WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

7th April 1891 to 16th July 1919

LUDOVICO HART

Friday 19 September 1890  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Victoria)

Five hundred invitations have been issued by the members of the photographic Classes in connection with the Working Men's College to an exhibition of lantern slides produced by the students, past and present of the College, on Saturday evening the 11th prox. City, suburban, rural, Tasmanian, geological, architectural, scientific and general subjects will be included in the views which will be illustrated by the oxyhydrogen light. The entertainment will be under the supervision of the instructor Mr Ludovico W. Hart and a committee of the classes. Professor Charles William Kernot C.E., will preside. During the interval selections will be rendered on the bells by the Messrs Poole and other gentlemen The exhibition, is given to bring prominently before the public the excellence of the tuition imparted within the College walls and opportunity will be afforded those so inclined to assist the students in obtaining the necessary optical and other scientific apparatus to illustrate in detail subjects of every description which when lectured upon may be fully delineated on the canvas.

PROFESSOR CHARLES WILLIAM KERNOT
Born 16th June 1845 - Rochford, Essex, England
Died 14th March 1909 - Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria
PROFESSOR of ENGINEERING at the University of Melbourne

Friday 10 October 1890  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Victoria)

Tomorrow evening the past and present students of the Photographic Classes in the Working Men's College will give an exhibition of lantern slides by oxyhydrogen light. Professor Charles William Kernot will preside. Admission is free, but during the evening the audience will have an opportunity of contributing towards the fund which has been opened for the purchase of scientific optical apparatus to be used during public lectures. A most enjoyable evening can be safely promised those who attend.


Friday 17th April 1891  Page 6 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The first meeting of the Working Men's College Photographic Club was held in the Working Men's College on Tuesday evening.

The following officers were elected: President, Professor Charles William Kernot; vice-presidents, Messrs F.A. Campbell and R. Camm; Hon.Instructor, Mr Ludovico W. Hart; committee, Messrs. Reed, M'Mahon, Hislop; Hon.Secretary, Mr W.G. Rae; Hon.Treasurer, Mr Poole.

The advantages offered to the members of the Club, who must be either students or ex-students of the college, are the use of the dark room, with chemicals for development, access to the library containing the latest works on photography and the assistance of the Hon.Instructor, who is at present the photographer in charge of the college classes. The annual subscription of 10s. covers all the fees in connection with the Club.






Friday 17th April 1891  Page 4 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Melbourne, Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

A meeting of the Working Men's College Photographic Club was held in the College on Tuesday evening. Mr Camm presided. The rules and regulations having been adopted, the election of officers took place and resulted as follows: President, Professor Charles William Kernot; Vice-Presidents, Messrs F.A. Campbell and R. Camm; Hon.Instructor, Mr Ludovico W. Hart; committee, Messrs Reed, McMahon and Hislop: Hon.Secretary, Mr W.G. Rae; Hon.Treasurer, Mr Poole. The advantages offered by this newly formed Club are extremely liberal. For the annual subscription of 10s members, who must be either students or ex-students of the College, have the privilege of using the dark room with chemicals for development under the direct supervision of the Hon.Instructor, access to the library and attendance at any lecture or lesson on the syllabus re photography by payment of ninepence, tickets for this purpose being issued by the secretary of the College, whilst in addition monthly meetings will be held to promote the knowledge of the art. The Club will meet to discus general subjects the first Tuesday in each month. The inaugural meeting will take place on the 5th prox, when addresses are expected from the President and Hon.Instructor, to be followed by social intercourse and an exhibition of work done by the members.


Friday 8th May 1891  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Victoria)

The inaugural meeting of the Working Men's College Photographic Club was held in the College last Tuesday evening, about 100 ladies and gentlemen being present. The Hon.Secretary announced that the Club numbered 40 members, which was considered an excellent commencement. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the president, Professor Charles William Kernot, C.E.M.A., vice-presidents, Mr F.A. Campbell C.E.F.R.G.S., F.R.His.S., Mr T. Camm and Professor Ludovico W. Hart, Hon.Instructor. Recitations were contributed by Misses Finklestein, Atkinson, Messrs Lloyd, of the Ormond College Elocution Class and Messrs Hislop and McMahon. A large quantity of excellent work, executed by the members of the Club, was exhibited and proved highly interesting.


Friday 26th June 1891  Page 4 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Victoria)

RULES OF THE WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

1. NAME

That the Club shall be called Working Men's College Photographic Club Melbourne.

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the Club shall be to promote the study of photography, comparing of all photo work at home and abroad, discussion of papers on photography, the subject of which shall be announced one month beforehand; the use of the dark room under certain conditions for development, free access to the library and if possible an annual exhibition of work with intermediate social intercourse.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall consist of subscribing and honorary members. Subscribing members shall consist of students and ex-students of the College.

4. MEMBERSHIP

Honorary membership shall be extended to gentlemen who have distinguished themselves in the science of photography and who are thus worthily entitled to the Club's distinction.

5. SUBSCRIPTION

The subscription shall be 10s. for gentlemen and 5s. for ladies per annum, payable on receipt of the Club's certificate of membership. Subsequent annual subscriptions must be paid at the commencement of each financial year, beginning 1st May. The moneys accruing from the subscriptions shall be expended as follows - 2s/6d per annum per member shall be paid over to the College authorities for the use of chemicals used in development, the balance, viz., 7s/6d, shall be expended in the purchase of books, apparatus, etc., as the management shall direct. On the payment of ninepence at the office the Secretary of the College will issue a ticket entitling any member of the Club to attend any one lecture or lesson on the syllabus of the Photographic Classes,

6. OFFICERS

The management of the Club shall be vested in a President, two Vice Presidents, Honorary Instructor, Secretary, Treasurer (who shall act as Librarian), all of whom shall be ex-offico members of committee and a Committee of three. Three to form a quorum. All officers shall be elected annually. Nominations for any of the offices shall be lodged with the Secretary in writing fourteen days before the day appointed for the annual meeting of which the Secretary shall give 7 days notice by circular.

7. HONORARY INSTRUCTOR

The position of Honorary Instructor shall be offered in preference to the Lecturer in charge of the College Photo Classes. The Hon. Instructor shall be an ex-offico member of the Committee of Management.

8. TIME OF MEETING

The ordinary monthly meetings shall be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 8 pm. The meeting in May of each year shall be termed the Annual General Meeting for receiving the Committees reports. Honorary members shall not have the privilege of voting on any question whatever.

9. CASTING VOTE

The Chairman at all meetings shall decide questions in the customary manner, unless a ballot be demanded. Should the voting be equal for or against the Chairman shall have the casting vote. The Chairman shall have a deliberative vote.

10. USE OF DARK ROOM

The dark room, which shall be under the sole control of the Hon. Instructor until further notification, shall be open to members every Tuesday from 11 am to 2 pm.

11. THE PROPERTY OF THE CLUB

That the property of the Club shall be vested in the Management for the time being as trustees for the Club. In the event of no meetings of the Club being held for six months the Club shall be considered defunct, in which case the library, all Club apparatus, shall be come the property of the Council of the Working Men's College.

10. ALTERATION OF RULES

One month's notice in writing shall be given before any of the foregoing rules shall be altered.

13. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

That the Committee shall meet the last Tuesday of each month to arrange all business for the general monthly meeting.



Friday 3rd July 1891  Page 4 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

PHOTOGRAPHY
By Ludovico W. Hart

Read before the Working Men's College Photographic Club.

ONE of the most interesting as well as one of the most artistic of all the photographic processes is the Photogravure process. It is a method of putting a picture on copper by means of bichromated gelatine and etching it with acid or some other mordant, so that impressions may be taken from it as from an engraved plate. There are many methods by which this may be done, but to-night I will ask your attention for a few minutes while I try to explain one of the ways and that the one most generally practiced and best known.

Before going into the details of this process, I presume that all present know the manipulations of the Carbon or Autotype process, as a thorough knowledge of it is essential in photogravure. But should any not understand it, I would recommend that, if not in the first year Photography Class, they should take advantage of one of the benefits of our Club, that is, "Permission to attend any lecture or class in connection with the photographic classes of this College on the payment of a nominal sum at the office" and there they would see it practically demonstrated and I am sure they would never regret it. It would be impossible for me in this short paper to go into the details of the carbon process; suffice to say, that it is one of the most beautiful processes of pure photography.

In Photogravure the first thing necessary is a copper plate.

This plate must be free from scratches and absolutely free from grease. To get rid of the scratches polish the plate with a piece of charcoal and finish off with rotten stone and water. To get rid of grease, well, there should not be any grease to be got rid of. When the plate is thoroughly clean, it should be put aside to dry.

In all photographic processes, where half-tone pictures are required to be reproduced, a grain of some sort is necessary, so the next thing to be done is to get something that will give us a grain and this is obtained in a very simple manner.

A square box is procured and fixed on a stand by two pans of wood or metal to act as pivots, so that it can revolve. An opening at the lower end of the front is fitted with a door hinged from the bottom. The bottom of the box should have a number of wire nails driven in about an inch apart to rest the copper plate on.

In this box there is placed about a pint of resin and bitumen finely powdered. The door is closed and the box rapidly revolved for about a minute, then it is fixed in its original position and allowed to remain so for two or three minutes, to allow all the coarser particles of dust to fall to the bottom.

