold Cazneaux, Sydney and a few others which just miss being artistically satisfactory. In the genre section, in which Baker and Rouse Pty. Ltd., has offered a prize of 15 guineas, three or four pictures stand out as possessing distinct individuality. "A Hard Pull" is a splendidly grouped impression of seamen in action, by Ernest Brown, and "The Snake Charmer", by Mrs William Smith, is strong in light and shade, suggesting brilliant coloring. Mr F.J.S. Cowper and Mr Sydney Fox also show some charming open air subjects. The animal studies are disappointing except for a poetic little evening scene with horses drinking at a stream, by Mr James Campbell and among the non-competitive pictures is some artistic portraiture by Mr L.W. Appleby, Sydney and the Vandyke Studios. Mr J.H. Harvey also shows a group of architectural subjects.

The collections lent by Messrs. Wellington and Ward, England and Baker and Rouse Pty. Ltd., offer something of the best in photography, the enlargements from Kodak negatives being carried to a very high standard of perfection.

Thursday 11th February 1909 Page 8 - The Age (Melbourne, Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
SPEECH BY SIR JOHN MADDEN
The open exhibition of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation now proceeding at the Victorian Artists Galleries, Eastern Hill, was well attended last evening. Amongst those present was Sir John Madden, who was shown round the galleries by the chairman of the exhibition committee, Mr H.C. Mais.

After the inspection Mr Bernard Hall, Director of the National Gallery, addressed the gathering on the composition and decorative qualities of photography. Whilst not professing to any knowledge of the art, he, nevertheless, as an artist, deplored the growing practice of retouching photographic plates, a practice which, in his opinion, made of photography a hybrid art, not worth pursuing by anyone. But of photography itself he spoke in terms of high praise, emphasizing his remarks by allusions to the beautiful productions adorning the walls.

Sir John Madden delivered a characteristic speech. The time was not long ago, he said, when nothing could have lured an artist of Mr Hall's distinction into praises of a demonstration of photography. That was a time when photography was only in its infancy. There were some of them of the older growth who were bitterly aware of a picture taken, say, 40 years ago, of a figure stiffly erect, with head back, a hand on a chair, an unnatural expression on the face, a picture you would have consigned to the flames long ago, but that it was hallowed in the eyes of some person. Everybody has some such skeleton in his cupboard at home. Now there is the camera fiend to torment you. He catches you in the most awkward and compromising circumstances, at times of the greatest privacy. And you cannot repudiate such a photograph, for the camera "cannot lie". Now in its growth, the art of photography had reached that high perfection it showed in the delightful productions around them. In its aid to science also its possibilities were limitless. To photography, their great scientific investigations owed an inextinguishable debt by the camera; heavenly bodies were rendered visible which before, even with the most powerful telescope, had remained beyond, unknown. Photography had been developed step by step, until the most picturesque bits of landscape and seascape were reproduced as we were actually able to see them. It was probably true that the art to which Mr Hall belonged would always lead, but, nevertheless, let them congratulate themselves that the photography art had reached such a stage as their exhibition revealed. They were pre-Raphaelite pictures without the strained effort suggested by details. They were pictures which anybody might be delighted to have upon the walls of his rooms and he thought every visitor must have been amazed at their magnificence.

SIR JOHN MADDEN

Born 16th May 1844 Cloyne, Cork, Ireland
Died 10th March 1918 South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR

Thursday 11th February 1909 Page 3 - Punch (Melbourne, Victoria)

The first Photographic Exhibition under the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was opened by Mr H.C. Mais, at the Victorian Artists Rooms, Eastern Hill, on Saturday afternoon, 6th February and will remain open until 13th February. It was a great success, showing a distinct advance on any previous exhibition. One lady exhibitor, Mrs Wm. Smith, has been very successful, winning the £15/15/ trophy, first in architecture and placed in lantern slides. Mr E.C. Joshua, one of our leading pictorial workers, takes both gold and silver medals with two very fine pictures, while such well-known workers as W. Churchill Fisher, J. Temple Stephens, J.P. Campbell, W. Howieson, W.J. Edwards all scored in their respective classes and the Photographic Association of Victoria won the inter-club competition. There was some very fine non-competition work, shown by L.W. Appleby (Sydney), Vandyck Studio, R. Portones, J.H. Harvey. The loan collection consisted of work sent out by the Kodak Co., and a very fine collection of toned enlargements on Wellington and Ward's cream crayon paper — these pictures were exhibited by H.J. Trowbridge, Camera House, who is agent for this world-famous bromide paper. The pictures shown are all Australian subjects, the two at the head of the stairs, over 5ft x 2ft, and a 40 x 30 of the Buffalo Gorge in the South Gallery, splendid specimens of photographic art, were made specially by J.A. Sears for this exhibition. The pictures sent from London only arrived this week and an effort will be made to hang same before the exhibition closes.

Saturday 20th February 1909 Page 2 - Geelong Advertiser (Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC HONOR
At the exhibition of photography now being held in Melbourne under the auspices of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. Mr H.L.S. Potter, of Geelong, had seven of his exhibits "hung" on the walls. One of the number was his well-known study. "A Penny Short", depicting a puzzled newsboy trying to make up his accounts which are a penny short. He has been notified by the Affiliation that the picture has been selected for inclusion in the Victorian exhibit to be sent to the Dresden International Exhibition to be opened in May of this year.

THE SNAKE CHARMER
Mrs. William Smith
Winner of Messrs. Baker & Rouse’s £15/15/- Trophy
at the Exhibition, of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

MUSICIANS
Mr. Ernest L. Brown
Exhibited at the Exhibition, of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

GREAT COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE
Mr. E.C. Joshua
Awarded the Gold Medal in Section A, Class 1
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

IN THE ORCHARD
Mr. William T. Knox
New York, U.S.A.
Exhibited at the Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

THE TREASURY GARDENS
Mr. E.C. Joshua
Awarded a Silver Medal
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

22nd February 1909 Page 65 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION EXHIBITION
SOME NOTES ON THE PICTURES, BY E.H.W. (SPECIAL TO THE A.P-R.)
We may swear at the heat and abuse the local weather prophet in the intervals of relaxation, but there is no doubt that the climatic conditions of Australia and Victoria especially, are more than ordinarily suitable to the production of the best kind of photographic work. That the individual photographer has long been aware of this is made evident by the large number of local clubs in Victoria and by the number and quality of the pictures in the first exhibition of the Victorian Affiliation.

The Victorian Photographic Affiliation is the outcome of a conference of Victorian Photographic Clubs held in May 1907, when it was resolved that a board for the advancement of photography should be formed to which all photographic clubs in Victoria should be invited to send delegates. The avowed objects of the Affiliation was the promoting of an Exhibition. This object has been successfully realized.

