THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
FORMED
22nd JUNE 1917
HONORS: |
|
1938 |
1939 |
THE GRENFELL MEDAL
Instituted in 1919 by the
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
in commemoration of
FIELD MARSHAL LORD GRENFELL
President of the Society from 1913 to 1919.
Awarded for exhibits of pictures, photographs or objects of
a similar nature of horticultural or botanical interest.
Also awarded for floral arrangement and floristry exhibits.
15th January 1920 Page 51 - The Australasian Photo-Review
Forty members attended the meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club on the 29th October, when a number of questions relating to photographic problems, which ranged from the causes of "fog" to a desire for information how to make lantern plates on which diagrams can be drawn by hand, were answered. The answers evoked considerable argument and out of their experience several members testified to the fog-producing tendencies of metol, which in turn, provoked a discussion as to the proper order of solution in compounding a metol-quinol developer. The conclusions of Mr. Crabtree, of the Eastman Research Laboratory, were quoted and settled the disputations.
Undeterred by the bad weather experience of the Canning River outing in October, the Committee arranged for a similar outing to Coffee Point, on the 8th November. The weather was ideal and the percentage of good negatives secured by the twenty nine members who made up the party, is probably higher than that secured at any preceding outing.
The regular meeting was held on the 26th November, when 39 pictures on view, exhibited by nine members, were the work of those who had not previously won an award or mention at any Club exhibition or monthly competition. Mr. J.H. Wilmott criticized the pictures and then gave a short address on Photographic Processes for Amateurs.
Half a dozen members had recently made lantern slides screened and criticized, after which Dr. S.J. Cantor, who spent several years in Egypt with the A.I.F., showed about forty, dealing principally with the most conspicuous monuments of that very ancient land. The Club is now establishing a library of photographic literature, which makes a start with 100 numbers of "The Photo-Miniature".
Tuesday 17th February 1920 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 1
PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM and ART GALLERY
The monthly meeting of the trustees was held on Wednesday afternoon last, there being present Sir Edward Albert Stone (President), the Archbishop of Perth, Sir R.F. M'Millan, Dr. H.T. Kelsall, Rev. D.I. Freedman and Messrs. W. Dwyer, R.S. Haynes, Hon W. Kingsmill, C.G. Morris, W. Somerville, M.F. Troy and the general secretary (Mr. J.S. Battye). The general secretary stated that a polished casket of Australian wood had been received from His Excellency the Governor and that the The Western Australian Camera Club had been allowed to exhibit for a fortnight, in stands in the Art Gallery, a collection of photographs belonging to the Photographic Society of New South Wales.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM and ART GALLERY
Western Australia
1920 - March, the membership numbered 160, but, just like today, the Hon.Secretary complained about the scarcity of competition entries. It was thought that it would not be unreasonable to expect 20 or 30 prints to be displayed, if only so many would be submitted.
Thursday 29th April 1920 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
Dr. Couch presided over a meeting of the members of the The Western Australian Camera Club, held at the Savoy Hotel last evening, the president (Professor Ross), being absent through indisposition. An invitation by the committee of management to display prints from negatives taken since the last meeting met with a gratifying response, over 70 pictures, including some of considerable merit, being exhibited. These were criticized by Mr. Henri Van Raalte in the light of the course of instructional lectures he gave to the club last year. He found, generally speaking, that the composition of the work shown followed the rules he explained, but he drew particular attention to the frequent commission of the error of representing sky tones by plain white paper. Mr. F.G. Baker gave a brief description of the activities of the Sydney Camera Circle and advocated its extension with the object of embracing advanced workers in all the States of the Commonwealth. Mr. Alfred Carson screened a number of high-class lantern slides recently procured from London and described his personal impressions of that city. Some slides recently made by members were screened, including two examples by Mr. Edmunds FRPS, of his color photography process. Those who contributed to the evening's entertainment were cordially thanked.
Saturday 12th June 1920
The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 7
The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4
PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM and ART GALLERY
A letter was received from The Western Australian Camera Club asking for permission to hold their annual exhibition in the institution and it was decided to agree provided arrangements could be made for, the display of the photographs in the Hackett Hall.
Saturday 14th August 1920 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4
PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM and ART GALLERY
One of the folding cases in the water-color room had been set apart for a selection of photographs from the The Western Australian Camera Club. The selection attains a high standard of merit and is an acquisition to the gallery. The case will be subject to periodical changes according to the annual exhibitions of the club.
Saturday 14th August 1920 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 414
There is growing recognition of the fact that the camera can be made an instrument for artistic expression and whilst its use may impose limitations which do not hamper the artist who uses brush, pencil, or stylus, the time has certainly passed for photographs to be merely accurate reproductions of everything within the angle of view of the lens.
The Western Australian Camera Club has been inculcating the tenets of pictorial photography almost from the date of its inception three years ago and under the teachings and advice of Messrs. Henri Van Raalte, Linton, Bardwell Clarke and J.H. Wilmott, sufficient progress had been made last year to encourage the Committee of Management to request the Trustees of the Public Art Gallery to find a niche where examples of the work of members of the Club could be placed permanently on view.
The Trustees having acceded to the request fifty one photographs, culled by the Curator of the Art Gallery from the Camera Club's exhibition last September, have now been placed on view. The exhibits represent the work of sixteen members and have been selected from every class in the Club, ranging from juniors and beginners to the most advanced pictorial workers.
Wednesday 18th August 1920 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 3
MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE - FRANZISKA
Dr. Couch has been elected President of the The Western Australian Camera Club in succession to Professor Alexander David Ross; Mr. A. Carson succeeds Professor Dakin as Vice-President of the The Western Australian Camera Club.
Thursday 29th August 1920 Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 20
PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
There is growing recognition of the fact that the camera can be made an instrument for artistic expression and whilst its use may impose limitations which do not hamper the artist who uses brush, pencil, or stylus, the time has certainly passed for photographs to be merely accurate reproductions of everything within the angle of view of the lens. The The Western Australian Camera Club has been inculcating the tenets of pictorial photography almost from the date of its inception three years ago and under the teachings and advice of Messrs. Henri Van Raalte, Linton, Bardwell Clarke and J.H. Wilmott, sufficient progress had been made last year to encourage the committee of management to request the trustees of the Public Art Gallery to find a niche where examples of the work of members of the club could be placed permanently on view. The trustees having acceded to the request, fifty-one photographs, culled by the Curator of the Art Gallery from the The Western Australian Camera Club's exhibition last September, have now been placed on view. The exhibits represent the work of sixteen members and have been selected from every class in the club, ranging from juniors and beginners to the most advanced pictorial workers. Most of the pictures will repay close examination and study, some of them should prove an inspiration, to those who appreciate the beautiful surroundings of this city and others depict Nature's moods in light and shade and form in a manner which brings them distinctly into the field of artistry.
15th September 1920 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 468
By its report the The Western Australian Camera Club certainly seems one of the livest in the Commonwealth today and its progress should be an object lesson to the societies in the east - a comparison, taking into consideration the difference in population, being all in favor of the Westralian Club! We extract the following items from the Third Annual Report"
Total number of members on the roll at 30th June 1920 being 140, 24 new members being elected during the year. An exhibition held, with total entries 209, from 37 exhibitors. Arranged with the Public Art Gallery for a permanent exhibit of the pictorial work of members, 51 photographs being accepted. Have now a library containing 120 volumes.
For a comparatively new society, these figures represent extremely good work and good management. We offer our congratulations.
Tuesday 21st September 1920 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 7
Thursday 23rd September 1920 Western Mail (Perth, WA) - Page 16 and 19
FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The fourth annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened on Monday afternoon by Professor Alexander David Ross, the retiring President, in the presence of a large number of club members and their friends. Messrs. Boan Bros have very generously allotted the club a large space on the third floor of their business emporium, where the pictures can be seen to advantage.
Before declaring the exhibition open Professor Alexander David Ross remarked upon the marked qualitative improvement of members work as exhibited on the easels that afternoon and congratulated the society on such striking evidence of its vitality. The exhibition, he said, contained 241 entries comprising 255 separate photographic items. Twenty-three, members of the club and four members of an affiliated club were responsible for the work. The work of Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, was entered in the non-competitive class so as is that of Mr. Bardwell Clarke. Eliminating the work shown by the affiliated club and in the non-competitive class, 21 members of the society were showing 217 entries, which have been judged by Messrs. Henri Van Raalte and Beach and 88 awards had been made, including three, silver medals. The noteworthy features of the exhibition were:
(1) The Guildford Grammar School Camera Club, which affiliated with the society last year, entered 13 pictures, 11 of which had secured awards namely, 4 firsts 3 seconds and 4 honorable mentions.
(2) Mr. W.J. Mannix entered six pictures, every one of which secured an award, namely, 3 firsts, 2 seconds and 1 mention.
(3) Miss Cooke, did nearly as well, as out of eight exhibits in one class she secured first, second and third award and four honorable mentions.
(4) And to show that the ladies could hold their own in club work the society's blue ribbon - prize and silver medal in the advanced workers class went to Mrs. Will Davies.
(5) The judges found so many pictures possessing outstanding merit in the landscape section by advanced workers that they made seven awards in order of merit, in addition a large number of mentions.
Professor Alexander David Ross, on behalf of the club, said he desired in conclusion especially to thank Messrs. Boan Bros for their kindness in allowing the exhibition, which would be open for a fortnight, to be held in their premises. Also he desired to thank the judges for their conscientious services and their Hon.Secretary, to whose indefatigable labors a very great deal of the success of the club was due.
A continuous stream of visitors poured into the exhibition room during the late afternoon and it is expected that while the show lasts it will attract more than usual public attention.
15th October 1920 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 516
The Annual Meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held on the 25th August. A committee to hold office until the 30th June next was elected.
After the formal business had been disposed of Professor Alexander David Ross delivered an instructive address and with models showed the striking analogies between the mechanism of the human eye and the camera. The meeting was brought to a close by an inspection of a number of scientific accessories forming part of the University equipment, as well as examples of home made apparatus shown by the following members: Dr. Couch and Messrs. F.G. Baker, D.C. Burbury, W. Davies, August Knapp, E.A. Budge and A.G. Brady.
PROFESSOR ALEXANDER DAVID ROSS
The The Western Australian Camera Club Fourth Annual Exhibition was officially opened by Professor Alexander David Ross on the 20th September. The Exhibition contains 241 entries, comprising 255 separate photographic items, 23 members of the club and four members of an affiliated club being responsible for the work. Eliminating the pictures shown by members of the affiliated club and in the non-competitive class, 21 members of the Society are exhibiting 217 entries, which have been judged by Messrs. Henri Van Raalte and Beach, 88 awards (including three silver medals) having been made by them.
1921 - 30th June, there were a total of 111 members.
15th September 1921 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 466
From the annual report for the year ended 30th June 1921, we extract the following: “Our year was started with 140 members; 16 were added during year; less, resignations 21 and struck off the roll 24, present total, 111. For the Fourth Exhibition of members work, only 23 members of the club exhibited, as compared with 37 at the preceding exhibition. Of these, 21 club members secured 74 awards with 217 pictures entered, the total number of awards being no less than 85, divided between 239 pictures entered”. (This naturally suggests that far too many awards were made and that the conditions governing the competitions were very, very much too easy!).
An excellent series of meetings, lectures and demonstrations were carried through during the year, which closed with the satisfactory credit balance of over £9.
Saturday 1st October 1921 Harringtons Photographic Journal - Page 29
FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
The fourth annual report of the The Western Australian Camera Club (Incorporated) for the year ended 30th June 1921, states that the nominations for office bearers and committeemen were for the exact number required to fill the vacancies created by the effluxion of time and on the nominations being submitted to members of the club at the annual general meeting, held on the 25th August 1921, the new committee of management, constituted, was elected:
The committee held nine meetings during the year. In addition to the regular monthly meetings, sub-committees, dealing with sectional affairs connected with the annual exhibition and the club library, carried out a number of duties and devoted a deal of time thereto.
During the year the membership of the club was affected by elections, resignations and cancellations as follows: Total on the roll at 30th June 1920, 140; admitted to membership during the year, 16; total 156. Less: resignations, 21; struck off the roll, 24; total 45. Total on the roll at 30th June 1921, was 111 members.
Cancellations of membership were due, in some cases, to members being in default in payment of their annual subscriptions and in other instances to departures from the State. As regards the first mentioned reason, the committee adhered to the decision of their predecessors in office, not to retain on the roll those who manifested so little interest in the welfare of the club as to be indifferent to the payment of dues so small in amount that they may be regarded as purely nominal.
The club's fourth annual exhibition of members work was held at Boan's Emporium between Monday 20th September and Saturday 2nd October 1920. The pictures showed a greater degree of excellence than marked the work on former occasions and being favorably situated for inspection by the public, attracted many visitors, besides members and their friends who were directly concerned in the function.
The judging was done by Messrs. Henri Van Raalte R.S.E. and H.G. Beach, the awards being arrived at by the judges marking the exhibits for pictorial and technical merits, respectively, each standpoint being given equal value for marking and the judges working independently of one another. The judging of an exhibition of photographs is no easy matter, neither is it possible to please every exhibitor, but notwithstanding such inherent difficulties as these, it is safe to assert that the awards gave a maximum of satisfaction and the club owes a great deal to the gentlemen who so generously gave their time and expert knowledge to the arduous task of placing 85 pictures in relative positions to each other.
HENRI BENEDICTUS SALAMAN VAN RAALTE
Born 11th February 1881 London, England
Died 4th November 1929 South Australia
ETCHER
The classification of members followed the general principles adopted at the club's preceding exhibitions, the theory being that members of equal ability might have an opportunity of competing with each other and not be utterly outclassed with pictures shown by advanced and more experienced workers.
Whilst the quality of the work was high and the tendency to pictorialism well in evidence, only 23 members of the club exhibited, as compared with 37 at the preceding exhibition.