The copper plate is now placed in this box and allowed to remain there from 10 to 20 minutes, according as the subject to be reproduced requires; it is then taken out, when it will be found to be covered with minute particles of resin and bitumen, which form the grain.

Great care must be taken in removing the plate from the box, as any draught or even breathing on it will disturb the small particles of dust that have fallen on it and destroy the grain.

It is now carefully placed on a heater (a piece of iron or brass on a gas stove does very well for this purpose) and allowed to remain there until these minute particles of bitumen are heated sufficiently to make them adhere to the copper.

This operation requires great care, for the plate must not be heated too much, else the resin and bitumen will melt and become a film through which no acid can etch, instead of being a grain to break up the picture and allow the acid to attack the copper plate.

To a certain when the plate is heated sufficiently, touch the corner of the plate with the finger every now and then and when it is found that the dust is not removed by touching, it has been heated sufficiently and should now be put aside to cool.

The next thing to look to is the negative. Any good negative will do for this purpose as long as it has good detail in the shadows and if it is a reversed negative so much the better, for we can make a positive by contact; but if not, a reversed positive is necessary and it can be made either by an enlarging camera, or by making a carbon transparency on glass. Of the two ways, I think the latter is the more preferable, as no detail is lost by it if it be well done.

When we have the positive from it, it is necessary to make a carbon print which has to be developed on the prepared copper plate.

This operation is the same as making a transparency on glass. The printed tissue and the copper plate are immersed in water. When the tissue is sufficiently limp, it and the plate are brought together under water. They are then lifted out and contact is obtained by the use of the squeegee. It is then covered with blotting, upon which is covered a piece of glass, or something flat, with a weight upon it. In five minutes it is ready for developing. To develop, the plate with the print on it is placed in warm water at about 95 deg. F., until the unaltered gelatine is noticed oozing out from under the backing paper, then catching the paper by one corner, it will be found to come away easily, leaving the gelatine film on the copper plate. Then add more warm water until all the unaltered or soluble gelatine is washed away.

We now have a negative picture on a grained copper plate. The plate is washed in cold water and put aside to dry.

The next thing to be got ready is the etching fluid.

For this purpose a saturated solution of perchloride of iron is used and here it might be well to remark a peculiar property of this mordant. It is this: "That the stronger the solution, the less it etches the copper".

It is well to start the etching with almost a saturated solution and, as the etching advances, a little water is occasionally added, especially if the print on the copper be very dense, but great care must be taken in making this addition, for if it be carelessly done it is liable to take the film off the plate.

When the plate is dry the edge and back of the copper is painted with a strong resisting varnish; Brunswick Black doing very well. When this is dry the plate is ready for the etching.

It will be noticed that the high lights are very dense as in a negative and the shadows are almost clear copper. The reason for this is that the acid gets through the thin parts first-that is, the shadows-and by the time it is through the high lights the shadows are pretty deeply etched.

The etching operation must be watched very closely, as the etching fluid staying on a minute too long will spoil the picture.

The effect of the mordant on the copper can be easily noticed by the change of color and instead of a negative picture being visible, it is turned into a positive and gradually again into the negative. As soon as it is noticed that the copper under the high lights is attacked, yon know the etching is finished and the plate is taken out of the etching bath and washed.

The resist and varnish are cleaned off with a little turpentine and the plate polished with a little rotten stone and oil.

The etching operation only occupies a few minutes and when the resist is cleaned off it must not be expected that the plate is deeply etched, for it is hardly etched at all, merely the surface of the copper taken off; but for all that, it is sufficient to hold strong copper plate ink.

The edge of the plate round the picture is now cleaned with a piece of charcoal and then the plate is ready for the printer.

When an impression is obtained, if there be not sufficient contrast, or if the shadows are not deep enough, the plate may be rolled up with a glazed roller and etched again, but this is a very risky operation and needs a good deal of practice before it can be accomplished successfully. There is another way to improve the plate and one almost always used, but it requires a good deal of skill to accomplish it with success and that is, to burnish the high lights with a burnisher and deepen the shadows by means of a roulette, which is an instrument with a small dotted wheel at the end of it.

In conclusion, I do not wish it to be thought that I have gone thoroughly into the subject of my paper in this short sketch; for it would require many more pages to explain it fully. But I have tried to give a rough outline and, I venture to trust, have thrown a little light on a process that is responsible for the reproduction of many of our finest pictures.

I will now ask you to look at the specimens that I have brought with me illustrative of the various stages of the process. You will find the original negative, the reversed positive, the carbon tissue print on the prepared copper plate, the etched copper plate and last of all the proof from the copper plate. These will give all who have not studied the process a better chance of understanding it and I hope of trying it for themselves.



Friday 27th May 1892  Page 4 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

THROUGH THE BIG SCRUB, N.S.W.
By A.J. CAMPBELL F.L.S.

Read before the Working Men's College Photographic Club, 5th April, 1892

I have a series of pictures to place before you tonight on what is locally known as "The Big Scrub" of the Richmond River District of New South Wales - a marvelous place for a naturalist, but scarcely for a photographer.

I did not undertake the journey as a photographic tour, but purely in the interests of Natural Science. However, I am bound to admit that photography played an important part, or was a valuable adjunct to my outing and as has been stated on a previous occasion, I would now sooner think of starting on such expeditions without my gun and collecting material as go without my camera.

To reach the Big Scrub as quickly as possible, you have to take the overland route and leave the train at Tenterfield, near the Queensland border. Then you take coach for about 100 miles in an easterly direction to Dismore - the base, so to speak, of the Big Scrub.

Well, what about this Big Scrub? you ask. I answer simply it is a great vegetable labyrinth, in other words a dense tropical jungle, square miles upon square miles in extent. Here for once you miss the ever ubiquitous gum-trees (Eucalypts), their places being taken by more tropical forms, such as Moreton Bay Chestnut or Bean Trees, Buoyong (Tarrietia), Crow's Ash (Flindersia), Native Tamarind, Red Odar, Gigantic, Fig Trees, all grow closely on the most generous of soil and are lashed together with vines and enveloped from base to crown with numerous parasitical plants, therefore you can imagine how dense the scrub is and what chance a photographer has within its darkened aisles with so much heavy green foliage about him. Should a stray sunbeam struggle through the leafy court, it only serves to render the shadows more dense by contrast. Of course, to illustrate my subjects I did not choose the darkest forest shades and waiting for light cloudy weather when I could. Under ordinary circumstances I would have exposed for seconds and half-seconds, but here I found minutes and half-minutes much nearer the mark.

It will be recollected that 9th November last was to have been a field day with our Photographic Club and the member who took the best half dozen pictures was to have his name merited in our annals. Such healthy emulation is, I think, the life of a Club like this and will, undoubtedly, lead to the very best results.

On the day specified in the far-away Big Scrub, I was on the alert and before breakfast was in a banana grove, where I thought I could get an excellent and instructive picture before the wind rose to rustle, the broad handsome leaves which are easily set in motion by the gentlest zephyr. After breakfast I took exposures of a couple of remarkable birds nests which I had retrieved from a tangled thicket and placed under the verandah of my quarters. In the afternoon I took a creek scene and two glimpses of a road that cuts through the thick scrub. However, when I returned to Melbourne, I learned it had rained nearly all over Victoria on the 9th November and that the photographic outing of the Club had to be abandoned.

Without further detention we shall now proceed with the lantern and by its aid I hope to conduct you for a little "Through the Big Scrub"; and in concluding these written remarks. I have to thank the two members of the Club who lent valuable aid to me in producing the slides and likewise to the member behind the apparatus who is about to dissolve, most artistically, no doubt, the various views.

Here followed 45 slides, comprising townships, road and scrub scenes, aboriginals, natural history subjects, the most successful probably being the birds nests, coaches, natives, scrub falling, Marshall Falls and Coolangatta Bay.



Friday 9 September 1892  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

The usual monthly meeting of the Working Men's College Photographic Club was held on Tuesday evening. Professor Charles William Kernot C.E., presided, 30 members being present, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. After the close of the ordinary business, Mr Tobin, head teacher of the Northcote State School and an enthusiastic member of the Club, delivered an interesting address on "Photography as Applied Practically to Education", which was subsequently illustrated by the lantern. A very enjoyable evening was spent, the value of the art as a public and popular educator being fully demonstrated. The first outing of the Club for the present year will take place at Alphington, on the 1st prox. The members, cameras in hand, will leave the city by tram and arrive at the terminus by train at 2.30pm.



Friday 9 December 1892  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

A paper was read by Mr Somerville on Photo-mechanical Methods before the members of the Working Men's College Photographic Club, last Tuesday evening. The Hon.Instructor of the Club, Mr Ludovico W. Hart, presided and during the evening congratulated the writer on his efforts. The Club members will meet at Heidleberg by 1.51pm train tomorrow week, cameras in hand, for snap shooting.



Friday 10th March 1893  Page 2 - North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

A large number of members of the Working Men's College Photographic Club met on Tuesday, in the lecture hall of the College. The evening was devoted to an exhibition of work by the members, including negatives, silver and bromide prints, stereoscopic work, snap shots and phototype specimens, with a friendly discussion on the subjects exhibited. An hour with the lantern brought a most enjoyable meeting to a close. The next meeting of the Club will take place on the 11th prox., when each member is expected to furnish three lantern slides and give a description of the localities of each visited by him during the Easter holidays.