Plenty of choice of subjects was given, the competitive section being divided into the following classes: land and seascape, portraits, genre, architecture, animal studies and still life, whilst there were also classes for stereoscopic work, lantern slides and transparencies. Out of a total of over four hundred entries the largest number, as might be expected, were in the landscape and river scenery class, and in choice of subject, rendering and general treatment the majority of entries here attained a surprising degree of excellence. It was, of course, to be expected that genre subjects would be plentiful — there is certainly sufficient variety in rugged and manly types — but what calls for special comment is the quality of each individual exhibit in the architectural class. The first award in this class was given to Mrs. Wm. Smith for a striking toned Bromide Print, “Cloisters in Toledo”, in which the effect of shadow and sun through the open archways on to the paved way is very fine. Mr. Ernest A. Bray received the second award for “The University Pas sage", a very artistic study in perspective.

Whilst through the list of entries are scattered a considerable number of photographs taken in other lands, the prevailing note of the exhibition is Australian — Australian life, incidents, scenes and types and with a few exceptions, the best effects are obtained with toned bromides, the exceptions being where the subject demands cold and austere treatment.

INTERCLUB COMPETITION
In this section, open to any society or club, each club was restricted to six pictures. As suggested in the report submitted by the Judges, Messrs. J. Ford Paterson and R. Porteous, the entries might be further restricted to three from each club. Perhaps the desire to obtain a show influenced the committee in fixing the number at six. However that may be, the collection is very interesting, the six clubs exhibiting all having two or three pictures of exceptional merit. The awards were Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria (1), Working Men's College Photographic Club (2), Clifton Hill (3). The silver medal for section "A", was awarded to Mr. E.C. Joshua, for a fine toned Bromide effect of the big boles of some Treasury Garden Trees with a narrow track winding in and out.

LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE
The judges here have our sympathy. Of the one hundred and sixty odd entries all attained a very high standard and quite a number had claims which must have required very careful weighing before the awards were made. Mr. E.C. Joshua carried off the Affiliation's Gold Medal for the best picture in Section "A", with a very realistic effect of Collins Street, Melbourne. Mr. Joshua has "Taken" the street at a happy moment. We are not aware of any “composition” and if Mr. Joshua had to wait until the picture composed itself, his patience was well rewarded. Of the other pictures, Mr. W. Churchill Fisher’s “Across the Creek” (first award) is of a high order of merit. There is no mistaking the action of water in the naked roots and scattered debris, but the foliage above with a vista of distant hills forms a picture which pleases the eye and satisfies the understanding. The Second Award went to Mr. James P. Campbell’s “Fisherman’s Nook”, showing a stretch of sand, a calm inlet on which rest a few fishing boats, with scrub in the background. Against the main sail of one of the boats is silhouetted the figure of a man. Altogether, the picture is well rendered and forms a dainty little seascape study. To this class, Mr. T. Cummins of Sydney contributes six wave and spray studies, printed in carbon, which for this reason alone, would attract attention. Spray effects, however, are not easy to obtain, but Mr. Cummins has been very successful, his picture, “Neptune's Wild Horses”, a blue carbon, being exceptionally fine. Two of Mr. E.L. Brown’s pictures are worthy of note, “Sunset’s Light is Nearly Fled” and “Home Pastures", but Mr. Brown, we suggest this somewhat diffidently, was unfortunate in his medium. The former was ordinary bromide and the latter a toned bromide. A reversal would have produced a better effect. One of Mr. D.W. Paterson’s exhibits, “Close of Day", was a favorite with most visitors, the loneliness of the figure standing on the bluff against a lowering sky holding the imagination. Mrs Wm. Smith contributed a number of “foreign” scenes, the most note worthy being a large rough bromide print, “Salisbury Crags". The crags stand out pitilessly sharp and steep in bold contrast to the spires of the city suggested, rather than outlined, in the far distance. “Daybreak” by Mr. J. Williams is a beautiful picture spoilt by the frame — a bright green.

PORTRAITS
Mr. Harold Cazneaux, of Sydney, took the first and second award with “Portrait of a Musician” and “Portrait of a Child” respectively. The former is a character study more than a photograph and excellent as Mr. Cazneaux work is, he has been fortunate in his sitter.

GENRE
It is the genre class, however, that appeals most readily to the public, “It is the same old story in the same old way”, but the “story” is what people want. Who cannot realize the thrill of the spectators in Mrs Wm. Smith’s picture, “The Snake Charmer”, or admire the insolent indifference of the performer himself as he squats on the ground, calmly holding the snake to his face? This is the picture that won the Baker & Rouse Trophy of £ls 15 and it presents artistically but faithfully all the garish opulence of the East with its contrasting squalor turned to romance by the glare of the midday sun. It contravenes many pet principles of photography, it shows hard lights and black shadows, but it is art all the same and there is no doubt it is true.

Or, who could resist the charm of Mr. Sydney Fox’s youngsters in “Rescued", the joy of the younger as she sees the other rescue a worthless box from the waves which are dashing well, at least ankle high, and threatening to swamp their craft ? This picture and “The Approaching Wave” (by Mr. W. Churchill Fisher) might be companion pictures. They are both exquisite child studies.

The second award in this class is given to Mr. W.J.S. Cowper for “The Ploughman”, a two-horse team, a mould-board plough and a man working up to the headland close to the bush, a pretty country scene well treated. Mr. E.L. Brown has a fine lot of photographs, of which “Musicians” is perhaps the best. A band, presumably a German one, stands on the Collins-street pavement in the wet doing its work. The light glints on the wet street, it looks very wet and it is Melbourne wet all the time with a suggestion of brightness and sunshine to follow.

This class, though, is full of typical Australian life. There are the Village Smith, Gold Seekers, Natives, the ubiquitous Cow, Lumpers, the Sick Stock-rider, and the Bullock driver. This last, “The King of the Road" (by Mr. A.J. Relph), shows a typical bullocky sunburned, bearded, hard and “straight” in every sense of the word, his body as tough and sinuous as the whip he holds in his hand. "In Sickness and in Health", by Mrs. A.E. Walcott, shows a sick stock-rider with his dog watching by the bedside. It is a happily, conceived subject, well rendered, but somewhat marred by the cowed attitude of the dog. “The Coal Wharf” doesn’t at first thought offer much opportunity to the artist, but Mr. J. Temple Stephens has been fortunate. Here the every-day life of the working man is sympathetically portrayed. One cannot help thinking of the pathetic side of the life of the lumper bowed beneath his load. "A Disciple of the Red Light", by Mrs. Walcott, should not be overlooked. It is a vivid representation of the difficulties and annoyance of those photographers who, in these days of Daylight Kodak Photography, are so far behind the times as to use a dark-room. The moral is obvious. In “The Ferryman” Mr. Watson gets artistic breadth of treatment by the oil pigment process.

Altogether, the Genre Class is one which repays careful study.

THE ANIMAL STUDIES
will appeal to all lovers of birds and beasts. The first and second awards went to Mr. J. Temple Stephens and Mr. Norman C. Deck respectively with “Rest at Mid-day” and “After the Drink”. “The Sentinel” by Mr. J.P. Campbell, is a good picture spoilt perhaps in the rendering. The dog, in my opinion, is too near the centre.