The following list contains the names of exhibitors, the number of entries by each and the awards they received:
| EXHIBITOR | Pictures Entered |
Awards Secured |
EXHIBITOR | Pictures Entered |
Awards Secured |
EXHIBITOR | Pictures Entered |
Awards Secured |
EXHIBITOR | Pictures Entered |
Awards Secured |
| F.G. Baker | 29 | 7 | E.A. Bissell | 4 | 1 | A.G. Brady | 1 | 1 | 21 competitors Club members |
217 | 74 |
| A.G. Budge | 14 | 1 | Claude Burgess | 4 | 2 | A.J. Burgess | 34 | 6 | C.S. Bardwell-Clarke (non-competitive) |
4 | |
| A.H. Christian | 4 | 2 | Dr J.K. Couch | 23 | 4 | Miss L.H. Cook | 8 | 7 | E.F. Edmunds FRPS (non-competitive) |
5 | |
| Mrs. Will Davies | 9 | 4 | Will Davies | 25 | 13 | Miss C. Francisco | 3 | nil | 4 Members Guildford Grammar School CC (affiliated society) |
13 | 11 |
| Mr. August Knapp | 13 | 7 | A.P. Lightbody | 1 | 1 | W.J. Mannix | 6 | 6 | |||
| R.F. Rodgers | 7 | 2 | F.S. Sedgwick | 8 | 1 | R. Simonsen | 8 | 6 | |||
| W.A. Smith | 4 | 1 | W.B. Thorpe | 2 | nil | C. Unmack | 10 | 2 | TOTAL | 239 | 85 |
The work from the affiliated club marked an innovation and the general excellence of the exhibits is apparent from the fact that 13 pictures secured 11 awards. The exhibitors were: Masters G. Builder, E. Chambers, R.L. Jones and C.J. O'Connor.
The society's silver medals were awarded for three pictures of outstanding merit, the winners being:
Mrs. Will Davies - Landscape, "The Rain is on the River";
Mr. Claude Unmack - Street scene, "Wet and Cold";
Dr. J.K. Couch - Figure study of Mr. F.G. Baker.
The fifth annual exhibition will be held in November and the committee appeals most earnestly to every member of the club to enter at least one picture and to set about its production at once.
The committee records the indebtedness of the club to the lecturers and demonstrators for their services, also the University of Western Australia for the privilege of holding a number of meetings in the lecture halls of that institution, the good offices of Professor Alexander David Ross in this connection calling for special thanks.
As mentioned in last year's annual report, a beginning was made in establishing a library of books dealing with camera craft. Very few members have availed themselves of the works of reference and instruction contained in the library. If any deductions may be drawn from this fact, it would seem to be that the great majority of members are content to practice the hobby of photography without concerning themselves about the science and theory of the subject, by doing which they unwittingly deprive themselves of a part which is just as fascinating as the results obtained from exposing and developing a plate and making a print.
The accounts show that the finances of the club are in a sound and healthy state. All liabilities incurred in the establishment of the society have been discharged. The year ended with a surplus of income over expenditure amounting to £23/1/2, the total accumulation on revenue account at the close of the financial year being £58/10/11. the receipts for the year totaled £64/12/- and the cash account closed with a balance of £9/13/5 at the society's credit at the Western Australia Bank.
Tuesday 22nd November 1921 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 5
ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club will be opened at 8pm this evening by the Minister for Education (the Hon. H.P. Colebatch). The exhibition is being held in the basement of St. George's House, St. George's Terrace and it will be open for inspection by the public between the hours of 3pm and 6pm and 7.30pm and 10pm daily, from Tuesday to Saturday, of this week, there being no charge for admission. The opening ceremony this evening is restricted to members and their friends.
Tuesday 22nd November 1921 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
ART AND THE CAMERA
PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDUCATION
It is a common saying that the camera never lies. It is the photographer who is responsible for veracity and the making of good pictures and it is the object of the The Western Australian Camera Club to train their members to become good operators. To attain their objective an exhibition of the work of the members is held annually, where faults are checked and budding artists are afforded an opportunity of comparing the results of their own labors with those who have reached a higher plane of efficiency. Last night the fifth of these interesting displays of members photographic work was opened on the basement floor of St. George's House by the Patron of the club (Mr. H.P. Colebatch) in the presence of a large attendance.
Mr. Colebatch said that it was six years since he had presided over the first meeting of the club at its formation and there were then only a dozen people present. It was encouraging to find that since then the membership had extended to 130 and the work of members had improved year after year. Some of the exhibits on this occasion went beyond photography: they were artistic in every sense of the word. He was glad to see such good work in the junior sections. The club was playing an important part in securing a higher order of things in the matter of photography. Recently he had been impressed with the use that could be made of photography in connection with educational matters. A lot had been said in regard to the class of maps being used in the schools and that they were not up-to-date. It was not an easy matter to place all classes of information on maps and impart that information to children in the schools. Recently a surveyor, had returned from some of that misunderstood country in the North-West, about which so little was known and he had brought back with him a large collection of photographs, from which Mr. Colebatch, was having about 60 or 70 slides prepared for use in the Training College. It had been interesting to find among the collection a number of photographs of native drawings. When Sir George Grey went through the same country he was not equipped with a camera, but he made sketches of those native drawings, which he subsequently embodied in his book and they were identical with the photographs brought to the city by the surveyor. But, while Sir George Grey laboriously made a few sketches, the surveyor was able to take hundreds of negatives which were of high educational value.
SOME OF THE PICTURES
It was satisfactory to note that junior workers were well represented in their section and this was largely due to the energies of members of the Guildford Grammar School Club, which is affiliated with the The Western Australian Camera Club. The work contributed by the juniors was excellent, both pictorially and technically, but occasionally there were evidences of faulty perspective, due largely to the employment of cheap lenses. In this section the first prize for landscapes was supplied by Mr. G. Builder, who selected Barker's Bridge as his subject and the second award went to Mr. A. Laver's, "The Fountain", which was marred to some extent by the exaggerated size of some arum lillies growing in the foreground. Mr. Builder scored the first award also in the class for portraitures and pictures of human interest and his was the only exhibit under the heading of "architecture". The latter was a very faithful representation of Guildford Chapel and although the judges (Messrs. C.S. Bardwell Clarke and H.G. Beach) stated, that it should have been classed as a landscape, they awarded the young exhibitor an honorable mention. In natural history studies of animal and plant life Mr. H.A. Inglis's "Harnessing Up" attracted considerable attention. In the class for beginners associated with the club, Mr. T.H. Cameron displayed a charming composition in his picture of Coffee Point. Mr. T.H. Wilson. was well represented by "The Mill by the Brook", but Mr. L.E. Pearce somewhat detracted from the excellence of his photograph of "The Park Gate" by having too much dead ground in front. The judges failed to be impressed with the architectural productions in this section and made no awards. They were mostly churches whose spires had failed to come into the focus of the camera. Some good work was displayed in the class for intermediate operators. "Sunshine and Shade", exhibited by Mr. L.H. Cooke, was delicately rendered and nicely handled, the high lights from the sun being kept well into the picture. "Waiting for a Bite", from the same camera, was also a very nice piece of composition. Mr. R. Simonsen scored a first with "Watching the Race", but there were no awards again in this section for architectural studies. There was excellent competition with landscapes among the advanced workers and Mrs. W. Davies's representation of "The Swamp" caused much favorable comment. The same exhibitor also secured the third prize with "After the Shower". The second prize in the class was obtained by Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot with "The Creek". In the marine view class Mr. F.G. Baker's "Fishing" was placed first and was awarded a silver medal. The second prize and silver medal went to Mr. A.J. Burgess for his picture of "Yachts in Thompson's Bay". There was again very keen competition with portraits and pictures of human interest and the President (Dr. J.K. Couch) scored the winning ticket with "Phyllis", which was a charming study of a child. Mrs. W. Davies and Mr. A.J. Burgess were again successful in this class. In the natural history studies of animal and plant life Messrs. Burgess and W.J. Mannix provided some excellent pictures of a vulture and a rose respectively and for his exhibit of a collective set of five flower studies Mr. Will Davies was awarded a first prize and silver medal. These latter entries were of rare beauty. The gallery also contained a large number of excellent work of the art of the camera which were not for competition.
Tuesday 22nd November 1921 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 5
PHOTOGRAPHIC ART
A SPLENDID DISPLAY
Exhibitors at the fifth annual display organized by the The Western Australian Camera Club deserve the heartiest congratulations for their beautiful creations. The patron (Mr. H.P. Colebatch), in performing the opening ceremony last evening on the basement floor of St. George's House, recalled that there were only 13 persons at the initial meeting of the club. The membership now totaled 130 and their work had improved from year to year. Many of the exhibits were artistic in every sense of the word. The good work in the junior section gave him special pleasure. Valuable use could be made of photography in connection with education. Recently a surveyor had returned from the North-West and had brought back a large collection of photographs, from which about 70 lantern slides would be made for use in the Training College. The officer had taken hundreds of negatives which would be of high educational worth.
Three silver medals of equal value were presented for competition among the members. These were gained by Mr. F.G. Buker's "Fishing", Mr. A.J. Burgesss "Yachts in Thompson's Bay" and Mr. Will Davies set of five flower studies. They were excellent works and gained great admiration. Miss L.H. Cooke submitted "Sunshine and Shade", which was a charming composition, Mr. R. Simonsen was awarded a first prize for "Watching the Race". Keen competition occurred among the advanced workers in the landscape section. Mrs. Davies "The Swamp" was generally praised. The second prize went to Mr. F.R. Perrot, who hang "The Creek". Portraits and pictures of human interest comprised a most attractive collection. The president (Dr. J.K. Couch) took the top prize with "Phyllis", a child study. Messrs. A.J. Burgess and W.J. Mannix entered interesting natural history studies. Junior enthusiasts were also well represented. That was due in a great measure to the activities of the Guildford Grammar School Club, which is affiliated with the Camera Club. Among the successful competitors were Messrs. G. Builder, A. Laver, H.A. Ingliss, T.H. Cameron, T.H. Wilson and L.E. Pearce. The judges were Messrs. C.S. Bardwell Clarke and H.G. Beach.
The show will be open to the public every day until Saturday from 3pm to 6pm and from 7.30pm to 10pm.
Friday 9th June 1922 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
ERECTION OF HOARDINGS
OFFENSIVE TO AESTHETIC SENSE
DEPUTATION TO THE ACTING PREMIER
"Hoardings containing glaring advertisements are offensive from an aesthetic and every point of view" was the opinion generally expressed by a very influential deputation which waited on the Acting Premier (Mr. H.P. Colebatch) yesterday morning. The defensive action against the raid at present being instituted upon the artistic sensibilities of the community was led by Mr. John Nicholson, M.L.C. and in introducing the delegation he stated that they represented numerous bodies who were desirous of protesting very emphatically against what seemed to them to be an unusual use of the Government land in the vicinity of the Causeway by the erection of hoardings for advertising purposes. They viewed with alarm the construction of anything which destroyed the aesthetic beauty of the river. It was the duty of all those interested to make the approaches as attractive as possible. If the lands being made use of for such a foreign purpose were planted with trees and shrubs, it would enhance the pleasure of anyone traveling over that important approach to the city. He believed that the lands had been leased by the Railway Department from the Public Works Department and under some arrangement the former department were utilizing them for revenue purposes. In South Australia and Tasmania very rigid regulations were in operation to prevent the misuse of the picturesque conditions of the country for the display of offensive hoardings. Apart from the aesthetic point of view, it was questionable whether the Railway Department were acting within their rights from a legal standpoint in using this land for advertising purposes. The Commissioner's primary function was to run the railways of the State and it appeared to him that the department was operating outside its powers in utilizing lands removed from existing lines or railways under construction for advertising purposes. The deputationists represented the Municipality of Perth, the Town Planning Association, the Royal Institute of Architects, the Art Gallery, the West Australian Society of Arts, the Royal Automobile Club, the Music Teachers Association and the The Western Australian Camera Club.
Cr. J.M. Macfarlane said that he was instructed by the City Council to voice their protest. The policy of the City Council for a long time had been to reduce the hoarding industry and objection was taken to the operations of the Government in this connection. Apart from the aesthetic point of view, the Government was also entering into competition with private enterprise who paid taxation to the City Council for their advertising space and this the Government did not do. He hoped that the Acting Premier would instruct the Commissioner of Railways to pull down the hoardings.
Cr. Pyman said that he had been a resident of Victoria Park for 12 years and the people in that suburb were strongly opposed to the action of the Railway Department. Since a protest had been recently made another 30ft hoarding had been erected during the past week and it was intended to build a further wing to a structure at present existing. The hoardings blocked the view down the river. It had been argued that other hoardings existed at both ends of the Causeway, but there was no power in force at the present time to prevent private landowners from putting their property to any use they liked.
His Grace Archbishop Riley, who, with Mr. Walter Kingsmill, represented the Art Gallery, said that it was their duty to try to teach the people to love all that was beautiful and the Acting Premier, as an educationist, must deplore the exploitation of the beauties of the country for commercial gain. He remembered that some years ago when an advertisement was posted in the King's Park there was a popular outcry and the offence was removed. Everybody, including the Government, was hard up and wanted money, but he hoped that the Minister for Education would teach the people something outside the range of utility. The beauties of Perth belonged to the people, but the hoardings merely belonged to the people who erected them. In France every foot of hoarding had to pay a stamp duty and if the Government intended to allow the erection of hoardings, he hoped that such a duty would be imposed that would block that form of advertisement. In any case, the cost of the hoardings was always charged to the price of the article advertised, so that the public had to pay for them in the long run.
Mr. Kingsmill viewed the matter from the standpoint of the visiting public. The Causeway created an impression of the direst poverty by its tottering structure and the fact that the Government had to utilize the adjacent land for advertising purposes tended to increase this impression of poverty. The river demanded more supervision than it had and should be placed under a board with that object in view. He appreciated the fact that the Government were hard up and if they intended to extend their advertising scheme, he recommended King's Park and Parliament House for the erection of future hoardings, as they could be seen from great distances.
Mr. G.T. Poole. representing the Town Planning Association, considered the hoardings offensive from an aesthetic and every other point of view. Not only the Causeway, but every part of the country should be protected against the robbery of the rights of the people. On entering the Central Railway Station a traveler was advised to drink someone's whiskey and to use Goanna Salve or a special line of corsets. He thought in regard to these advertisements that we should "make the punishment fit the crime". For instance, the Commissioner of Railways might be inoculated with rheumatism and then treated with Goanna Salve. The perpetrators of these offensive advertisements should be handed over to the police, the hangman, or the public poisoner. The advertiser was a poisoner of the aesthetic sense.