There is every likelihood of duties being resumed at the Working Men's College next week. A circular has been issued to the instructors, enquiring if they are willing to accept a large percentage of fees in lieu of salary, until such time as the present troubles are overcome. Replies have been received from many in the affirmative and it is expected, under the temporary circumstances, that the classes will meet as usual.



Tuesday 6th June 1893  Page 6 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic)

THE WORKING MENS COLLEGE

A meeting of the council was held at the college on Monday night there being present Professor Charles William Kernot and Messrs C.J. Ham M.L.C., W.M.K. Vale, R.L.J. Ellery, F.H. Bromley M.L.A., J. Graham, A. Yewdall, James Smith and C.S. Paterson. A letter was read from the instructor in photography stating that the students of his classes and of the Working Men's College Photographic Club had offered to defray the cost of the materials for these classes for the current term. The secretary reported 995 students up to date and it was decided to take fees for the ensuing two weeks at rates proportional to the remainder of the current term and that the term should consist of 10 weeks. The meeting then adjourned.



Saturday 14 September 1895  Page 17 - Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW)

An Intercolonial Exhibition and Congress of Photography, open to all professional and amateur photographers of Australasia, is to be held in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne. It is under the auspices of the Working Men's College Photographic Club and the Exhibition Trustees and it opens on 2nd April 1896.



Friday 14 February 1896  Page 5 - South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA)

Intercolonial Exhibition of Photography. We have received the prospectus of the second Intercolonial Exhibition and Congress of Photography, which is to be opened in the Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne, by His Excellency Lord Brassey on Wednesday, April 22. The Exhibition is open to all professional and amateur photographers of Australasia and is held under the auspices of the Working Men's College Photographic Club and the Melbourne Exhibition Trustees. There are numerous classes and sections — portraits, groups, landscape, seascape and yachting, architectural, animals, original compositions, enlargements, photomicrography, astronomical photo-mechanical, special processes, lantern slides and photographs obtained by artificial light. Mr Ludovico W. Hart, of the Working Men's College, Melbourne, is the General Secretary.

THOMAS BRASSEY
Born 11th February 1836 - Stafford, Staffordshire, England
Died 23rd February 1918 - England
GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA 1895 to 1900

Tuesday 29 May 1900  Page 7 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

EXHIBITION of PHOTOGRAPHS

The exhibition of photographs by the Working Men's College Photographic Club, held at Buxton's Art Gallery, Collins-street, on Saturday, was the best yet held under the auspices of the Club. The work was entirely that of amateurs. The happy blending of the mounting and tinting was a fine demonstration of artistic excellence. The picture that was awarded the prize for being the best in the room was a seascape, representing rollers breaking on a rock bound coast. There was a very fine photo enlargement, "Three Greys" - horses feeding at a stall. This picture was one of the best in the exhibition, while "The Milk is Coming" a photograph sent in to "The Australasian" competition and awarded a prize, attracted many interested admirers. The awards were made by Messrs. R.W. Harvie, T. Humphrey and C. Douglas Richardson, while the secretarial work fell to Mr A.J. Relph, who was assisted by Mr C.R. Du Rieu. Three carbon enlargements, which were shown, but not for competition, by Mr D. Le Souef, were very fine specimens of work. The prize-list for the competitions, which were open to all amateur photographers, was as follows:-

Class A. Portraits (not retouched) - Mr A.J. Campbell, 1; Mr Le Souef, 2. Class B. Landscape - Mr J.T. Gillespie. 1; Mr. Heron (N.S.W.), 2: Class C. Seascape and Marine - Mr. J.S. Stenning (N.S.W.), 1. Class D. Still Life - Mr. Hughes, 1; Mr. A.J. Campbell. 2. Class E. Genre - Mr. Alexander, 1; Mr Roberts (N.S.W.), 2. Class F. Hand Camera (set of 6 prints} - Mr M.A. Daniel, 1; Mr. D. Lewis, 2. Class G. Lantern Slides (6 slides) - Mr A.J. Relph, 1; Mr Le Sonet, 2. Class H. Stereoscopic (set of 3 prints) - Mr J. Glover 1; Mr. C.E. Bulley, 2. Class I. Any Subject (ladies only) - Mrs Hughes 1; Nora E. Drew, 2. Class J. Best Three Prints in Carbon - Mr A.J. Campbell, 1. Best Picture in the Exhibition - Mr J.S. Stenning (N.S.W.)

In the evening there was an excellent concert program, vocal, instrumental and literary, given by the members and friends of the Club, each item of which was so arranged that, appropriate pictures were thrown on the screen by the limelight as the entertainment progressed. The exhibition will be open from 2pm till 5pm this evening.



Friday 31 October 1902  Page 3 - North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

ILLUSTRATED LECTURE

A lecture entitled, "A Trip to the Victorian Grampians", will be delivered this (Friday) evening, by Messrs. A.J. Ralph and A.B. Weir, of the Working Men's College Photographic Club, in the Church of England School-room, Howard-street, at 8pm; and songs and recitations by leading artists will also be rendered. The entertainment is under the auspices of the St. Mary's Church of England Girls Friendly Society. Admission 1s. The proceeds are in aid of repairs to the Parsonage.



Friday 7th November 1902  Page 2 - North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser (Vic)

ILLUSTRATED lecture

On Friday evening an illustrated lecture, entitled "A trip to the Victorian Grampians", was given in St. Mary's Church of England schoolroom in connection with the parochial branch of the Girls' Friendly Society. Canon Carlisle presided and the proceedings were opened by Miss Mabel Mattingley singing "The land of the Leal". Mr McCausland gave two songs, "The Yeoman's Wedding" and "Sunshine and Rain", The lecturer was Mr A.J. Ralph and the lanternist Mr A.B. Weire, of the Working Men's College Photographic Club. The lecture was most interesting and the views very artistic, quite justifying the remarks of the chairman that with mountain scenery like that in Victoria there was no need for tourists to travel to the far away Alpine districts of Europe. Miss Josephine Lambrick, a pupil of Miss Mattingley's, sang "Ma Curly Headed Baby" and Miss Helm recited "Hanging the Picture" and as an encore "Aunt Tabitha." Miss May Griffiths acted as accompaniste and the proceedings closed with a comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had rendered the evening so enjoyable, which was moved by the chairman and carried unanimously with acclamation.


Friday 10th March 1905  Page 5 - Examiner (Launceston, Tas)

COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Mr F. Styant-Browne, of this city, has been experimenting for some time with a view of producing color photographs and has exhibited to us a group of fruit consisting of bananas, an orange, a peach and apricots, the colors of which are very distinct and true to nature. It is understood that this is the first color photograph produced in Tasmania and the tints are so delicate that the bloom on the fruit is perfectly portrayed.

Mr James Aebi, lecturer on photography to the Working Men's College, Melbourne, caused a sensation a few weeks ago by exhibiting some color photographs produced by himself and assistants, thus being first in the field; but Tasmania is not far behind on this occasion.

The method Mr Styant-Browne has adopted is a modification of the Sangar-Shepherd process-three negatives of the subject are taken on color-sensitive plates through red, yellow and blue screens and these negatives are then printed in their complementary colors by the process known as trichromatic printing. The resulting print is untouched in any way, but it is developed entirely by photographic methods, so that the whole process is a photographic one. Mr Styant-Browne intends exhibiting some of his color work at the next week of the Camera Club and will also place an example in the next circulating album of the Club, so that country members may be able to see what will be to them something in the way of a curiosity in photographic work and until quite recently commonly supposed to be quite unattainable.



January 1907  Page 23 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

On 20th November 1906, our old friend and photographic enthusiast, Mr J.H. Harvey, gave a very interesting and instructive lecturette descriptive of the Blue Mountains, NSW, Mr Harvey, dwelt greatly on the great skill shown in constructing the railway line on the mountains and by means of fine slides, vividly portrayed the many difficulties which had to be overcome. He also showed the natural wonders and beauties of the district and truly made us envious of our NSW brother photographers who had so much that was beautiful at their very doors. Our Victorian Government is still very dormant in regard to similar beauty spots in Victoria, viz., the Grampian Mountains; but some day there will be a wake up and facilities will be given for getting to them. Some of our members have visited them and showed that they compare very favorably even with the beautiful Blue Mountains that the lecturer so ably spoke of. On the 4th of December we had another bumper house to hear the Rev. Alex. Gordon's account of his bicycle trip through Scotland. Many of us were aware of the great natural beauties of the place, but when they were shown in colors on the screen and described by one who had seen them and by one who was a born poet and elocutionist you may imagine how interesting the lecturette was. This lecturette was the last of the year and we close until the 12th of February 1907, so we cannot finish up better than by wishing you Mr Editor and all our kindred societies a bright and prosperous new year for 1907.



20th March 1907  Page 70 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Once more we have started our usual meetings and demonstrations and opened the year with a fine attendance of members and friends to hear Mr D. Le Sonif C.M.Z.S., give an account of his trip to Mallacoota Inlet, at the extreme eastern end of Victoria. Mr Le Sonif kept us fully interested by his description of the country traversed and also by the numerous slides of the scenery and the natural history objects, chiefly birds, met with and thus clearly showed the immense advantage a knowledge of photography is to anyone who wishes to give others an account of a trip in a new country. We have started the year well with many new members and all our old ones keep their interest with the Club, so we still move on.