STILL LIFE, FLOWERS AND FRUIT, AND STEREOSCOPIC PICTURES
were well represented. In the last named the first award was given to Mr. Wm. Morey and the second to Mr. Hugh E. Kennedy.

LANTERN SLIDES
Mr. W. Howieson, 1; Mr. P.H. Williams, 2.

TRANSPARENCIES
Mr. W.J. Edwards, 1 with “The Bent Tree", a fine piece of work indeed; Mr. W. Howieson, 2.

THE NON-COMPETITIVE AND LOAN SECTION
is exceedingly interesting and in structive.

No photographer could fail to derive benefit from the many high-class prints on view, whilst the subjects and the excellent manner in which they are treated are calculated to center in the mind of the general public a desire to “go and do likewise”. Here again, we have some carefully considered architectural studies by J.H. Harvey, who shows exteriors and interiors of Parliament House. Detail and outline are about perfect. An object lesson in the effective grouping of figures is given in “A Merry Tale” by the late H.P. Robinson, London. The scene is a hop garden and a number of girls are sitting and reclining in various postures round the teller of the tale. They are all merry and the whole picture suggests freedom and relaxation after a period of work.

L.W. Appleby’s portrait studies constitute a very effective trio. They are pictures, not photographs. “The Song of Spring” (R. Porteous) is a beautiful picture, poetically conceived and faultlessly executed, whether judged from the artistic or technical standpoint. There are three small pictures in the Loan Collection made by Mr. George Davison, and lent by Mr. J.J. Rouse, which are perfect examples of photographic art. Mr. Davison is probably the foremost pictorial worker in Great Britain and these three pictures, “Close”, “Castle" and "Field Scene”, are excellent representatives of his work. In this connection we might suggest that it would be well if the Affiliation could arrange for the periodical showing of samples of the work of the best English and American pictorial photographers. Over fifty pictures were loaned by Messrs. Baker & Rouse, all of which were taken from Kodak negatives. The Prints are on Cream Crayon Bromide Paper and embrace scenes in all parts of the world, a manifestation of the popularity of the Kodak. To sum up, the collection of pictures shows a very high standard of work. The photographs as photographs were good throughout, but in many instances very good pictures were spoilt in the framing. We commend to various disappointed exhibitors a little consideration on this point. With few exceptions brightly colored frames should be replaced by frames of neutral tint, greys, dull brown, or even dead black. The hanging of 414 exhibits, to say nothing of the Loan Collections, must have been a difficult matter, but justice was done to every picture and everyone had a fair show. In this respect alone, to say nothing of the unseen work incidental to the successful consummation of this kind, the committee deserve the warmest thanks of the photographic community of Victoria.

A WINTER’S EVENING
Mr. J. Williams
Exhibited at the Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

PORTRAIT OF A MUSICIAN
Mr. Harold Cazneaux
Received Second Award in Section B, Class V
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

AFTER THE DRINK
Mr. NORMAN C. DECK
Received First Award in Section B. Class II
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

ACROSS THE CREEK
Mr. W. CHURCHILL FISHER
Received First Award in Section A. Class I
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

FISHERMAN’S NOOK
Mr. JAMES P. CAMPBELL
Received Second Award in Section A. Class I
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

THE PLOUGHMAN
Mr. W.J.S. COWPER
Received Second Award in Section B. Class III
Exhibition of the
Victorian Photographic Affiliation

Thursday 8th July 1909 Page 2 - Geelong Advertiser (Victoria)

DRESDEN PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
At the Dresden Photographic Exhibition opened in May and to be continued for six months. Victorian exhibitors were singularly honored. Thirty pictures were selected from the Victorian Photographic Affiliation exhibition at the beginning of the year and all of these have been hung at Dresden. Included in the collection is the striking picture by Mr H.L.S. Potter, of Geelong, entitled "A Penny Short". It shows a bare-footed newsboy counting up his returns and scratching his little cranium to elucidate the mystery of a penny short. A son of Mr H. Pillow, of Geelong, who is completing his studies in Germany, has written to his parents stating that the name of Geelong at once caught his eye in the photograph.

Thursday 8th July 1909 Page 4 - Geelong Advertiser (Victoria)

GORDON COLLEGE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING
At the Victorian Photographic Affiliation exhibition the club had been represented and though the exhibitors were not successful the work was quite up to the standard of most of the work exhibited. They were honored by the selection committee of the Dresden Exhibition in asking for six pictures from the club's Victorian exhibit. At the annual meeting of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, Mr J.H. Harvey, one of the association's delegates, was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year.

22nd July 1909 Page 369 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The Second Annual Meeting of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was held in the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria’s Rooms, Swanston Street, Melbourne, on Thursday 1st July. In the absence of the senior Vice-President, Mr. D.W. Paterson, the chair was taken by Vice-President Dutton. The following bodies were represented at the meeting: Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria, by Mr. J.B. Hayles; Gordon College Photographic Association (Geelong), by Messrs. J.H. Harvey and H.L.S. Potter; East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club, by Mr. Sydney Fox; and the Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club, by Messrs. W.J. Edwards and F. Dutton. The Working Men's College Photographic Club’s delegates were absent, as the club was in recess and therefore, had not the opportunity of appointing delegates for the new year. After the Hon.Secretary had read the Annual Report and Financial Statement, published below, the Council discussed the contents and finally adopted them. The election of the officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: President, Mr. J.H. Harvey; Vice-President, Mr. Sydney Fox; Hon.Secretary, Mr. F. Dutton; Auditor, Mr. Sydney Fox. It was decided to postpone the election of the second Vice-President until the 5th August, when it was hoped the Working Men’s College delegates would be present.

The Hon.Secretary of the late exhibition reported that he had received the gold and silver medals, together with the bronze plaque from the manufacturers and that the diplomas and certificates were ready for distribution. After some discussion, it was decided to request the late President, Mr. H.C. Mais, to present the awards on the evening of the 5th August and to invite the officers and committees of the affiliated clubs, together with the successful local competitors to be the private guests of the President and members of the Council for the evening. The Hon.Secretary expressed the hope that he would be in a position to present a financial statement before the close of the month. He was only waiting for two or three of the clubs to adjust their accounts. He was pleased to report that practically all the liabilities had been met but one, to which the committee were raising certain objections.

Tuesday 14th September 1909 Page 2 - Geelong Advertiser (Victoria)

GEELONG PHOTOGRAPHER'S SUCCESS
Eight pictures sent by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation were accepted and hung at the International. Exhibition, Dresden, one of them being Mr H.L.S. Potter's (Geelong) study, "A Penny Short". Fully 90 per cent, of the pictures offered for exhibition were refused and that admission therefore was a distinction. Twenty-five per cent. of the Australian pictures were found to be in line with the best, productions in amateur photography of the world, while only 10 per cent. of most of the Continental offers were deemed acceptable.

Mr J.H. HARVEY
HON.SECRETARY
Victorian Photographic Affiliation 1908
PRESIDENT
Victorian Photographic Affiliation 1909

22nd November 1909 Page 602 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The monthly meeting of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Council was held on the 4th November, Mr. Sydney Fox in the chair.