Messrs. J.H. Ochiltree (Royal Institute of Architects), Jones (W.A. Society of Arts) and A. Knapp (The Western Australian Camera Club) also spoke. Mr. Colebatch, in reply, said that he was entirely in sympathy with the view of the deputationists. He wished that the hoardings could be got rid of altogether, not only those erected by the Government, but by everyone else. He supposed that if legislation were introduced people would accuse the Government of interfering with their liberty. His idea was that it would be just as accurate to say that the man who put up advertisements which were an offense to the community was an offender against liberty equally with the man who forbade him to do it. The Railway Department contended that they carried on advertising business in connection with their trams and trains and that the principle of advertising in that way helped them a good deal with their clients and they were able to obtain a considerable revenue from it. They said that both ends of the Causeway were covered with hoardings and their argument was that, in the circumstances and in view of the present condition of the islands along the Causeway, they were not making the position any worse than it was before. The rights that had been given could be canceled at very short notice and he promised to bring their protest before the Minister for Railways and Cabinet and let them decide the matter. A little while ago, when the Minister for Railways was away from the State, the Commissioner of Railways had come to him with a proposal to pull down certain cottages near the Beaufort-street Bridge. The Commissioner explained that directly the cottages were pulled down the Railway Department would enter into an arrangement with the City Council to beautify the spot. On seeing the place recently, however, it appeared to him that the cottages had given place to huge advertising hoardings. He did not know who was responsible. The Town Clerk (Mr. Bold) explained that the Commissioner of Railways had put in the agreement with the council that, when the two cottages were pulled down, he should put up a hoarding on the northern side to be used for advertising purposes and that the space left should be laid out and maintained by the City Council. Mr. Colebatch, continuing, said that he was inclined to take the view that when hoardings were going up all round it was not much use trying to do away with one or two. He thought it most unfair that people should he allowed to hold their land in idleness to escape taxation, by paying only the annual rental value and on top of that be allowed to make a profit out of their holdings by putting up unsightly hoardings. He quite agreed that everything should be done to beautify the city. In regard to the pollution of the river, the Government had decided to complete the investigations that were started and he hoped to be able to announce in a day or two the method by which the investigation would be carried out. The matter of hoardings would be submitted to Cabinet and he thought the only opposition likely to be offered was on the question that if everybody else was erecting hoardings why should not the Railway Department do the same?
15th September 1922 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 468
From the Fifth Annual Report we cull the following items: Total membership 118. Officials elected:
The Fifth Exhibition of Members work produced 250 entries, of which 28 secured awards and 21 mentions. The Club Library, a very excellent feature of this Club, now totals 169 volumes, 51 being loaned or presented and the rest purchased. The year closed with a credit balance of 18/8.
Saturday 30th September 1922 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
The Western Australian Camera Club held their monthly meeting at the University on Thursday night. Mr. August Knapp (Vice-President) gave a lecture on "Pictorial Composition as applicable to Photography". The lecture was illustrated by diagrams, pictures and photographs featuring various forms of composition. Mr. Knapp's lecture was received with great appreciation. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him. These monthly gatherings are of great assistance to not only the amateur but all those interested in photography.
Thursday 26th October 1922 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
ECLIPSE PHOTOGRAPHY
At the meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club to be held in the University, Friday 27th October, at 8pm Professor Alexander David Ross will deliver an illustrated lecture on "Photographic Work at Wallal". In the course of the address Professor Alexander David Ross will give an account of the design of the Einstein cameras and lenses and of the methods employed in adjusting and operating them. Some of the plates used in these cameras will be on view to show the excellence of the star images obtained. The lecturer will also exhibit apparatus designed by him and made in the University workshops for photographic measurement of the light of the solar corona.
Friday 27th October 1922 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 8
The recent solar eclipse continues to interest people in this State and Professor Alexander David Ross, of the University is being kept busy lecturing on various features of the eclipse work. At his lecture in the Town Hall, last week, the audience was so large that the doors had to be closed some time before the hour of the lecture. Tonight he addresses the The Western Australian Camera Club on the photographic investigations made at Wallal and tomorrow evening he gives another general lecture on the eclipse expedition in the Town Hall, at Fremantle.
15th November 1922 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 579
At the September meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club, the Vice President, Mr. August Knapp, lectured on "Pictorial Composition as Applied to Photography".
Taking for his text Mr. Henri Van Raalte's definition of a picture as "a decorative version of fact, suitable to the medium in which it is done and the conditions under which it will be seen", the lecturer explained that composition is the ordered arrangement of the principal eye interests of a picture so as to produce a pattern or arrangement of varying interests in which one part is balanced by another.
Eye interests are not necessarily the mental interests of a picture, but are the masses of light and dark patches or lines which attract our eyes. Such interests will be more recognizable if the picture is turned upside down so as to make no appeal to the mentality but to the eye alone. These masses or eye interests must be properly balanced; that is to say, a large mass near the center of a picture must be balanced by one or two smaller masses on the other side of and further away from, the center, exactly as weights are balanced in a see saw.
Many forms of composition were illustrated by diagrams and pictorial examples. THe lecturer impressed upon his audience the desirability of simplicity in composition and recommended pictorial photographers to select some interesting tree, shrub, or other prominent object and make their pictures out of such simple interests.
The audience, which was an unusually large one, expressed their appreciation of the very lucid manner in which the lecturer dealt with his subject.
Wednesday 23rd November 1922 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
The photographic exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club, which was opened on Monday evening by the Minister for Education at St. George's House, will remain open every afternoon and evening this week. In our yesterday's notice of the exhibition the first prize in the class for intermediate workers was awarded to Mr. L.H. Cooke. This prize, as a matter of fact, was awarded to Mr. R.C. Steele. Miss L.H. Cooke taking the second prize in that class for her picture, "Waiting For a Bite". Another point which may possibly call for comment is the statement that the exaggerated perspective in some of the views is due to the use of cheap lenses, whereas this it has been pointed out is a feature of short focused lenses.
Tuesday 5th December 1922 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 7
Wednesday 6th December 1922 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 8
This year the The Western Australian Camera Club is holding its sixth annual exhibition of members work in the art rooms of the University. The display was officially opened by Professor Shann yesterday afternoon and the collection of photographs will be available for the inspection of the public every afternoon and evening for the next two weeks. As a whole there is a marked improvement again this year in the class of work produced by the club and this is particularly noticeable in the junior sections. These exhibition are having a valuable effect on the younger members, whose entries evidence very little of an amateurish nature and the character of their work is steadily improving. This year the judging was undertaken by Messrs. C.S. Bardwell Clarke and H.G. Beach, who adjudicated on the pictorial and technicaI merits respectively.
THE OPENING
Professor Shann in declaring the exhibition open said he appreciated the compliment in asking him to perform the ceremony, as it was a recognition of the little assistance the University had been to the club from time to time and he looked forward to a long association between the two bodies. The University opened its doors to a wide variety of societies, from beekeepers to astronomers and this was only as it should be. The President of the Royal Society of British Artists (Mr. S.J. Solomon R.A.), at a recent opening of an exhibition of the Royal Society of British Artists, referring to the relation between artistic photography and the craft of the professional painter, said: "Both were out to make pictures. The essential laws of composition, including grace of line, balanced grouping, decorative spacing and massing of light and shade, influenced the discriminating photographer as they did the painter". At the same function the President of the Royal Photographic Society had also stated that "fundamentally the photographer and the artist had almost every thing in common. They lived in the same world, looked up at the same sky, reverenced the same truth, loved the same beauty and each strove in his own way and by his own methods, to express it to others". If this was the spirit of the Camera Club, the University must be in sympathy with it. He hoped for greater things than the modest buildings in which they were at present established and he hoped the club would grow up with the University.
W.L.F. WASTELL Hon.FRPS
Born 1863 - Died 1941
PRESIDENT
ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
1922-1923
SOME OF THE EXHIBITS
The Guildford Grammar School Club, which is affiliated with the parent body was responsible for some excellent examples of work from G. Builder, "Sunshine", a small landscape, depicting a leafy glade, with two lads naturally posed in the foreground, is a little gem and was awarded the first prize and silver medal, while the same exhibitor was also successful in portraiture. In the beginners section Miss Violet Albert was the most successful competitor, as she produced a portrait of "My Sister" which would have done credit to any professional studio. This was awarded the society's silver medal for the section, in addition to the first prize for portraiture. Her picture of "The Edge of the Swamp" was also placed first among the landscapes and it was pleasing to note that the reflections were subordinated to the subject matter of the picture. "Tropical Foliage", by J.W. Laurance, was placed second. The most successful entries from the "intermediate workers", who are drafted up each year from the prize takers in the beginners section, were supplied by L.E. Pearce, who scored among the landscapes with "White Trunks" and secured another first in the natural history studies with a sprig of honeysuckle. T.H. Cameron, a prolific exhibitor of landscapes, produced a charming picture of "A Country Road". Among the advanced workers A.J. Burgess provided no fewer than 46 examples of his work, which included landscapes, marine views, portraiture, architecture and natural history studies and the majority of them were excellent. He was awarded the first prize and silver medal - the latter is the blue ribband of the club - for his picture "Anglers", a portraiture study of three boys fishing and sixteen other prizes and mentions, all of which should be seen to be appreciated. The silver medal was also presented to F.G. Baker for a very charming landscape study entitled "The Settler's Home". Mr. Will Davies was most successful this year with his study of a rose and Mrs. Davies's best production was a charming picture of the quaint Anglican church at Busselton. Some excellent work was shown as the result of collaboration between beginners and advanced workers, in which the former made the negative and the latter undertook the printing and enlarging and some splendid examples of lantern slides and transparencies were on view.
PROFESSOR EDWARD OWEN GIBLIN SHANN
Born 30th April 1884 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Died 23 May 1935 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
University of Western Australia - Vice-Chancellor in 1921-23
Saturday 9th December 1922 Geraldton Guardian (WA) - Page 2
LOCAL EXHIBITOR'S PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK
In its report of the The Western Australian Camera Club exhibition, the West Australian says: The Guildford Grammar School Club, which is affiliated with the parent body, was responsible for some excellent samples of work from G. Builder, "Sunshine", a small landscape, depicting a leafy glade, with two lads naturally posed in the foreground, is a little gem and was awarded the first prize and silver medal, while the same exhibitor was also successful in portraiture.
15th December 1922 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 632
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At the October monthly meeting, Professor A.D. Ross, who is an Honorary Life member of the club, delivered an address on the “Photographic Work at Wallah".
The lecturer was attached to the party of astronomers from the Lick Observatory and was indeed one of the first to call the attention of scientists to the suitability of Wallal for observation of the recent eclipse. The lecture was illustrated by a great number of lantern slides, descriptive of the voyage to Wallal and many incidents in connection with the work done in preparation for the great event.
Beautiful slides of the corona were screened and two 17 in. x 17 in. negatives of stars photographed with the Einstein cameras were on view.
The difficulties encountered would show that such expeditions are anything but an enjoyable holiday jaunt and that the single mindedness of the scientist when on the track of knowledge is in evidence in Tropical as well as Polar regions.
With a view to encouraging the less experienced members of the club, the Committee had arranged with senior workers to make enlargements from selected negatives being the production of juniors and these enlargements were on view during the evening.
In each case a “straight” enlargement had been made from the whole of the negative and was shown side by side with a finished enlargement either from the whole or a selected part.
Those members who were responsible for the production of the enlarged prints were asked to explain the reasons which had actuated them in their work and to advise as to the methods of producing better negatives when similar subjects were to be photographed. The enlarged pictures were subsequently presented to the owners of the negatives.
This is an innovation which promises to bring together the two “ends” of the club membership and will no doubt provide educational matter for both senior and junior workers.
15th January 1923 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 49
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Society's sixth exhibition of members photographic work was held from the 4th to 16th December, the judges being Messrs. C.S. Bardwell Clarke and H.G. Beach, equal points being granted for pictorial and technical merit.
Members exhibiting were graded into four classes, comprised as follows Advanced Workers — Members who, in preceding exhibitions of the Club, have gained a First Award in the Intermediate Class. Intermediate Class — Members who have gained a Second Award or Honorable Mention in the Beginners Class, at a previous exhibition of the Club. Beginners — Members who have not gained an award at any exhibition or competition of the Club. Junior Members. The work of members who have collaborated in making their pictures, as, for instance, one member producing the negative and another making the print from it, is shown in a class of its own and has been judged as Collaborated Work.
The exhibits were divided into the following sections:
(1) Landscape;
(2) Marine Views;
(3) Portraiture and Pictures of Human Interest;
(4) Architecture and Interiors;
(5) Natural History (a) Animal Life, (b) Plant Life;
(6) Lantern Slides;
(7) Color Prints and Autochromes;
(8) Transparencies in Monochrome.
We are unable to spare space to print the complete prize-list, which is necessarily of local interest, but the winners of the Society’s Silver Medal, for 1922, were; “Sunshine", G. Builder; “My Sister”, Miss V. Albert; “The Anglers”, A.J. Burgess; "The Settler's Home”, F.G. Baker; Collection of Lantern Slides, Mrs. Will Davies.
The above information is taken from the catalog, no report having apparently being sent us. For the same reason, we are unable to say whether the exhibition was the success the Club anticipated.
Wednesday 23rd May 1923 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
ART IN PHOTOGRAPHY
An exhibition of photographs by Mr. August Knapp will be on view today and during the week in the vestibule of the shop of Mr. A.L. Tilly, chemist of Hay-street. Mr. August Knapp's work with the camera and after, has been hallmarked with the approval of the Royal Photographic Society, at whose exhibitions in London some of the photographs now on view have been hung.
AUGUST KNAPP
Born 31st August 1873 Manchester, England
Died 23rd April 1943 Perth, Western Australia
OPTICIAN
Perth, Western Australia
Thursday 24th May 1923 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
ART PHOTOGRAPHS
With work in which he has followed the lines of the etcher, eliminating non-essentials, producing soft effects and details in shadows instead of violent contrasts of light and shade. Mr. August Knapp yesterday opened a 10 days exhibition of art photographs in the vestibule of the shop of Mr. A.L. Tilly, chemist, of Hay-street. To the public, interested only in the artist's productions, the pictures should have no small attraction; to the most recent recruit to the ranks of amateur photographers they will be of immense interest, because Mr. August Knapp gives his secrets regarding exposure and development as well as the hour and season at which, often after several failures, he succeeded in achieving his successes. Mr. August Knapp seeks to keep out of his pictures all distracting accents and incidents. For instance, "Perth, Town Hall" is an effort to depict the beauty of the architecture of the clock tower and for that reason, with the aid of water color lamp black, while the print was still wet, he suppressed all high lights elsewhere; glaring signboards were blotted out and women's white dresses greatly subdued. His plan has been to watch for days on which he can get the best atmospheric effects, because only occasionally in this regard is the camera able to record scenes of unusual beauty. He secures an absence of violent contrasts by making exposures from four to six times as long as prescribed in the text books thus getting more detail in poorly lighted places and by a shorter period of development. Using 5in. by 4in. and 3in. by 2 1/2in. plates, he has met with much success by following the lines suggested by Mr. Henri Van Raalte, the etcher, in lectures on composition to the The Western Australian Camera Club. Among the pictures on view are "The Poetry of a Distant City" and "Dawn", which were hung by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain in 1922. There are also a portrait study of a girl's head, which won the silver medal at the The Western Australian Camera Club's competition in 1917 and "Mr. Henri Van Raalte, etcher", which was awarded the champion silver plaque as the best picture in the Dunedin exhibition of 1922. There are numerous other subjects of conspicuous merit.
