© PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS OF AUSTRALIA


FORMED
27 SEPTEMBER 1952


NATURE COMPETITION 1954



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What is the VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES

Victorian Association of Photographic Societies is an organization, representing the interests of affiliated camera clubs in the State of Victoria. While recognizing and allowing for, significant differences in the approach and organization of its constituent clubs, Victorian Association of Photographic Societies seeks to represent the interests of Victorian photographers by providing them with a collective voice in matters of concern to the practice of photography in this State. Public liability insurance and accident insurance for voluntary work in all affiliated clubs is maintained.

Victorian Association of Photographic Societies is committed to the continuing improvement of photography and stimulates photographers through the conduct of an annual Convention in various locations around the State. On a scale beyond the resources of individual clubs, the Convention provides a venue for speakers, exhibitions, workshops, excursions, competitions and other presentations. The Convention also includes an annual dinner, allowing clubs to meet socially. In conjunction with the Convention, Victorian Association of Photographic Societies organizes a State-wide inter-club competition, and during the year there are other competitions. Victorian Association of Photographic Societies issues a regular newsletter and manages a registry of judges, while also providing training for judges. A system of awards for service and photographic skill provides recognition for excellence.



Tuesday 30th September 1952  Page 7 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

NEW CAMERA BODY FORMED
The Victorian Association of Photographic Societies was formed at a meeting of representatives from camera clubs in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sale and Healesville and members of city and suburban societies at the weekend.

Mr W. Broadhead (York Camera Shop), President of the Melbourne Camera Club, was elected President, Messrs. H.M. Connell (Ballarat) and N. Porter (Geelong) Vice Presidents, Mr N.B. Crouch (Melbourne Camera Club) Hon.Secretary, and Mr D. Lascelles (Victorian Photographic Society) Hon.Treasurer.

The association will arrange for photographic exhibitions and lectures throughout Victoria and inter-club competitions will be conducted.



Friday 17th October 1952  Page 23 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

At last all Victorian amateur camera clubs have joined together to form a Victorian Association of Photographic Societies. Formation of the association, urged by enthusiastic local amateurs ever since the end of the 1914-18 war, came about at a meeting of representatives of metropolitan and country camera clubs in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago.

Members from clubs at Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sale, and Healesville came to town to join in the discussion for co-ordinated camera efforts throughout Victoria. This is an event of huge importance to the amateur camera enthusiast. It means that city camera clubs will join forces in aiding their country counterparts through Inter-club competitions, sending portfolios of prints round the country and by an interchange of views and advice.

"The association will endeavor to stimulate the inter-club spirit and encourage all members to concentrate on pictorial photography as distinct from casual snapshotting", says Mr W. Broadhead, president of the Melbourne Camera Club, who has been elected president of the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies.

This association of camera clubs is by no means a new idea. A similar organization functioned very successfully here way back in 1907, under the title of the Victorian Federation of Camera Clubs.

The fact that its members roamed the countryside in search of photos with rather bulky equipment (mostly quarter-plate and half-plate field cameras, used on a tripod) in no way diminished the enthusiasm of these amateur photographers of 45 years ago. They set up their equipment, fired away on slow plates at f.64 and (as a camera club member remarked to me) "very often got much better pictures than we get today with our streamlined cameras and high-speed films". The outbreak of war in 1914 closed down this active camera club association.

The Melbourne Camera Club (established in 1891) and the Geelong Camera Club (established in 1890) continued to function separately and in 1936 they were joined by the Victorian Photographic Society.

Photographic work in the armed forces during World War II created a still greater stimulus, and when the war ended a whole new "army" of camera fans came into being. The work of the camera club thus takes on a new significance with so many "new" photographers to be advised and assisted. And, if you want to get the very best out of your camera instead of continuing to be a hit-or-miss snapshotter, joining a camera club goes close to being "a must".

Besides fostering the inter-club spirit, the new association also aims to hold international photographic salons in Melbourne. It wants to hold its first international salon in the Melbourne Town Hall in 1954. This, it hopes, will prelude a really big and representative salon in Melbourne during the Olympic Games in 1956.



Friday 7th November 1952  Page 23 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

My story of a few weeks ago of old box cameras and the good pictures they make induced Melbourne sports writer Jim Blake to dig out an old job he hadn't used for 20 years. He took it with him to Daydream Island, 700 miles north of Brisbane and surprised himself so much with the results that he's become an enthusiastic photographer all over again. Mr Blake was a small boy at Wesley in 1917, when he saved up the pennies necessary to buy himself this 2a model B Brownie for the sum of 12/6.