The Hon.Secretary, Mr. F. Dutton, reported that he had received the silver wall plaque from Mrs. William Smith for the next inter-club competition to be held next June.

The Hon.Secretary was empowered to make the necessary arrangements for the second quarterly lecture, which have now been completed. Mr. A. Barrie has kindly consented to deliver a lecture on “Art and Photography” in the rooms of the Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria on the 2nd December. A considerable discussion took place on the Hon.Secretary introducing the article published in the last number of "Camera House Beason” on the lack of interest displayed by the photographic clubs on the scientific and practical side of photography. Eventually it was decided to write to the affiliated clubs, inviting them to form scientific sections for the benefit of those who feel interested. In the event of the clubs declining to act, it was decided that the Council should convene a meeting of those interested with a view of forming a separate club. The Council felt that it was their duty to further the scientific side of photography as well as the pictorial.

Regret was expressed that the affiliated clubs had not taken greater interest in the portfolio by sending in their prints for the second issue. It was decided to again request the clubs to send in their prints by the 30th November.

With a view of encouraging English and American amateurs to send some of their work to Victoria, it was decided to invite the affiliated clubs to send in 48 prints, 24 of which will be sent to England and the balance to America, for circulation among the various societies in those countries. It is anticipated that this scheme will be the means of inducing the leaders of amateur photography in England and America to gather a collection for circulation in Australia. The size of the prints is not to exceed whole-plate and the clubs are invited to send them in by the 15th February next. The affiliation will supply the mounts, so that there may be a uniformity in the set. The individual worker can select the tint most suitable to his purpose.

22nd December 1909 Page 661 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF AMATEURS PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK
The Metropolitan Committee of the Australian Natives Association, in conjunction with the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, the governing body of photographic clubs in Victoria have decided to hold a Competitive Exhibition of Amateurs Photographic Work in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, during February, 1910. The exhibition will be held under the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Exhibition Regulations and will be open to all amateur photographers in Australasia. Copies of the prize schedule and entry forms can be obtained from Mr. D. Bannerman, Manager, 311 Collins-street, Melbourne.

Mr SYDNEY FOX
VICE PRESIDENT
Victorian Photographic Affiliation 1910

January 1910 Page 4 - The Australian Photographic Journal

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
ITS FORMATION AND WORK
The following paper by Mr Sydney Fox is the outcome of his recent visit to our metropolis, when the Editor took the opportunity of pressing Mr Fox to commit some of his Affiliation experiences to paper for the benefit of our readers. We recommend our State Clubs to take an interest in this matter, for we believe a governing body formed from and outside of the clubs is the best means for the advancement of the highest interests of photography. Editor.

Three and a half years ago, at which time I had the honor of being Hon.Secretary of the East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club, I was struck with the fact that the Photographic Clubs of Victoria, while each active enough in their own sphere, had no means of concerted action, or of coming into close communication with each other. It seemed to me that a governing body such as is found in many sports, cricket, football, swimming and the like, would be of great value in putting amateur photography on a better footing and would probably be able to considerably raise the standard of photographic work amongst the clubs. In addition, it would be the means of bringing the members of the various clubs together and be conducive to good fellowship amongst camera users.

At about the time mentioned an Exhibition in connection with our club was proposed, but as the club was only in its second year the members decided to postpone the project. Had it been held, it was my intention to have called a conference of photographic clubs in connection with it to discuss the formation of a governing body. In the following year, however, our club held its exhibition and I brought the above proposal before my committee, who decided to circularize the leading clubs in Victoria and ask them to send delegates to a conference to be held on 25th May 1907, in connection with our exhibition of that date. Shortly after this the Gordon College Photographic Club, Geelong, wrote us suggesting that Hon.Secretary's of clubs might meet at our exhibition to talk over matters of interest, which showed us that other clubs were feeling that interchange of views amongst clubs was desirable.

The conference was duly convened and was held at my house. It was resolved: "That a body for the government and advancement of photography be formed and that a further conference be called to which all photography clubs in Victoria be invited to send delegates".

At the further conference, which was held on 17th July 1907, the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was formed and its constitution drawn up, the delegates present and the bodies they represented being as follows:

H.C. Mais (President of the Conference) and D.W. Paterson, Amateur Photographic Association of Victoria;
J.H. Harvey and H.L.S. Potter, Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association, Geelong;
E.A. Bray and C.R. Du Rieu, Working Men's College Photographic Club;
Sydney Fox (Hon.Secretary of the conference) and E.C. Joshua, East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club;
W.J. Edwards and F. Dutton, Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club;
W.J. Brown and S. Furneaux, Footscray Camera Club;
D.L. Kitchen and S.F. Young, Young Men's Christian Association Camera Club.

The conference sat again on 21st August 1907, when the constitution was adopted and the first Council meeting of the Affiliation was held.

Mr H.C. Mais, was elected the first President and Mr J.H. Harvey, the first Hon.Secretary of the Affiliation.

The objects of the Affiliation, as provided by its constitution, are as follows:
(a) To advance the art of photography.
(b) To further the interests of the affiliated bodies.
(c) To draw up regulations governing photographic exhibitions and competitions.
(d) To promote combined exhibitions and inter-club competitions.
(e) To arrange periodical conventions of the members of the affiliated bodies.
(f) To arrange combined lectures and demonstrations on any subject relating to photography or allied arts.
(g) To arrange for the publication of an official journal.

The Affiliation comprises all photographic bodies in Victoria that become affiliated with it and is governed by a council consisting of delegates elected annually by the affiliated clubs. Each affiliated body with under 25 paid-up members is entitled to one delegate, with 25 paid-up members and over to two delegates. The annual subscription is 10s. 6d. per delegate.

The Affiliation in its first year drew up general rules for the conduct of its meetings and defined various classes of exhibitions and the meaning of "an amateur". It also performed highly important work in drawing up regulations for the conduct of exhibitions and inter-club competitions, under which all open and inter-club exhibitions and inter-club competitions sanctioned by the affiliation must be held. The need of uniform regulation; was apparent on all sides. The prospectus of each exhibition that in the past has been announced contained a different set of conditions to the bewilderment of the exhibitor. By having a uniform set of Regulations a great saving of time and trouble is made to the exhibition management, for everybody who has been connected with such knows that the framing of the conditions of the exhibition is a matter involving innumerable meetings of committee.

In its second year the Affiliation held its first Open Exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society's Galleries, Melbourne, it being open from 6th to 20th February 1909. The Exhibition was generally agreed by competent judges to have been the finest Exhibition of photography ever held in Australia. After passing a selection committee over 400 frames were hung and they included the work of men from all States of the Commonwealth and from America.

The Exhibition Committee selected about 20 pictures from the exhibition, the work of Victorian exhibitors and despatched them as an Victorian Photographic Affiliation exhibit to be shown at the exhibition of photography now being held at Dresden. Of these pictures seven were selected for hanging there. The high standard of the work of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Exhibition is evidenced by this big percentage of selection, for only 10 per cent. of the Continental work sent in to Dresden was hung.