Tuesday 19th June 1923 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4
The following letter has been forwarded to Mr. H.P. Colebatch by the The Western Australian Camera Club: "On the eve of your departure from Western Australia, to officially represent the State in London, the President and committee of management of the The Western Australian Camera Club, acting on behalf of all the members of the society, tender to you their most hearty congratulations on your appointment to such an important position in the service of the State and at the same time return thanks for your Patronage of the club from the date of its foundation. It has been an inspiration to those who have been striving since the formation of the club to elevate the art and craft of the camera in Perth to have had help and encouragement through your official, as well as your personal approval of and interest in their labors. The club wishes you the best of good fortune in your new sphere of work and a safe return, in due course, to this sunny paradise of the amateur photographer".
Friday 29th June 1923 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
At the monthly meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club to be held in the Physics Lecture Hall this evening, the President of the club (Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot) will give an address on the carbon process and a demonstration on the development of the carbon print. Members have the privilege of bringing friends to the club meetings.
15th September 1923 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 469
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
We cull the following items from the annual report: Membership totaled 133, nine less than the preceding year. At the Sixth Annual Exhibition, 27 exhibitors submitted 173 entries, comprising 240 separate items of photographic work. The judges awarded 5 silver medals, 40 awards and 22 honorable mentions. During the year interesting demonstrations were regularly featured, some of these being of very great value to the members attending. The club’s lending library now contains 177 books and bound volumes of photographic periodicals and during the year 76 books were borrowed by 13 members, suggesting that the larger proportion are oblivious to the advantage to be gained from studying the work of experts. The accounts showed a small deficit, the first in the history of the club.
15th October 1923 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 520
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Sixth Annual General Meeting was held on 31st August. The new Committee of Management was elected:
The formal business disposed of, the patron of the Club, Professor A.D. Ross, gave a lecture on lenses. With a collection of scientific instruments, prisms and lenses, he took his audience, step by step, from a simple pinhole through the functions of a lens in forming a photographic image. Light was projected in straight, bent and distorted rays and the construction of lenses to correct its aberrations and bring visual and chemical foci to a point upon a focal plane were very clearly explained and illustrated by experiments.
Dealing with the various considerations that a photographer had to take into account when purchasing a lens, excepting only that of cost, about which he was silent, Professor Ross declared, that good as many modern lenses were, it still remained a fact that special work required specially constructed instruments and that there was no lens that fulfilled all the requirements of the photographer. He emphasized the great importance, when using modern anastigmats, to provide hoods for them, an adjunct to mounting which manufacturers appeared to have lost sight of. In response to an enthusiastic vote of thanks, the learned lecturer suggested a continuation of the subject in a series of lectures, following the lines of University Extension work. Needless to state, the offer was immediately accepted.
Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, on 1st September, gave a dinner to the members of the Committee of Management, over which he had been re-elected the previous evening to preside for another year.
The menu was excellent, much thought having been given to connect it with photography and to further this idea, sparkling wine was served in graduated measures and soup in developing dishes. All the best rules of composition were observed in the dishes and the host added a delightful atmosphere to the meal by drawing upon his repertory of experiences — with and without his camera which trusty instrument adorned the centre of the table.
The occasion was availed of to bid “good bye” to Mr. T.H. Cameron, who was leaving to take up duty in Brisbane. It was a memorable dinner, which will remain framed in the recollections of the guests and like a sulphided print, will never fade.
Tuesday 23rd October 1923 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 1
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS - VERY FINE DISPLAY
Art lovers should not omit to visit the exhibition by the The Western Australian Camera Club, the seventh of the kind, now open free of charge in the basement of Mr. A.L. Tilley's premises, Economic Buildings. The display is a very fine one indeed, including as it does the work of such artists of the camera as Mr. August Knapp, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, Mr. and Mrs. Will Davies, Mr. Tarlton Phillips and many others. Professor Alexander David Ross, Patron of the club, opened the exhibition, which will be open until Saturday, yesterday evening. Introducing Professor Alexander David Ross, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, President of the club, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors to the seventh annual exhibition. He considered that the presence of such a large gathering was conclusive, evidence that the efforts of the club in promoting photographic art met with the appreciation of the artistic fraternity of Western Australia. The policy of the club had been to foster that art, not only amongst the more experienced members, but also amongst the juniors and as could be seen, their efforts had been completely successful. He wished to mention that wherever Western Australian photographs had been sent whether it was to the other States, New Zealand, England, or America, they had always excited the keenest admiration.
Professor Alexander David Ross, in declaring the exhibition open, referred to the distinctly high standard achieved by exhibitors and spoke of the great artistic beauty of many of the productions, some of which were masterpieces of photographic art. He eulogized the work of the silver medalists and others, whose photos had met with the approval of the judges (Messrs. C.S. Bardwell-Clarke and H.G. Beach). Silver medals for 1923 were awarded to Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot ("Scotch Mist"); Mr. H. Tarlton Phillips ("The Cottage"), Mr. R.C. Steele ("Apples") and Miss V. Albert ("A Study in Light and Shade"). All four were extremely fine pictures. "Scotch Mist" is a photo of an Edinburgh-street, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot secured the uncommon etching like effect by means of the use of a very fine screen in the enlarging. Other exhibits by Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot are "The Rotunda" and "Outward Bound", an architectural and a marine view respectively. Of "The Rotunda" (first award in architecture), which was shown in Adelaide recently, the "Advertiser" says "the translucency of the waters is a remarkable feature". The same paper describes the outlines of "The Forum" as "presented with a noble distinctiveness". Although the view of a sailing ship being towed down the Thames is considered by many as one of Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot's finest achievements, it did not secure better than third place at the local exhibition. Mr. Phillips "The Cottage" was printed by the Bromoil process, which gives the photographer a greater opportunity to modify results than does any other method, also to secure broken shades.
The photographer is able to use practically any color, or more than one color, in the pigment which goes upon the photographic basis forming the picture. The subject is a settler's home in the South-West and it has been suggested that the picture would look well in Sir James Mitchell's office. Mr. Phillips other exhibits, "Early Morning, Nornalup" and "A Dull Morning", show strong evidence of artistic temperament. The former is a "Bromoil". It is slightly marred by a shadow down the left side of the print. Miss Albert's "A Study in Light and Shade" comes under the architectural section and depicts the Supreme Court porticos. The lighting shows great skill in handling this class of subject. The pillars stand out from the building and give a strong sense of rotundity and lend dignity to the whole composition. A glorious sense of Australian sunshine is conveyed by the outward arc of the pillars. Miss Albert's "In Calm Waters" gained first award in the advanced class landscape section. Mr. R.C. Steele's "Apples", a plant life study, indicates that the photographer has broken away from the conventional setting and used a background with a full range of tones almost from white to black, against which a spray of leaves with two apples attached stands out with a fine sense of solidity. The modeling of the fruit is most excellent as Mr. Steele is a comparatively new exhibitor, his work is all the more creditable. The work of both Mr. and Mrs. Will Davies, which Professor Alexander David Ross particularly referred to, is full of merit.
Mr. Davies is the Hon.Secretary of the The Western Australian Camera Club. His "Fishing" won first award in the human interest section. It depicts a man fishing from a small boat anchored on an old jetty at South Fremantle. Half the charm of the picture rests in the fact that the angler was quite unconscious of the near presence of a camera. The attitude of expectancy has been caught with life-like effect. The same may be said of Mr. Davies "Waiting for the Ferry", which received an honorable mention. The same competitor secured second place in the street scene section, with his "New-street, Birmingham" and second award with Mrs. Davies fruit studies for plant life. Mrs. Davies "Mends-street Jetty" was adjudged the best marine scene, along with Mr. W.J. Mannix's "Outward Bound". "Mends-street Jetty" was taken about half an hour after sunset, when the lights were beginning to throw a sparkling reflection on the waters. It is a charming example of artistic photography. "The Grey Mare" testifies to infinite patience on the part of the photographer who waited long for the horse to move to the position required if balance was to be obtained. The strength of the picture lies in the black shadows, the grey mare standing out in fine relief. The posing of objects in Mrs. Davies still life studies is done in such a way as to make it appear that they have not been posed. It is art concealing art. Mr. Mannix's "Outward Bound" shows a big interstater leaving Fremantle wharf. The picture conveys a fine sense of freedom and lives up to its title.
The sense of movement is cleverly obtained and balance is excellent. Here and there a strong note is evident from the reflected white upon the vessel. In Mr. A.J. Burgess landscape, "Reflections", the work of the etcher is cleverly simulated; but tone value in the sky is a little lacking in some of this photographer's pictures. The illusion of great perspective is shown in his "Looking for Shells", but this effect has been rather overdone. Mr. August Knapp's entry was not for competition, but such was the excellence of the collection as a whole that the judges awarded a special silver medal to the author. Mr. August Knapp exhibited "Happy Day", "The Gloaming", "Morning", "Dusk", Evening", "The Dredge", "Morning Mist", "The Black Bat Night", "The Goods Shed" and "After Whistler". He specializes in pictorial photography and by paying great attention to the hour of the morning or evening when the photo, is taken he obtains some strikingly effective studies on the river. By the use of a special imported screen he has succeeded in breaking up the heavy masses and getting a nice, diffused, atmospheric appearance. There are many other very creditable exhibits in the open classes, some excellent work in the intermediate class and distinctly praiseworthy efforts in the beginners sections. Miss E.M. Marlow's "The Archway" must be mentioned in the intermediate division. Miss Albert's work here has already been referred to. The exhibit by the Guildford Grammar School affiliated Camera Club, notably the work of J.R. Walsh, is very good. Art lovers should not miss the opportunity of seeing a very fine collection of photographs, some of which would command great attention at any exhibition, displayed to advantage in pleasant and cool surroundings.
Wednesday 24th October 1923 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 6
Some very fine specimens of photographic art as opposed to mere photography, are now on view at the Seventh Annual Exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club which is being held in Tilly's basement, in the Economic Buildings. There are altogether 118 exhibits from 22 members of the club and the work submitted covers a very wide range of subjects. One of the features of the exhibition is a collection of ten photographs by Mr. August Knapp to whom a silver medal was awarded for the general excellence of the whole entry. Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot was at his best in a very striking street scene and in an architectural subject, The Rotunda. Mr. H. Tarlton Phillips exhibited three landscapes of a high order, one of a cottage being a particularly fine piece of work. Mr. R.C. Steele was also in the forefront and Miss V. Albert, in the intermediate class, exhibited a very fine, architectural study in light and shade. Good work was shown by Mr. and Mrs. Will Davies, the latter securing a first award for a delightful study of Mends street jetty in the soft evening glow which can transform even jetties into things of beauty. The exhibition will be open throughout the week during the hours from 3pm to 6pm and from 7pm to 10pm.
Sunday 28th October 1923 Sunday Times (Perth, WA) - Page 2 S
During the week a very fine display of photography, in connection with the seventh annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club, demonstrated that this art is maintaining a high standard in Perth. Some of the work exhibited was unmistakably beautiful and artistic. The exhibition was held this year in the basement of Tilly's shop in the Economic Buildings and many people took the opportunity of examining this collection of the best of the work of the the members of the club, the amateurs to learn, the professionals to criticize if they could. Mr. August Knapp's display of ten photographs won the silver medal and was a feature of the exhibition. Messrs. Frank Ralph Perrot, H. Tarlton Phillips, R.C. Steele, A.J. Burgess and Mr. and Mrs. Davies and Miss V. Albert were all prominent with their prize-winning work in the various sections. In all there were 118 exhibits, entered by 22 members.
15th November 1923 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 574
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Seventh Exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held from the 22nd to the 27th of October. The Society’s silver medal was won by Miss V. Albert, Messrs. R.C. Steele, F.R. Perrot, H.T. Phillips and A. Knapp. Most of the other exhibitors seem to have also secured an award, but in the absence of any report, we are not able to furnish details.
Wednesday 8th October 1924 News (Adelaide SA) - Page 10
FINE PHOTOGRAPHS
CAMERA CLUB DISPLAY
MARKED ADVANCE EVIDENT
Mrs. C.R.J. Glover (Lady Mayoress) will open the exhibition of works by members of the Adelaide Camera Club in the Society of Arts Gallery, North terrace, tomorrow evening.
When one has viewed the portraits, landscapes and other studies, one agrees with the judges - Messrs. John White, R. Fraser and A.A. Stump - in their opinion that the exhibition far exceeds any previous ones held in connection with the club as regards the quality of work and the variety of subjects chosen. On former occasions the meritorious portraits and landscapes have been confined to two or three members, but the diplomas have been awarded in this exhibition to a greater number of individual artists.
There are 105 photographs shown by members of the Adelaide Camera Club and of these mention may be made of those to whom the judges awarded diplomas and honorable mention.
Miss Esther Legoe is represented by a remarkably fine "Figure Study" of her sister in ballet costume, posed beautifully. Her "The Shearing Shed" is also a realistic and clever piece of work.
F.H. Howard's work pleased the adjudicators and he received a diploma for his "portrait" and honorable mention for a study of Port Adelaide. Another exhibit by him which calls for comment is "A Murky Evening", in which the dusky, smoky atmosphere is finely suggested. His "An Even Game" (honorable mention) is a good study of an interior with two men playing cards and their facial expression is excellent.
R.C. Edwardes received a diploma for a remarkably clever study of "Ketches - Port Adelaide" and for "Seascape". In this latter one the light of the setting sun is shown on the rippling sea, one wave just breaking on to stern rocks in the foreground.
"A Dusty Road" by Miss C.M. Browne, is one of the gems of the collection. It is exceptionally clever, picturing a flock of sheep traveling along a road. In the distance their forms are almost hidden by the dust and those in the foreground stand out clearly by contrast. Another good one by the same artist is "A Misty Morning". She has met with much success in her misty and dusty effects.
