THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB

FORMED

22nd JUNE 1917

15th September 1915  Page 504 - Vol. 22 No. 9 The Australasian Photographic Review

REQUIEM
F.T. HOWELL
Fremantle, Western Australia
Awarded Seventh Prize in the A.P-R. Competition for August 2015.

Wednesday 20th June 1917  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

Photographic Club - Amateur photographers who are interested in the formation of a Camera Club are invited by Messrs. W. Davies and Mr Augustus Knapp to attend a meeting to be held on Friday 22nd June at 8pm, in the board room of Messrs. Ford, Rhodes and Davis, St. George's House, second floor.

ST. GEORGE'S HOUSE
St Georges Terrace, Perth

1917 - 22nd June  the first meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held, with William John Dank presiding over thirty-four members at the University of Western Australia. Within 2 months the membership had grown to eighty-five.



Monday 2nd July 1917  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
Tuesday 3rd July 1917  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4

At a meeting of persons interested in photography, which was held in Perth on 22nd June and presided over by the Colonial Secretary, it was decided to form a camera club for the benefit of amateur photographers. A provisional committee was chosen to draw up a code of rules for the society and the meeting then adjourned for a week to allow of this being done.

The adjourned meeting was held last Friday evening, which Mr R.S. Sampson occupied the chair. It was decided that the title of the society should be The Western Australian Camera Club and that it should be incorporated under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act, 1895. The provisional committee recommended that during the war the annual subscription should not exceed 10s. for male and 5s. for females and this recommendation was adopted.

The following were elected to hold office for the ensuing 12 months:

PRESIDENT Professor Dakin		ELECTION OF OFFICERS 1917 - 1918					PATRON Mr. H.P. Colebatch M.L.C.
Vice President: Professor Alexander David Ross Vice-Chancellor of the University	Hon. Secretary: Mr. W. Davies	Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Augustus Knapp	Committee: Miss M.E. Howell	Committee: Mr. D.C. Burbury	Committee: Mr. A. Burgess	Committee: Mr. H.B. Curlewis Government Meteorologist	Committee: Mr. A. Raphael	Committee: Mr. R.S. Sampson

It was decided to arrange for Professor Dakin to deliver an inaugural address to members of the club on the 18th July 1917. Photographers desirous of joining the society are invited to communicate with the Hon.Secretary, at St. George's House.

HARRY PATESHALL COLEBATCH
Born 29th March 1872, Wolferlow, Hertfordshire, England
Died 12th February 1953 Perth, Western Australia

12th PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

17th April 1919 – 17th May 1919

PATRON
The Western Australian Camera Club

WILLIAM JOHN DAKIN
Born 23rd April 1883 Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Died 2nd April 1950, Turramurra, Sydney, New South Wales

PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
University of Western Australia

Inaugural PRESIDENT
The Western Australian Camera Club

HAROLD BURNHAM CURLEWIS
Born 6th October 1875, Geelong, Victoria
Died 8th June 1968, Perth

Acting Government Astronomer and Meteorologist
Western Australia from 1912 to 1920

Government Astronomer
Western Australia from 1920 to 1940

Sunday 8th July 1917  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 4

As will be seen elsewhere, the The Western Australian Camera Club is taking out the necessary papers to be an incorporated society. Since the first meeting of a few enthusiasts three weeks ago several new members have joined and the prospects of a still greater number of camera workers being enrolled are assured. This club seeks to help the beginner in every way as much as the experienced member, each one being classified according to his qualifications, thus ensuring for all instruction in their own particular line. Mr W. Davies, of Ford, Rhodes and Davies, St. George's House, Perth, Hon.Secretary, will be pleased to forward any particulars to those who would like to join



Sunday 8th July 1917  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 2
Sunday 15th July 1917  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 2
Sunday 22nd July 1917  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 2

In the Matter of "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB" and in the Matter of "The Associations Incorporation Act 1895".

We, AUGUSTUS KNAPP, of Barrack-street, Perth, Optician and WILL DAVIES, of St George's House, Perth, Public Accountant, the Hon.Treasurer and Hon.Secretary respectively of the above named WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB and authorized to act on its behalf, do hereby give notice that we are desirous that such Association should be incorporated under the provisions of "The Associations Incorporation Act 1895". Dated at Perth this 4th day of July, 1917.

AUGUSTUS KNAPP and WILL DAVIES.

The following is a copy of the Memorial intended to be filed in the Supreme Court, under the provisions of the said Act: Memorial of "The Western Australian Camera Club," to be filed in pursuance of "The Associations Incorporation Act 1895".

(1)	The name of the Association is "The Western Australian Camera Club".
(2)	The objects or purposes of the Association are:
(a)	The encouragement of science, art and practice of photography and interchange of the knowledge of such amongst members.
(b)	To provide for
(i.)	The holding of meetings, outings and excursions whereat photography may be discussed, demonstrated and practised, or for similar functions.
(ii.)	The holding of exhibitions and competitions and the granting of prizes, awards and certificates of merit for photographic work.
(iii.)	The engagement of rooms for the purposes of the Club and to conduct same for the holding of lectures, competitions, demonstrations and exhibitions and for use as dark-rooms and the establishment of a library and reading rooms containing scientific literature.
(iv.)	The purchase of furniture, effects, books, scientific instruments and photographic plant,
(v.)	Power to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire any property, real or personal and erect any buildings, borrow and raise money upon mortgage of any such property, sell, lease, or exchange, or otherwise deal with any property upon such terms as the Club may think fit; issue debentures and to invest and deal with the funds of the Club in furtherance of these objects.
(vi.)	Power to co-operate or affiliate with kindred associations.
(vii.)	Power to employ, engage and dismiss servants and to pay for same,
(viii.)	And generally to do all such things as from time to time shall be deemed expedient for the benefit and education of the members of the Association and conducive to the attainment of the foregoing objects.
(3)	The Association is established at Perth in the State of Western Australia.
(4)	The name or names of the trustee or trustees, nil.
(5)	The management of the Association is vested in a committee of management, elected by the Association and consisting of a President, Vice-President, Hon.Treasurer, Hon.Secretary and six members of a committee, in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Club.

AUGUSTUS KNAPP
Born 31st August 1873 Manchester, England
Died 23rd April 1943 Perth, Western Australia
OPTICIAN
Perth, Western Australia

The following link is a copy of the Government Gazette, Friday 20th July 1917, in relation to the incorporation of the The Western Australian Camera Club.

COMMONWEALTH GAZETTE 1917

Thursday 19th July 1917  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 3

The members of the The Western Australian Camera Club held their inaugural meeting at the University last evening, when there was a good attendance. Professor Dakin made his inaugural Presidential address, after which he gave an illustration of the working and use of the Reflex Lantern. Professor Dakin also showed very interesting slides, giving some of the experiences and scientific research of his recent expedition to the Abrolhos. The committee of the Camera Club includes Professor Dakin (President), Professor Alexander David Ross (Vice-President), Messrs. Mr Augustus Knapp, Burgess, Burberry, R.S. Sampson, A. Raphael, Hon.Secretary, W. Davies, treasurer, Mr Augustus Knapp. A photographic competition for all members has been arranged for August and an interesting exhibition of great general interest may be anticipated.



Friday 20th July 1917
The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 6
The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

There was a large attendance of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club at the inaugural meeting held at the University on Wednesday night, when Professor Dakin, President of the society, delivered an instructive address on "Natural History Photography". The lecturer described the style of camera best suited for photographing birds and animals and showed some striking pictures of bird life on the Abrolhos Islands and of marine life photographed at the Aquarium at Heligoland. When screening a number, of lantern slides, he illustrated the effects to be secured by staining toning, using tinted cover glasses and by making the slides either by contact printing or reduction through the camera. At the conclusion of the meeting votes of thanks to Professor Dakin for his address and to the University for the use of the lecture hall, were carried with acclamation.



15th August 1917  Page 441 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
A meeting of persons interested in photography was held in Perth on the 22nd June, and was presided over by the Colonial Secretary, when it was decided to form a Camera Club for the benefit of amateur photographers. A provisional committee was chosen to draw up a code of rules for the society and the meeting then adjourned for a week to allow of this being done. The adjourned meeting was held on the 29th June, when Mr. R.S. Sampson occupied the chair. It was decided to found the society with the title of “The Western Australian Camera Club” and to incorporate it under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act of 1895.

A warm debate arose on the question of the rates of annual subscription. The provisional committee recommended that during the continuance of the war, when the first claim on members pockets would be the discharge of their obligations, along with all other citizens, in alleviating distress caused by the war, the annual subscription should not exceed ten shillings for males and five shillings for females. This view secured the approval of the majority and was adopted.

It was decided to arrange for Professor Dakin to deliver an inaugural address to members of the club on Wednesday the 18th July. Photographers desirous of joining the society are invited to communicate with the Hon.Secretary at St. George’s House.

(West Australia has always been comparatively weak in photographic matters and the formation of this society is a step in the right direction. It starts under the best of auspices and we look forward to its having a long career of usefulness. Editor A.P.-R.)

On the 18th July, Professor Dakin, President of the Society, delivered a most instructive address on “Natural History Photography”.

The lecturer described the style of camera best suited for photographing birds and animals, both on land and sea and from his own experiences on the Abrolhos Islands and with a whaling expedition, made it clear that this fascinating branch of photography is not without excitement and at times some danger, while the patience required in stalking the bird or animal to be photographed is greater than that required of the sportsman armed with gun or rifle. He advocated using a reflex camera and recommended “Austral" plates, which are made in Australia, as well suited for the work, the reason being that rapid plates in variably showed a good deal of “slowing down” after passing through the tropics.

The professor showed some striking pictures of bird life on the Abrolhos Islands, also of marine life, photographed at the Aquarium at Heligoland and when screening a number of lantern slides, illustrated the effects to be secured by staining, toning, using tinted cover glasses and by making the slides either by contact printing or reduction through the camera. He urged members of the society to give greater attention to the photography of natural history subjects, including the wild flowers of this State and if they made lantern slides from their negatives and chose the carbon process for their production, they would open up a field almost limitless in interest to themselves as well as being of great charm to their fellow camera workers. When referring to the beauties of color photography the lecturer screened an autochrome transparency made by the Vice-President of the Club.

At the conclusion of the meeting votes of thanks to Professor Dakin for his address and to the University for the use of the lecture hall, were carried with acclamation.

A meeting of the Committee of Management followed, when it was decided that the August meeting of the society should take the form of an exhibition of member’s work. A sub-committee was appointed to draw up rules and complete arrangements for the exhibition, particulars of which will be furnished to members at an early date. The sub-committee consists of Messrs. Burgess, Burbury, Davies and Knapp.



Thursday 23rd August 1917  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

THE FIRST EXHIBITION
The first exhibition of photographic work of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened at St. George's House yesterday afternoon and will continue for a week, during which time the exhibition will be open to members and their friends between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, excepting Sunday, also between 8pm and 10pm tomorrow. Mr H.P. Colebatch (Colonial Secretary and Minister for Education), who is the Patron of the club, had arranged to open the exhibition, but he was prevented from doing so by an important political engagement at Victoria Park. It was then hoped that the Premier (Mr Henry Bruce Lefroy) would be able to open the initial exhibition, but a deputation in connection with the lumpers strike at Fremantle demanded his attention. The committee then approached Mr R.R. Pilkington M.L.A., for the city and he formally performed the opening ceremony, after having been introduced by Mr R.S. Sampson (chairman of the committee).