EVENING CALM
BY SYDNEY FOX
Exhibited at Dresden

A circulating portfolio has been inaugurated for circulation among the clubs and it is hoped that the interest of camera users will be stimulated thereby.

A series of combined lectures of a high order of merit, open to the members of the affiliated clubs, has been arranged for the current year and a combined outing was held which proved a great success.

The value of the Affiliation has been appreciated by the Australian Natives Association, who have asked it to undertake the carrying out of the photographic section of the Australian Natives Association Exhibition, to be held in Melbourne in February 1911 and which the Affiliation has agreed to do. Being sanctioned by the Affiliation, it will be conducted under the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Regulations referred to above.

The Affiliation has still many avenues open to it in which it can extend its usefulness and would particularly like to see new photographic clubs formed throughout Victoria. Given the loyal support of the clubs, its utility and advantages must grow considerably as time wears on. In addition to the practical work accomplished it has been the means of making the various clubs and club members known to each other, thereby adding to the pleasure of being a camera user.

Mr J.H. Harvey, is now President of the Affiliation; Messrs. Sydney Fox and J. Williams, Vice-Presidents; and Mr F. Dutton, Hon.Secretary.

22nd February 1910 Page 60 - The Australian Photographic Journal

January and February are generally quiet months with the amateur, the weather being as a rule rather warm for any undue energy. Photographic clubs usually go into recess towards the end of the year and with a few exceptions, do not reassemble until the middle of February.

This year the Australian Natives Association Exhibition Committee sought the assistance of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Council in the management of their photographic section, which has been the means of bringing together a fair collection of work. I am pleased to note the advent of a few new competitors, although some are old hands at the game. The decision of the judges - Messrs. A. Barrie and C.D. Richardson, in only awarding three out of six gold medals offered, has upset the equilibrium of a number of gentlemen who evidently thought that they had a right to live on past work, irrespective of merit. The action of the judges is perfectly justifiable and in accordance with Rule 17, under which the Exhibition is held. It would be a sorry day for amateur photography if competitors were allowed to deride as to the standard of work and claim unallotted prizes because a generous committee announced them on their prospectus, although the judges in their wisdom did not feel justified in allotting them. What a glorious time the "pot-hunters" would have!

As to the merit of the work passed over by the judges, I do not at present feel inclined to discuss. Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to thoroughly inspect the exhibits, therefore it would be presumption on my part to criticize under the circumstances. Then, again, we all have our own ideas as to the merits and demerits of pictures; therefore it is necessarily a matter of individual taste and opinion, which varies considerably with different people.

Only four clubs entered for the Inter-Club Competition, which is very disappointing. It was thought that some of the Inter-State Clubs would have come forward to cross swords with the Victorians. The East Malvern set secured first place, with six good pictures. Although the other clubs have some fine work in their sets, yet with the quality of the work in the winning set, there could have been very little hesitancy on the part of the judges in coming to a decision.

April 1910 Page 125 - Harringtons Photographic Journal

The Council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation spent another evening debating the proposed alterations to the Exhibition Regulations with a view to providing that the artist element among the judges should be removed. This found little favor, the feeling being that time was hardly ripe for such a drastic step, the majority of clubs holding that if such action was taken, the pictorial side of photography would suffer and in a very short time the straight-out print would predominate. The suggestion for two photographers and one artist commanded attention and was eventually adopted. It was also decided that in future judging should be by points. At present no satisfactory scheme for proportioning the points has been formulated, but at the next meeting several delegates anticipate being able to submit something that will be acceptable. It was laid down that the judges must act independently of one another until they have allotted all the points and then come together to compare notes and decide. The proposal to remove the power from the judges of withholding any of the awards, where a selection committee has passed the pictures, was postponed to the next meeting after some discussion, the idea being to further discuss the matter among the clubs. The regulations for the inter-club competition were amended to restrict the competition to members of clubs of over twelve months standing and only allowing work from negatives taken during the twelve months prior to the competition. This, no doubt, is a step in the right direction and should be the means of producing more recent work to the public attention and at the same time preventing amateurs from living on successful pictures of the past being hashed up in several different ways.

The pictures sent to the Dresden Exhibition have returned at last in perfect order, even without a sheet of glass being broken, which is most satisfactory and should for ever silence the "crokers" who anticipated receiving their frames and pictures in a very dilapidated condition. Extreme care seems to have been taken in packing same.

The weather for the last month has been most satisfactory from a photographer's point of view, a little too bright if anything. This Easter cameras were very much in vogue and no doubt many plates were exposed, much to the amusement of the amateur and the profit of the photographic dealer. It is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. Even our erratic Melbourne weather can be propitious sometimes.

Monday 18th July 1910 Page 6 - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.)

SOUTHERN TASMANIAN CAMERA CLUB
The result of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-Club competition held recently in Melbourne, at which this club competed, was to hand. This showed that the club had been only fairly successful, but taking into consideration the contributors to the clubs on the mainland (amongst whom are included the best amateur photographers in the Commonwealths) members agreed that the Southern Club has done extremely well.

22nd July 1910 Page 370 - The Australasian Photographic Review

COMPETITION AMONG THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES OF
NEW SOUTH WALES, TASMANIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA
FOR THE “RAVENSWOOD TROPHY” PRESENTED BY MRS. SMITH
The following are points awarded by the Judges, C.D. Richardson, A. Barry and C.E. Harvey to each set. According to the regulations laid down by the Council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, each Judge was allowed to award the following points to each set:
COMPOSITION, 25; TECHNIQUE, 30; DISPLAY, 15.

The points placed opposite each club are the aggregate number of points awarded by the three Judges.

-	NAME OF CLUB	COMPOSITION	TECHNIQUE	DISPLAY	TOTAL
1.	Photographic Society of New South Wales	60	75	36	171
2.	Working Men's College Photographic Club	60	60	30	150
3.	Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club	54	42	37	133
4.	East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club	54	51	27	132
5.	Photographic Association of Victoria	54	45	27	126
6.	Kapunda Photographic Club	48	42	33	123
7.	Southern Tasmanian Camera Club	45	36	30	111
8.	Albury Photographic Society	39	39	23	101

To set to work and supply at short notice, detailed remarks upon 48 photographs when one is informed that the criticism is to be not merely destructive, but to a great extent constructive as well, in order that it may be of educational value, is no easy task.

Scarcely have the frames been hung, when they have to be considered and reported upon and then removed in order that they may be exhibited elsewhere, so that there is no opportunity for according the prints such close study as is desirable and in consequence of this, any omissions will, it is trusted, be pardoned, as it is only the principal points to which attention can be given.

It would also go a great way towards preventing the discouragement of rising workers if they are alive to the fact that after all the remarks made and the sentiments expressed, are only opinions and are by no means laid down as being like unto the laws of the Medes and Persians — irrevocable.

Commencing with those submitted by the

CLIFTON HILL AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB:
This set is a well-balanced one and is evidently the work of men who acted in concert and worked to make the club exhibit appear well and harmonious as a whole.