On Tuesday 26th February, a very large attendance of members assembled in the fine lecture room, pertaining to the School of Photography, to listen to Mr James Acti's lecture on "Carbon Work". Needless to say, as Mr Acti is the instructor in photography in the Working Men's College, the lecture and practical demonstration was a perfect object lesson to all. The carbon process was described and all its advantages clearly brought out, for it seems to have few disadvantages and its ease of working practically demonstrated. Tissue, supports, negatives, home made actinometers, formulae and all the manipulations necessary were shown and explained, for by means of the powerful arc lamps used by Mr Acti in his "process" classes, several exposures were made and the tissue developed in the room and thus the only real trouble in carbon work, the exposure, was so clearly explained that most of those present saw it dissipated. Altogether, the lecture was the best we have had on carbon work, the most beautiful of all photographic processes.

Our Club sent two frames of work, 12 pictures in each frame, to the Northern Tasmanian Camera Club's Exhibition, for competition in the "clubs exhibit" and had the proud distinction of being awarded the first and second prizes.

On the 9th March, we had a "drag outing" and tea to Greensborough, a very pretty little hamlet of orchardists and farmers, some 16 miles from Melbourne. The several drags were filled and a most enjoyable day spent. The scenery on the whole is very fine, but too panoramic for the camera and the wind and light marred most of the beauty spots on the creek, still many plates were exposed. As this is our fourth outing this Club year, the attendance of members was a clear indication that the committee were wise in introducing "outings" as part of the year's syllabus.

Another very large attendance met on 12th March, to hear Mr C.B. Goslett's lecture on "Where to spend a pleasant holiday". He chose as his locality, Warburton and Healesville districts, which are both near Melbourne and by means of a splendid series of 80 slides, brought vividly before those present some very beautiful scenery. The lecture was very useful in showing that we Victorians have splendid scenery at our very doors, if our Government would only, like that of New South Wales, make it accessible. We have a splendid Tourist Bureau, on paper, therefore strangers can only go blindfolded to these splendid places, instead of being guided. Another thing pointed out by the lecturer was the manner in which the beauty spots were being destroyed, in order that a few shillings may be obtained for wood or water.



20th May 1907  Page 119 - The Australian Photographic Journal

The annual meeting of the Working Men's College Photographic Club, Melbourne, was held on Tuesday 7th May, when there was a good muster of members to take part in the election of officers and hear the balance sheet and annual report read. The Hon.Secretary called for pictures for inclusion in the Club exhibit for East Malvern Club competition. Two new members were nominated. At the conclusion of the election several slides were were run through the lantern to give members a chance of trying their slides. Prints of Greensborough outing competition were exhibited and the winners were: 1st, Mr J. Robertson; 2nd, Mr Hayles. In the competition "for the most humorous and grotesque picture from life", Mr Peterson secured first place and Mr A.A. Bishop second.

A rough draft of the syllabus was placed before the meeting, Professor Kernot, of the Melbourne University, heading off with a lecture on "Ballooning", 4th June 1907.

ANNUAL REPORT

The Committee have great pleasure in presenting the 16th annual report and balance sheet of the Club for years 1906-07. During the year just passed, the Club has been truly a l.ive one, as the illustrated lectures have been the means of drawing crowded houses at nearly all of our open meetings, when the members have the privilege of bringing their friends who enjoy the lantern shows provided by the Club. The Club has made 20 new members during the year, some of whom have been regular attendants at the meetings. Our work meetings and demonstrations on various photographic work has been well attended, the members being able to gather very valuable hints on the various processes and thereby turn out better work themselves, with less trouble and with much less expense. We have had 10 illustrated lectures given by very able gentlemen and embracing travels by themselves in Northern Queensland, Switzerland, Paris, Egypt, Scotland, Blue Mountains (NSW) and various parts of Victoria, at all of which excellent slides have been shown, thus proving the many uses of the camera to the tourist. Amongst the many subjects treated at at work meetings were the following: "Lantern Slide Making and Coloring", "Color Sensitive Plates", "Flower Photography", "Carbon Work", "Lantern Working and Discussion", "Genre v. Portraiture", all of which subjects induced a good number of members to join in general discussion and thereby improve their knowledge in general photographic pastimes. The work meetings being open to members only should induce all of those entering the ranks of the amateur to become members of one or other of the many photography clubs. The Committee would welcome visitors from the adjoining States to any of their meetings and would be pleased to give any of its members letters of introduction to kindred societies when they are traveling. A special feature of the past year's Club competition has been Saturday afternoon outings, all of which have been thoroughly enjoyable in every way, members having the opportunity of becoming better acquainted with one another and also of competing for the prizes offered at each outing. The successful competitors during the past year were Messrs. Hayles, Serle, Jackson, Relph, Smith, Read, Grunow, Brown, Robertson, Bishop and Miss Thomson. Then in the Northern Tasmania Club we were immensely successful, taking both 1st and 2nd prizes for Club exhibit of 12 pictures, thus winning both silver and bronze medals. We are pleased to say several of our members have won trophies in various outside competitions during the year, thereby winning laurels for our Club. The Committee trust that during the coming year the lectures and demonstrations will be as well attended as in the past, the work meetings being especially useful to all active workers and the open meetings or lectures a source of pleasure for them and their friends. We tender our thanks to the College authorities, lecturers, demonstrators, photographic press and donors of prizes for their help during the past year.



20th June 1907  Page 144 - The Australian Photographic Journal

Members and friends of the Working Men's College Photographic Club had a real good time on Tuesday 4th June, when the President of the Club, Professor Kernot, related his experience of ballooning while in Paris, at the time of the Paris Exhibition. The lecturer also gave the audience a very complete account of the progress made in balloon building and the building of various flying machines since the time of first inventions in that line about 1783, when the first ascent was made in France. The Professor had some very good slides representing various flying machines, some of which looked anything but safe to travel in. At the close of the lecture, Mr F.A. Campbell moved a vote of thanks, which was accorded the lecturer.

The members of the Club met for their first outing this year on Saturday 8th June, at the Melbourne Zoo and had a good time making pictures of animals.

The next lecture will be on Tuesday 2nd July, when Mr Barachi, Government Astronomer, will give one, "The Application of Photography in Astronomy".



20th July 1907  Page 168 - The Australian Photographic Journal

On Tuesday 2nd July, members and friends of the Working Men's College Photographic Club were favored with a most instructive and interesting lecture by Mr Baracchi, Government Astronomer of Victoria. The lecture was entitled "The Application of Photography in Astronomy" and was in the hands of a most capable gentleman. Mr Barachi had many slides showing the machines at the Observatory to record astronomical readings and explained what an important part photography played in recording all earthquake shocks, etc., a roll of bromide paper being used in each machine and worker automatically, it registered all changes in windage, etc. Then on Tuesday 9th July, Mr Hayles demonstrated to members the working of "Bromo-Carbon", this being applying carbon surface to carbon prints, this being able to obtain any colors usually worked by carbon on to the face of any bromide print with very little trouble. The whole operation takes very little time to accomplish. This should prove a great boon to amateur photographers who, as a rule, make all their prints at night, having very little time to devote to the pastime in daytime. Our conversazione will take place on Tuesday 30th July, at the Continental Cafe, Swanston-street, Melbourne.

PIETRO PAOLO GIOVANNI ERNESTO BARACCHI
Born 1851 Florence, Italy
Died 1926 Melbourne
GOVERNMENT ASTRONOMER VICTORIA

PIETRO BARACCHI, ASTRONOMER (1851-1926)

Born in Florence, Italy, Pietro Baracchi studied mathematics and astronomy, then took a degree in civil engineering. He worked briefly as an engineer in the Italian Army before leaving Italy in 1876 with two friends to try their luck in the Antipodes. After failing to find work in New Zealand, they sailed on to Melbourne and within a few weeks the three had all found appointments with the Victorian Government. Baracchi worked briefly as an assistant at Melbourne Observatory before spending three years as a draftsman with his friends in the Department of Lands and Survey.

Baracchi was selected by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery in 1882 to participate in a project to more accurately determine the longitudes of Australian observatories. This was essential for tying together survey work in the different colonies and calculating the position of the observatories compared to Greenwich Observatory. Baracchi then returned to the Observatory as the assistant astronomer in charge of the Great Melbourne Telescope, and took over as Government Astronomer when Ellery retired in 1895.

Baracchi worked hard to extract the funds from the government for the continued production and publication of the astrographic, magnetic and meteorological data. But, while there were often a dozen temporary staff doing this work, the permanent staff of the observatory remained small.

Never very interested in the meteorological work established by Ellery, Baracchi supported the view that the new Commonwealth Government should take over this work. But this left the Observatory with a reduced rationale and most importantly took away the most public aspect of its work. In 1910 Baracchi led a small group of astronomers to select a site for an astronomical observatory to be funded by the Commonwealth Government, and they established a trial observatory at Mount Stromlo, near the future site of Canberra.

A dapper, well-dressed man, married to a wealthy woman, Baracchi moved easily in social circles. In 1897 he received an Italian knighthood and was often known henceforth as Commendatore. After his wife's death, he lived in a grand old hotel in St Kilda and upon retiring visited Europe for two years before returning to live in the Melbourne Club.