P.H. Williams was awarded a diploma for his exquisite study of "Roses" and his other work proves him a master of his art. Highly decorative is "O'er Land and Sea" by G. Hutchinson and a wonderful effect is achieved by the heavy cloud through which the sunlight is about to break.
G.W. Morey has achieved a happy effect in "The Big Schoolroom, Radley College". It is almost like an etching. "News From Home" by J.C. Stone, is soft in treatment and most pleasing and the same exhibitor shows a clever study of two lads, "Making Something".
Among the exhibitors from the Victorian Pictorial Workers Society is one of outstanding merit by O.H. Coulson, awarded a diploma. He calls it "Storm Twisted" and it is a veritable work of art. In the The Western Australian Camera Club's section one is attracted by August Knapp's "Misty Morning". It is extra ordinarily soft and entirely without blemish. Mrs. Will Davies shows a charming child study, "Piper, Sir!" One can almost hear the child saying it.
The aims of the Adelaide Camera Club are the inculcation of a love for the artistic and beautiful and the improvement of photography as a medium of artistic expression. The present exhibition demonstrates this in a high degree and the collection is one of which Adelaide may well be proud. It will remain open until Friday, October 17th, from noon to 5pm, from 8pm to 10pm and on Sunday from 3pm to 5pm.
Tuesday 28th October 1924 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
EIGHTH EXHIBITION
The eighth exhibition of photographic work of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened last night by the President of the club (Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot), at the Kodak Salon, 672 Hay-street. The exhibition will remain open to the public during the week, between 9am and 6pm and from 7.30pm to 10pm in the evening, except on Saturday, when the hours will be 9am to 1pm.
The exhibits have been divided into seven sections, which comprise landscape, marine views, portraiture, architecture, natural history and it will at once be seen that in the present exhibition a very high standard of artistic excellence has been attained by the majority of the exhibitors. In the beginners class, the first prize in the landscape section has been awarded to Mr. F.R. Berry for his very effective study, which he has called "In the Park". The second prize in the natural history section has gone to Mr. L.T. Walsh for his "Jonquils", which, but for a somewhat indeterminate background, would doubtless have secured first prize in this division. Miss G. Clinch has secured first prize for portraiture with her charming study, "A Little Mother".
The intermediate workers show some capital results, particularly in the landscape section in which Mr. L. Baldock carries off first prize with his beautiful and carefully toned view of the Avon River. From the advanced workers, one naturally expects more advanced work and Dr. A. Badock and Mr. F.G. Baker, who divide honors in the landscape section with "The Silent Pool" and "When the Cows Come Home", have shown what admirable results can be obtained in photography by quite simple and direct methods. Mr. Baker scores a double success by also gaining first prize and silver medal for his fine marine study, "Sunset". The first prize and silver medal for portraiture go to Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot: while in the natural history section the judges have made no mistake in singling out Mr. Will Davies's "Rose Softly Blooming" as the finest and most individually treated piece of work shown. Mr. A.J. Burgess's clever study of a fox terrier, "Spot", secured him highest honors in the section devoted to animal life.
The visitor will probably he struck by the clever collaborated work of Messrs. August Knapp and G.A. Rowe and Messrs. Mannix and Knapp in two negative prints, a "Portrait Study" and "Crossing Over", a landscape; while perhaps the most striking feature of the whole exhibition is the non-competitive exhibit of 16 prints by Mr. August Knapp, for which a silver medal has been awarded for the entry as a fine example, or rather series of examples, of pictorial photography. The extreme delicacy of these prints and the poetical manner in which the subjects have been treated, are worthy of the very highest praise.
Of the two landscapes and two portraits shown by the members of the affiliated club (Guildford Grammar School Camera Club), the first prize goes to Mr. F. Dempster for his "Evening" study. During the week, some work by members of the Adelaide (S.A.) Camera Club will also be on view at the Kodak Salon.
Tuesday 28th October 1924 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB EXHIBITION
VERY FINE DISPLAY
Art lovers should not omit to visit the exhibition by the The Western Australian Camera Club, the seventh of the kind, now open free of charge in the basement of Mr. A.L. Tilley's premises, Economic Buildings. The display is a very fine one indeed, including as it does the work of such artists of the camera as Mr. August Knapp, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, Mr. and Mrs. Will Davies, Mr. Tarlton Phillips and many others. Professor Alexander David Ross, Patron of the club, opened the exhibition, which will be open until Saturday, yesterday evening. Introducing Professor Alexander David Ross, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, President of the club, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors to the seventh annual exhibition. He considered that the presence of such a large gathering was conclusive, evidence that the efforts of the club in promoting photographic art met with the appreciation of the artistic fraternity of Western Australia. The policy of the club had been to foster that art, not only amongst the more experienced members, but also amongst the juniors and as could be seen, their efforts had been completely successful. He wished to mention that wherever Western Australian photographs had been sent whether it was to the other States, New Zealand, England, or America, they had always excited the keenest admiration. Professor Alexander David Ross, in declaring the exhibition open, referred to the distinctly high standard achieved by exhibitors and spoke of the great artistic beauty of many of the productions, some of which were masterpieces of photographic art. He eulogized the work of the silver medalists and others, whose photos had met with the approval of the judges (Messrs. C.S. Bardwell-Clarke and H.G. Beach). Silver medals for 1923 were awarded to Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot ("Scotch Mist"); Mr. H. Tarlton Phillips ("The Cottage"), Mr. R.C. Steele ("Apples") and Miss V. Albert ("A Study in Light and Shade"). All four were extremely fine pictures. "Scotch Mist" is a photo of an Edinburgh-street, Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot secured the uncommon etching like effect by means of the use of a very fine screen in the enlarging. Other exhibits by Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot are "The Rotunda" and "Outward Bound", an architectural and a marine view respectively. Of "The Rotunda" (first award in architecture), which was shown in Adelaide recently, the "Advertiser" says "the translucency of the waters is a remarkable feature". The same paper describes the outlines of "The Forum" as "presented with a noble distinctiveness". Although the view of a sailing ship being towed down the Thames is considered by many as one of Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot's finest achievements, it did not secure better than third place at the local exhibition. Mr. Phillips "The Cottage" was printed by the Bromoil process, which gives the photographer a greater opportunity to modify results than does any other method, also to secure broken shades. The photographer is able to use practically any color, or more than one color, in the pigment which goes upon the photographic basis forming the picture. The subject is a settler's home in the South-West and it has been suggested that the picture would look well in Sir James Mitchell's office. Mr. Phillips other exhibits, "Early Morning, Nornalup" and "A Dull Morning", show strong evidence of artistic temperament. The former is a "Bromoil". It is slightly marred by a shadow down the left side of the print.
Miss Albert's "A Study in Light and Shade" comes under the architectural section and depicts the Supreme Court porticos. The lighting shows great skill in handling this class of subject. The pillars stand out from the building and give a strong sense of rotundity and lend dignity to the whole composition. A glorious sense of Australian sunshine is conveyed by the outward arc of the pillars. Miss Albert's "In Calm Waters" gained first award in the advanced class landscape section. Mr. R.C. Steele's "Apples", a plant life study, indicates that the photographer has broken away from the conventional setting and used a background with a full range of tones almost from white to black, against which a spray of leaves with two apples attached stands out with a fine sense of solidity. The modeling of the fruit is most excellent As Mr. Steele is a comparatively new exhibitor, his work is all the more creditable. The work of both Mr. and Mrs. Will Davies, which Professor Alexander David Ross particularly referred to, is full of merit. Mr. Davies is the Hon.Secretary of the club. His "Fishing" won first award in the human interest section. It depicts a man fishing from a small boat anchored on an old jetty at South Fremantle. Half the charm of the picture rests in the fact that the angler was quite unconscious of the near presence of a camera. The attitude of expectancy has been caught with life-like effect. The same may be said of Mr. Davies "Waiting for the Ferry", which received an honorable mention. The same competitor secured second place in the street scene section, with his "New-street, Birmingham" and second award with Mrs. Davies fruit studies for plant life. Mrs. Davies "Mends-street Jetty" was adjudged the best marine scene, along with Mr. W.J. Mannix's "Outward Bound". "Mends-street Jetty" was taken about half an hour after sunset, when the lights were beginning to throw a sparkling reflection on the waters. It is a charming example of artistic photography. "The Grey Mare" testifies to infinite patience on the part of the photographer who waited long for the horse to move to the position required if balance was to be obtained. The strength of the picture lies in the black shadows, the grey mare standing out in fine relief. The posing of objects in Mrs. Davies still life studies is done in such a way as to make it appear that they have not been posed. It is art concealing art. Mr. Mannix's "Outward Bound" shows a big interstater leaving Fremantle wharf. The picture conveys a fine sense of freedom and lives up to its title. The sense of movement is cleverly obtained and balance is excellent. Here and there a strong note is evident from the reflected white upon the vessel. In Mr. A.J. Burgess landscape, "Reflections", the work of the etcher is cleverly simulated; but tone value in the sky is a little lacking in some of this photographer's pictures. The illusion of great perspective is shown in his "Looking for Shells", but this effect has been rather overdone.
Mr. August Knapp's entry was not for competition, but such was the excellence of the collection as a whole that the judges awarded a special silver medal to the author. Mr. August Knapp exhibited "Happy Day", "The Gloaming", "Morning" "Dusk", Evening", "The Dredge", "Morning Mist", "The Black Bat Night", "The Goods Shed" and "After Whistler". He specializes in pictorial photography and by paying great attention to the hour of the morning or evening when the photo, is taken he obtains some strikingly effective studies on the river. By the use of a special imported screen he has succeeded in breaking up the heavy masses and getting a nice, diffused, atmospheric appearance.
There are many other very creditable exhibits in the open classes, some excellent work in the intermediate class and distinctly praiseworthy efforts in the beginners sections. Miss E.M. Marlow's "The Archway" must be mentioned in the intermediate division. Miss Albert's work here has already been referred to. The exhibit by the Guildford Grammar School affiliated Camera Club, notably the work of J.R. Walsh, is very good. Art lovers should not miss the opportunity of seeing a very fine collection of photographs, some of which would command great attention at any exhibition, displayed to advantage in pleasant and cool surroundings.
Tuesday 28th October 1924 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 4
ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY
CAMERA CLUB'S EXHIBITION - A VARIED DISPLAY
A widely varied range of examples of the art of the present-day photographer is to be seen at the eighth annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club, which was opened last evening by the President (Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot). The photographs are tastefully arranged in the Kodak Salon, 672 Hay-street. The judging of the club's display has been carried out this year by Messrs. R. Hetherington and H.G. Beach and for award-making purposes the exhibits have been divided into the following sections: Landscape, street scenes, marine views, portraiture and pictures of human interest, architecture and two branches of natural history, 1. animal life and 2. plant life.
Taking the pictures in their numerical order, a small but interesting group is shown by the Guildford Grammar School Camera Club. F. Dempster's, "Evening" is a nicely balanced study, which has earned its author a first prize. Mr. H. Burbridge shows an impressive study of the towering school chapel, pleasantly framed by the branches of trees in the foreground. The same photographer has a study of a schoolmate, while another portrait is the work of J.R. Walsh. "Warships", from the camera of Gerald Durack, a junior member of the The Western Australian Camera Club, is a striking study of some of the vessels of the Empire Squadron lying alongside the Fremantle wharf. A feature that somewhat detracts from the effect of his picture, however, is the undue prominence allowed to a passing launch in the near foreground, which tends to distract the attention of the observer from the main theme of an otherwise excellent effort.
In the beginners class, F.R. Berry's name is affixed to three extremely creditable achievements. "In the Park" is a carefully treated reproduction of an attractive subject, while "The Bush Road" and "The Pool, Kelmscott" are deserving of close scrutiny. "Silent Grandeur", by L.T. Walsh, is a tree study, notable for artistic light and shade effect. Two excellent still-life, studies, "Jonquils" and "Chrysanthemum", bear the name of L.T. Walsh. Miss G. Clinch is responsible for a charming little picture, "A Little Mother", depicting a small girl caring for her doll. The same exhibitor has a dainty sunset view. "Perth from King's Park" is a pleasant landscape, in which Miss D. Doepper has caught a familiar vista with good effect.
Among the intermediate workers, L. Baldock has secured a first prize with "Along the Avon". The same competitor shows several other landscapes. "Expectations" by A. Morrison, is an interesting fishing study, while its neighbor, "A Bit of Mandurah", is a picturesque impression from the camera of W.A. Smith.
"Curiosity", shown in the advanced workers class by Miss V. Albert, is a skilfully treated riverside glimpse, though the title is hardly an apposite one, inasmuch as it attracts attention to the least important feature of the pictures. In "Reverie" the same exhibitor has attained happy intermingling of sunlight and shadow.
Dr. A. Badock shows a trio of photographs which are among the best things in the exhibition. "The Silent Pool", with trees overlooking a placid stretch of water, has gained him a first prize and silver medal. "A Summer Eve" is an idyllic study executed on the sea beach, its central figure being a very naturally-posed girl in bathing attire. This picture reveals skillful treatment, as also does the third of the group, "Evening Shadows". "Sunset" has earned a first prize and silver medal for F.G. Baker, whose delightful pastoral study, "When the Cows Come Home", has been similarly recognized. Frank R. Perrot presents a fine piece of portraiture, a studio effort, in which exquisitely soft effects have been achieved. The same photographer shows "The Wreck" and "Temple of Minerva", an architectural subject. The Hon.Secretary of the club, Mr. Will Davies, has secured a double award with "Rose Softly Blooming", a commendable still-life study. "O Mimosa San", a clearly defined portrait and "Japanese Warship" are notable contributions by Mrs. Will Davies. W.J. Mannix has an interesting group, "At the Water's Edge", being a pleasant riverside picture.
A large and comprehensive collection is shown by Mr. A.J. Burgess. His marine views include "The Fisherman", "Caught" and "Expectations", the last named a prize-winner. "The Tea-taster" and "A.L. Brown, Esq." are notable pieces of portraiture. "Spot" is a happy study of an alert-looking fox terrier caught in a typical attitude. "Town Hall, Perth" reveals the nobility of outline of our much discussed civic headquarters and gives an interesting glimpse along Hay-street. "Road to Anywhere" is a landscape view which invites close inspection; while "The Sportsman" and "Wild Duck Shooting" are full of interest.