1. "Toilers of the Bush", W.H. Grant:
This is a good subject; the composition is good, but the use of the short locus lens is evident and the general appearance of the print is harsh. It would probably have been much improved by toning, which would have slightly lowered the excessively high tone of the dust and would have brightened the lowest tones and deepest shadows, thus doing away with the sooty appearance possessed by these and rendering the whole less crude. The gold slip in the frame is obtrusive and this remark applies to the whole of the cases in which gold slips have been let into dark frames.

2. "End of the Voyage", O.H. Coulson (Reproduced):
This is the best print in this set. The composition is good, the massing well arranged and the effect broad and harmonious.

THE END OF THE VOYAGE
O.H. Coulson
No. 2 in the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-club Competition

3. “The Creek", Alf. H. Hunt:
A good creek subject, but improperly and weakly treated; it has several awkward lines; the tone values are incorrect, that of the water particularly so, it being altogether too high in tone. The mount is so dark that it does not separate the picture from the frame, and the gold slip on frame is out of place.

4. “Geese”, W. Davidson:
An interesting nature study, even in tones, but suffers from being too “shut in”; there is no “way out” of the picture. The title also is to large.

5. “The Bush Track”, W. Stockton:
Unfortunately the track has become almost obliterated. The subject, as it is, possesses no pictorial value and it is questionable whether it would make a picture; but this worker gives promise of better things when he has thoroughly realized what will and what will not translate well in photography. He deserves encouragement.

6. “At the Close of One Sad Day”, F. Dutton:
The treatment of this is thoroughly in harmony with the feelings appropriate to the evening of the day upon which the late King breathed his last, for by the appearance of the flags throughout the city it was taken at that time and this idea is helped by the title.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
Compared with some other sets, this one possesses a more or less piebald appearance, due to the great difference in both quality and color shown by the prints. It is not up to the standard of the work shown by this society in former competitions.

7. “The Return of the Fisher, J. Temple Stephens:
This is a good thing unfortunately spoilt. The cloud introduced is utterly unsuitable and in addition it appears scarcely true; a sky showing very light, broken stratus clouds might possibly have been better, or perhaps better still, a simple graded sky. The oval formed by the cloud and the light beneath it challenges the eye at once and strongly competes with the figure.

THE RETURN OF THE FISHER
J. Temple Stephens
No. 7 in the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-club Competition

8. “The Curve in the Road", Dr J. Hollow:
This pleasing piece of landscape is the best in the set, but it sorely needs a more vigorous foreground which would have forced the rather heavy looking trees in the middle distance to take their proper place in the composition; the wheel tracks could have been more strongly emphasized, and the maker is recommended to try this and also to eliminate the very awkward isolated branch on the left.

9. “A Native of Australia”, J.B. Hales:
This suffers from being too compressed. There is not the distance and atmosphere in it that one would expect to see in a subject of this nature; the foliage of the side tree is too heavy and the title is inappropriate, as the tree, which is evidently the motif of the picture, is in a weak position. Besides this, the picture is overburdened with good things.

10. “Art in Art”, D.W. Paterson:
This has the appearance of a pinhole, although it may not be. The effect of sunshine is well rendered, but the artist has to be looked for and looked for very hardly. Had the figure been somewhat lighter in tone than this background and had it been better defined, the result might have been improved.

11. “Fruit Study”, J.H. Mulvany:
The relative tone values of the banana and the pineapple and its stalk, in this still life study, are scarcely true and it is difficult at first to define whether the remaining fruits are oranges or apples; it is only by the suggestion of reflections that the existence of any table or support is divined, the whole subject looking at first as though poised in the air.

12. “Crossing the Bar”, C. Hardie:
The title is not at all appropriate and it is difficult, except after a very close inspection, to reconcile it with the picture m even a remote degree. It is not usual either for so small a portion of the surface of the sea to appear other than level; in addition the general tone of the picture is suggestive of weakness.

ALBURY PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The general effect of this set is uneven and the eccentric character of the frames of two of the subjects would be destructive to harmony in any case.

13. "A Mile a Minute", A.J. Payne:
This subject and its treatment are unsuitable for a competition of this description.

14. “A Bush Glade”, G.A.R. Dinsmore:
This little woodland glade possesses a softness combined with brilliancy which is not always met with in prints on P.O.P. The angle included is rather wide and the mounting could have been improved by a light brown tint round the print, trimmed to the same shade as the mount.

15. “Interior Study of St. Paul’s Cathedral”, B.S. Crisp:
This is the best in the set; its technical quality is good, but it has grave pictorial faults. The amount of foreground is excessive and it gives undue prominence to such unpictorial material as the mats, while the result in the cutting off of the upper portion of the building, so that no impression of the great height of the nave is obtained, the use of rather too high a standpoint for the camera has resulted in the appearance of the floor running up hill. Another defect is that in the cutting of the print, two of the arches have been mutilated, the choir-arch greatly so, the result being that springing from the pier on the left is a set of lines leading out of the picture, while these and portion of the choir-arch on the right rest on nothing; the trimming has also excised portion of the three-light window. The appearance of the print otherwise is soft and harmonious.

16. “Where the Wattle Blooms”, J. Hunter:
In this was the making of a good thing, but it has been absolutely ruined by the altogether too assertive clouds, which compel the landscape to take an inferior part; this has possibly resulted from over-correction, the result of using too deep a screen. A simple graded sky or the much more delicate printing of the clouds, would have probably placed this first in the set.

17. “Autumn Leaves”, Rev. Father Dwyer:
A weak composition, too evenly balanced and monotonous, the camera having been too near the center of the path and the negative was too flat. Next time try the effect of placing the camera more on one side of the path.

18. “Brown’s River”, P.D. Burrows
This has a lack of atmosphere and there are too many horizontal lines; if some of these had been broken by shipping, the effect would have been better. The decided horizontal line in the center is a weak point, as it divides the picture into too nearly equal parts, each of which has about the same value.

SOUTHERN TASMANIAN CAMERA CLUB
This set is weak and is not up to what was expected from Hobart, considering previous work sent from there.

19. “Daffodils", Miss A.M. Parry
This must be considered the best thing in the set, but it would have been greatly improved by the removal of the upper most left hand flower. The subject is, too, becoming rather hackneyed.

20. “The Pile Driver", C. Davis:
The subject is a good one and to a certain extent is fairly wed treated, but the bald white sky is out of place ; the trimming has been carelessly done, and the framing is quite unsuitable.

21. “Water Lilies", H. Scarr:
This is in no way up to exhibition standard and no hint can be given as to how it would be improved.

22. “The Valley”, K. Norman:
This is a daring attempt, but just missed the mark; it would have been much enhanced by more detail and a greater number of tones in the distance, which is now all but empty; as it is, the figure is too pronounced, and kills everything else.

23. “Night Cometh Dimly”, L.R. Williams:
The same remarks as made on 21 apply equally to this.