HARRY PATESHALL COLEBATCH
Born 29th March 1872, Wolferlow, Hertfordshire, England
Died 12th February 1953 Perth, Western Australia

12th PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

17th April 1919 – 17th May 1919

PATRON
The Western Australian Camera Club

SIR HENRY BRUCE LEFROY
Born 24th March 1854 Perth, Western Australia
Died 19th March 1930 (aged 75) Walebing, Western Australia

11th PREMIER of WESTERN AUSTRALIA
28th June 1917 – 17th April 1919

The club was formed in June last with 34 foundation members, but the membership has now grown to 85. The exhibition which it is hoped will become an annual event was organized at an early stage in the club's career with the object of enabling members to see the capacity of each other's work.

The judges were Messrs. J.R.W. Linton (art master at the Perth Technical School) and C.S. Bardwell Clarke, of Bon Marche Buildings. The exhibition was divided into classes as follows, each class being divided into sections: (a) Contact prints. (b) enlargements. 1. Landscape, including river or marine views. 2. Portraiture, including snapshots of children. 3. Genre pictures. 4. Natural history pictures. 5. Transparencies, including autochromes, lantern slides and window transparencies.

The catalog comprised nearly 200 entries, contributed by about 30 exhibitors. Some excellent examples of the photographers art are on view and the club is to be congratulated on being able to as range for the, showing of such a varied collection of prints and transparencies in so short a time. The work of one exhibitor, Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, who, by the way, is the only Fellow of the Society in the State - raises the prestige of the exhibition to far above local importance. Included in his fine contribution of prims and transparencies are a few examples of a new chromatone process of color photography on paper evolved by himself and of which it is exceedingly likely that more will be heard, marking, as it seems to do, a distinct and most important step in the further development of color photography. The qualities of the new process may be judged in the examples exhibited of Albany and Perth banksia, Sturt pea, dish of fruit and daffodils, the transparency of the petals in the latter picture being noticeably excellent.

           

ADAMS REFLEX CAMERA

Silver medals were awarded for the three best pictures pictures in the exhibition. The first, showing it to be the best picture exhibited, was an oil pigment of olive trees in Sicily, by Mr Frank R. Perrot. It is an enlargement from a 4 x 5 negative and was taken in strong sunlight on an Imperial Special Rapid plate with an Adams reflex camera having a Zeiss 6.3 lens, the exposure being 1-25th of a second. The second silver medal was taken by Mr Augustus Knapp with a portrait study. This is a contact print, the photograph having been taken under a verandah on an Ilford Special Rapid plate with a Busch Bistellar lens working at F/7 and a half-plate stand camera, the exposure having been half a second. The third medal went to a contact transparency by Mr Will Davies (Hon.Secretary of the club) of a view on the Tumut River, New South Wales. The photograph was taken with a half-plate long focus Premo camera and R.R. lens in brilliant sunshine. The transparency was made 15 years ago, yet it shows not the slightest sign of deterioration. In class 1. the second award was gained by Lieutenant F.J. Anderson with his tinted enlargement depicting a bush fire by night. The third place was taken by a warm sepia carbon enlargement of Worcester Cathedral by Mr Frank R. Perrot. Several pictures received honorable mention. In class II: the second award was taken by a contact portrait by Mr B.L. Southern and the third went to Lieutenant F.J. Anderson's "Where's Nurse"? In class III: (genre pictures) there were eight entries and the judges made two awards. The first fell to Lieutenant F.J. Anderson's "Feeding Time" and the second to Mr Augustus Knapp's "The Mechanic", both of which were adjudged to be well composed. Mr A.D. Payne took the, first award in class IV, with "Banksia Blossoms", Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, came second with "Moths", and Lieutenant Anderson third with "Danger". The class for transparencies was well represented. Mr Edmund's "Water Melons" was placed next to Mr Will Davies, silver medal exhibit and the third award was gained by 20 toned lantern slides, the work of Professor J.W. Dakin (the club's President). Several exhibits in this section received honorable mention. In the noncompetitive class Messrs. J.H. Wilmott and A. Raphael show excellent specimens of work and Professor Dakin "exhibits some extraordinary pictures taken under the sea".

PREMO CAMERAS
1903 - 1918

Thursday 23rd August 1917  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 1

Though the The Western Australian Camera Club is only in its infancy, having been formed last June, it has a membership of about 85 photographic enthusiasts. Yesterday afternoon, at St George's House, members held the first exhibition of their work, in future the exhibition will be an annual fixture.

Grouped around, the walls of the room where the club showed the exhibits, were photographs of a multitude of subjects. Portraiture, landscape, seascape, flowers and indoor subjects were treated with rare skill.

Members had not confined the subjects to this State. The collection was of a cosmopolitan tone. It embraced scenes in various parts of the world, notably Europe and there were a few pictures representative of the Eastern States.

Some interest centered upon a collection of color photographs, the subjects selected being flowers, both the wild and cultured varieties. The photographs have seen no equal as regards coloring. They were the work of Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, official photographer to the Criminal Investigation Department. Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS employs his own process of coloring, which, up to the present time, remains secret. More will be heard of the process. The exhibits were not made for competitive purposes.

Camera owners desirous of viewing the last word in artistic out-door picture taking should see "Olive Trees", exhibited by Mr Frank R. Perrot. The picture is of a pathway winding through olive trees in Sicily. The camera lens has beautifully reproduced the scene. Glimpses of sunshine, alternating with shadows, are features that stand out prominently. For this picture, Mr Frank R. Perrot was awarded one of three silver medals presented.

Second award in this class (landscape) was allotted to Lieutenant F.J. Anderson, with "A Bush Fire by Night". An enlargement from the original, the picture is artistically taken and tinted red to give the realistic effect. Mr Frank R. Perrot secured third award, with an enlargement of Worcester Cathedral, in warm sepia carbon. Honorable mention tags were fixed to the exhibits of Mrs M'Caghern, Mr M.J.H.O. de Grancy, Mr Augustus Knapp, Mr A.D. Payne and Mr Frank R. Perrot. First award and a silver medal were given to Mr Augustus Knapp in the class for portraiture. Pleasing results were obtained in, photographing a lady's head. Second award went to Mr B.L. Southern and third place was secured by Lieutenant Anderson, with "Where's Nurse?" — a study of a boy in bathing suit just quitting the surf. In this class, Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS was given honorable mention, as also was Mr de Grancy. In the genre pictures, Lieutenant Anderson's exhibit, "Feeding Time", was unequaled. Second award was attached to "The Mechanic", shown by Mr Augustus Knapp.

Among the natural history pictures, Mr Payne's "Banksia Blossom" secured pride of place. Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS was runner-up, with his exhibit "Moths" and third position was allotted to "Danger" the work of Lieutenant Anderson. Charming effects were obtained by the successful exhibitors in the section for transparencies, including autochromes, lantern slides and window transparencies. First award and silver medal were given to Mr Will Davies, whose transparency of the Tumut River NSW, revealed the charming beauty of the Eastern river, fringed with a luxuriant growth of Australian bush trees and scrub. The photographer was able to reproduce the fascinating hazy effect of the distances in the picture. Second award was given to Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, whose colored exhibit of melons was a favorite with those who saw it. Professor J.W. Dakin exhibited a number of lantern slides, which were ranked third. Honorable mentions were secured by Mr H.B. Curlewis and Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, the latter in respect to several exhibits.

In the absence of the Hon. H.P. Colebatch (Minister for Education), who is Patron to the club and of the Premier, whose hands were full trying to talk reason into the Fremantle Wharf Lumpers, the exhibition was opened by Mr R.R. Pilkington M.L.A. He offered his congratulations to members upon the excellence of the exhibits.

Following are the officers of the club: Patron, the Hon. H.P. Colebatch (Colonial Secretary and Minister for Education); President, Professor J. W. Dakin, University of W.A.; Vice-President, Professor Alexander David Ross, University of W.A.; Hon.Treasurer, Mr Augustus Knapp; committee, Messrs. R.S. Sampson (chairman), Arthur Burgess, H.B. Curlewis, Alfred Raphael, D.C. Burbury, Miss M.E. Howell; Hon.Secretary, Mr Will Davies.



Friday 24th August 1917  Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 27

The first exhibition of photographic work of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened at St. George's House on Wednesday and will continue for a week, during which time the exhibition will be open, to members and their friends.



Friday 21st September 1917
The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 7
The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
Saturday 22nd September 1917  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4

A large number of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club attended a lecture on lantern slide making, delivered by Mr Frank R. Perrot on Wednesday evening. Mr Frank R. Perrot spoke as an experienced slide maker and minutely described the practical points to be observed in the production of slides, showing technically good and artistic qualities. He illustrated a number of points with slides of his own making, some of which showed the beautiful effects to be secured from combination printing. At the conclusion of the lecture, which was presided over by Professor W.J. Dakin, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Frank R. Perrot, who in responding threw out the suggestion that members of the The Western Australian Camera Club might earnestly consider having public exhibitions of their slides, for which a small charge for admission could be made and the proceeds donated to the most deserving war-time charities. The slides exhibited at the society's exhibition held in August were then projected on the screen. At a meeting of the committee of management, held at the conclusion of the lecture, 16 new members were admitted to the club, bringing the membership up to 92. Members are reminded that field meetings will take place in King's Park on Saturday and Sunday next.



15th October 1917  Page 548 - The Australasian Photographic Review

EXHIBITION OF THE
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
This exhibition, which was opened at St. George’s House, Perth, on the 22nd August, proved a big success and it is hoped that it will become an annual event.

The club was only formed in June last with a membership of 34 and these have now grown to 85.

The exhibition was divided into classes as follows, each class, being divided into sections: (a) Contact prints, (b) enlargements; 1. Landscape, including river or marine views. 2. Portraiture, including snapshots of children. 3. Genre pictures. 4. Natural history pictures. 5. Transparencies, including autochromes, lantern slides and window transparencies.

Included in the work of Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, were a few examples of a new chromatone process of color photography on paper worked out by himself.

Silver medals were awarded for the three best pictures in the exhibition, the first going to Mr. F.F. Perrot, for an oil print of Olive Trees in Sicily; the second to Mr. A. Knapp, for a portrait and the third to Mr. Will Davies for a view on the Tumut River. In Class I: the second award was gained by Lieutenant F.J. Anderson for a tinted enlargement of a bush fire by night. The third place was taken by Mr. F.R. Perrot, with a sepia carbon enlargement of Worcester Cathedral. In Class II: the second award was taken by Mr. B.L. Southern and the third given to Lieutenant F.J. Anderson’s “Where’s Nurse?”. In Class III: for “Genre” pictures, the first fell to Lieutenant F.J. Anderson’s “Feeding Time” and the second to Mr. E. Knapp's “The Mechanic”.

Mr. A.D. Payne took the first award in Class IV: with “Banksia Blossoms”; Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, came second with "Moths” and Lieutenant F.J. Anderson third with "Danger". The class for transparencies was well represented. Mr. Edmund’s “Water Melons” was placed next to Mr. Will Davies silver medal exhibit and the third award was gained by 20 toned lantern slides, the work of Professor J.W. Dakin (the club’s president). Several exhibits in this section received honorable mention. In the non-competitive class Messrs. J.H. Wilmott and A. Raphael showed excellent specimens of work and Professor Dakin exhibited some extraordinary pictures taken under the sea.