The first picture he took with it was of the late Mr L.A. Adamson, head master of Wesley, at the school sports. He developed and printed it himself - and it "came out". Then the fever really got him. Then the depression came in the early 1930's, and Mr Blake decided that film was too much of a luxury. So he put aside his box camera and forgot about it . . . but now his Daydream successes have rekindled his enthusiasm, and it's likely to be another 20 years, or so before he forgets about it again. The story suggests that many others who were camera enthusiasts in their youth might find that they have by no means outgrown that enthusiasm if they, too, dig out the old camera and put it back into commission.

"THANKS"
This week I've received a letter from Mr E. Royston Cornish, Hon.Secretary of the Photographic Society of Victoria. "On behalf of our society," he writes, "I desire to express thanks for the continued assistance that you are giving to amateur photographers in your weekly column in The Argus Week end Magazine".

"The formation of the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies, as referred to so enthusiastically by you recently, should certainly assist in the good work and we all wish you to know that we are both ready and willing to render you any assistance that you might require". "In addition to the country camera clubs mentioned by you, there are active clubs also at Hamilton, Horsham and Wonthaggi and new clubs are in course of formation at Dandenong and Warragul".

"Prior to the formation of the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies our society had been trying to help the various country clubs by a scheme of co-operation, under which a member of each country club became an associate member of the Photographic Society of Victoria. No less than eight of the 10 active country clubs had linked up with us in the circulation of portfolios and the judging of prints".

"Another means of increasing interest and improving the standard of work of amateur photographers has been instituted through a sponsored photographic session over Station 3UL in Central Gippsland, one of The Argus broadcasting network. This is on the air from 6.30pm to 6.45pm every Friday evening, under the direction of a 3UL announcer who is a member of the Photographic Society of Victoria".



December 1952  Page 718 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
At a meeting held in the Melbourne Camera Club’s room on September 26 and 27, delegates from eleven Victorian amateur photographic groups drew up a constitution and brought into being the Victorian Association Of Photographic Societies.

The aims of the Association are:
(a) To advance the art and science of photography;
(b) To further the interests of the associated bodies;
(c) To draw up regulations and to conduct combined exhibitions and inter-club competitions;
(d) To arrange the exchange of guest lecturers and demonstrations on any subject relating to photography;
(e) To arrange exchange of photographic work between associated societies;
(f) To arrange periodical conventions of the members of the associated societies;
(g) To arrange photographic salons;
(h) To take such steps as will further the objects of the Association.

The photographic groups present and their delegates were:

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP DELEGATES
Adult Education Camera Club Mr. N.A. Dempster Mr. P.E. Klyton
Ballarat Camera Club Mr. H. McConnell Mr. H.E. Richmond
Bendigo Camera Club Mr. N. Coward Mr. J. Carlyson
Gordon Photographic SocietyGeelong Mr. W.J. Porter Mr. E. Bound
Mr. F.A. Williams
Healesville Camera Club Mr. Roberts Mr. E. Fox
Kodak Camera Club Mr. J. Kroef Mr. F. Waghorn
Melbourne Camera Club Mr. N. Crouch Mr. A. Andrews
Mr. W. Broadhead
Photographic Society of Victoria Mr. D. Lascelles Mr. E. Cornish
Mr. F. Polglaze
Preston Photographic Club Mr. Baker Mr. Smith
Mr. Baxter
Sale Camera Club Mr. G. Horn
Southern Suburbs Photographic Society Mr. Tucker Mr. G.S. O’Brien
Victorian Railways Institute Camera Club Mr. Plunkett Mr. Speight

The office-bearers elected at the meeting were: President, Mr. Broadhead (Melbourne Camera Club); Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Porter (Geelong) and McConnell (Ballarat); Hon.Secretary, Mr. Crouch (Melbourne); Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Lascelles (Victorian Photographic Society); Executive Council, Messrs. Horn (Sale), Kroef (Kodak Club), Richmond (Ballarat) and Baker (Preston).



January 1953  Page 60 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
"The Nation’s Tribute to Harold Cazneaux" (in recorded form) will shortly be going on tour throughout the Commonwealth. The first showing will probably be in Melbourne under direction of the newly-formed Victorian Association of Photographic Societies. Other early showings will probably be in Adelaide, Mildura and Newcastle.