24. “A Happy Hour”, Alf. Propsting:
This possesses no atmosphere; the sky is bald, the amount of uninteresting water is too great and the boys who really form the motif have to be looked for, they are so far from being prominent objects.

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
This, with the exception of two prints, is a good set.

25. "Child Study”, Miss Agnes Thomson:
A good example of child portraiture and would have been greatly improved by a grey toned mount and the removal of about an inch of the upper portion of the print, thus altering the proportions of the mount and print, which are at present too tall. The disturbing effect created by the rough edged dark mount should be noted.

26. “Sunlight Playground", A.E. Walcott:
This print is too hard for an effect of sunshine and the high light on the ground on the right hand, also that above the right hand tree are too assertive; toning down would have avoided this and would have led the eye along the track to the distance.

27. “Tranquillity", J. Williams:
This is the best in the set and might possibly have been improved by a warmer mount slightly lower in tone.

28. “The Silvery Sea”, E.L. Brown:
The sky, distance and mid distance are good, but the print would have been improved by cutting from 3 to 4 inches off the foreground and slightly increasing the strength of the foreground rock, which is weak, and not properly defined.

29. “A Foggy Morn”, C. Whistler:
This is absolutely untrue to the human impression of nature; it gives the eye no idea of fog on the Yarra. With the sun visible, no fog in Melbourne could possibly be as black as this. The work can only be considered a piece of theatrical display.

30. “Homeward Thro’ the Sand Dunes”, A.A. Bishop:
This is altogether too heavy for sunshine; there is no sunshine in it. The high lights, if be tween what they are and those in No. 26, would have conveyed the impression of the warmth of the sunshine better.

EAST MALVERN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
This set does not uphold the fame of the society, for folks are inclined to expect better things from workers possessing the ability of some of its members.

31. “The Wind-swept Harbour”, Sydney Fox:
A portion removed from the left hand side would not only have cut out what appears to be a defective part of the negative, but would have removed the excess of the bare headland which is hardly required, as it upsets the tonality. At the same time it is recognized that this treatment would have removed the dainty little patch of cloud which appears to be swiftly moving between the observer and the more distant clouds, and which helps materially to impart the feeling of motion to the whole sky. The composition otherwise is good.

32 “A By-way”, W. Churchill Fisher:
This is the best exhibit in the set. The general harmony has been secured by the careful masking of the print so that the mat is formed by the actual unexposed paper; this has proved very effective. The subject is also one of the simplest in the exhibition.

33. “By the Wayside”, A.H. Smith:
This subject treated under the conditions prevailing at the time is unsuitable for pictorial representation.

34. "Naked, Denuded, Mute Morn and Songless”, H.J. Newton:
The subject is certainly cold and lonely looking enough, but this is all that can be said for it. It is too flat and monotonous.

35. “Flinders Street”, E.C. Joshua:
The effect as it is seen at times in nature is one which, though very beautiful, is exceedingly difficult to render by photography and it is seldom seen well done. One or two of the works of Galland have given good renderings of it. This illustration of such a glorious effect cannot be considered a success. The train has been caught in a happy position, but the traffic appears too jumbled, and a supporting point is needed on the right hand side where the space on the roadway looks rather too empty compared with the crowding of the mid-distance.

36. “In Seed Time”, A. G. Wills:
The success of this work is discounted by the upper three inches of the left hand piece of foliage, which is so low in tone as to compete with the mass formed by the team; it also repeats too symmetrically the tree on the right and the short focus lens has again asserted itself, witness the disparity in scale between the horses and the ploughman.

KAPUNDA PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
37. “An Interesting Story” Miss Dorothy Warner:
This suffers somewhat in consequence of being a replica of 42, which is a much better production and much stronger. Being a child study allowance must be made for the probably increased difficulty of dealing with the sitter.

38. "To the River", J.E.A. Klose:
A good example of the concentration of interest on the principal object or group of objects, illustrating the “shut in” style of treatment, though it is far from so shut in that there is no “way out”. The clever manner in which the sky and higher lights on the edges, which are commonly noticed in subjects of this class, are toned down and subdued in this point, is worthy of note, and contributes in no small measure to its success. A lighter toned narrow mount between the picture and the mat would have improved the former by separating it from the latter.

TO THE RIVER
J.E.A. Klose
No. 38 in the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-club Competition

39. “A Woodland Scene”, S.A.B. Oates:
Many of the remarks on 38 are applicable to this, which might almost have been from the same worker. The expansive foreground, however, is hardly justified, as there is no particular value in it except the tussock, which might still have been left to exercise its influence, had the camera been lowered so as to compress the foreground. Probably the removal of from an inch and a half to two inches from the bottom of the print would have improved the composition.

40. “The Stoker”, A. Berrett:
This does not possess the sparkle of life which would be evident in nature; the lights on the figure are much more dull than would be the case. The composition is good.

41. “At Low Water”, E.K. Jeffs:
The general lines of this being horizontal and vertical render the composition rather too stiff as it is, and the want of a dark object and strong lines in the foreground has further weakened it. The existence of such would have thrown back the hull, and distance would have given much greater value to the composition by relieving the monotony and stiffness referred to above.

42. “The Bookkeeper”, Tom Warner:
The best in the set. A good example of composition, the faults being the disturbing strong lights on the left hand end of the counter, and the rather too light calendar or illustration on the wall. The lighting of the figure is pleasing. The general impression of this set is gloomy and there is want of variety. In the 6 prints there are 3 styles of work, 3 of them being almost similar, for, though these are by different workers, they are almost identical in composition and lighting. Two of them, figures seated before books, are almost duplicates.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
This, the winning set, certainly well earned its position. It is not only the most even in quality of work, but there has evidently been a determination among those who contributed the points to make “a set” of the frames being displayed and to this end the prints are all mounted and framed in harmony.

43. “Jude”, H.C. Dreyer:
The portrait is flat and lacks modeling, and the tones are so very low and muddy as to go much against it. It would have been more effective as the portrait of a young woman had it been in a higher key, and in that case the texture of the skin would probably have been much better rendered.

44. “In Calmer Mood", A.E. Read:
This must be considered the best of the set. The composition is good, but the great height of the sky renders it overpowering, and tends to push the remainder of the picture down. Were about an inch and a half cut off this sky the remaining objects would at once leap into their proper places in the composition. and its value would be considerably enhanced. It does certainly at time “go against one's grain to cut down a nice piece of work, but it has to be recollected that art is a hard master, and at times the knife must be applied, as in surgery, to save the patient.

IN CALMER MOOD
A.E. Read
No. 44 in the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-club Competition

45. "A Summer’s Dream”, E. Edwards:
Might have been improved by greater variety in the tones. It lacks a definite point of interest, and a stronger foreground would have given it greater value by imparting a feeling of space and distance, which the subject does not now possess.

A SUMMER’S DREAM
E. Edwards
No. 45 in the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Inter-club Competition

46. “Evening at Hornsby”, H. Cazneaux:
An impressionistic effect in very few tones. Looked at suddenly it would appear to have only two, and it is only upon closer acquaintance that any variety is found, and it is disappointing in consequence. The observer’s expectations of the work of this gentleman have not been realized on this occasion.