This young club is to be heartily congratulated on the success of its initial effort and we look forward to the time when they will be exchanging prints with the older societies on the eastern side.



15th November 1917  Page 605 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
A large number of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club attended a recent lecture on “Lantern Slide Making” by Mr. Frank R. Perrot.

Mr. Perrot spoke as an experienced slide maker and minutely described the practical points to be observed in the production of slides showing technically good and artistic qualities. He illustrated a number of points with slides of his own making, some of which showed the beautiful effects to be secured from combination printing.

At the conclusion of the lecture, which was presided over by Professor W.J. Dakin, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Perrot, who, in responding, threw out the suggestion that members of the Camera Club might earnestly consider having public exhibitions of their slides, for which a small charge for admission could be made and the proceeds donated to the most deserving of war time charities.

The slides exhibited at the Society's exhibition held in August were then projected on the screen.

At a meeting of the committee of management held at the conclusion of the lecture sixteen new members were admitted to the club, bringing the membership up to 92.



Saturday 17th November 1917  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

A meeting of the members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held on Wednesday evening at the reception room of the Savoy Hotel and in the absence of the President and Vice President, Mr Alfred Raphael presided. The chairman stated that the field outing for the month had taken place at Guildford and the pictures included views of the Swan and Helena Rivers. Members had been invited to show one another the pictures they had secured and to get over the difficulty of viewing a number of small pictures at night the committee had requested members to prepare lantern slides. A number of pictures were shown and a fair number of lantern slides, the makers of which pleaded having no previous experience in this branch of photography. Mr W.J. Jackson (formerly of Pathe Freres) criticized the slides on technical, pictorial and artistic points and placed one of Mr Burbury's views of the Swan River first in order of merit.

SAVOY HOTEL
Constructed in 1914

Wednesday 12th December 1917  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

The ordinary monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club will be held in the Physics lecture room of the University to-night at 8pm, when the Vice-President of the society. Professor Alexander David Ross, will deliver an address on "Photographic Optics". The subject will be treated throughout in a simple experimental manner and numerous demonstrations will be given. At the close of the vice President's address the committee of management will submit the following resolution to the vote of members of the club: "That until otherwise determined by members assembled in general meeting and subject in all other respects to the rules and regulations of the association, juvenile members may be admitted to membership of the club. Such members shall be not less than twelve nor more than seventeen years of age and shall pay one-half of the rate or rates of subscription for the time being in force for adult members, provided that the minimum subscription shall not be less than two shillings and sixpence.

PROFESSOR ALEXANDER DAVID ROSS
Born 7th September 1883 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died 14th December 1966 Western Australia

UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR

15th December 1917  Page 670 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
A meeting was held on the 14th November, when it was stated that the Field Outing for the month had taken place at Guildford and to get over the difficulty of viewing a number of small pictures at night the committee had requested members to prepare lantern slides.

At the October meeting members had had the privilege of having their pictures, taken at the Club Outing in King’s Park, criticized by Mr. Linton from the point of view of artistic composition. Whilst admitting the undoubted ability of Mr. Linton to criticize from the point of view mentioned there were members of the club who did not think that photography should be entirely subordinated to art. In other words those members, either rightly or wrongly, think that a good photograph is capable of expressing more than art and may therefore be judged and be worthy of commendation from several other standpoints. A number of pictures were then shown, also some lantern slides, which were criticized on technical, pictorial and artistic points and one of Mr. D.C. Burbury’s views of the Swan River placed, first in order of merit.



Thursday 31st January 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

The monthly exhibition of work of members of The Western Australian Camera Club, consisting of pictures taken during the holiday season anywhere in the State, was held last night at the reception room at the Savoy Hotel. The pictures were divided into two classes, contact prints and enlargements. Twenty-two pictures were shown in the former section and the judge (Mr Willmott, of Lafayette Studios) awarded the first prize to Mrs Will Davies for a picture of the Old Mill, South Perth and honorable mention was given to a picture by Mr W.J. Mannix. The judge also passed commendation on Mr Shapcott's picture "Boys Canoeing" for its technical excellence. In the section for enlargements there were 21 entries. The first prize went to Mr Augustus Knapp for "A Thatched Hut at Mandurah" and honorable mention was secured by a boat and sky effect taken by the Hon.Secretary (Mr Will Davies). The judge commended a Mandurah estuary scene by Mr Alfred Raphael.



Friday 1st February 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

At the monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club held on Wednesday evening and at which Professor Alexander David Ross, Vice-President of the society, presided. Captain McTaggart delivered a short address terminating with an appeal to members of the club to join in the good work of the Snapshots-from-Home League. It was decided to give the speaker an opportunity to discuss the work of the league in detail at the February meeting of the Camera Club. After the pictures had been criticized, Mr J.H. Wilmott judged the lantern slides, the prize for the best slide of the evening being awarded to Mr L.E. Shapcott, with honorable mention for a slide shown by Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS. Both slides were much admired for their technical excellence.



Tuesday 12th February 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 5

SNAPSHOTS FROM HOME LEAGUE
The activities of this important branch of Y.M.C.A. work are increasing at a rapid rate. Following the entrance into camp of the previous organizing secretary of the league in this State, the Commonwealth supervisor (Mr M.C. McTaggart) came over from the East to organize the efforts of the league to the fullest extent. He has been here about three weeks, during which time the number of members has increased from 96 - 28 of whom resigned their membership, the majority of them going into camp to 116 and the number of branches from six to 49. When Mr McTaggart considers that the league has been fully organized in Western Australia he will leave the branch in charge of an organizing secretary, who will be, probably, a returned soldier. He is devoting his energies to the organization of amateur photographers and when a sufficient number of workers have been enrolled he will invite the relatives of soldiers on active service to take advantage of the league. The Western Australian Camera Club have shown enthusiasm in the scheme, which should result in a considerable accession of strength to the membership. About 160 posters have been distributed at railway stations, in tramcars and other places of public resort, until now the existence and objects of the league are pretty well known. Application forms for snapshots to be taken number 1,679 and the majority have been received from men on active service. These application forms are available at the Y.M.C.A. tents and huts in England, France, Egypt and elsewhere, which the applicant fills in, stating of whom or what he wants a photograph. All amateur photographers have not yet realized that by giving their services in this direction they are assisting materially to win the war. It is important above all things that the men who do the fighting should be kept in good spirits and what is more calculated, to do this than by sending them photographs of, say, the wife and children, or of mother in her favorite chair, of the animal pets, or of a familiar scene? A great number of men who are at the front had never left home before for any length of time and therefore it is all the more desirable and necessary to infuse into their lives the brightness that enables them to keep in good heart while they are undergoing hardship



Saturday 2nd March 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
The monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held on Wednesday when members assembled to view the pictures entered for the club's monthly competition and to discuss several questions relating to the work of the society, the meeting being "Question Night" in the syllabus for the year. The vice President (Professor Alexander David Ross) presided and announced that Mr C.S. Bardwell Clarke had awarded the prizes in both classes - enlargements and contact prints, to Mr A.J. Burgess, who was to be congratulated on his success and the excellence of his pictures, which depicted boating and yachting scenes on the Swan River. After several questions dealing with the technique of camera craft had been discussed and answered, consideration was given to the question of how best to arouse enthusiasm in a number of dormant members. It was resolved to make personal appeals to these members and to arrange for practical assistance to be given to beginners and elementary workers by those who are more advanced in the theory and practice of the art. Messrs. Burgess, Burbury, Augustus Knapp, Raphael, Thorpe and Unmack were elected as a committee to carry this into effect.



Friday 29th March 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Professor Dakin presided on Wednesday evening over one of the best attended meetings of the The Western Australian Camera Club since its inception, when Mr Augustus Knapp gave a very interesting and exceedingly helpful address on "Home Portraiture". The lecturer dealt with the subject strictly on the lines confronting amateur photographers and with improvised arrangements consisting of a couple of tables, some rugs, screens, a plaster bust and a table lamp, demonstrated in a most effective and practical manner how the control of lighting, which is essential to pleasing portraiture, can be easily accomplished under a verandah with house hold accessories and cameras such as amateurs usually possess. At the conclusion of the address Mr Augustus Knapp answered a number of questions and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

The monthly competition of prints brought together a display of 42 pictures, the work of fifteen members, the awards being as follows: Landscape enlargements: first award, "After a Summer Squall" by Mr A.J. Burgess; second award, "The Old Mill at Mandurah" by Mr Claude Unmack. The judge commented on the winning picture thus: "The composition and printing are excellent, but the trimming of the print is defective, giving an impression of water running downhill". Landscape contact prints: First award, "A Wind-blown Tree" by Mrs Claude Unmack. The judge's remarks were: "A fine picture, spoilt somewhat by being badly trimmed, the horizon line, which is a sheet of water, not being at right angles to the perpendicular margins of the print". Second award: "A Yacht at Anchor" by Mr Claude Unmack. Judge's remarks: "Combination of print and mount excellent". A non-competitive enlargement from a post card film of a scene in Hyde Park, which was shown by Mr A. Carson, created much interest as an example of the fine pictorial results which can be obtained from small negatives. Portraiture: First award, "A Boy" by Mr Will Davies; second award, "Mother and Child" by Mr Augustus Knapp. Mr W.J. Jackson, who judged the competition, highly commended three pictures shown in the juvenile members class by Master Claude Burgess.



Friday 26th April 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
Friday 3rd May 1918  Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 20

The monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held on Wednesday evening last at the Savoy Hotel under the presidency of Professor W.J. Dakin. The subject for the monthly competition was "Home Portraits", of which 41 examples were on exhibition. The pictures were treated in a variety of styles and evoked considerable interest and discussion, which was added to by the criticisms and remarks of Mr Augustus Knapp, who acted as judge. The awards were given as follow: Enlargements: First award, Portrait of a Lady, by Mr Claude Unmack. Contact prints: First award, Portrait of a Girl Reading, by Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS. The judge drew special attention to this portrait as typifying the class of picture amateurs should endeavor to produce in home portraits. The second award went to Mr F.W. Flood, for two pictures of equal merit, one being a child's head and the other a child with a doll. Honorable mentions were won by Messrs. A.J. Burgess, F.W. Flood and Frank Sedgwick. The judge showed a fine example of a genre picture, being a study of a youth making an examination of a microscopic object. The club's Hon.Secretary, in the course of a lecture on "Ascertaining Correct Exposure", dealt with the question from the point of view of the amateur worker. After referring to the scientific methods of finding correct exposure by actinometer tests, the simpler system presented by the Burroughs Wellcome Calculator was explained in detail and with the aid of a large model of the calculator, together with a selection of lantern slides of every-day subjects, Mr Davies demonstrated how exposures sufficiently accurate for the purposes of a beginner could be secured. Votes of thanks to Messrs. Mr Augustus Knapp and Davies were passed with acclamation. Mr Alfred Carson, in proposing a vote of thanks to Professor Dakin, referred to the good fortune of the society in having upon its committee of management two University professors whose scientific attainments were so generously placed at the disposal of the club. The next monthly meeting will be held in the Physics Lecture Hall of the University, when Professor Alexander David Ross will lecture on "Color-Correct Photography." The subject for the monthly competition of pictures is to be "Architecture".