21st October 1907  Page 243 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

On the 17th September, we had one of the finest of practical demonstrations of three color photography, by Mr J. Petterson. The process was traced up from its start to the present day and by means of the lantern and carefully prepared slides, the building up of color by reflected light and also by transmitted light, was very clearly shown in a popular way. Needless to say, it was a revelation to those present to see black and white made up before their eyes, by means of red, yellow, blue, etc., and very great credit is due to Mr Patterson for the time and trouble taken by him in showing it in such an untechnical manner, suitable for a mixed audience. The evening was brought to a close by showing on the screen slides in natural colors, made direct from nature. Sunsets, landscapes, flowers, buildings, etc., just as the eye would see them and thus our art progresses.

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

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

ART of PHOTOGRAPHY
EXHIBITION of PICTURES

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

The various awards were:
Gold Medal for Best Picture in Exhibition - E.C. Joshua (East Malvern Club).
Silver Medal for Second Best Picture - E.C. Joshua.

Victorian Photographic Affiliation  Inter Club Competition - Bronze Plaque for Best Set of Six Pictures

Photographic Association of Victoria, 1st;
Working Men's College Photographic Club, 2nd;
Clifton Hill Amateur Photographic Club, 3rd.

Trophy, Valued at £15/15/-, as Special Prize for the Winning Picture in the Genre Class - Mrs Wm. Smith.
Landscape, seascape and River Scenery - W.C. Fisher, 1; J.P. Campbell, 2.
Portraits, Harold Cazneaux (Sydney), 1 and 2.
Genre - Mrs Wm. Smith, 1; W.J.C. Cowper, 2.
Architecture - Mrs. Wm. Smith, 1; E.A. Bray, 2.
Animal Study - J.T. Stephens, 1; Norman C. Deck (Sydney), 2.
Stereoscope Work. - Wm. Morey (Sydney), 1; H.E. Kennedy, 2.
Lantern slides.- W. Howieson, 1; P.H. Williams (Adelaide), 2.
Transparencies. - W.J. Edwards, 1; R.W. Harvie, 2.



Monday 3rd May 1909  Page 9 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE CLUB

The annual photographic exhibition of the Working Men's College Photographic Club was opened at Bradshaw's chambers on Saturday by Mr J.A. Campbell, the director of the college and president of the Club. These exhibitions have been held since 1892. and have now attained a standard of excellence that is usually associated with professional work. Retouching and "faking"; the besetting weaknesses of the amateur, are conspicuous by their absence and there is generally in evidence an artistic appreciation of the effect of line and mass, as against that tiresome reproduction of mere detail that was characteristic of the old time photograph.

Mr R. Porteous and Mr R. Harvie, who were the judges, made the following awards:

Best Picture - "A Winter's Evening," J. Williams.
Class A Landscape - 1, A Winter's Evening by J. Williams; 2, The Valley at Sunset by A.A. Bishop; 3, River Mist by James P. Campbell.
Class B Seascape - 1, A Foggy Morning by E.L. Brown; 2, Fisherman's Nook by James V, Campbell; 3. Landing by A. J. Campbell.
Class C Child Study - 1, Study by Miss Agnes Thomson; 2, Study by Miss Agnes Thomson; 3, Dick by A.A. Bishop,
Class D Postcards - 1, J.B. Hayles; 2, J. Glover and A.A. Bishop, equal.
Class E Enlargement on "Paget" - 1, Our River by A.A. Bishop.
Class F Animals or Birds - 1, A Pastoral by E.A. Bray; 2, Dinner Time by James P. Campbell.
Class G Enlargement on "Rotograph" - 1, The Erskine, Lorne by A.A. Bishop; 2, The Crossing by A.A. Bishop.
Class H Three Prints on "Coralyte" - 1, A.A. Bishop; 2, J. Williams.



22nd January 1910  Page 32 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

December and January our syllabus reads: College closed and members take their annual holiday". There will, however, be a meeting to select the Club exhibit for the Australian Natives Association Exhibition to be held next month. inter-Club competitions are very popular and members can put their shoulders to the wheel in the interests of their Club.

They also help to bring the workers along. To overcome any difficulty as to the merit of the work, a difficulty that often arises when any one individual selects from the parcel submitted, members are invited to bring in their pictures and the selection will be made by ballot at the meeting.

There are several good workers and this may apply to all clubs who are somewhat timid and take too seriously the remarks of the expert critic. Far better it would be for them to submit their work for open competition. The critic, in may cases, is not a worker; in others, a "has-been". Sometimes he might be termed a "connoisseur". However his ideas damp the ardor of the worker and destroy, in may cases, the individuality; for the simple reason he is not in sympathy with work he does not understand, can always find room for improvement and generally winds up by suggesting some impossibility. The very liberal prize list offered by the Australian Natives Association, consisting of six gold medals and diplomas, besides a diploma for each member of the Club set that wins, should induce interstate workers to compete.

Being held by the Australian Natives Association, in conjunction with the Victorian Photographic Affiliation, is sufficient guarantee to all pictorialists of a warm welcome, a fair field and no favor.

The Club held a drag outing at Eltham to finish up the old year, a year full of progress. And to all their brethern shadow catchers send a hearty greeting, wishing them the compliments of the season.



22nd February 1910  Page 62 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

At the Australian Natives Association Exhibition, now being held, the Club was kept well to the fore through the agency of Messrs. A.J. Campbell and E. Bray, who scored three out of nine awards made. This is the first Exhibition held by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation under section "A Pictorial", which does not classify, but embraces all classes of work. The verdict of the judges was a great victory for the coastal pictures, eight receiving awards, including three gold medals, one award going to landscape work. Admitting that each class will have its supporters and that the awarding of the prizes becomes but a matter of personal preference, it is questionable whether it is not more desirable to classify work, especially when there are a number of prizes to be awarded. Six gold medals were placed at the disposal of the judges, but they only considered three pictures worthy of the honor. This decision is considered very unjust by the members of the Club who exhibited, also by workers of other Clubs and will have the effect of altering several of the rules that govern exhibitions here at present. The following alterations are proposed and Club members are unanimous in supporting them. That the judges shall consist of photographers only. That the pictures having been passed by a selection committee, the judges shall not have power to withhold any award. That in all inter-Club competitions the work shown must be the work of the year. The Club propose holding a motor launch outing early in March, including the usual outing competition and we are all looking forward to the good time coming.



22nd March 1910  Page 93 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Owing no doubt to climatic influences the attendance at Mr G. Beck's lecture on "Dictromic Stereoscopic Photography" was hardly up to expectations. Those who did attend, however were well rewarded with a very interesting and instructive evening.

On 8th March, Mr J.B. Hayles entertained the CLub members with some reminiscences of his trip to the Norwegian Fjords, showing some admirable slides, of which a large number, apart from their entertaining interest, conveyed a lesson both educative and instructive to all. Mr Hayles proved himself to be a very observant traveler and a past master in the art of slide making.

Members will join in a "Plate Developing" contest on the 22nd inst., the prize to be a box of plates. They are all requested to bring along their pet developer.

The contest has been introduced by the committee for experimental purposes and the results are expected to greatly benefit the beginner in search of pictorial experiences.

Members are requested not to bring "Sulphide Toner" in place of developer. As silence is essential during the contest, effervescent language, no matter how eulogistic, will not be tolerated (if heard). Finger stalls are not provided by the committee and members must euphemise if their handkerchiefs are requestioned. A most enjoyable evening is anticipated.



23rd May 1910  Page 157 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The annual report and balance sheet for 1908-09 was presented and the members were congratulated on the continued progress of the Club. The membership roll topped the century, the finances are sound and the balance is on the right side of the ledger. The final returns in connection with the exhibition and social held at the end of the last financial year proved that the undertaking had turned out more satisfactory than we had anticipated. The attendance at the exhibition numbered 240 and no less than 70 members and friends attended the social and spent a most enjoyable evening. To Mr Sheehan is due the thanks of the members for the excellent program arranged by him for the occasion. The chief factor contributing to this successful issue was undoubtedly the energetic work put in by the Hon.Secretary, who entered into the undertaking in a whole souled way to make the show as a one Club effort the most complete held here, and he succeeded.

The year's outings were satisfactory and an appeal by the Photographic Societies of Italy for subscriptions towards a work published in aid of the Messina and Reggio earthquake sufferers was readily and liberally responded to. At the Dresden Exhibition eight of the 32 pictures sent from Melbourne were placed on the line and the Club had the honor of claiming six of the successful exhibitors as members. The Club was represented at the Australian Natives Association Exhibition and in an Inter-Club Lantern Slide competition conducted by the Victorian Photographic Affiliation. The thanks of the members are due to the College Authorities and to the gentlemen who helped them at their lectures, etc. The syllabus for the coming year embodied exceptionally good things and the Australian Photographic journals were courteously referred to.



22nd June 1910  Page 191 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr J. Petersen started the "Photographic New Year" with a demonstration on mount cutting, trimming, etc. He also showed the members several contrivances, home made, but none the less effective, to facilitate the work. During the intervals melody was provided by the phonograph, soul-stirring at times. One record greatly enjoyed by the married men, to say nothing of the others, was entitled, "In The Little Shirt My Mother Made For Me".