Two instances of collaborated, work are shown, the first, a portrait study, being a print by Mr. August Knapp from an excellent negative by G.A. Rowe, a Guildford Grammar School boy. The second is the joint effort of Messrs. W.J. Mannix and August Knapp; it is styled "Crossing Over" and is of outstanding merit.
Mr. August Knapp submits a non-competitive exhibit, embracing some 15 examples of the work at which he is so adept. The keynote of his pictures is simplicity and he shows a decided penchant for quiet morning and evening effects. "Matin", "The Diving Stage", "Lazily, Drowsily", "We Too" and "Rhythm" are characteristic examples. "The Quarry" has enjoyed the distinction of being hung in the Australian Salon in Sydney this year, while "Clouds" is a striking study. "A Good Shed" is a riverside peep, in which bright sunshine and a dark interior are happily contrasted.
The exhibition will remain open till Saturday next. On Wednesday the present display will be supplemented by the addition of a collection of photographs from the Adelaide Camera Club's exhibition. Apart from the pictures shown in the Kodak Salon, the window facing Hay-street contains half a dozen photographs by Mr. Knapp and two studies in bromoils by Mr. Monte Luke, of Sydney.
Friday 7th November 1924 Page 12 - Call (Perth, WA)
MASTERS OF THE ART
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB EXHIBIT
A MERITORIOUS DISPLAY
An exhibition in which the artistic offering of the master at the art stands side by side with the meritorious but unfinished effort of the novice, is the Eighth Exhibition of The Western Australian Camera Club held in the Kodak salon last week.
The art and craft of photography in its higher phases is certainly embellished in this exhibit of the work of members of the club, the exhibits being divided under the headings of juniors, beginners, intermediate and advanced workers.
SEVEN SECTIONS
The exhibits, judged by Messrs. R. Hetherington and H.G. Beach, were classed into seven sections, for the purpose of making awards. In the advanced section, which includes some artistic works that reveal the lights and shades of an etching, one of the most striking exhibits is "Spot" by A.H. Burgess, a study in animal life, which was awarded first prize and a silver medal; "Rose Softly Blooming" by Will Davies, gained first prize and a silver medal in the natural history class; for landscapes. Dr. A. Badock's "The Silent Pool" and F.G. Baker's "When The Cows Come Home", were paired; the marine award went to the latter's "Sunset"; Frank Ralph Perrot's "A Portrait" caught the judge's eye for a study of portraiture; architecture and street scenes, the latter, incongruously enough, a study of the Perth Town Hall were not included on the list of prize winners.
The work of some of the beginners showed distinct merit, notably a prize winning portrait, "A Little Mother" submitted by Miss G. Clinch.
Mr. KNAPP'S EXHIBIT
The non-competitive exhibit of Mr. A. Knapp, however, represented the very high water mark of photographic artistry. Mr. Knapp's work is well known and in the separate portion of the salon devoted to his entries he has set a standard for the finer art of pictorial photography. He is an experimenter and the success of some of his experiments is exemplified in his exhibit.
The club's exhibition is an instance of the pleasure and interest that can be derived from a study of the art that the camera in its finer phases holds.
15th December 1924 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 630
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
EIGHTH EXHIBITION
The Eighth Exhibition was held in the Kodak Salon, Perth, from the 27th October to the 1st November. The judging of the club’s display was carried out by Messrs. R. Heatherington and H.G. Beach and for award making purposes the exhibits were divided into the following sections: Landscape, street scenes, marine views, portraiture and pictures of human interest, architecture, and two branches of natural history, viz., animal life and plant life.
The following received awards: F. Dempster, F.R. Berry, L.T. Walsh, Misses G. Clinch and Doepper, L. Baldock, Dr. A. Badock (silver medal), F.G. Baker (silver medal), F.R. Perrot (silver medal), Mrs. Will Davies, Will Davies (silver medal), A.J. Burgess (silver medal), and A. Knapp (silver medal) for his complete entry of sixteen pictures.
Tuesday 16th December 1924 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 7
"As a small boy", his Excellency the Governor said yesterday; "I frequently endeavored to draw pictures in my school books, but I never got a horse to look anything else than a cow".
Sir William Campion was speaking at the annual exhibition of the Western Australian Society of Arts, in the Industries Hall, Barrack-Street. Mr. Lionel Jago, one of the Vice Presidents of the The Western Australian Camera Club, had asked him to declare the exhibition, open. "We are gradually getting better and better", Mr. Jago assured his Excellency.
SIR WILLIAM ROBERT CAMPION
Born 3rd July 1870 London, England
Died 2nd January 1951 Hassocks, Sussex, England
GOVERNOR of WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sir William said that he had been proud to be asked to become the society's Patron, though he could claim neither great knowledge of nor skill in art. He had once "sat" for his portrait, this involving standing four hours a day. People were more impressed and influenced than they realized by the circumstances that surrounded them. Western Australians were influenced, perhaps against themselves, by the vastness of the country and by its beauty. The improvement and development of art in all its branches further influenced character. "You have got some charming things here", his Excellency continued. "You will go on improving and you will exert a great influence on this State - an influence which, with all respect, I think is rather necessary".
This year's exhibition is considerably more extensive than that held by the society last year and contains much excellent work. The catalog comprises no less than 143 items; 37 of these are oil paintings, 65 water colors and there are represented also pastels, sculpture and modeling, art metalwork, color prints, china painting and pen drawing. A collection of studies from the The Western Australian Camera Club is also on view.
Mr. W. Appleby, represented among the water colorists, should be mentioned especially because he has found inspiration in a direction hitherto little, if at all, in evidence in local art, namely, reconstruction of the State's early history. Mr. Appleby's "Arrival of Vlaming off Rottnest, 1696", is moreover, a picturesque and well-executed piece of work. Among the water colors may be mentioned also a sombre but effective pair by Mr. J. Barker B.W.S., "Moonlight Study" and "Evening". Mr. Arthur Milbank's "Old St. Ives" and chaste and delicate little scenes by Mr. A.B. Webb, Mrs. Landells and Mr. C.C. Kennedy. Mr. Barker has also several oils on view, perhaps the most successful being "The Old Abbey Gateway", the light-toned masonry in the center forming sharp and effective contrast to the dark masses of surrounding foliage. Miss Florence A. Bell's "Art Eastern", is among the more striking of the few examples of portraiture on the walls. One of the most ambitious of the oils is Mr. Adrian G. Knight's "Morning Radiance", a woodland scene, but it is hardly quite successful. The artist has not been able to capture the light which gives to his picture its title. Mr. C.H. Green's "Seascape" is on a much more modest scale. Here the sun's gleam on foaming water is caught capitally. The well-known name of W.P. Meston appears on many of the canvasses, most of them recording South West coast scenes. "Through the Sand hills" is one of the best. One should mention also, a big picture by this artist showing South Perth, the Narrows and Mount Eliza and styled "Our Heritage". There is much charm in Mr. L. Jago's soft toned "Fowl Yard" and "River Bank" and Mr. Milbank's "English Landscape" and Mr. W. Goss's "Como Beach", are likely to be admired. In the sculpture and modeling section work by Mr. P.G. Porcelli and Mr. J. MacLeod commands attention. Miss A.E. Heap's artistically-wrought Qesso panels also call for note.
Wednesday 24th December 1924 Page 1 - Call (Perth, WA)
ARTS AND ART LOVERS
WEST AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION OPENED
On Monday 15th December, His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Campion, who has consented to become the patron of the W.A. Society of Arts, declared the annual exhibition in the Industries Hall, Barrack-street, to be open. The exhibition includes oil paintings, water colors, sculpture and modeling: art-metal work, china painting and pen drawings also a collection of studies from The Western Australian Camera Club. Perhaps the more generally fascinating of all the collections is this particular one — because nearly everybody possesses a camera and dabbles more or less in photography.
Mr. Knapp's exhibits: "Eve---" and "Morning Mist", are exquisite; and "Busselton Church" by Mrs. Jessie Davies, with its lights and shades, entrances one. Dr. Badock, too, has some lovely things on view. Among the oils, "Our Heritage", showing Mt. Eliza and South Perth with the Royal Swan River between (Mr. W.P. Meston) holds one's attention and among the water colors Mr. Appleby's "Avviral of Vlaming off Rottnest, 1696", is arresting. "A Pioneer" a pastel, Miss Margaret Saunders, calls for more than passing notice; but, indeed, all the exhibits call for studious attention and among non-artists, the choice given, must be according to that which pleases the tyro's taste and not necessarily artistic merit.
The exhibition will remain open for a month.
SIR WILLIAM ROBERT CAMPION
Born 3rd July 1870 London, England
Died 2nd January 1951 Hassocks, Sussex, England
GOVERNOR of WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Saturday 31st January 1925 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 9
INTERESTING LECTURE
Messrs. W. van der Velden and A.G. Brown, who have been visiting this State in connection with the new Eastman School of Professional Photography, were the principal speakers at last night's meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club, at the University physics lecture hall. The theme was technical points of interest to amateurs. Mr. Brown interestingly discussed the activities of photographic societies in Victoria and Mr. Van der Velden dealt with the New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmanian societies. Mr. Van der Velden then entered upon the more technical features by dealing with phenomena of light as applied to photography with special reference to pictorial photography and the use of panchromatic films and plates. The optical apparatus belonging to the University physics branch was placed at the lecturer's disposal and was operated by Mr. Everson, of the University staff. Many interesting and striking phenomena of color formation and color analysis were clearly shown and appreciated by the audience. Votes of thanks were carried at the instance of the chairman, Mr. Will Davies and Mr. August Knapp.
15th September 1925 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 468
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The annual report to the 30th June last shows that the membership continues to increase, now totaling 150 members. The report also says, however, that 75 of these have failed to pay their dues.
The annual exhibition produced 87 entries and by courtesy of Messrs. Kodak was held in their premises, right in the heart of the city, of which the report makes due acknowledgment.
Other items which were much appreciated were exhibitions by Kodak of Mrs. Alfred Milson’s collection of Pictorial photographs and the Eastman School of Photography.
The year’s finance finished up with a credit in the bank of £l5/16/6 and the club owns furniture, etc., valued at £5O and library, £l5, so that when the outstanding subscriptions are garnered in the club should have money available for many improvements.
The club has lately shown special attention to beginners in photography. Practical demonstrations have been given on the technical side of the subject and at the two meetings so far held, the attendance and interest shown was very gratifying. At one meeting the speaker took his hearers right back to the simple development of roll film, at another he dealt with the development of gaslight prints and enlarging under home conditions.
After the usual business of the Annual General Meeting had been dispensed with, a scientific lecture by the club patron, Prof. A.D. Ross, was delivered.
Wednesday 11th November 1925 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 7
ART OF THE CAMERA
A FINE EXHIBITION
A widely-varied range of examples of the art of the present-day photographer is to be seen at the ninth annual exhibition of the The Western Australian Camera Club, which was opened yesterday in the basement of Mr. A.L. Tilly's photo. store, in Economic Buildings, Hay-street. No awards are being given this year, as the committee feel that, despite the conscientious efforts of the judges, a certain amount of dissatisfaction is inevitable when prizes are allotted for an exhibition of this kind. All the photographs shown have been submitted to expert inspection and they are divided into three classes — beginners, intermediate workers and advanced workers. In all there are 128 exhibits, making up an extremely interesting display, which will be on view every afternoon and evening until Saturday, November 21. There is no charge for admission and members of the Camera Club are entitled to bring their friends, while the general public are also invited to visit the exhibition as often as they like.
In the beginners class, Mr. F.J. White shows a quartette of fine portrait studies, among which a study of Mr. J.W.R. Linton is especially effective. Mr. L.T. Walsh has three photographs, a flower study being notable for its artistic grouping. "Bush Fire", by Mr. W.A. Smith, is a realistic picture, the same exhibitors "Quiet Pastures" being an attractive landscape. Conspicuous merit may be found in a group of photos bearing the name of Mr. Craig Balmer. "Dead Calm" and "Before the Wind", two yachting studies, present a piquant contrast, the latter picture conveying a strong impression of rapid motion. "The Watchman's Assistants" depicts four fine Collie dogs the helpmates of a watchman at the railway goods yards. In the intermediate class, Mr. F.R. Berry's "Canning Bridge" is a skillful treatment of a subject full of difficulty from the pictorial point of view.
In the advanced section, an accomplished camera artist in Mr. August Knapp presents 19 typical examples of his work — an impressive exposition. "Screen interference" is employed by Mr. August Knapp with marked success. In this process a screen is interposed between, the projected image from the enlarging lantern and the bromide paper. This has the effect of breaking up the heavy dark masses in the shadows of a photo, which so frequently render photography unreal and unconvincing. Mr. August Knapp clearly aims at getting atmospheric effects into all his work and as the photographic rendering of atmosphere often requires mist, many of the river scenes in which he excels are evidently taken in the early morning or evening. "The Poetry of Light" reveals particularly delicate treatment, while "Chansonette", "A Grey Day" and "Boats" are characteristic studies. "Land, Sea and Sky" is an attractive seaside view, while "The House On the Corner", another of Mr. August Knapp's exhibits, is one of the best landscapes shown.
"St. Leonard's" by Mr. L.E. Pearce, is a charming picture with its shady old trees and pleasant rendering of light and shade. Miss V. Albert has a duo of attractive views taken near Guildford, while Mr. W.J. Mannix has a quartette of interesting pictures, "Vista" being a delightful glimpse through gum trees. Mr. A.J. Burgess, always a prominent exhibitor, is well represented, "Evening at Lake Preston" and "After Sunset" being typical examples of his work. Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot shows interesting portrait studies in carbon to illustrate this process, while Mr. R.G. Illidge exhibits a distinctive collection of animal studies, the head of a cow being especially notable. The bromoil process has a skilled exponent in Mr. H.T. Phillips. "Young Rowdy", a sunshine snapshot; "Picnickers" and "Decoration", a study of Hyde Park in winter, are fine photos, by Mr. Will Davies. A varied collection, including some fine travel pictures and a striking study of the Guildford Grammar School chapel, are shown by Mr. Eustace Cohen and Mr. F.G. Baker, with views taken abroad, is another successful exhibitor. Mr. Edward Hamersley presents 17 excellent snapshots depicting various places visited during his travels; and a schoolboy photographer, E.H. Burbridge, shows an engaging study of Albany harbor.