15th May 1918  Page 274 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At one of the best attended meetings since its inception. Mr. A. Knapp gave an address on “Home Portraiture”, dealing with the subject strictly on the lines confronting amateur photographers and with improvised arrangements consisting of a couple of tables, some rugs, screens, a plaster bust and a table lamp, demonstrated in a most effective and practical manner how the control of lighting, which is essential to pleasing portraiture, can be easily accomplished under a verandah with house hold accessories and cameras such as amateurs usually possess. At the conclusion of the address Mr. Knapp answered a number of questions and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The monthly competition of prints brought together a display of 42 pictures, the work of fifteen members, the awards being as follows. Landscape enlargements: First, “After a Summer Squall", A.J. Burgess; second, “The Old Mill at Mandurah”, Claude Unmack. The judge commented on the winning picture thus: “The composition and printing are excellent, but the trimming of the print is defective, giving an impression of water running downhill”. Landscape contact prints: First, “A Wind-blown Tree”, Mrs. Claude Unmack. The judge’s remarks were; “A fine picture, spoilt somewhat by being badly trimmed, the horizon line, which is a sheet of water, not being at right angles to the perpendicular margins of the print”. Second; “A Yacht at Anchor”, Claude Unmack. Judge’s remarks: “Combination of print and mount excellent”. A non-competitive enlargement from a post card film of a scene in Hyde Park, which was shown by Mr. A. Carson, created much interest as an example of the fine pictorial results which can be obtained from small negatives. Portraiture: First, “A Boy", Will Davies; second award, “Mother and Child”, A Knapp. Mr. W.J. Jackson, who judged the competition, highly commended three pictures shown in the juvenile members class by Master Claude Burgess.

At the meeting on the 24th April, 41 examples of “Home Portraits” were on exhibition. The pictures were treated in a variety of styles and evoked considerable interest and discussion, which was added to by the criticisms and remarks of Mr. A. Knapp, who acted as judge. The awards were;

ENLARGEMENTS: First, Mr. Claude Unmack.
CONTACT PRINTS: First, Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS; Second, Mr. F.W. Flood. honorable mentions were won by Messrs. A.J. Burgess, F.W. Flood and Frank Sedgwick.

The Club’s Hon.Secretary, in the course of a lecture on “Ascertaining Correct Exposure”, dealt with the question from the point of view of the amateur worker. After referring to the scientific methods of finding correct exposure by actinometer tests, the simpler system presented by a calculator was explained in detail and with the aid of a large model of the calculator, together with a selection of lantern slides of every-day subjects, Mr. Davies demonstrated how exposures sufficiently accurate for the purposes of a beginner could be secured.

Votes of thanks to Messrs. Knapp and Davies were passed with acclamation. Mr. Alfred Carson, in proposing a vote of thanks to Professor Dakin, referred to the good fortune of the Society in having upon its Committee of Management two university professors, whose scientific attainments were so generously placed at the disposal of the Club.

The next monthly meeting will be held in the Physics Lecture Hall of the University, when Professor Ross will lecture on “Color-Correct Photography”. The subject for the monthly competition of pictures is to be “Architecture”.



Thursday 30th May 1918  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4

A largely attended meeting of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at the University last evening, when Professor Alexander David Ross lectured on "Color and Color Photography". The lecturer gave a number of interesting and scientific demonstrations of the spectroscopic analysis of light and the determination of color by wave lengths. He also explained how the visual intensities of color were best differentiated by the employment of screens between the source of light and the photographic plate, as well as by staining the silver emulsion of the plate with certain dyes that selectively filter the component colors of light. A number of photographs of architectural subjects in and around the city were shown by members and by consent of the University authorities they will remain on view in the annex to the Physics Lecture Hall for several days. The public are invited to attend between the hours of 10am and 5pm and 7pm to 9pm. The judging was done by Mr Van Raalte, a member of the Royal Society of Etchers.

HENRI BENEDICTUS SALAMAN VAN RAALTE
Born 11th February 1881 London, England
Died 4th November 1929 South Australia
ETCHER

Friday 31st May 1918  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 6

A largely attended meeting of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at the University last evening when Professor Alexander David Ross lectured on "Color and Color Photography." The lecturer gave a number of interesting scientific demonstrations of the spectrescopic analysis of light and the determination of color by wave lengths. He also explained how the visual intensities of color were best differentiated by the employment of screens between the source of light and the photographic plate, as well as by staining the silver emulsion of the plate with certain dyes that selectively filter the component colors of light. A number of photographs of architectural subjects in and around the city were shown by members and by consent of the University authorities they will remain on view in the annex to the physics lecture hall for several days. The public are invited to attend between the hours of 10am and 5pm and 7pm and 9pm. The judge, Mr Van Raalte, a member of the Royal Society of Etchers, made the following awards: Contact prints: 1st, Western Doorway of Guildford Chapel, by A.J. Burgess; 2nd, Arbitration Court, by T.J. Brown. Enlargements: 1st, Supreme Court Portico, by Will Davies; 2nd, Colonnade at Government House, by Mrs Claude Unmack. Honorable mentions in their respective classes were awarded to pictures shown by Messrs. A.J. Burgess, A.E. Bissell, F.W. Flood, C. Unmack, Augustus Knapp and B.S. Southern and Mrs C. Unmack. Mr Jackson, formerly of Pathe Freres, exhibited a very fine display of pictures, which, being the work of a professional photographer, were non-competitive. The mounting and arrangement of Mr Jackson's pictures are also worthy of the closest attention of any one interested in camera craft



Friday 28th June 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

A meeting of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at the reception room of the Savoy Hotel last evening, when the work done, under the heading of "Animal Studies", which was the subject for the monthly competition, was on view. Forty pictures were entered by 14 exhibitors, the judges being Professor Dakin (President) and Mr D.B. Dease. The following awards were made: Contact prints: First award, Persian cat, by Mr F. Sedgwick; second award, Flamingoes, by Mr A.J. Burgess. Enlargements: First award, dog's head, by Mr Will Davies; second award, Asiatic crane, by Mrs W. Davies. Six mentions for meritorious work having regard to the difficulties presented by the subject, were awarded to Mrs Davies, Messrs. Burgess, Edmunds, Augustus Knapp, Raphael and Unmack. A junior section was created on this occasion and will be continued in future, to encourage young members to compete amongst themselves. The judges awarded honorable mention to two of the entries shown by Master Claude Burgess.



15th July 1918  Page 386 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
On the 29th May Professor Ross lectured on “Color and Color Photography”. The lecturer gave a number of interesting and scientific demonstrations of the spectro scopic analysis of light and the determination of color by wave lengths and explained how the visual intensities of color were best differentiated by the employment of screens between the source of light and the photographic plate, as well as by staining the silver emulsion of the plate with certain dyes that selectively filter the component colors of light.

A number of photographs of architectural subjects in and around the city were shown by members and by consent of the University authorities remained on view in the annex to the Physics Lecture Hall for several days, the public being invited to view them.

The judging was done by Mr. Van Raalte, who made the following awards: Contact Prints: 1st, Western Doorway of Guildford Chapel, by A.J. Burgess; 2nd, Arbitration Court, by T.J. Brown. Enlargements: 1st, Supreme Court Portico, by Will Davies; 2nd Colonnade at Government House, by Mrs. Claude Un-mack. honorable Mentions in their respective classes were awarded to pictures shown by Messrs. A.J. Burgess, A.E. Bissell, F.W. Flood, C. Unmack. A. Knapp, and B.S. Southern, also by Mrs. C. Unmack.

On the 6th June, Mr. Henri Van Raalte, a Member of the Royal Society of Etchers, gave an instructive address on “Artistic Composition” in pictorial photography. The lecturer remarked on the limitations which beset photographic work owing to its tendency to give mechanical results, not so amenable to the will of the photographer as is the work of the artist employing other mediums of expression. The plasticity of color and handiwork outdistance the photograph tremendously, but that distance is being worn down and it is conceivable that in time photography will take its place in the galleries of art. He was not a photographer but understood that by the use of screens and certain plates made sensitive to the varying intensities of color, as well as by the adoption of methods of control in printing, it was possible to accomplish a great deal and certainly to eliminate the crudities and atrocities which the camera in the hands of some workers was not infrequently made to produce. In composing a picture with the camera it is important to remember four essentials to good composition, namely: (1) Perspective, (2) Atmosphere and color, (3) Relief and (4) relative values of shadows and lights, running from blacks through grays to high lights, remembering however, that the last mentioned should never be flat white paper in portraying the sky. A white paper sky is an outrage upon art, notwithstanding which it unfortunately found its way into too many photographs which, in many other respects, were excellent in their composition.

The importance of balance in composition and the distracting effect of angles, particularly when hard in tone, were pointed out, but after thoroughly scarifying the feelings of a number of exhibitors, Mr. Van Raalte was good enough to say that taken as a whole the quality of the work on view greatly exceeded his expectations.



15th August 1918  Page 441 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
A meeting was held on the 27th June, when the 40 entries (14 exhibitors) in the “Animal Studies” competition were on view. The following awards were made: Contact Prints: First, F.S. Sedgwick; Second, A.J. Burgess. Enlargements: First, Will Davies; Second, Mrs. W. Davies. Six mentions for meritorious work were awarded to Mrs. Davies and Messrs. Burgess, Edmunds, Knapp, Raphael and Unmack. A junior section was created and will be continued to encourage young members to compete amongst themselves. Two of the entries shown by Master Claude Burgess secured honorable Mention.



Friday 16th August 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8

ANNUAL MEETING
The first annual meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held on Wednesday evening in the Savoy Hotel reception room and was well attended. The President (Professor W.J. Dakin) was in the chair. The report of the committee and the statement of accounts were adopted. The former set out that the members on the roll on June 30 last were 134.

Speaking on behalf of the retiring committee, Professor Dakin said that much of the success of the year's work had been due to the untiring energy of the Hon.Secretary (Mr W. Davies) and as a mark of appreciation, the committee had combined to present him with two silver entree dishes. Mr Davies expressed his thanks for the gift and declared that the success of the club had been due not so much to his personal efforts as to the enthusiasm of a number of the advanced workers. The statement of accounts showed a present credit balance of £20/12s/2d. The proceedings concluded with a display of photographic apparatus of interest to amateurs. Mr A.L. Tilley and the Optical and Photo. Supply Company showed a number of modern instruments and accessories and some of the more ingenious members of the club brought forward instruments of their own construction, the most noteworthy of which was an enlarging lantern made by Master Frank Sedgwick.



Tuesday 10th September 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

SECOND ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The The Western Australian Camera Club opened its second annual exhibition of members work yesterday afternoon in St. George's House, the Minister for Education (Mr H. P. Colebatch) performing the ceremony. The exhibition has been the means of collecting 250 examples of photographic art and craft, which have found expression in many fine pictures on paper, on glass transparencies, in lantern slides and original color work on paper and glass. The exhibitors have been divided into classes, according to their proficiency and the work has been subdivided into sections covering landscapes, portraiture, natural history, architecture, the aim of the committee being to encourage members of the club to compete under conditions giving fair opportunities to all. Mr Colebatch, who is Patron of the society, referred to the fact that the club had been in existence only a little over twelve months. He himself had presided at the first meeting of the foundation members. A very marked improvement had been shown in the quality of the work submitted at this exhibition, compared with that exhibited twelve months ago. He complimented the committee on the excellence of the work displayed and declared the exhibition open.