April 1953  Page 247 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
News Sheet No. 1 issued in January contains many items of interest, particularly to any society in Victoria whose objects include a provision relating to the advancement of photography. Any organization desirous of joining should write to the Hon.Secretary, Mr. N.B. Crouch, 15 Denver Crescent, Elsternwick, Vic., for particulars. Cost of membership is thirty shillings per annum for organizations of less than twenty-five members and three pounds per annum for larger organizations.

Amongst many events scheduled for the future of the association, a notable occasion will be an International Exhibition to coincide with the Royal Visit in 1954. Future numbers of the News Sheet will be edited by well-known Melbourne Camera Club member Mr. E.R. Rotherham.



July 1953  Page 393 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
Two more clubs have been added to our membership, bringing the total to fifteen, embracing in all about 670 individual photographers.

Plans for the 1954 International Photographic Salon in commemoration of the Royal Tour have been completed. The Lower Town Hall, Melbourne, has been booked for ten days from the 29th March to 7th April 1954, when the selected prints and color transparencies will be shown. The exhibition will then be taken to Geelong for three days, commencing 21st of April and from there to Ballarat where it will be shown for a further three days from the 28th April.



August 1953  Page 510 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION
The Victorian Association of Photographic Societies, in association with The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria is holding the above function at Prahran Town Hall, on the 19th, 20th and 21st October 1953. The competition is an open event, no entry fees or entry forms being required, although salon presentation and mounting is specified. There will be three trophies, while all accepted prints will gain the Association’s sticker. Additional details are obtainable from the first-named body (N.B. Crouch, Hon.Secretary, 15 Denver Crescent, Elsternwick, S4, Victoria).



Friday 18th September 1953  Page 23 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

PHOTOGRAPH SOCIETIES ARRANGE COMPETITION
CAMERA CLUBS GET TOGETHER
It was a big step forward in the development of photographic interest in Victoria when camera clubs banded together twelve months ago. The Victorian Association of Photographic Societies increased the scope of the clubs and of the individual photographers considerably. It provides the members with a wider field of discussion; with more of their fellow, enthusiasts to meet and compare notes. It also gave a wider variety of prints to view, examine, discuss, and to use as a guide or a spur for the improvement of individual work. There is nothing like getting together with other photographers, hearing what they have to say and studying their work for guiding you on to the right track for consistent, pictorial success. The opportunity for comparison and the swapping of ideas is much more valuable than studying a text book. First material benefit to be noted from the formation of the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies is the first inter-club competition, which has just concluded.



October 1953  Page 638 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
The work of the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies has been going along very smoothly and one venture we shall soon see the fruits of is an Exhibition of Natural History Photographs, to be held in conjunction with the Field Naturalists Club; this display is to be held at the Prahran Town Hall, Melbourne, on the 19th, 20th and 21st October 1953.

The Eleventh Victorian International Salon of Photography, sponsored by the Victorian Salon of Photography Committee in conjunction with the Victorian Association ofPhotographic Societies, will be staged in Melbourne from March 29th to April 7th, 1954, and then at Ballarat and Geelong.

Some 700 individual members of various Photographic Societies are benefiting from the work being carried out by the association and enquiries are invited from any photographic societies. The Secretary is Mr. N. Crouch, 15 Denver Crescent, Elsternwick, Victoria.

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES

Results of First Inter-Club Competitions - 1953

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT COMPETITION
-

COMPETITOR

PERCENTAGE
POINTS
RECEIVED
1st Melbourne Camera Club 71.33%
2nd Preston Photographic Club 53.66%
3rd Healesville Camera Club 48.91%
4th Ballarat Camera Club 47%
5th Kodak Camera Club 42.83%
6th Photographic Society of Victoria 41.95%
7th Dunlop Camera Club 41.87%
8th A.E.A. Camera Club 35.50%
9th Sale Camera Club 29.17%

PRINT RECEIVING HIGHEST POINTS

“Morning on the Danube”
by Mr. J.O. FRIED of the

Photographic Society of Victoria
received 275 points out of a possible 300.

COLOR SLIDE COMPETITION
-

COMPETITOR

PERCENTAGE
POINTS
RECEIVED
1st Melbourne Camera Club 71.60%
2nd A.E.A. Camera Club 68.87%
3rd Photographic Society of Victoria 68.37%
4th Ballarat Camera Club 66.10%
5th Victorian Railways Institute Camera Club 62.16%
6th Preston Photographic Club 62.09%
7th Sale Camera Club 60.41%
8th Dunlop Camera Club 58.87%

COLOR SLIDE RECEIVING HIGHEST POINTS

A Timber Mill Scene taken by
Mr. H. McCONNELL
of the
Ballarat Camera Club
received 258 points out of a possible 300.