Wednesday 11th November 1925 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 10
CAMERA ART
The ninth annual exhibition of the work of members of the The Western Australian Camera Club was opened yesterday. A fine collection of pictures is on view in the basement of Mr. A.L. Tilly's photo store, in Economic Buildings. The exhibits total 128 and display an impressive variety of camera art and craft. They are graded in classes, allotted to beginners, intermediate workers and advanced workers. In the advanced section attention is at once arrested by the beautiful and distinctive set shown by Mr. August Knapp whose reputation as a camera artist stands high. Nineteen examples of Mr. August Knapp's work are to be seen. He is especially fond of effects to be gained with river waters of mirror like calm and the magical light and mists of sunrise or of evening and he has achieved in this direction some impressions of wonderful refinement and poetry. Notably beautiful is a picture entitled "The Poetry of Light" and there are several others hardly less admirable. Mr. August Knapp shows also some striking work in other styles; for instance an interior in which the light from a half open door contrasts with deep shadows, a view of sand-dunes and the sea and "Old Bones", a fine study of a tall, dead tree the black and gaunt silhouette of which dominates the picture. "The Token" shows Perth, viewed from the river and a rainbow. The effect of silhouette is employed with beautiful results also in Mr. Arthur J. Burgess's, "Evening at Lake Preston". "After' Sunset" by the same artist, captures admirably the poetry and romantic atmosphere of a Rottnest scene showing Cape Vlaming, the sea and a darkening sky. Sea and rocks in another setting have been utilized to good purpose by Mr. H. Tarlton Phillips in his "A Cloudy Morning", for which the bromoil process was employed. Mr. Phillips's "Flooded Gums" should be noted, also Mr. J.A. Dimmitt's remarkable "Sunshine and Shadow". Mr. Leslie E. Pearce's "Sentinel of the Valley" and Mr. W.J. Mannix's "Vista". Among the portraits are an effective study of Mr. J.W.R. Linton by Mr. Frederick J. White, a beginner and a female face by Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot (carbon on opal). Mr. Eustace Cohen, who has drawn upon both local and foreign subjects, has on view attractive scenes at Conway, Colombo and a charming view of the school chapel at Guildford. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Campion viewed the exhibition yesterday. It will be open to the public daily (Sundays excepted) from 3pm to 6pm and from 7.30pm to 9pm until 21st November. There is no charge for admission.
14th November 1925 Page 573 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
Mr. August C. Knapp, of Perth, is represented in this year’s Royal Photographic Society Exhibition by a picture entitled “The Hill of Vision”, the print being on Kodura Etching Brown.
Saturday 28th November 1925 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 10
Some 20 odd examples of the remarkably fine photographic art of Mr. August C. Knapp ARPS, were placed on view yesterday at the Hay-street premises of Kodak (Australasia) Proprietary, Ltd. They include a number of the studies recently exhibited at the display by the The Western Australian Camera Club and referred to in these columns on that occasion; also some others. With the exception of two, they are concerned, with Western Australian subjects. One notes "The Hill of Vision" (a view from the vicinity of Buckland Hill towards Fremantle), which Mr. August Knapp showed at the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain this year. There were only, two Australian exhibitors on that occasion. Some delightful impressions of the Swan River, near the Causeway and also further west, claim attention. Mill Point, seen under a lowering sky, provides a fine picture, likewise "The Poetry of the Distant City". The South West has afforded one striking piece of work which bears the title, "The Ti-Tree and the Traveller". The latter is seated below a gnarled and picturesque giant of the bush. These pictures which merit the attention of all art lovers, will be on view for some days.
Friday 25th December 1925 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 4
Mr. A.J. Burgess, the well known amateur photographer, has received a cable from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, informing him that he has been elected an ASSOCIATE of the Society.
THE QUARRY
by AUGUST KNAPP
Saturday 15th May 1926 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 1
THE LATE Mr. FRANK RALPH PERROT
Members of the The Western Australian Camera Club (Incorporated) are respectfully invited to follow the remains of their late President, Frank R. Perrot to the place of interment, the Church of England portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery. The Funeral is appointed to leave his late residence, Mariposa, Mount-street, Perth, at 3.45pm this (Saturday) afternoon. Members wishing to attend the Funeral may proceed by the 4pm train from Perth.
H.G. BEACH, Vice-President.
FRANK RALPH PERROT
Monday 17th May 1926 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
THE LATE Mr. FRANK RALPH PERROT
The funeral of the late Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, of Mariposa, Mount-street, took place in the Anglican portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. There was a large representation of Perth business men, yachtsmen and Freemasons. The chief mourner was Mr. J.L. Walker, representing Mrs. M. Perrot (widow) and Mr. Gordon Perrot (son). The pall bearers were Messrs. J. Dimmett, E. Dodd, C. Lamb, R. Sparrow, A.J. McLaren, W. Oats. H. Rex (Perth Flying Squadron), H.G. Beach (The Western Australian Camera Club), W. Bray (Duke of Albany Lodge W.A.C.), D. Whitehead (Mount's Bay Sailing Club), C. Bellion (crew of the yacht Australian) and G.L. Parry (Grand Lodge, W.A.C. Freemasons). Archbishop Riley, assisted by the Rev. W. Patrick, officiated at the graveside. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Donald J. Chipper and Son.
1st June 1926 Harringtons Photographic Journal - Page 36
DEATH of Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot
The photographic world will miss one of its most zealous devotees in the death of Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, of Perth, Western Australia, who passed away on 13th May, after a long illness. "FRP", as he was generally known, always took a serious and fatherly interest in Club matters and for many years filled the chair of President of the The Western Australian Camera Club.
Having visited practically every part of the globe, his lantern lectures were always fascinating and instructive. Whilst in London, he had studied under the best pictorialist of the day and his work reflected the knowledge he acquired. His favorite medium was carbon transferred on opal and some of his old world pictures in this medium were gems indeed.
FRANK RALPH PERROT
Monday 9th August 1926 The Daily News (Perth, WA) - Page 5
The Western Australian Camera Club held their monthly meeting at the Hon.Secretary's office. St. George's-terrace, on Friday last. There was a good attendance of members and friends, who had gathered to witness a practical demonstration of amateur cinematography, in which the making of the film and its projection were fully explained and illustrated with the Cine Kodak and Kodascope instruments. The Kodak Co. claim that the Cine Kodak camera is as easily operated as a Brownie and as the projection of the positive film, presents no difficulty whatever, the production of animated pictures has been simplified to a degree that permits excellent results being obtained by amateur photographers. After several rolls of local film, which were viewed with a great amount of interest, had been screened, the meeting closed with a very hearty vote of thanks for the demonstrator.
15th September 1926 Page 456 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The ninth annual report includes many items of general interest, from which we extract:
Membership 125 as against 157 in the previous year. Cash in hand, £35 12s 4d.
Exhibition was open ten days and nights, total attendance, 406, which brought forth this reference:
“At the termination of the Exhibition the Committee, in consequence of the disheartening statistics of attendances, earnestly considered the question: Is it worth the outlay of the time and money involved in staging such unpopular functions as Exhibitions of Amateur Photography? The following conclusions were arrived at:
(1) The almost universal use of roll-film cameras with the present service of the developing and printing establishments which has been commercially grafted upon that method of amateur photography have made the dissemination of photographic knowledge quite superfluous nowadays.
(2) In consequence of the prompt and relatively inexpensive service thus provided for amateurs the membership of photographic societies must inevitably contract to a limited number of ardent pictorialists and enthusiastic technicians.
(3) As this state of affairs is by no means singular to Perth the Committee may, without fearing a charge of neglect of duty, cease to feel anxiety about the indifference of a vast number of users of cameras (generally classed as 'snap-shotters') to the existence of the society. With the exception of an extremely small percentage of their number 'snap-shotters' have neither time nor inclination for learning anything about the art and craft of photography.
(4) But notwithstanding the indifference of the many the committee unanimously decided that the Camera Club can most usefully continue for the benefit of the few who find an absorbing interest in photography and wish to excel at it.
“By the death of Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, the society has lost one of its most expert members and one whose all-round services to the club it will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.
“A master of the technics of the mediums he usually employed, namely, oil pigment and carbon, with a sound knowledge of composition, the late president’s work was uniformly good, strong and pleasing to look upon and always attracted attention at the club’s exhibitions. Some of his pictures had won the coveted recognition of being hung by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, of which he was a member.
“In addition to his outstanding ability as a photographer the late Mr. Frank Ralph Perrot, was a fluent speaker and an entertaining lecturer and being also an experienced chairman of committees possessing a large fund of tact, he admirably filled the presidential chair of the club since his election thereto several years ago”.
Friday 1st October 1926 Harringtons Photographic Journal - Page 39
The 9th Annual General Meeting of the The Western Australian Camera Club was held at St. George's House, Perth, on 27th August, when the report of the Committee of Management for the twelve months ended on 30th June 1926 and the audited accounts of the year, were received and adopted.
References in the report to the decline of membership during the year evoked considerable discussion on the causes underlying such a state of affairs. The consensus of opinion was that it is the inevitable result of present day facilities offering to owners of cameras to have all their developing and printing done for them by trade houses and that, compared with the larger cities of the Commonwealth, or indeed for that matter, with the English speaking countries of the world, the local Club had done well in securing the active co-operation of a dozen pictorial workers.
A new Committee of Management was elected to hold office until the Annual General Meeting in August 1927.
After the usual vote of thanks to the retiring members for their past services to the Club had been passed, Mr. F.G. Baker gave a unique demonstration of constructing an enlarger. Commencing with an empty petrol tin, a tin opener, a folding pocket Kodak, a sheet of ground glass, the petrol case for an easel and some ordinary household lighting appliances, he wound up by making a 10in. x 8in. enlargement from a quarter plate negative. The print was handed around and satisfied everyone of the truth of the demonstrator's claim that, given the will to do a thing, it is surprising how seeming difficulties can be overcome, the moral being that anyone determined to make an enlargement for exhibition from his choicest negative need not be deterred from doing so simply because he cannot afford to invest in an enlarger costing from £10 to £15. As an example of high speed work it is worthy of note that from the first insertion of the tin opener until the enlargement (fixed, rinsed and blotted off) was handed around, the time taken was exactly 31 minutes 10 4-5ths seconds. Mr. Baker answered a number of questions, at the conclusion of which he was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.
15th January 1927 Page 33 - The Australasian Photo-Review
ONE-MAN SHOW AT BRISBANE
Recently the windows of Kodak, Brisbane, were utilized for an exhibition of work by Mr. A. Knapp ARPS, of Perth, Western Australia, who specializes in producing prints made through a granular screen of his own invention. This has the effect of breaking up the photographic image and introducing luminosity into the shadows, providing a surface interest which is usually lacking in photographic prints.
Most of the negatives, from which the enlargements were made, are on Panchromatic plates and some of the pictures have had the distinction of being hung in overseas exhibitions, such as the Royal Photographic Society and Continental Shows.
THE COLLEGE CHAPEL
Dr. H.S. LUCRAFT
First - A.P.-R. Competition - September 1930
THE OLD MILL
Dr. H.S. LUCRAFT
Second - A.P.-R. Competition - October 1930
THE TOP OF THE HILL
Dr. H.S. LUCRAFT
Second - A.P.-R. Special Competition
Landscape with Figures - 1931
15th September 1931 The Australasian Photo-Review - Page 443
The annual report of the The Western Australian Camera Club discloses some interesting points, not the least being that no less than nineteen members were struck off the roll for non-payment of their subscriptions. This with six who resigned, reduced the membership to about half the previous number. A bright spot is that the club shows a cash credit balance of £21/19/5, with another £89/8/6 represented in furniture, library and other assets. Very interesting demonstrations and lectures were given during the year.
Saturday 16th September 1933 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 15
CAMERA STUDIES
WORLD SHOW IN LONDON
PERTH PHOTOGRAPHERS SUCCESSFUL
LONDON, September 14th — Seven Australians are among 300 world-wide exhibitors at the salon of the Royal Photographic Society. Mr. Julian Smith of Melbourne, exhibits a fine portrait of a pioneer and Mr. John Eaton, of Toorak (Victoria), two landscapes. Dr. H.S. Lucraft, of Perth, has two exhibits including an effective child study. Mr. August Knapp, of Perth, Mr. R.V. Simpson, of Sydney and Mr. C.S. Tompkins, of Camberwell (Victoria) also show works.
Wednesday 19th December 1934 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 21
LOCAL EXHIBITORS SUCCESS
Nine prints from Western Australia were accepted for an International Exhibition of camera pictures held at the Athenaeum Gallery, Melbourne, last month, Captain A. Burgess, of 114 Vincent-street, North Perth, won a bronze medal in the landscape section for a river study entitled "After a Summer Squall".
The exhibition was held under the auspices of the Victorian Salon of Photography and over 1,200 prints from all parts of the world were received. About 300 of these were hung. Three sections were created. They were (A) landscape, (B) portraits and figures and (C) still life and other subjects. In each section one gold medal, five silver and five bronze medals were awarded. Salon members excluded themselves, from competition for medal awards. No one was allowed to submit more than four prints.
Of the Australian exhibitors Western Australia was third in the number of prints submitted. Five of the nine accepted were from members of the Van Raalte Club, Perth. These were "Ti-Trees", "Winter Sunshine" and "Fishing Boats", by Mr. August Knapp and "Turkey Point W.A." and "The Fair City", by Mr. E.A. Coleman. Other West Australian exhibitors were Captain A.J. Burgess ARPS, Mr. F.R. Berry and Miss Nancie Ford.
Commenting on the exhibition, the judges said that there was a high percentage of good quality prints in the 1,200 submitted and although it proved comparatively easy to select the first 200 the selection of the remainder was difficult. There was a scarcity of freak work and an almost universal return to a sane outlook was noted.
Thursday 10th January 1935 The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) - Page 8
Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, of Fashoda street, Unley, who is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, intends to visit England soon. Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS is a native of South Australia and was educated at Thomas Caterer's school and St. Peter's College and subsequently at the Adelaide School of Mines. He made a special study of ordinary and color photography and during a stay of many years in Western Australia was a member of the The Western Australian Camera Club. He was also demonstrator in chemistry at the Perth Technical School. He has resided in Adelaide for the past five years. Mr. Edmunds, who employs his own special process for color photography, said yesterday that he has effectively tested its permanency. Several specimens, some of which he did about 15 years ago he possessed today and they showed no indication of fading. Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS is the son of the late Mr. A.J. Edmunds, who was a South Australian stipendiary magistrate. Mr. A.J Edmunds also was an artist and gave Mortimer Menpes, the well-known artist, his first drawing lessons. Mrs. E. Goldsmith, the wife of Dr. Goldsmith, of North Adelaide and Mrs. T. Hall, of Hyde Park, sisters of Mr. E.F. Edmunds FRPS, also are water-color artists.