The "A" class, comprised of members who had previously won a first award at the club's competitions, is well represented in all sections, the principal awards being as follow - Landscape: First award and first silver medal for best picture in the exhibition, W. Davies, "Mount's Bay". Second award and third silver medal Mrs C. Unmack, "Crabbing". Third award, W. Davies, "Picture of St. George's-terrace". Honorable mentions in this class were awarded to pictures shown by Messrs. Frank R. Perrot, Augustus Knapp, A.J. Burgess, F.S. Sedgwick and E.F. Edmunds FRPS. In the portraiture section the first award and second silver medal of the exhibition went to Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, for a "Portrait of a Lady". Second award went to Mr Augustus Knapp and honorable mention to Mr W. Davies. In architecture the first award was secured by Mr Davies for a picture of the Supreme Court portico and the second by Mr A.J. Burgess (western doorway of the Guildford Grammar School chapel). Honorable mentions in this class were given to Mrs C. Unmack for two pictures. In natural history the first award was gained by Mr A.J. Burgess for a very fine decorative panel of flamingoes and the second award by Mr W. Davies for a dog's head. Honorable mention was accorded Mrs W. Davies for a panel depicting three Asiatic cranes. In the lantern slide and transparency class, Mr D.C. Burbury obtained the first award for four lantern slides of great technical excellence. In the color section Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS had matters all his own way with some beautiful examples of his own chromatone process. Messrs. H. van Raalte and J.H. Wilmott were the judges. The exhibition, which is well worthy a visit, will remain open every day this week from 3pm to 6pm and on Friday and Saturday also between 8pm and 10pm.



Wednesday 11th September 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8

The exhibition of members work from the The Western Australian Camera Club which is being held at St. George's House is attracting a number of visitors. Our report in yesterday's issue dealt with the official opening by the Minister for Education (Mr H.P. Colebatch) and gave the names of winners of awards in "A" class. Exhibitors in the other classes, namely, "B", "C" and Junior, have also contributed pictures possessing distinctive merit. B Class consisting of members who had gained mention previously at club competitions, but not a first award, contains 20 entries, out of which the judges awarded the following prizes: Landscape: First and second, F.W. Flood for "A Misty Morning" and "Moonlight on the Swamp" respectively. Portraiture: First, B.L. Southern, "The Philatelist". Architecture: First, T.J. Brown, "The Arbitration Court Porch"; second, F.W. Flood, "Doorway, Old Technical School". Natural History: First and only award, T.J. Brown, for picture of a frog. C Class comprised members who have not previously won an award in the club's competitions. There are 48 entries in this class, the awards being made under two divisions in the work, namely, contact prints and enlargements. Prizes were given as follow: Landscape: First (contact), W.B. Thorpe, "The Sullen Sea". First (enlargement), F.T. Howell. "The Jetty at Evening"; second (C), E.W. de Rose, "Fern Glade". Mentions were secured by Miss Valerie Giles, F.T. Howell, E.W. de Rose and Miss E.M. Marlow. Portraiture: First (C), E.A. Budge, "Portrait of a Girl". First (E), Dr J.K. Couch, "Myself". Three mentions in this section went to Mr M.G. Skipper for figure studies in a style somewhat off the beaten track of amateurs. The first and only award for architecture in "C" Class went to Miss F. Spry. In the junior class, Master Karl Knapp took first, second and third awards in landscape enlargements. Master A.H. Christian secured first and second in landscape contact prints and Master Claude Burgess first and a mention in natural history. The junior section contains a deal of attractive work and amateur photographers will find the composition and technique well worth attention.



Thursday 12th September 1918  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4 

An interesting section of the The Western Australian Camera Club annual exhibition of photographs now on view at St. George's House is that devoted to non-competitive entries. Among these are seven exquisite carbon prints of Western Australian flowering gums given to the club by Mr W. Russell Grimwade, one of the directors of the Federal Council of Science and Industry, who recently visited this State. The pictorial quality of the photographs and the medium of printing chosen, namely carbon provide a delicacy of color and richness of tone practically unobtainable in any other photographic process. An effective decorative panel entitled "Ti-Tree Glade", upon which the judges bestowed an honorable mention, is shown by Mr J.A. Dimmitt and a similar distinction was bestowed upon the "Fishing Boat", exhibited by Mrs Knapp. Mr Bardwell Clarke has five excellent portrait studies and Mr J.H. Wilmott gives a striking example in toned bromide of what can be done in making a picture from a negative taken with a vest pocket camera. Mr V.N. Hedges has lent half-a-dozen autochrome stereoscopic slides which give marvelously realistic effects in natural colors and since the opening day Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS has supplemented his exhibit of color work on paper with some good examples of his chromotone process.



16th September 1918  Page 498 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At the First Annual General Meeting the President (Professor Dakin) said he did not anticipate such a successful twelve months as had been experienced. He said that in the Hon.Secretary (Mr. Davies) he considered they had a man at the helm whose methods could not be otherwise than admired and as a slight token of the regard in which members held Mr. Davies, he (Professor Dakin) took the opportunity to present Mr. Davies with a pair of entree dishes. Mr. Davies stated that the presentation took him completely by surprise and much appreciated the spirit which prompted members to make such a handsome presentation. Mr. Davies stated that he started photography over twenty years ago and had to teach himself by the “elimination of error” process. He considered that he had learnt a lot during the last year. For instance, he had thought that the sharp outline, stereoscopic photograph was infinitely superior to the “fuzzy”, but had since been converted. Pictorial merit was everything and should receive first consideration.

Professor Dakin said he thought members could render valuable assistance in naming wild flowers. At present there was no book published to help members to name flowers, but he considered such a book could and should be, published. If members would try taking a few wild flower photographs, getting as sharp detail as possible, by stoping down and giving a longer exposure and using color sensitive plates, much practical assistance would be accomplished. If photographs were accompanied by a specimen of the flower it would help the work of identification. Possibly, the Club could undertake to publish the book at a later date and he considered there should be good demand for such a book.



15th November 1918  Page 609 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The second annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held in September. It was opened by the Minister for Education and during the week there was an attendance of over a thousand.

Forty-two members made 194 entries, totaling 250 items, the hanging committee finding it necessary to make very few rejections.

The members were graded into four classes and their work into six sections, in spite of which divisions the judges reported that they experienced considerable difficulty in reaching decisions, so uniformly good was a large percentage of the work.

After the exhibition, the judges (Messrs. Henri Van Raalte and J.H. Wilmott) gave addresses concerning the exhibits. Mr. Van Raalte dealt with the pictures from the points of view of subject and composition, whilst Mr. Wilmott criticized their technique and finish in mounting and framing. Members showed a keen interest in the proceedings, which terminated with the screening of the lantern slides entered for exhibition.

One result of the exhibition is the cleavage of members into several schools of thought, namely, those who judge a photograph simply as a picture — that is to say, pictorial merit, gauged by the rules of art, must be the outstanding feature, or the work fails; those who claim that craft is the essence of a photographer’s work and consequently deserving of most consideration in club activities and finally those who desire meticulous divisions in classification so that a panoramic view shall not compete with a simple bit of roadway having a tree on each side of it, or a barge on a river with a ship at sea, or a decorative panel of water fowl with a study of a dog’s head.

If you recognize the symptoms as a species of club measles or whooping cough kindly write an article or two in your valued journal, setting forth appropriate treatment. There are some fine large questions at the back of it all, as for example:
(1) How should an exhibition of 250 photographs be judged?
(2) Who are the best judges
(2a) artists?
(2b) photographers?
(2c) common-sense people who can discern beauty in a photograph when it is beautiful, but who cannot explain why, except to say that it appeals to them?
(3) How many sections (landscape, portraiture natural history, etc.) should there be?

If ten why not twenty, or if twenty why not one, in the last instance the supreme test being — Is it a picture?;

You can do the West a real service by elucidating some, if not all, of these problems.

The Western Australian Camera Club is very young yet, though it is probably the most enthusiastic of the Australasian societies. Such questions as our correspondent asked have been discussed ever since the first exhibition of photographic work and will probably be asked in the next century!
Briefly replying to the queries in their order:
(2a) Artists are seldom competent to judge photographs unless they are familiar with the limitations of camera work.

(2c) “Common-sense people” by which, we presume, is meant the great mass of the public, prefer a print on glossy-surfaced paper, giving all the detail possible. If they at any time profess a preference for a print which might be called “artistic”, they are unable to give any reason for their preference. Their general summing up of any print and the highest praise they can offer, is, “How clear it is!”.

(3) “How many sections” is entirely a question for the management of the particular show. There is no doubt that in most exhibitions too much stress is laid on “Art” and much, much too little on technique. Without a photographer is first a good technician, he cannot expect to succeed in “Art” photography. But the so-called “Art” photographers are apt to have somewhat of a contempt for a good technician and feel that he has no place in the scheme of things. He cannot be of the elect — he possibly does not wait to be and prefers to be a master of technique, feeling that this is, after all, the great mission of the camera.



Friday 20th December 1918  Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 71

Mount's Bay, Perth by Mr WILL DAVIES
was awarded First prize and Silver Medal in connection
with the second exhibition of the
The Western Australian Camera Club

Friday 20th December 1918  Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 71

The Old Mill, Peel's Inlet by Mr AUGUSTUS KNAPP

Wednesday 19th February 1919
The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4

The members of the The Western Australian Camera Club will hold their monthly, meeting this evening, at 8pm, in the reception room of the Savoy Hotel. A number of pictures taken during the holidays will be exhibited and Mr Van Raalte R.S.E., will deliver the second of his course of lectures on pictorial composition.



Thursday 20th February 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
Friday 21st February 1919  Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 28

The February meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at the Savoy Hotel last night, when Mr Van Raalte criticized the pictures submitted, in accordance with the task set by him, as well as work sent in for competition depicting holiday scenes and photographic works during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Further progress was noticed in the quality of work submitted and the remarks of Mr Van Raalte, which in general were commendatory and in some instances highly so, should encourage present and prospective members to pursue the practice of camera craft along the lines of artistic expression, with additional interest. There were 55 pictures on view, sent in by 20 exhibitors. Mrs. Claude Unmack was given the first award in the holiday picture section and received a special prize of a developing tank, donated by Dr. Couch. He also offered as a prize for the junior section a Beck rapid rectilinear lens, the winner of which was Master Karl Knapp. Professor Alexander David Ross, who is the President of the club presided and extended a welcome back to Mr Alfred Carson, whom, he said, had promised to give a lecture to the members at an early date, illustrated with lantern slides. Mr Van Raalte held the interest of the meeting for about an hour, while he gave the second lecture in the course of his instruction dealing with pictorial composition. Votes of thanks were awarded Mr Van Raalte, Mr Will Davies (Hon.Secretary) for preparing the lantern slides used to illustrate the lecture and Dr. Couch for donating prizes. The next meeting of the club will be held on Wednesday 16th March, when Mr Van Raalte will give his third lecture on composition. He announced that the task for next month will be a tree subject, illustrating isolation.