47. “A Whispering Wavelet”, N.C. Deck:
This is a difficult subject. The five decorative effect obtained is, however, at the expense of the horizontality of the water, which appears to be running up hill and the high horizon and drastic trimming of the sky assist in this. The eye is led by the water to the distance and there comes to an abrupt termination against a bank and trees, which have no particular pictorial value. It is certainly a clever, catchy effect, but one of which the eye would soon tire. It is rather unfortunate that the principal objects, which would appear to be the foam and the dancing lights and shades on the water, do not give the picture its title. The “wavelet” appears to be quite a secondary object.

46. “Self-Portrait”, L.L. Raymond:
As a self-portrait this is deserving of praise. The pose is good, though a slight stiffness as of arrested motion is shown, but the lighting is confused and it has not quite resulted in the brilliancy without hardness that would characterize a good piece of work of the kind.

This competition is without doubt the best of the inter-club competitions yet organized in Victoria and the donor of the trophy is to be congratulated upon having been the means of bringing together such a fine collection of work, for although it includes some that is only passable and some that should never have been submitted at all, the show as a whole may be considered a good one.

One thing that cannot fail to strike the observant person is, that the competition exemplifies the value of concentration. The best workers in Sydney are nearly all gathered together in one society, whereas those in the metropolitan area in Melbourne are distributed over 4 different associations. Had the same state of affairs as obtains in New South Wales existed among the Victorian workers, the judging might have told a different tale.

The winners, however, must be congratulated upon having honestly won the prize and no unbiassed person can for a moment begrudge them their success. It is trusted that having scored so well in the competition for this valuable trophy, that the New South Wales workers will now endeavor to do their share and provide some similar means of stimulating the members of the Australian and Tasmanian Photographic Societies. The weak feature of the business seems to be the fact that the prizes awarded on the result of a single competition, whereas it is desirable that a trophy of this value should be competed for and won two or three times before becoming the absolute property of any society. It is also to be hoped that, when the next inter-club competition is organized in the Commonwealth, those who have won on this occasion will give even a better account of themselves, for assuredly the Victorian workers will do their best to hold their own and it is anticipated that we will then see a bumper exhibition, for there are a few additional societies in the Commonwealth that, although unrepresented this time, may reasonably be expected to compete for the honors on a future occasion.

Monday 1st August 1910 Page 8 - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW)

INTER-STATE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
competition, organized by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, was held last month, and was taken part in by eight representative societies. The first award and silver trophy was won with honors by the Photographic Society of New South Wales, and the winning set of six pictures are on view in the window of Messrs. Nicholson and Co., George-street. The Photographic Society of New South Wales has arranged to have the whole eight sets of pictures on view in the society's rooms, and an early intimation of the date will be given. Anyone interested in the progress of pictorial photography should not lose this opportunity of seeing some really good amateur work.

22nd November 1910 Page 627 - The Australasian Photographic Review

VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AFFILIATION
The usual monthly meeting of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was held on the 3rd November, the President, Mr. Sidney Fox, in the chair.

Mr. J. Aebi wrote, asking the Council to choose a subject for his lecture to be given in December. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. Glover, that “Isochromatic Photography” would be most suitable.

It was also decided by the Council to grant to the N.S.W. and Kindred Photographic Societies the loan of the English lantern slides.

Final preparations for the Affiliated Clubs outing on the 19th November, were made. For the best pictures taken at the outing the Affiliation Judges will award diplomas.

The Council decided to have cards printed and distributed at the stock houses, showing the meeting places of the clubs, subscriptions, advantages and how to join, trusting that it may be the means of encouraging some of the many camera workers who are not members of any to join a club.

24th November 1910 Page 352 - Harringtons Photographic Journal

The usual monthly meeting of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation was held on the 3rd November, the President (Mr Sydney Fox) in the chair.

Mr J. Aebi wrote asking the Council to choose a subject for his lecture to be given next month, December. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Glover, that "Isochromatic Photography" would be most suitable. It was also decided by the Council to grant to the New South Wales and kindred Photographic Societies the loan of the English Lantern Slides.

Final preparations for the Affiliated Clubs outing on the 10th November, were made. For the best pictures taken at the outing the Affiliation Judges will award Diplomas.

The Council decided to have cards printed and distributed at the stock houses, showing the meeting places of the clubs, subscriptions, advantages and how to join, trusting that it may be the means of encouraging some of the many camera workers, who are not members of any, to join a club.

Monday 7th July 1913 Page 8 - The Age (Melbourne, Victoria)

In connection with the Chamber of Manufactures Great All- Australian Exhibition, a competitive exhibition of photographic work is to be held, which will be conducted and managed by the council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. This will be open to all photographers throughout Australia and gold, silver and bronze medals and diplomas will be awarded. The classes will comprise pictorial,stereoscopic work, lantern slides, transparencies and color photography. The pictorial section includes landscape, seascape, river scenery, portraiture and genre. The complete prize list, rules, regulations and entry forms will be posted, or may be obtained on application to the Hon.Secretary. Chamber of Manufactures, Empire Building, 204-208 Flinders-street, Melbourne.

Monday 15th September 1913 Page 11 - The Age (Melbourne, Victoria)

AWARDS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK
Awards were made in connection with the competitive exhibition of photographic work, conducted and managed by the council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, as follow:

SECTION A: CLASS 1:				SECTION A: CLASS 2:
GOLD MEDAL: "A Bend in the Road" Norman C. Deck Sydney	GOLD MEDAL: "Rippling River Reflections" C.J. Merfield	SILVER MEDAL: "Pearly Morn" A. Wilkinson Adelaide	BRONZE MEDAL: "A Bubbling Brook, Berry" Norman C. Deck Sydney	SILVER MEDAL: "A Wintry Sunset" Miss V. de Blaquiere	BRONZE MEDAL: "Off Wilson's Promontory" J.T. Hamilton	DIPLOMA: "The Pool" H. Brown	DIPLOMA: "Old Folks at Home" H.B. Hammond
ONE MAN SHOW SET: Norman C. Deck (Sydney)
INTER CLUB COMPETITION:
FIRST: Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club (No. 1 set)		SECOND: Photographic Association of Victoria (No. 1 set)		THIRD: Photographic Association of Victoria (No. 2 set)		FOURTH: Photographic Society of New South Wales (No. 1 set)

Classes 3 (stereoscopic work), 4 (lantern slides) and 5 (transparencies and color photography) will be judged during the present week.

Monday 15th September 1913 Page 15 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

Victorian and New South Wales artists have sent a splendid assortment of pictures to the art court. The Victorian collection numbers nearly 200 and the New South Wales Society of Artists added 47 more. The competitive exhibition of photographic work is being conducted and managed by the council of the Victorian Photographic Affiliation and some excellent camera studies are on view.

15th August 1916 The Australasian Photographic Review

From the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Exhibition
A REST BY THE WAY

Mr. A.O. MUNCEY
Gordon College Amateur Photographic Association