2nd December 1935 Page 602 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The annual report of the The Western Australian Camera Club shows that membership slightly increased to a total of thirty-seven during the last year, with an average attendance at monthly meetings of about fourteen, which appears to be small for a city of the size of Perth. The finances are in an excellent state, the club having nearly a hundred pounds worth of assets, including over twenty-five pounds cash in the bank at the close of the financial year.
Wednesday 3rd February 1937 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 1
BERRY - The Members of the The Western Australian Camera Club Inc., are respectfully informed that the remains of Rodney Alwyn Berry, only son of their President, Mr. F.R. Berry, of Woodsome-street, Mt. Lawley, will be interred in the Presbyterian portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery at 2.20pm this (Wednesday) afternoon. The Funeral is appointed to leave the Service Chapel of A.J. Purslowe and Co., Angove-street, North Perth, at 1.45pm. Members desirous of attending may proceed by the train leaving Perth. W. DAVIES, Hon.Secretary.
Friday 23rd September 1938 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 17
November 1938 Page 563 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Western Australian Camera Club (Inc.) celebrated its twenty-first birthday last week. Some of the foundation members were present. After adoption of the annual report and accounts, the officers were elected:
Mr. Will Davies, the club’s Hon.Secretary since the inauguration, has been forced by the state of his health to resign and many expressions of regret were voiced at his retirement, as well as grateful appreciation of his splendid services. Professor Ross proposed the toast of The Western Australian Camera Club and referred to Mr. Davies untiring enthusiasm for the hobby of photography.
The toast of "Our Visitors” was given by Dr. Lucraft and acknowledged by Mr. Coleman, representing the van Raalte Club. Miss H. Wright was congratulated on her superb studies in wild flower photography and the Club’s Silver Medal was awarded to her. Items were contributed by Miss M. Hart and Mr. Ivan Berry and a twenty first birthday cake (appropriately decorated) was cut by Mrs. H.G. Beach.
At a recent meeting the President, Mr. R.C.S. Steele, delivered a short lecture entitled "Correct Lighting”, illustrated by photographs, examples of various types of lighting and their effects on the models used. At the conclusion of the lecture Mr. Poignant then gave a practical demonstration of studio lighting and a series of photographs was made by various members of the club to demonstrate the effectiveness or otherwise of the lighting applied to the particular model. The model happened to be limelight and caustic comment as to his appearance the President, who perforce had to endure much under various types of lighting.
The proceedings were greatly enjoyed by the members and proved to be very practical and instructive. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Steele for his paper and to Mr. Poignant for making his studios available to the club.
A field day has been arranged for Sunday 6th November, in the Chittering Valley, about thirty miles from Perth.
January 1939 Page 28 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The Club held its field day at Chittering, about forty miles from Perth, some fifteen persons being present and all agreed that the particular type of club outing was an excellent opportunity for interchange of ideas, in addition to providing an opportunity to obtain good pictures and expressed the hope that it would be possible to have the outings more frequently.
At the regular monthly meeting in November there was a good attendance of members and as a result of the previous monthly meeting and the field day forty-six prints were exhibited, the majority being the result of those two meetings and some really excellent work was shown. The President read a paper on "Texture and the Artist”, which was illustrated by several prints which he had made for that special purpose. At the close of the meeting he was heartily thanked for his efforts.
The next meeting will be held on 8th December, after which the club will go into recess during January and February.
May 1939 Page 240 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
Meetings were resumed on 16th February, when a Talk was given by Mr. W.F. Hooton, titled "Photographic Irish Stew”. Mr. Hooton recently rejoined the club and as he told the meeting, he was particularly struck with the extraordinary alterations which had taken place during the lapse of time. In the course of his remarks he conveyed his impressions of the advancement made in types of camera, films, papers and accessories, many of which were unheard of when he left the club fifteen years ago. It came as a surprise to many who have comparatively recently joined the club to know that such tremendous progress had been made in the last few years.
At the March meeting a paper was read by Mr. F.R. Berry on "Landscape Subjects and their Selection”, which he illustrated with photographs depicting the various types to which he referred. At this meeting five new members joined the club and the Committee are hopeful that there will be a further increase in membership and interest through the coming season.
June 1939 Page 290 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The April meeting was very well attended by members and visitors. The program of work for the evening consisted of a demonstration of the development of roll films by hand and by tank and for that purpose the Hon.Secretary had provided one roll and the President another. The President’s film was filled with exposures on three subjects, demonstrating the effect of gross under-exposure, correct exposure and gross over-exposure. The second part of the evening was devoted to an examination of prints made on paper given to members at the previous meeting and there was a great deal of comment exchanged about the quality and nature of the paper and much interest was displayed in the various prints shown, of which there were approximately thirty. Several new members joined the club and altogether the future looks very promising for the club.
Friday 30th June 1939 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 8
Many fine photographs taken at a recent field day of the The Western Australian Camera Club were exhibited at the last meeting of the club. The Vice-President (Mr. A.D. Sinclair) was in the chair. A lecture on intensification and reduction of photographic negatives was given by Mr. J. Jeffrey, who illustrated it with various types of negatives. The next meeting of the club will be held at the University at 8pm on 20th July. when Professor Alexander David Ross (the club's Patron) will speak on "Photography and Science". The address will be illustrated with lantern slides.
Friday 28th July 1939 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 9
PHOTOGRAPHY AND SCIENCE
A NOTABLE CENTENARY
The present year marked the centenary of the true foundation of photography, said Professor Alexander David Ross (Professor of Physics in the University of Western Australia) last night at the University in an address on "Photography and Science" which he, as Patron, delivered to members of the The Western Australian Camera Club.
Before 1839 photography was merely a natural chemical change produced by light in certain compound substances, said Professor Alexander David Ross. Tanning of the skin by the sun and fading of dyes used in textile goods might equally have been quoted as instances of such early photography. But in 1839 Daguerre announced his discovery of the latent image and the method of its development, making the details of the process public in a Bill drafted in June of that year and passed through the French Chamber of Deputies some weeks later. That Daguerrotypy ceased about the middle of last century did not affect the case. It was true that Fox Talbot, working along entirely different lines, also obtained a latent image, but it was not until 1841 that the announcement of his process was made and the patenting of it arranged. Still it was Talbot's negative and positive which determined the line of subsequent developments in photographic practice.
Professor Alexander David Ross discussed the extent to which science entered into photography and gave examples of that beneficial interaction between photography and physical and chemical science which had continued throughout the last 100 years. The physicist, he said, knew that visible light comprised only a limited range of a wider variety of radiations, of which wireless waves, heat rays, ultra-violet light, X-rays and gamma rays were other types. From the point of view of pictorial art there had arisen demand for research into photographic films capable of responding to the varied colors of the rainbow in such a way that black and white photographs would show light intensities as perceived by the eye. The physicist had been interested in this work, but he had been equally interested in devising means whereby photography could be used to record infra-red and ultra-violet light and Roentgen rays. Such photographs had been of great value in astronomy, in medical science and in research into the nature of atoms and molecules.
The photographer's desire for better lenses had called forth all the ingenuity of the physicist to design lens combinations free from defects of spherical and chromatic aberration and distortion of the field. The Great War had proved an additional compelling force in this direction and it was through the improvement of lenses for wartime aerial photography that lenses were now obtainable of high excellence for surveying, topography and astronomical charting. For many years polarized light had been little more than an interesting plaything of the scientist. The expense of polarizers limited their use. Today polarizing screens built up of a multitude of small dichroic crystals mounted in plastic films were comparatively cheap. Accordingly many new avenues for such apparatus had been explored. Since reflected light was generally partially polarized, the subject was of great interest to photographers. Every one knew of the unsatisfactory appearance of many photographs of interiors caused by stray reflections in the glass of pictures on the walls or in the glass tops of writing tables. By the use of a polarizing screen in front of the camera lens such undesirable reflections could be in great part eliminated.
Photography, said Professor Alexander David Ross, had made an ample return to science for the help it had received. The man of science could now record experimental phenomena, study them at leisure and file them for reference. The cumulative action of the photographic film enabled objects to be registered which were far too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. Moreover, the application of photography to radiations other than those in the visible spectrum opened up new worlds for exploration. It was in such domains, common to two or more branches of study, that present-day science was making its most momentous discoveries.
The address was illustrated by a series of lantern slides and by experiments with polarized light. At the conclusion of the lecture the members of the club were shown the equipment installed in the photographic room of the physics department.
August 1939 Page 393 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
A demonstration of gaslight and bromide printing by contact and projection respectively was given at the May meeting. The Hon.Secretary loaned his enlarger for the demonstration and several members made prints at the meeting. The demonstrators were Messrs. A.D. Sinclair and R.C. Steele and the evening proved to be one of great interest. It was arranged to hold a Field Day, when members were transported by the kindness of those others having cars to Canning Bridge and Applecross. Twenty-two persons were present and quite a large number of exposures were made. At the June meeting the results were shown. Twenty-seven prints were exhibited, some of which were of very pleasing quality. At this meeting Mr. J. Jeffrey, who gave a most interesting and instructive lecture, "The Intensification and Reduction of Negatives”, illustrated his talk with negatives suitably treated and prints to demonstrate the effect of his process.
Saturday 26th August 1939 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 19
That there was a big increase of general interest in activities of the The Western Australian Camera Club during the past 12 months was shown in reports received at the 22nd annual general meeting of the club on Thursday night. It was stated that meetings, lectures, demonstrations and field days had been held and numerous photographic prints had been exhibited at meetings. There was an attendance of 40 at the meeting. Representatives of the Van Raalte Club, Perth, the Miniature Camera Club and the West Australian Amateur Movie Club were present by invitation. The President of the The Western Australian Camera Club (Mr. R.C. Steele) was in the chair.
At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting two films produced by members of the West Australian Amateur Movie Club were screened. Supper was served.
Officers for the ensuing year were elected.
September 1939 Page 448 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The meeting on 27th July, was one of unusual interest, in that members were invited by the Patron, Professor A.D. Ross, to a lecture at the Physics Lecture Theatre of the University of Western Australia. The Professor lectured on "Science and Photography” and illustrated his remarks with some very interesting lantern slides and also demonstrated the effect of polarized light. He began with the camera obscura of the earliest record and traced the development of photography very briefly up to the time of Daguerre’s process. He then took modern photography, that is, from just about the time of the Great War and showed how science and photography had produced very helpful inter-actions by the demand made for improved chemistry and optics in order to meet the increasing demand for the services which photography could render.
It would be impossible to give a complete summary of the lecture, but Professor Ross then dealt with the development of the sensitivity of plates to the present stage and also the extraordinary improvement in the manufacture of lenses.
There were a large number of people present, including visitors from the other camera clubs in the metropolitan area and at the close of the lecture the members were invited to inspect the Physics Laboratory and the dark-room attached.
October 1939 Page 501 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
The proceedings on 24th August, dealing with the annual report, showed an increase of eight members for the year. As the meeting was held in the same building as a photographic exhibition by another club in the city, members, at the conclusion of the business of the evening, visited the exhibition "in toto” and a very pleasant time was spent examining the work displayed. Members then returned to the meeting room and by the courtesy of the West Australian Amateur Movie Club, several examples of their work, including some excellent color films, were screened. At the conclusion of the screening a dainty supper was served and the President of the club, Mr. R.C.S. Steele, made friendly references to the work of the other clubs in the city, each of whom had representatives at the meeting. On behalf of the visitors, Mr. A. Knapp responded suitably.
The officers have been elected for the ensuing year.
Tuesday 31st October 1939 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 11
Fourteen members of the The Western Australian Camera Club exhibited examples of child study photographs at the last meeting of the club. Mr. A.L. Hefren gained most points for the best two prints. It was announced that pictures taken at the club's recent outing at Glen Forrest would be shown at the next meeting, to be held in the Assembly Hall, Pier-street, on 23rd November.
November 1939 Page 550 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
On 28th September, Mr. Axel Poignant lectured on "What Shall I Photograph?” He emphasized the service which amateur photographers could render to the community by the collecting of series of photographs of special subjects, such as bird or insect life, historical interests, geology and a host of other absorbing things. The lecture was illustrated with some exceptionally fine color transparencies.
Thursday 30th November 1939 Page 17 - The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania)
SOUTHERN TASMANIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The Southern Tasmanian Photographic Society completed its final syllabus items for the year at a meeting at Hobart on Tuesday. The president (Mr. J. Ross) presided, and welcomed Mr. H.E. Sainsbury, of the The Western Australian Camera Club, who addressed the members. Mr G. Cramp demonstrated a number of dark-room accessories. Mr. V. Coronel showed an improved film-pack adaptor. A talk on the component parts of an enlarger was given by Mr. C. Maynard, and Mr. M.W. Murray explained his method of filing photographic formulae for easy reference.
December 1939 Page 602 - The Australasian Photo-Review
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA CLUB
At an outing held at Glen Forrest on 15th October, a pleasant day was spent by members and many exposures were made. It is intended to show the results at a later regular meeting. The subject for the meeting of 26th October, was a Child Study, of which fourteen examples were placed before the members and some of these were of very good quality. Members took great interest in assessing for themselves the value of the work submitted on the basis of composition, idea underlying the picture and technique and on the points awarded the two best prints were submitted by Mr. A.L. Hefren. A demonstration was also given of the loading and use of the Kodak Roll Film Tank.
Friday 1st December 1939 The West Australian (Perth, WA) - Page 7
Miss Hilda M.F. Wright, who has been elected an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. She is the only woman in Western Australia on whom this honor has been conferred. The award was made in the natural history section for a group of 12 black-and-white studies of West Australian wild flowers. Miss Wright, who was last year awarded the Grenfell Medal, the second highest award of the Royal Horticultural Society, for an exhibit of wild flower photographs, is a teacher at the Perth Technical College and a member of the The Western Australian Camera Club. A large collection of her photographs was taken to England by Mrs. E.H.B. Lefroy this year and received generous praise in the London Press when exhibited. Photograph of Hilda Wright above was taken by Mattie Hodgson.
THE GRENFELL MEDAL
Instituted in 1919 by the
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
in commemoration of
FIELD MARSHAL LORD GRENFELL
President of the Society from 1913 to 1919.
Awarded for exhibits of pictures, photographs or objects of
a similar nature of horticultural or botanical interest.
Also awarded for floral arrangement and floristry exhibits.