Thursday 20th February 1919  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4

The The Western Australian Camera Club met at the Savoy Hotel last night, when Mr Van Raalte criticized the pictures submitted. Further progress was noticed in the quality of work submitted and in remarks of Mr Van Raalte. There were 55 pictures on view, sent in by 20 exhibitors. First award in the holiday picture section, received a special prize of a developing tank donated by Dr. Couch. Dr. Couch also offered as a prize for the junior section a Beck rapid rectilinear lens.

HOLIDAY PICTURE:		JUNIOR SECTION:
FIRST: Mrs Claude Unmack	SECOND: Mr A.J. Burgess	FIRST: Master Karl Knapp	SECOND: Master Claude Burgess

Professor Alexander David Ross, who is the President of the club, presided and extended a welcome back to Mr Alfred Carson. Mr Van Raalte gave the second lecture in the course of his instruction dealing with pictorial composition.

Votes of thanks were awarded Mr Van Raalte, Mr Will Davies (Hon.Secretary) for preparing the lantern slides used to illustrate the lecture and Dr. Couch for donating prizes.

Beck Rapid Rectilinear Lens

Frena No. 0 Camera (Memorandum) manufactured by R.J. Beck

Friday 21st February 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB (Incorporated)
In addition to the awards made in respect of the competition for prizes donated by Dr. J.K. Couch, as reported in our issue of yesterday, awards were also allotted for meritorious work shown by members in the general competition for the best "Holiday Picture", the results being as follows:

HOLIDAY PICTURE:			HOLIDAY PICTURE: HONORABLE MENTION:								HOLIDAY PICTURE: JUNIOR SECTION:
FIRST: Mrs C. Unmack	SECOND: Mr A.J. Burgess	THIRD: Mr Claude Unmack	Mrs Knapp	Mrs Knapp	Mr. M.G. Skipper	Mr. A.J. Burgess	Mr. A.J. Burgess	Mr. A. Raphael	Mr. A. Raphael	Mr. Will Davies	SECOND: Master Claude Burgess

Mr Alfred Carson showed two pictures prepared from negatives taken with a vest pocket camera, the beauty and unusual character of which attracted considerable attention, one being a charming vista through trees in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C. and the other a striking view of majestic snow-capped peaks in the Rocky Mountains.

The next meeting of the club will be held on 26th March, not the 16th as inadvertently reported yesterday.



Sunday 23rd February 1919  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 13

Perth has an enthusiastic Camera Club, the members of which meet periodically and criticize (always kindly of course) one another's work. The first meeting in 1919 was held on Wednesday evening at the Savoy Hotel. Mr. Van Raalte gave his second lecture on composition and judged pictures taken during the holidays, first prize being awarded to Mrs Claude Unmack and second to Mr A.J. Burgess. In the junior section, first prize went to Master Karl Knapp and second to Master Claude Burgess. The judge commented on the merit of the work displayed. After a usual vote of thanks to the lecturer. Professor Ross welcomed back Mr Alfred Carson, and that gentleman responded with his usual modesty.



Friday 11th April 1919  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 3

Mr A. Van Raalte delivered an address on Pictorial Composition to the members of the The Western Australian Camera Club at the Universitay on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance, who thoroughly enjoyed a very interesting evening.



15th April 1919  Page 276 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At the first meeting this year of members on the 19th February, under presidency of Professor A.D. Ross, the attendance totaled 57, a record for a mid-summer gathering.

There were 55 pictures on view, sent in by 20 exhibitors. The work represented a task set by Mr. Van Raalte R.S.E., to illustrate spacing in pictorial composition, also a competition for the “Best Holiday Picture”. The judging of the competition was done by Mr. Van Raalte, who gave a characteristic criticism of the pictures and made the following awards: First, C. Unmack; second, A.J. Burgess; honorable mention, Mrs. Knapp and Messrs. M.G. Skipper, A.J. Burgess, A. Raphael and W. Davies. Prizes had been donated by Dr. J.K. Couch for the best picture shown by lady members and juniors respectively, Mrs. C. Unmack secured the lady’s prize — a developing tank and Master K. Knapp won the junior prize, Master C. Burgess being placed second.

Mr. Alfred Carson, who was the W.A. representative in the delegation of Australian editors who visited England last year at the invitation of the Imperial Government and inspected the Grand Fleet in the North Sea and the battlefields of the Western Front, received a hearty welcome. Mr. Carson signalized his safe return and his love for camera craft by showing two pictures prepared from negatives taken with a Vest Pocket Kodak, the beauty and unusual character of which attracted considerable attention, one being a charming vista through trees at the entrance to Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., and the other a striking view of majestic snow-capped peaks in the Rocky Mountains. When responding to the President’s congratulations on his safe return, Mr. Carson promised at an early date to let members into the secret of some of the wonderful and terrible sights he saw, by giving a lecture which will be illustrated with a set of lantern slides given to him by the British Government.

Mr. Van Raalte gave the second lecture in the course of his instruction, the theme being “Pictorial Composition”. His remarks were illustrated by the projection of 43 slides, 30 being diagrams and sketches prepared by the lecturer and 13 copies of works of great painter-etchers from Rembrandt to Whistler. The next meeting is fixed for the 26th March, when Mr. Van Raalte will again lecture and give constructive criticism on pictures shown to illustrate the principle in composition by which a heavy mass can be balanced by the isolation of a small one.



Thursday 1st May 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

Great interest was evinced by a large number of members and visitors in the monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club, held in the physics lecture hall of the University last night. Professor Alexander David Ross (President) welcomed a contingent of members from the Scotch College Camera Club. The business for the evening was a lecture by Professor Dakin (vice President) on "Photomicrography". With the aid of apparatus and diagrams he showed how any amateur photographer might, at a small expense, open up a field of inexhaustible interest. By means of a projection lantern photographs and other illustrations of microscopic objects were screened. In conformity with Mr Van Raalte's task, set at the conclusion of his last lecture, 51 photographs were sent in by 14 exhibitors and at the termination of the Vice-President's lecture Mr Van Raalte criticized the pictures in respect of their conformation to the 12 diagrams demonstrating pictorial composition that had been supplied by him for the guidance of members. Professor Dakin and Mr Van Raalte were heartily thanked.



Thursday 29th May 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB About a hundred members and friends of the The Western Australian Camera Club were present at the monthly meeting held at the University last night, when Mr Van Raalte again criticized the work of members, only eleven of whom, however sent in pictures, which aggregated 41. An earnest appeal was made by the president (Professor Ross) that more members should take a practical interest in the work of the club. The chief business for the evening was a description by Mr Alfred Carson of his visit to the front last year as the Western Australian representative in the Australian Press delegation. The lecture was illustrated by some eighty lantern slides made by the Hon.Secretary (Mr Will Davies) principally from half-tone illustrations, the slides which had been promised Mr Carson by the Ministry of Information having miscarried since their arrival in the Commonwealth. Hearty thanks were accorded Messrs. Van Raalte, Carson and Davies and the president.



Thursday 3rd July 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

At the monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club, which was held at the physics lecture room of the University last night 48 pictures, the work of 13 members, were on view. A departure was made from the ordinary procedure of judging and criticism by taking a ballot of those present as a means of ascertaining the ten most popular pictures, the subject of the task in which the pictorial essays were made being land or seascapes in which clouds formed a predominant feature. The result of the ballot will be made known at a later date. Mr Augustus Knapp, the Hon.Treasurer, had on view a number of pictures illustrating dual printing. The principal item for the evening was a lecture by Mr C.P. Conigrave on "The Northern Territory of Australia". The value of his remarks, which in themselves were sufficiently absorbing, was enhanced by the projection of a large number of lantern slides, of his own photographs, the pictorial merits of many of them being full appreciated. The thanks of the largely attended meeting, over which Professor Alexander David Ross presided, were accorded to the lecturer.



Wednesday 9th July 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

The ballot taken last Wednesday night upon the photographs displayed at the The Western Australian Camera Club meeting at the University, when members and visitors present were invited to select ten pictures in order of preference, resulted in an overwhelming majority of votes being cast in the first preference for a beautifully toned and stained sky and wave scene by Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, the second preferences being divided equally between Messrs. Davies, Flood and Unmack. On the final count of all preferences the voting went as follows: First, E.F. Edmunds FRPS; second, W. Davies; third, F. Sedgwick; fourth, W. Davies; fifth, Augustus Knapp; sixth, equal votes for two pictures by W. Davies and one by E.F. Edmunds FRPS; seventh and eighth, A. Knapp; ninth, F. Sedgwick; and tenth, Claude Unmack. The photographs submitted for a club exhibit of 24 pictures, to constitute a loan collection being sent to the Sydney Camera Circle and for exhibition before the leading photographic societies in the Eastern States are now on view at the clubs office, St. George's House and will remain open to inspection until Saturday afternoon. Mr Bardwell Clarke has selected the work of the following members - Mrs Claude Unmack and Messrs. M. Barnard, A.J. Burgess, Will Davies, E.F. Edmunds FRPS, Augustus Knapp, F. Sedgwick, M.G. Skipper, Frank R. Perrot and Claude Unmack, in addition to which two examples of Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS chromatone photographs in natural colors are being included in the collection.



15th July 1919  Page 443 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At the April meeting Mr. Henri Van Raalte terminated the first course of his analytical examination of Definition in Pictorial Art secured by the photographer by means of selective focusing. The lecture was illustrated with a number of lantern slides prepared from Mr. Van Raalte's sketches, a selection of the work of old masters and the efforts of Club members to accentuate selective focusing.

What at first sight might be regarded as an anticlimax to the technical and high-art level of the instruction Club members had been receiving for several months past from a gifted member of the Royal Society of Etchers was afforded by a discourse, at the conclusion of Mr. Van Raalte’s lecture by the Club Treasurer on “Getting Results with a Brownie Camera”. Mr Knapp gave a practical demonstration of a most instructive character, showing how the little Brownie Camera can be used with the certainty of getting results. He exhibited several enlargements from Kodak film negatives, made with a Brownie and there was no denying the fact that the fortunate owners of 30 or 40 guinea reflexes who came to scoff began to ruefully consider the quality of their results.

In Professor Dakin’s lecture on “Photomicrography", it was incidentally mentioned that the photo-micrographic plant with which Professor Dakin gave his audience glimpses into the invisible world cost about £800. This meeting provided an anticlimax as well, it being pointed out by Mr. McKail, of the Perth Boys School, that he and some of his boys had fitted up an efficient photo-micrographic outfit at a cost of about £8.

The May meeting was devoted to an illustrated lecture by Mr. Alfred Carson a member of the Club, who was the Western Australian representative of the Australasian Press Delegation which visited the front last year. Starting with a facsimile reproduction of the essential clauses of the “Scrap of Paper” and finishing with the big guns of the “Queen Elizabeth” and the Union Jack gaily flaunting in natural colors. Mr. Carson took the Club with him past Honolulu, through America, to the Vimy Ridges, the Ruins of Arras, the sights of London, industrial and rural England, Scotland and the perturbed Isle next door and back home through Canada.



Thursday 31st July 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4

Professor Alexander David Ross (President) presided over the monthly meeting of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club, which was held in the physics lecture room at the University last night. Mr E.J. Cox, of Bartletto Studios, gave an interesting address on the subject of remedying defects in negatives and prints and explained a few simple devices by the aid of which blemishes inherent in the materials employed, or due to faulty workmanship, could be corrected. A number of questions were put by the members and answered by the lecturer, to whom a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation.