On 2nd June, Mr E.W. Purton gave a lecture to a crowded house on "Beauty Spots of Old England", showing some magnificent lantern slides, made by the collodion emulsion process. THe Club scored heavily in the "Marion Plate competition", the gold medal and the landscape award going to Mr J. Williams, portraits, being won by Mr E.L. Brown, the same worker taking second prize in seascapes, our Hon.Secretary (Mr A. Bishop) securing second in Portraits.

The Victorian Photographic Affiliation have generously invited Interstate Clubs to enter the inter-Club competition for Mrs Wm. Smith's handsome trophy, value £15/15/- and the response has been very liberal, N.S.W., South Australia, North and South Tasmania, Victoria, with just a chance New Zealand coming in. A real live inter-Club go. This will the dandy competition of Australia and make no mistake about it, it will take winning too.



Monday 4th July 1910  Page 8 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic)

An attractive little exhibition of amateur photography is now open at the Photographic Association rooms, 57 Swanston street. It has arisen out of the interstate Club competition for Mrs William Smith's Ravenswood trophy, a handsome plaque which has been won by the Photographic Society of New South Wales with a very taking group, consisting of six panels amongst which "A Summer's Dream" by E. Edwards, "Evening at Hornsby" by Harold Cazneaux and "A Whispering Wavelet" by Norman C. Deck, may be noted as illustrating the purpose of photography and its ability when rightly manipulated and put unrestrainedly to correct use, to create attractive and pleasing results. The second prize fell to the Working Men's College Photographic Club, with a group of six. "A Foggy Morn", "Sunlight Playground" and "Homeward through the Sand Dunes", standing out for technical qualities A quaint study has been sent by Mr A.J.Payne, of Albury, with the title of "A Mile a Minute", showing two handsome collies sitting upright in a motor, a difficult plate to treat successfully. Clifton Hill, East Malvern, Kapunda (South Australia) and South Tasmanian clubs also contribute a number of clever prints.



Tuesday 5th July 1910  Page 2 - The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times (Albury, NSW)

There is at present an attractive little exhibition of amateur photography at the Photographic Association rooms in Melbourne. It has arisen out of the inter State Club competition for Mrs William Smith's Ravenswood trophy, a handsome plaque, which has been won by the Photographic Society of New South Wales with a very taking group, consisting of six panels, amongst which "A Summer's Dream" by E. Edwards, "Evening at Hornsby" by Harold Cazneaux and "A Whispering Wavelet" by Norman C. Deck, may be noted as illustrating the purpose of photography and its ability, when rightly manipulated and put unrestrainedly to correct use, to create attractive and pleasing results. The second prize fell to the Working Men's College Photographic Club, with a group of six, "A Foggy Morn", "Sunlight Play ground" and "Homeward through the Sand Dunes", standing out for technical qualities. A quaint study has been sent by Mr A.J. Payne, of Albury, with the title of "A Mile a Minute", showing two handsome collies sitting upright in a motor a difficult plate to treat successfully. Clifton Hill, East Malvern, Kapunda (South Australia) and South Tasmanian clubs also contribute a number of clever prints.



22nd July 1910  Page 222 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

A very interesting and practical demonstration on various photographic subjects was given by Mr A.E. Wallcott in the Lecture Hall. Starting with Actinometers, he used ordinary P.O.P. exposed in a similar manner to the test slips used in the "Imperial" exposure meters.

He advocated and made for his own use liquid color filters for ortho work and tested their light-resisting qualities by exposing a plate with screens, then stopping down and exposing another without, developing both plates at the same time. Speaking of bromide paper, he did not consider it capable of rendering the correct scale of tones, neither was it able to bear comparison with the old plain salted paper and printing out methods for artistic effects.

Regarding pictorial work, Mr Wallcott said a good way to test the merits of a picture was to turn it upside down and study the massing from this point of view, the balance, composition, light and shade, etc. See that the shadows repeat the high-lights and that the lines of the picture lean towards and are necessary to the principal object. A good picture would hold together in perfect harmony. How to use a swing back was amongst several other interesting items shown. Members accorded the demonstrator a hearty vote of thanks.

On 5th July, Mr A.J. Relph gave a lecture on a "Trip to Buffalo". He fairly excelled himself on this occasion and the slides, illustrating the lecture, were of fine quality, well selected and diversified.

It was a delightfully entertaining evening and Mr A.J. Relph well merited the genuine applause at the close.

               

ACTINOMETER

22nd August 1910  Page 254 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr A.A. Bishop's demonstration was on "Carbon Work" and was very successful. For sensitizing tissue he considered a 3 per cent., bichromate bath the most useful. In winter the tissue could be dried before the fire. Quick drying had no ill-effects whatever in damp weather, the tissue collecting enough moisture from the atmosphere to be flattened out and put under pressure a few minutes after. He did not favor the spirit sensitizer for the beginner, it being too unreliable and tricky for any but an expert. He demonstrated both the single and double transfer process and handed round for inspection some nice wattle studies on opal, done in sepia on a bright yellow support. At the conclusion members expressed their appreciation.

Messrs. C.R. Du Rieu and J. Williams were elected to represent the Club on the Victorian Photographic Affiliation Council.



22nd September 1910  Page 284 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

At the last worker's meeting the evening was devoted to a lantern slide competition, workers contributing some seventy odd slides for the show. It was left to the audience to draw their own conclusions as to which they considered the best and the choice fell to Mr J.B. Hayles, whose work carried off first and second awards.

On Saturday afternoon the Club held a most enjoyable competition outing at Williamstown, followed by a tea, at which members showed their friends (with a confidence bred of long and varied experience) their ability to clear dry plates without hypo.

To show their respect and appreciation for Mr Jas. Albi on his retiring from the position of Hon.Instructor to the Club, the members presented him with a very handsomely bound volume. Mr Albi, in acknowledging the presentation, expressed a wish that the Club should remember that his services were always available and would be willingly given for its welfare and that he was pleased to say he still remained a member.

During the month two highly instructive and entertaining lectures were given - "A Tour in Spain and Tangier", by Mr J.W. Eggleston and "A Visit to Queensland", by Mr D. Le Souef. Both lectures were greatly appreciated and enjoyed by large audiences.



24th November 1910  Page 352 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The first "Drag Outing" for the season was held at Heidelberg and proved very enjoyable, woodlands and stream providing workers with some fine opportunities to show their ability in the art of picture making. Two fine demonstrations have been given during the month. "The Making of Lantern Slides", by Mr A.J. Relph and "Telephoto Photography", by Mr J.B. Hayles. The Club also had a special attraction on the syllabus on 8th November, a lecture by Mr A. Mattingly, "The Islands of Bass Strait", illustrated with cinematograph pictures. The apparatus was very kindly supplied and controlled by Messrs. Harringtons Ltd. An item in special favor with the members will arrive on 3rd December to wind up the Club's photographic year. A grand drag outing takes place at Black Rock and with the excellent tea which follows helps materially to finish up a successful and enjoyable season.



22nd December 1910  Page 382 - The Australian Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The last Club meeting for this year was held at the College on the 22nd November, there being a good attendance of workers to see the English Lantern slides.

While there is, naturally, great differences in point and power of interpretation between the English and Australian work, members were not slow to appreciate the brilliancy of the technique of the visiting set; nor could they help but admire the soft, dainty treatment of some of the landscape and genre work and enjoy the strong and vigorous rendering of others. One point forced itself on workers, that was the delightful misty atmosphere that surrounded the landscapes, etc., and helped to give a result that is hardly ever obtainable in our glorious sunny country. Perhaps that is why we admire it. Would we, or should we, envy. I think not. Let our work be that of sunshine and brightness, combined with this technique, simplicity, brightness of purpose and our work will be as much sought after and enjoyed by our English brethren, as theirs is now by the Australian workers who are privileged to see it.

Before the meeting closed, a selection of slides by the South Australian and Kapunda Clubs was put through the lantern and much appreciated.



22nd February 1911  Page 109 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Owing to the unavoidable absence of Dr. Murray in Tasmania, Mr J.H. Harvey kindly undertook the opening lecture for the year 1911. The subject chosen was "Tasmania and the West Coast".

Mr Harvey gave his audience a very interesting and instructive account of a journey taken through the island some years ago, profusely illustrating the lecture with lantern slides and reminiscences, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. The evening closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Harvey, who had put aside other engagements and had come forward at a moment's notice, in order not to disappoint club members and friends.

A letter was received from the Victorian Affiliation Council, announcing the Annual Club Competitions, to be held in June next.

The Hon.Secretary announced that he was prepared to receive lantern slides from members for insertion in the set which is to be forwarded to England by the Affiliation.

Mention was also made and members reminded to prepare for the Club's Exhibition to be held in Melbourne in April next and for which a very handsome prize list has been made available.



22nd March 1911  Page 167 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

A demonstration on Stereoscopic Photography was given by Mr J. Glover to members at the College. In dealing with this work, he said it was most important that the exposure given to all classes of subjects should be ample, on no account must it be curtailed. "Full and plenty" was his motto; fast plates were requisite and as large a stop as possible for good definition.

That bright sunshine was at a discount compared with diffused lighting. That in developing, plates must be kept thin, but at the same time must be contrasty, bright and what the trade call sparkling. That pyro soda was a suitable developer, with a liberal allowance of bromide and finally that glossy P.O.P. was easily the best medium with which to win the adoration of your friends, or their profound revenge.