           

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

           

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Centenary 2013

Friday 29th August 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 5

ANNUAL MEETING
The second annual meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at the University on Wednesday night, a gratifying number of members being present.

The President (Professor Alexander David Ross) in reviewing the club's activities for the past year, remarked that it had been found impossible to make ends meet altogether on the very small membership subscription fees. Certain members had generously given donations and made loans to the club to enable it to avoid increasing for the present the annual subscription. Since, 1st July, 67 members had paid their annual subscriptions, amounting to £30 and 12 had in addition made donations amounting to £9 10s. One of the donations was of £4/10/- for the founding of a library for the club, the donor desiring that his name should not be divulged. He reminded the members that the objects of the club were to advance the practice, art and science of photography and the committee had endeavored to keep those objects before members. He made special reference to the unique series of lectures on pictorial composition given by Mr H. Van Raalte and stated that the committee hoped to have more lectures from him and demonstrations from expert photographers.

The report and financial statement having been adopted, the meeting on the motion of Mr A. Carson, passed with acclamation a vote of thanks and appreciation to the outgoing committee and officers, with special thanks to the Hon.Secretary (Mr Will Davies) for the infinite trouble he had taken and to the university authorities for the use of the building.

Professor Alexander David Ross having returned thanks, proceeded to give a short but exceedingly interesting lecture, illustrated by experiments and lantern slides, demonstrating the science of light and the degrees of sensitiveness of various makes of photographic plates under varying conditions.

An instructive half-hour was spent in inspecting a number of exhibits arranged by Professor Alexander David Ross and a few of the members dealing with the scientific side of photography, after which tea was kindly provided by Mrs Ross, who received the hearty thanks of the meeting.



Tuesday 9th September 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 5

THIRD ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The third annual exhibition of the photographic work of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened at St. George's House yesterday afternoon and will be on view to members and their friends between the hours of 3pm and 6pm until Saturday next and in addition, between the hours of 8pm and 10pm on the evenings of Friday and Saturday.

The President (Professor Alexander David Ross), in asking the Patron (Mr H.P. Colebatch) to perform the opening ceremony, said that it was with great pleasure that they had heard from the judge (Mr C.S. Bardwell Clarke) and from Mr H. Van Raalte. who judged the exhibition last year and who had given the club valuable instruction during the year, that it was a very successful exhibition and far surpassed the two previous ones. The committee felt that the club was succeeding in what it set out to do, to advance the practice, art and science of photography. The committee had arranged to have a large number of photographs exhibited at the Art Gallery and Museum and he hoped it would have the effect of bringing home to people, what was often overlooked, that we had some beautiful scenery in Western Australia. He reminded Mr Colebatch that the club had its educational side which was extended by the affiliation of school and college camera clubs.

The Minister for Education (Mr Colebatch), in declaring the exhibition open said that three years ago he had the privilege of presiding over the meeting at which the club was formed and the development of the club and the good work it had done were something of which to be proud. Commenting on the popularity of photography, he said that on a recent visit to Mundaring Weir he saw thousands of people and nearly every other one had a camera. When the exhibition was held in 1917 the club had 60 members and the number had now increased to 160. He was somewhat surprised that the membership was not greater considering the number of people who owned cameras and the opportunities that amateurs enjoyed by belonging to the club. He did not know of any club which offered its members such wide opportunities, both in the practice and theory of the craft. He was glad that in the opinion of the judges the work exhibited showed a steady improvement in all the sections. At the instance of Professor Alexander David Ross a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Colebatch for attending was carried by acclamation.

The exhibition shows an improvement over its two predecessors in all respects, this being due to the added interest taken many members. While such satisfactory progress in the practice of photography is disclosed by the exhibition, there is an unfortunate tendency among too many members to refrain from competing. The highest award at the exhibition has fallen to one of the younger members. Altogether 299 photographic items are on view, comprising 205 entries, the work of 36 competitors. Last year there were 250 items, 194 exhibitors and 43 competitors. The members were graded into four classes for the purpose of the exhibition, as follows: Class A, members who have gained a first award; Class B, members who have gained a second award or honorable mention; Class C, members who have not gained an award at any exhibition or competition of the society; Class D, junior members. Professional photographers who are members of the society were invited to exhibit on the understanding that their work should not be eligible for competition. The exhibits have been divided into the following sections: (1) Landscape, including marine views, (2) portraiture and genre; (3) architecture and interiors; (4) natural history, including animal and plant life; (5) Lantern slides; (6) color prints and autochromes; (7) transparencies in monochrome. The sole judge was Mr C.S. Bardwell Clarke, whose appraisement has given entire satisfaction.

CLASS A, LANDSCAPE SECTION:
The majority of the pictures shown were of a very high order of merit and several members exhibited such a number of really good work that it was a matter of some difficulty to award the prizes. "Twilight" by Mr F.S. Sedgwick, who was awarded the silver medal for the best picture in the exhibition, deserves special mention, as it shows great artistic feeling on the part of its producer and is a very successful rendering of a subject which presents great difficulty in photography. "Sunset" by Mr Will Davies, is also an extremely fine piece of work. The rendering of the gradations of light and shade in the sky are really masterly. Both Mr Davies and Mr Sedgwick are showing a number of other fine specimens of their work. "Across the Lagoon" by Mr Claude Unmack deserves special mention as showing a fine poetic feeling. "Thro' the Pines", is a fine piece of photographic technique. Mr Augustus Knapp, another of the expert members, has quite a number of good productions to his credit, especially "The Ti-Tree", which is commendable artistically and technically. Mr Augustus Knapp is also strong in the portrait section, securing first prize in collaboration with Dr. Couch for a very fine study. "One of Us", Mr A.J. Burgess is showing some good yacht studies and some capital examples of animal and bird photography, especially Nos. 175 and 178. Mr Burgess also takes second prize in the architectural section, "Porch of Arbitration Court". In "Cottesloe Beach", and "Sunset", Mr A. Raphael has secured excellent pictorial effects. Mr Frank R. Perrot shows some very clever specimens of architectural interior photography, especially "Interior of Hall". Mr E.A. Bridge has a fine study of trees, No. 113.

CLASS B:
Dr. Couch has some good work. No. 65 is a very successful portrait and No. 86 a splendid study of a resting lioness in double tone. In the same class, landscape section. "Fishing" by Mr W.W. Mannix, stands out.

CLASS C:
There are two good examples of architectural work. "The Old Sentinel of Perth" by Mr G.J. Motchman and "Reredos of St. George's, Guildford" by Mr H. Vowles, which is a very fine rendering of colors in monochrome. Mr Vowles has also a good set of lantern slides of the same subject.

JUNIOR CLASS:
The landscapes by Master Karl Knapp and the natural history studies by Claude Burgess show great promise.

Mention must also be made of the 18 flower studies by Mr Will Davies, not for competition. They are most beautiful examples of this fascinating branch of work. Two of the pictures, of narcissus and spray of wisteria, illustrate the decorative effect that photographs of garden flowers can achieve, the wisteria particularly demonstrating its suitability for a frieze. Mr Wilmott shows three examples of negatives which have been over and under exposed and over developed and their modification by reduction and intensification.

In the lantern slide section Mr Frank R. Perrot has a non-competitive exhibit which is conspicuous for the interest of the various slides and the beautiful tones. The picture of the steam yacht is a piece of composite photography, the sea, the vessel and the clouds being combined from separate negatives. Mr Wilmott shows, a striking example of double tones in a photograph of a Western Australian flowering gum, the Eucalyptus Marcropa. In the same class (professional work) Mr E.F. Edmunds FRPS, shows a handsome wave and sunset effect in which color plays an important part and No. 195 is an example of his chromotone process, showing a vase of roses in their superb natural colors. The exhibit is, however, rather unfortunately mounted. Mr C.S. Bardwell Clarke has two very fine specimens of work, "The Dancer" and a portrait study and Mr Wilmott also shows some splendid portrait studies. Mr and Mrs Will Davies have a set of window transparencies, not for competition. These same exhibitors also show an example of the old-fashioned silhouette one of the simplest and yet most striking forms of photographic representation. Altogether the exhibition is a very interesting one and should attract a large number of visitors. A comprehensive catalog has been prepared, in which is printed an interesting foreword by Mr Henri Van Raalte.



Wednesday 10th September 1919  The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 3

Mr F.S. Sedgwick has secured the first award and the society's silver medal at this year's exhibition of work by the The Western Australian Camera Club. Mr A.J. Burges gained first and second award for his excellent animal studies.



Sunday 14th September 1919  Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 6

A visitor's Impressions: The third exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club attracted quite large attendances. The floral studies and seascapes were striking. Portraits were more ambitious than of aforetime and on the whole the best feature of the show was the out-of-door photography, many little known beauty spots which West Australia is generously endowed being illustrated.



15th October 1919  Page 593 - The Australasian Photographic Review

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Third Annual Exhibition was held at St. George’s House, Perth, from the 8th to 13th September. The President (Professor Ross), in asking Mr. Colebatch to perform the opening ceremony, mentioned that the judge, Mr. C.S. Eardwell-Clarke and Mr. H. Van Raalte, who judged the exhibition last year and who had given the Club valuable instruction during the year, that it was a very successful exhibition, far surpassing the two previous ones. The committee had arranged to have a large number of photographs exhibited at the Art Gallery and Museum and he hoped this would have the effect of bringing home to people the fact that they had some beautiful scenery in Western Australia.

Mr. Colebatch, in declaring the exhibition open, commented on the popularity of photography and said that on a recent visit to Mundaring Weir, he saw thousands of people and nearly every other one had a camera! When the exhibition was held in 1907, the Club had 60 members, while the number was now 160. The exhibition shows an improvement over its predecessors in all respects. Altogether, 299 items were on view, the work of 36 competitors.

The members were graded into four classes, for the purpose of the exhibition, as follows:
CLASS A: members who have gained a first award;
CLASS B: members who have gained a second award or honorable mention;
CLASS C: members who have not gained an award at any exhibition or competition of the society;
CLASS D: junior members.

Professional photographers who are members of the society were invited to exhibit on the understanding that their work should not be eligible for competition.

The exhibits have been divided into the following sections:
(l) LANDSCAPE, including marine views;
(2) PORTRAITURE and GENRE;
(3) ARCHITECTURE and INTERIORS;
(4) NATURAL HISTORY, including animal and plant life;
(5) LANTERN SLIDES;
(6) COLOR PRINTS and AUTOCHROMES;
(7) TRANSPARENCIES in MONOCHROMES.
The sole judge was Mr. C.S. Bardwell-Clarke, whose appraisement gave entire satisfaction.