The judges award in connection with the Heidelberg outing, was in favor of Messrs. Relph and Sheehan, who tied for first place. A batch of 40 pictures has been handed in for the Black Rock outing. The competitions are enjoyable and keen. The work excellent. Altogether the club is in a very prosperous way. To give others a taste of their quality, Mr C.R. Du Rieu stirred up members, the round up resulting in the magnificent set of 64 lantern slides being handed to the Hon.Secretary of the Affiliation, as the Club's quota towards the collection to be sent to England.

On 7th March, Mr A.A. Bishop gave a lecture illustrating a holiday trip to Port Campbell, Moonlight Head and the Gelibrand River.



22nd April 1911  Page 228 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The Club's exhibition will be held on 27th May at Bradshaw's College, in Flinders-street and the committee have decided to increase the prize list by adding to all classes on the prospectus, a second prize to the value of 10s.

The Club also offers a Special prize value £2/2/- for the best landscape. This class is open to all amateurs and will be held under the Victorian Photographic Affiliation rules.

To a large audience on 4th April, Dr. H.L. Murray gave a very interesting illustrated lecture, entitled "A World's Tour".

The fascinating process of lantern slide making was the center of attraction at the last workers meeting and a very interesting competition as to the best shown on the screen took place, 120 slides started in the contest and a spirited go resulted in a great finish. Victory resting with Mr J.B. Hayles, popular fancy, "Fitzroy Gardens", second place filled by Mr F. Smith.



Tuesday 13th June 1911  Page 8 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

The Working Men's College Photographic Club held an exhibition of their work during the past year on Saturday, in Bradshaw's Business College, Flinders-street. Many of the pictures shown were of considerable artistic merit. A fine landscape of the Yarra by Mr A.A. Bishop missed a prize in some unaccountable manner and two brown prints by Mr E.L. Brown, "Nature Study" and "A Hazy Afternoon", which seemed to have excellent tone and quality, were beaten by another by the same photographer ("Little Dock") which did not strike one as nearly as good. Miss E.J. Kennedy showed a fine study with her "Path to the Beach" and in the open class the "Old Oak", a handled print, was an excellent example of what some knowledge of artistic manipulation can do for the plain statement of fact usually observed in photography. The judges (Messrs. E.C. Joshua, R. Harvie and S. Handyside) had no light task picking the best from so good a collection.



22nd June 1911  Page 349 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The following are the results of a recent Saturday Afternoon Competition outing, when the members journeyed to the Kodak Works at Abbotsford: First, Mr Roberts; second, Mr Bishop; third, Miss Bearpark; fourth, Mr Peterson; fifth, Mr Bishop.

The whole of the prints included the Kodak Works and were very excellent from a photographic standard.

This Club's exhibition was held at Bradshaw's College on the 10th June. Notwithstanding the adverse elements, the attendance was large and the exhibition, both artistically and socially, a success.

THe work in the Club section was very fine and included pictures by some of the best amateur and professional photographers in Victoria. The judges made the following awards: Class A: Best picture, any subject or process - Mr E.L. Brown, "Little Dock". Class B: Enlargements, Bromide - Messrs. B. Giles and J. Williams. Class C: Landscapes - Messrs. H.E. Kennedy and J.P. Campbell. Class D: Best Six Prints - J.P. Campbell and A.A. Bishop. Class E: Ladies Competition - Miss L. Edwards and Miss N. Reed. Class F: Stereoscopic - Messrs. J.P. Campbell and H.E. Kennedy. Club's Outing Section: A.J. Relph and A.A. Bishop. Special Open Landscape (Amateurs only): O.H. Coulson.



22nd June 1911  Page 349 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

A dozen or so of the Club members, by invitation, paid a visit to the Observatory on a recent evening. It was a beautiful night, clear and cold. In the Observatory it felt colder still and while some of the members gazed in awe and wonder at the glow and glories of the celestial bodies, others of your number saw the glow in the heavens only, but felt it not and for the time being longed for another place where it was a little warmer, home.

Our Club did not win the Inter-Club Contest, it was placed last. A rather amusing position to be placed in, seeing that one-third of the pictures in the winning set (the Victorian Photographic Association) had already been exhibited as the work of members of the Working Men's College Photographic Club at our exhibition in June last. Under the circumstances we cannot begrudge the Association their success and congratulate them accordingly which, perhaps, is unnecessary, the honor being sufficient.

The first outing for the season was held on the 5th August, when the Club members journeyed by drags to Black Rock.

During the month Messrs. J. Aebi and Robert Harvie entertained the Club with lecture and demonstration. Mr Harvie's demonstration on Lantern Slides was greatly appreciated. He showed with the aid of the lantern, the process and effect of coloring, bleaching and toning and how variety can be obtained by altering the developer and time of exposure.

Melbourne Observatory after 1874

                       

Left: Great Melbourne Telescope circa 1870                                                      Right: Great Melbourne Telescope circa 1885

22nd September 1911  Page 531 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The Black Rock outing competition resulted in a win for Mr G.E. Roberts, Miss Kennedy second and Mr H.E. Kennedy third. The day was not favorable for photography and the views taken were really good.

The committee have decided that all competition pictures taken during the present year shall be judged as to order of merit by the members votes and that points shall be alloted the successful work by a special committee.

The club had an opportunity to critically survey the lantern slides that are to be sent to England by the Victorian Affiliation Council. Through the electric lantern the set was shown at its best and the slides are about equally divided between the educational and the artistic. There are some charming landscapes, several pictures of bush and country life and a couple of good genre and natural history subjects; the whole being finished off with a group of Australian Aborigines, whose sleek appearance may possibly upset the equilibrium of any faint-hearted intending emigrant who may happen to see them. Several of the best Victorian workers have refrained from submitting slides and knowing the quality of their work, the set unfortunately seems far from complete and does not represent to the full degree the class of work done here.

During the month Mr A.J. Relph delivered one of his characteristic and entertaining lectures, the subject being "The Grampian Mountains, Victoria".



22nd November 1911  Page 658 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

A large audience attended to hear Dr. Murray lecture on London, which proved very successful; the fine slides shown of the important sights in old England reviving pleasant memories and longings to many present.

The Hon.Secretary placed before the committee the balance sheet for the last Club Exhibition, showing that the receipts just managed to square the accounts.

During the month the members held an enjoyable evening competition developing plates and paper. Messrs. Kodak Ltd., kindly supplied material through the agency of Mr Du Rieu; it was keenly contested and the prize also supplied by Messrs. Kodak Ltd., was won by Mr H.E. Kennedy.

Each competitor was handed a plate, which on development turned out to be underexposed, when developed a bromide print had to be taken off. The game was full of pitfalls to the unwary; several of the members omitted to clean the negatives, while others placed the dry paper behind the wet negative, the result in both cases spoilt any chance they had of winning, the water blobs showing distinctly on all the prints, where the negatives had not been cleaned and greasy looking patches on the paper when it had not been soaked before placing in contact with the wet film.

The winner coaxed his picture up by passing his warm fingers over the plate when developing and being an old-stager at the game kept on quietly adding points by care and knowledge, until the task was completed and the picture placed before the judge.



22nd December 1911  Page 725 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr J.P. Campbell, one of the most esteemed members of the Club, has been appointed Government Photographer. He is a good clubman, an able and artistic worker and we wish our comrade good luck.

The Club's all-day outing at Eltham was only moderately attended, being held on Melbourne Cup Day and no doubt the sporting instincts of the majority led them elsewhere. Those who did attend enjoyed a good ramble round inspecting the various beauty spots that abound almost anywhere in woodland. This is one of the charms of our hobby or sport, we see nature in the ground glass all aglow, vibrating with color and life and while we enjoy this sense of beauty our mind's eyes see still further, the possibility underlying the color scheme. We consider the picture as it were in repose, a composition of light and shade, masses of sunlight and shadow and strive to the best of our ability to capture this spirit of the woods, this scene that holds us spellbound.

The plate is exposed, but the pleasure lasts. Until development we live in anticipation, in hope and fear and then we realize perhaps that we shall have to try again and yet again before we win and we gladly refill the slides for we know full well the enjoyment we seek and find, in our Queen of Hobbies, Photography.



22nd February 1912  Page 63 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd February 1912  Page 105 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

The first meeting for this year took place on the 6th February. There is little to chronicle in the way of news. The extra-ordinary hot weather we have been experiencing over here had the effect of upsetting all calculations. Several novelties that would have been shown have been held over until the next meeting.

Delegates were appointed to wait on the Railway Commissioners, with a view to obtaining concessions for traveling photographers. The rest of the evening was devoted to placing the pictures received for the last two outings competitions and exchange of ideas on various topics by members.



22nd March 1912  Page 95 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd March 1912  Page 171 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

During the month Mr Gregson entertained with a lecture entitled "Mistakes", showing the members the different results obtained by bad lighting, also wrongful use of backgrounds. A controversy ensued among the audience as to the correct mode of procedure when dealing with still life subjects, some being in favor of the object being close to the background, while others preferred it some distance away; although some versatile opinions were expressed on the subject, it was generally agreed that to obtain detail and relief, side, or three-quarter lighting was the best with the background close up.

The committee consider that the Club does not occupy the position it should in Builder Three Draper Thursday, Club competitions and have appointed a selection committee to classify all work sent in with a view of improving the sets for future exhibitions.

Arrangements were completed for the Club's drag outing and competition, to be held at Templestowe.

The Hon.Secretary, Mr Roberts, also helped to keep things moving with an entertaining lantern evening on the beauty spots of Lorne.

Preceding the Hon.Secretary's lecture, several of the latest novelties, including Messrs. Harringtons Ltd., new gaslight paper "Brillyte" were distributed among the members, who all expressed their appreciation at being able to test the merits of this well known production through the courtesy of the firm and manager.



22nd May 1912  Page 163 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd May 1912  Page 285 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

An innovation that was an impromptu success in the shape of a "Paragraph" night was introduced at the last Club meeting and as I have not previously seen it on the syllabus of photographic clubs the modus operandi may be of interest to other societies. The idea was for members to bring some interesting or original paragraphs on photographic topics, which they did not do. However, the Hon.Secretary anticipated this and brought the paragraphs along for them, neatly enveloped. These were distributed to members to be opened and read by each and his views on the subject contained therein given for the benefit of all present. In every case, owing, no doubt, to the careful selection of subjects, a discussion ensued and all materially benefited by the opinions of others. There were several comic cuts included in the casket, mostly from the "Walrus", of "Photography and Focus" fame, whose jokes were lucidly explained by several of his admirers, for, or to, the enjoyment of the audience.

The Hon.Treasurer's financial statement for the year showed the Club with a credit balance of £5/10/- and the Hon.Secretary's report disclosed the fact that the membership roll numbers 130.



22nd June 1912  Page 192 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd June 1912  Page 340 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

"Enlargements and How to Make Them" was the subject at the last Worker's meeting. Mr A.J. Relph explained how to make one without a condenser by using ground glass for diffusing the light and burning about 7 inches of magnesia ribbon behind the negatives. To obtain satisfactory results, however, it was necessary to keep the ribbons about three inches from the plate and constantly on the move, or a streaky print would be the outcome.

An ordinary camera could be used, but the enlarging paper must be enclosed in a light proof frame, or box, to fir over the front. A ground glass could be fitted for focusing, if desired, at the back of the frame; but Mr Relph recommended a fixed focus, that is, a box made on the fixed focus principle and the picture not greater than 1/1 plate.

Mr J.B. Hayles advocated the use of a condenser and the making of a trial or pilot prints to see what modifications were necessary, before setting about making a large picture; very few negatives there were that could not be improved by a little dodging when printing and the pilot print would suggest alterations. He found that paper soaked in a 2 per cent. solution of bichromate potash would stand a much longer exposure to the light without over-exposing or fogging.

To focus sharply, a member present said the best way was to take a plate, expose it to the light, develop and fix it; when dry rule lines through the film with a knife; when placed in the enlarger all trouble with getting a sharp image would disappear.

The lantern committee have added a glycerin tank to the lantern, complaints having been made that the slides suffered from the heat of the electric light.



22nd July 1912  Page 398 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

At the annual meeting of the club a special vote of thanks was passed to the "Australasian Photo-Review" for its co-operation in inserting the reports of the club and also for supplying a copy of the magazine, which is much appreciated by the members.

The year just past has been very successful, the attendance at meetings being satisfactory and the interest well sustained.

Mr A.J. Woodley's lecture on "Canada and the Niagara Falls", given at the last social evening of the club was an immense success. The attendance packed the lecture hall and the lantern slides depicting the wonders of the country, together with the description of travel, charmed and delighted everyone present.

The lantern slide competition, which was billed for the last workers meeting, had to be postponed through lack of light on the subject, the all-needful electric not being available.



22nd August 1912  Page 259 - Harringtons Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr A.J. Woodley's lecture on "Canada and the Niagara Falls", given at the last social evening of the club, was an immense success. The attendance packed the lecture hall and the lantern slides depicting the wonders of the country, together with the description of travel, charmed and delighted everyone present.

The lantern slide competition, which was billed for the last worker's meeting had to be postponed, through lack of light on the subject, the all-needful electric being not available. The night was spent in discussing a letter received from the editor of "Photography", in which the writer asked for the suggestions of members as to how the paper could best cater for the requirements of Australian readers. Several ideas already received by the editor were embodied in the letter and a long debate ensued amongst the members on the subjects mentioned. Finally it was decided to reply, giving the opinions voiced at the meeting, also to send a selection of pictures, typically Australian if possible, from the Club.



23rd September 1912  Page 291 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd September 1912  Page 517 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr J.B. Hayles, demonstrating the making of stereoscopic transparencies, said that the class of negative suitable for this work must be soft and full of gradation; harsh negatives, or ones with strong sunlight effects, were not suitable and produced hard and unsatisfactory results. He used a much diluted developer and contended that he got a better result by so doing. Mr Hayles was also of opinion that the formula given on the English plate boxes was altogether too strong for the warm climate here and that modifications were necessary to counteract the different atmospheric conditions under which we work. Showing the members how to print and develop a transparency plate, he also explained the modus operandi of cutting and transferring stereoscopic prints. Touching, by the way, on lantern slide making, he showed how to obtain different colors by varying the strength of the developer; he did not believe in after toning or staining process, which led, in many cases, to unlooked-for troubles and disappointments.

On the 3rd September, Mr J. Shirlow favored the Club with a very chatty paper on pictorial composition, explaining the different art terms, triangles, circle, cross, etc., with the aid of diagrams. He illustrated his remarks showing the application of the principle to the picture, sketching some of the best works from the Art Gallery for the purpose.

Mr Shirlow also showed what balance and perspective meant and how to obtain them; where to place the principal object and high light and the reasons for so doing and many other items of great interest to the members.

After the lecture Mr Shirlow kindly criticized some photographs, showing their faults and how to improve them.After Messrs. Relph, Glover, Hayles and Williams had spoken their views on the subject, the meeting was brought to a close with a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer.



22nd November 1912  Page 355 - Harringtons Photographic Journal
22nd November 1912  Page 629 - The Australasian Photo-Review

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

During the month, Mr A.H.E. Mattingley favored the Club with one of his interesting lectures, "The Mysterious Mallee" being the subject, illustrated with many fine lantern slides.

The Saturday afternoon competition, held last month, of city street scenes, showing traffic in motion, brought forth a very disappointing entry, only three contributors forwarding work. There was a good muster of members. A handsome prize offered by Mr C. Du Rieu, vice-president of the Club and plenty of subjects available, so that the lack of interest shown by workers is most unaccountable. The judge's award placed Mr J.B. Hayles first, second going to Mr H.E. Kennedy. At the presentation, Mr Hayles spoke a few kindly words of encouragement to those members who had refrained from competing, impressing on them the advantage that was to be gained by sending along their work. The Hon.Secretary, Mr G.E. Roberts, also emphasized the fact that the outings were framed for the social enjoyment and the competitions for the mutual improvement, of all members. To show that the well-meant advice was duly appreciated by members, the Hon.Secretary had the pleasure of handing a batch of twenty prints to the judge for this month's outing held at Mordialloc.

At the last Club meeting, Mr Petersen instructed members on acetylene lighting, the appliances being all home made. A set of trays are flooded one by one, so that only a portion of the carbide need be used. A four burner light was obtained for three hours on 2lb. of carbide; the illuminant was suitable for enlarging and showing lantern slides. Mr Petersen concluded his remarks by an exhibition of lantern slides made from negatives taken at the last outing. The evening proved most instructive and enjoyable.



21st December 1912  Page 396 - Harringtons Photographic Journal

WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Mr J. Williams, demonstrating the gum bichromate process, at the College, said that he considered it one of the most artistic and cheapest of all photographic processes. There was no limit to the control that could be exercised over the print by the worker; all colors and surfaces were at his command and the finished print should be a reflex of the talent and mind of the man that made it. Furthermore, it was essentially an amateur's playground. It demanded time, care and skill and in return, to the successful worker, it gave a picture distinctive and distinguished, according unto the aesthetic individuality and ability displayed. Although simple to a degree, it was not a beginner's process. The art of negative making must have been learned, the fundamental laws governing picture making must be studied; then, when the worker felt and longed for a method of printing that he could control - that, being subservient in his hands, he could mold it so as to enable him to impress his work with the hallmark of his own existence - let him turn to the gum bichromate process and persevere until success crowned his efforts.

An innovation was tried at the last meeting, the judge undertaking to criticize the work sent in for the outing competition, the identity of the work being known only to the members who had submitted it.

The result proved highly satisfactory, members greatly appreciating the judge's remarks and suggestions and it is hoped, by a continuance of this policy, to assist and encourage the young workers and raise the standard from a pictorial point of view.

The final demonstration for the year was given by Mr T.G. Campbell, on the albumen process, showing how to float and sensitize the paper. He recommended the borax and soda acetate bath for toning, advising the members to keep the toning mixtures after use and strengthen when necessary by the addition of gold. Mr Campbell printed and toned paper sensitized six months ago at the College and advocated the storage of all sensitized paper, under pressure, in printing frames.

Before we begin our long vacation we desire to express our thanks to the editor for his kindness in publishing the Club's reports and notes and conclude by wishing all a merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.



Wednesday 28th April 1915  Page 2 - Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative (Vic.)

The death is announced of Mr A.J. Relph, officer in charge of the advertising branch of the Government Printing Office. He died last Thursday of an internal ailment, at 61 years of age.

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