CLASS A, LANDSCAPE SECTION: the majority of the pictures shown were of a very high order of merit and several members exhibited such a number of really good works that it was a matter of some difficulty to award the prizes. “Twilight” by Mr. F.S, Sedgwick, who was awarded the silver medal for the best picture in the exhibition, deserves special mention, as it shows great artistic feeling on the part of its producer and is a very successful rendering of a subject which presents great difficulty in photography. “Sunset” by Mr. Will Davies, is also an extremely fine piece of work. The rendering of the gradations of light and shade in the sky are really masterly. Both Mr. Davies and Mr. Sedgwick shewed a number of other fine specimens of their work. “Across, the Lagoon” by Mr. Claude Unmack, deserves special mention, as showing a fine poetic feeling. “Thro’ the Pines” is a fine piece of photographic technique. Mr. A. Knapp, another of the expert members, has quite a number of good productions to his credit, especially “The Ti-Tree”, which is commendable artistically and technically. Mr. Knapp is also strong in the portrait section, securing first prize in collaboration with Dr. Couch, for a very fine study, “One of Us”. Mr. A.J. Burgess showed good yacht studies and some capital examples of animal and bird photography. Mr. Burgess also takes second prize in the architectural section, “Porch of Arbitration Court”. In “Cottesloe Beach” and “Sun set”, Mr. A. Raphael has secured excellent pictorial effects. Mr. F.R. Perrot shows some very clever specimens of architectural interior photography — especially “Interior of all”. Mr. E.A. Budge has a fine study of trees.

CLASS B: Dr. Couch has some good work. In the same class, landscape section, “Fishing” by Mr. W.J. Mannix, stands out.

CLASS C: there are two good examples, of architectural work, “The Old Sentinel of Perth” by M.E.J. Motchman and “Reredos of St. George’s, Guildford” by Mr. H. Vowles. which is a very fine rendering of colors in monochrome. Mr Vowles has also a good set of lantern slides of the same subject. In the Junior Class the landscapes by Karl Knapp and the natural history studies by Claude Burgess, show great promise. Mention must also be made of the 18 flower studies by Mr. Will. Davies, not for competition. They are most beautiful examples of this fascinating branch of work. Two of the pictures, viz., of narcissus and spray of wisteria, illustrate the decorative effect that photographs of garden flowers can achieve, the wisteria particularly demonstrating its suitability for a frieze. Mr. Wilmott shows three examples of negatives which have been over and under-exposed and over-developed and their modification by reduction and intensification. In the lantern slide section, Mr. F.R. Perrot has a non-competitive exhibit which is conspicuous for the interest of the various slides and the beautiful tones. The picture of the steam yacht, is a piece of composite photography, the sea, the vessel and the clouds being combined from separate negatives. Mr. Wilmott shows a striking example of double tones in a photograph of a Western Australian flowering gum, Eucalyptus Marcropa. In the same class (professional work), Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, shows a handsome wave and sunset effect, in which color plays an important part and an example of his chrome tone process, showing a vase of roses in their superb natural colors. The exhibit is, however, rather unfortunately mounted. Mr. C.S. Bardwell-Clarke has two very fine specimens of work, “The Dancer” and a portrait study and Mr. Wilmott also shows some splendid portrait studies. Mr. and Mrs. Will. Davies have a set of window transparencies, not for competition. These same exhibitors also show an example of the old-fashioned silhouette, one of the simplest and yet most striking forms of photographic representation. Altogether, the exhibition was a very interesting one and attracted a large number of visitors. An interesting foreword to the catalog, by Mr. Henri Van Raalte, is reprinted here, as being worthy of a wider circulation than the catalog afforded.

FOREWORD

By HENRI VAN RAALTE R.S.E.

"I give a secondary place to technical superiority. We should use our medium like a poet, not as an artisan".

Thus wrote Sir Seymour Hayden, President of the Royal Society of Etchers. Coming from such a man, whose early training in etching was at a period when the medium was considered of more importance than the thing it was used to express, when in other words, the hand-writing was considered of more importance than the meaning of the words written, coming, I say, under such conditions from one of our greatest modern artists, it is surely worth listening to and worth the effort of trying to understand.

Photographers — it means this much to you and to your medium, that as you accept or reject the warning so will photography be accepted amongst the graphic arts, or be rejected.

Mediums may be used in two ways, as a means of record making, for which in many ways photography excels and for purposes of art, for which photography can be made to take a high place. Technical excellence for the former is both the means and the ends. Technical excellence for the latter is essential, in a degree, as a means, but it is not the end. Nor does technical perfection (as, for example, critical general definition) bring us one iota nearer to truly representing Nature as she appears to us. It records some of the many facts of Nature as she appears to a machine; facts of supreme importance to the scientist, biologist, astronomer, zoologist and other record makers and users, but often of minor importance to an artist.

Nor has technical perfection of machine work much beauty in itself. The need of divesting photographic art of the “machine made” mark is evident and well appreciated by many amongst us, as the ever-increasing beauty and interest of their work shows.

I fully appreciate the enormous value of the perfect record. Photography, as a craft, has done much for knowledge. I do not disparage it. I honor it. But its interest is scientific. To treat a superb, naturally poetic subject as a record and serve it up as Art, is like drawing a diagram of the digestive organs and calling it “Venus at Lunch”. Who would frame a weather chart and call it a picture of a coming storm? Etcher Sir Seymour Hayden’s message to you — to all users of mediums — means Technique makes the craftsman; technique helps the artist.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 27th August. There was a good attendance and Professor Ross presided.

After the formal business, the President gave a very instructive demonstration of some recent research work carried out in his department of the University, to determine the effectiveness of light filters in cutting out parts of the spectrum. He showed by means of a projection lantern the effect these filters had on photographic plates — ordinary, orthochromatic and self-screened and incidentally illustrated the values of colored and special glasses employed in spectacles, designed to relieve the eyes of undue strain in very bright light, as, for instance, midsummer sunlight in Australia.

Instruments for accurately measuring the wave lengths of the component colors of light, were placed on view and some interesting features of this fascinating study were described and illustrated by means of photographs taken with only those rays of the spectrum which are invisible to the human eye.

On Mr. Alfred Carson’s motion, a vote of thanks was accorded the retiring committee for its services to the Club during the past twelve months and to the University authorities for the privilege of holding Club meetings in the University building.

At the termination of proceedings, Mrs. Ross entertained members with refreshments, for which she was made the recipient of a very hearty vote of thanks.



Wednesday 26th November 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6

A library of photographic literature is now being established for the use of amateur photographers who are members of the The Western Australian Camera Club, the committee in charge of its formation and management being Messrs. Alfred Carson, D.C. Burbury, Vincent J. Matthews, Augustus Knapp and F.S. Sedgwick. the last-mentioned being the Hon.Secretary. Gifts or loans of photographic books and magazines are solicited for the library, which, owing to the generosity of a member of the club, will start with 100 text books on the art and craft of photography. The monthly meeting of the club will be held at the Savoy Hotel this (Wednesday) evening, when Mr J.H. Willmott will deliver an address, in addition to which examples of members work will be on view and the projection lantern will be available for members desiring to display their lantern slides. Advice has been received that a loan collection from the Photographic Society of New South Wales, consisting of 75 examples of pictorial photography, has been despatched to the The Western Australian Camera Club, the public exhibition of which will be announced at an early date.



Tuesday 23rd December 1919  The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 5

LOAN EXHIBITION FROM SYDNEY
A collection of 80 pictures illustrative of pictorial photography, sent on loan to the The Western Australian Camera Club by the Photographic Society of New South Wales is now on view at the Public Art Gallery, by permission of the trustees. The suggestion to have an interchange of photographic work came several months ago from Mr James E. Paton, Hon.Secretary of the Sydney Camera Circle, which is a club of pictorial workers drawn principally from the advanced workers of the Photographic Society of New South Wales. At the invitation of this society the The Western Australian Camera Club recently sent a collection of 24 pictures to Sydney. They were favorably received and in return the local society has now the opportunity of viewing some of the best work of New South Wales amateurs. Out of the 80 pictures, at least half stand out as being work of conspicuous merit and in some instances the whole five or six pictures of individual exhibitors can be classed as worthy of being shown in any exhibition of photographic work. This can well be said of the work of Messrs. H. Irons, C.E. Wakeford, R. Davies, W. Barrett, Harold Cazneaux, Henri Marie Joseph Mallard, J.E. Paton, E.N. Poole, W.S. White, M. Mackinnon and E. Lascron. Mr Herbert iron's picture "The Stall in the Alley" is a conspicuously good piece of composition. It is a picture that tells a story at once. His portrait studies are probably the best in the exhibition, save only the portrait of a laughing girl by Mr Harold Cazneaux. Several pictures by Mr Wakeford have caught Australian bush and lighting most realistically.

"The Selector's Home" being a very fine example of high-key photography in bright sunlight not overpowered, by heavy harsh shadows, which Australian lighting conditions too frequently produce with the camera, "A June Morning" is a clever bit of control work in printing and "The Harvester" is a very pleasing bit of composition. To camera workers who experience difficulty in taking pictures with the light coming towards the lens, Mr Ralph Davies's picture, "Fog's Mantle", is a revelation of what the camera can be made to do in practised hands. A delicate bit of photography in a high key is Mr R.G. Allman's "The White Yacht" and an impression of Pitt-street is also very pleasingly rendered. Mr Barrett's picture "In Old Vannes," is rich in tones and shows a fine sense of action. Mr Harold Cazneaux's work is probably better known than that of any other amateur photographer in Australia and deservedly so, because it shows strength of purpose and boldness of design. All the pictures by this worker are worthy of the closest study. His "Child Portrait" and "The Japanese Blind" are two pictures that compel attention. Mr Adam Grant's "The Witches Wood" and "St. Osyth" are two illustrations of good impressionism with a camera, a class of work, however which does not appeal to everyone. Mr Henri Mallard's pictures entitled "Destruction", "The Open Gate" and "Wimbourne" almost convince one that the brush or the pencil is no longer necessary to produce a work of art. They are three beautiful pictures, admirably conceived and most artistically expressed. Mr James E. Paton's "Memoriam" was one of the accepted pictures for the London Salon in 1918, where it attracted considerable attention and was spoken of as one of the best in the Australian group.

HENRI MALLARD
by Monte Luke, c1916

Mr Paton's work certainly shows perfect technique and whether it finds expression in deep sombre tones, as in "Memoriam" or in the light, airy, high key in "Morning off Kirribilli Point" and "An Australian Homestead," the effect is good and the result convincing. Probably as a piece of composition "Symphony" is the best of Mr Paton's efforts. Mr Poole's work shows how charming results can be obtained from the control of tones and with one exception where the repetition of two figures is somewhat irritating, his work satisfies. His picture "The Castle", a group of children on the beach, is a well finished piece of photography in which composition, technique and tone all combine to give a well-nigh perfect result. Mr White plays tricks with light and shade and all his pictures show evidence of this. Strong lighting on two tree trunks in his "Spectres" is weird. The brilliant effect secured in "The Barred Light" makes every photographer wonder how it was obtained. "A Mountain Saw Mill" could be placed among the best half-dozen pictures of the whole collection and his "Shadow Curtain" is a very happy conception in the treatment of light and shade. Mr Mackinnon's "Summer Clouds" gives a more realistic rendering of cloud effect than any other picture in the show and convinces one that straight photography when handled by a consummate artist can be made quite convincing as well as pleasing in the highest degree. The pictures shown by Mr Lascron all deal with strong lighting effects contrasted with deep shadows. Pictorially "Camp Fires" is among the best of his pictures and "The Monarch" is of particular interest to Western Australians as it deals with a theme which Mr Van Raalte has cleverly handled in one of his best known etchings bearing the same title. The exhibition, which is well worth a visit will be open to the public on the usual days until December 31 and during the usual hours, 10am to 5.30pm except on Sundays, when the hours are from 2.30pm to 5pm.

© PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS OF AUSTRALIA