Friday 2nd October 1953  Page 23 - The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria)

ROYAL TOUR FILLIP FOR 1954 SHOWING
The 11th Victorian International Salon will be held in Melbourne next March to coincide with the Queen's visit to Australia. Interest in it should be so great that we will probably see a higher standard of photography than ever. Entries are expected from all over the world.

Encouraged by the Royal Visit, England alone should produce a flood of entries. The Salon has been specially commended to the Royal Photographic Society of England, which has promised co-operation in bringing the show to the notice of leading English exhibitors.

The 1954 Salon will be accommodated in the Melbourne Town Hall, another boost for prestige.

The Victorian Salon of Photography Committee has the assistance of the newly formed Victorian Association of Photographic Societies in preparing the exhibition.

It will be conducted in Melbourne from March 29 to April 7, and will show at Geelong on April 21 and Ballarat on April 28.

Closing date for all entries is February 1, 1954. Selection takes place on February 8, by Messrs. J.B. Eaton, W. Howieson, A.W. Briggs, W. T. Owen, and Athol Shmith.

Entrants will be notified of the results on February 26.

"The Argus" will present two silver and eight bronze medals for special awards designated by the selectors.

The aim of the Victorian Salon of Photography is to exhibit only that class of work in pictorial photography in which there is distinct evidence of personal artistic feeling and of execution in accordance therewith".



November 1953  Page 695 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
The first Victorian Association of Photographic Societies Inter-Club Competition, which was held at the Kodak Gallery from September 14th to 26th, was a great success. Nine clubs entered prints and eight entered color transparencies, the standard of which was very high indeed. The winning print, "Morning on the Danube", was submitted by Mr. J. O. Fried of the Photographic Society of Victoria, and the winning color transparency, entered by Mr. R. McConnell of the Ballarat Camera Club, was a delightful timber mill scene in Tasmania. The prints receiving the second and third highest number of points respectively were submitted by Mr. N.B. Crouch and Mr. W. Broadhead, both of the Melbourne Camera Club. The display was open to the public and many favorable comments were heard on the standard of the work. The Executive Council of the Association take this opportunity to thank all who submitted prints and color transparencies and all who co operated in so many ways to make the competition an unqualified success.

The traveling portfolio will soon be in circulation and the co-operation of clubs in keeping it moving will be greatly appreciated. No doubt the member bodies of the association are wondering just when the first edition of our new magazine, Victorian Association of Photographic Societies Review, will be published. If all goes to plan the first edition will roll off the press early in November. The various press correspondents and secretaries of member clubs are invited to submit notes to the editor. Full information on this subject will appear in the first issue.

The Eleventh Victorian International Salon of Photography will be conducted in the Melbourne Town Hall from March 29th to April 7th, 1954, at Geelong on April 21st, and at Ballarat on April 28th. The Salon is being sponsored by the Victorian Salon of Photography Committee in conjunction with the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies. The Salon will be held during the Royal Tour. Additional information can be obtained from Mr. W. Broadhead, 16 Maysia Street, Canterbury, Victoria.

At the executive council meeting of the Association held on September 26, it was proposed to hold a convention at Ballarat next year, Mr. Richmond of the Ballarat Camera Club is the convener of this venture.



December 1953  Page 767 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
The Nature Photographic Competition which this Association has just concluded in conjunction with the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria was a complete success. The prints were on display at the Field Naturalists Annual Exhibition held at the Prahran Town Hall from October 19th to 22nd, and they created a lot of interest. It is a foregone conclusion that the competition will be an annual affair and it has even been suggested that we give consideration to running a Nature Salon, The results were; 1, (£5/5/- donated by Field Naturalists Club of Victoria), Mr. W.R.J. Dingle of the Weather Bureau, "Skua Gull and Chick"; 2, (£3/3/- donated by Camera Supply Co, Melbourne), Mr. W.V. Potts of Langhorn’s Creek, South Australia, "Shindy in the Shallows", 3, (£l/1/- donated by Victorian Association of Photographic Societies), Mr. F. Lewis of Denham Place, Toorak, Melbourne, "Bull Seals Fighting". It is hoped that some of these photographs will be reproduced in an early issue of the A.P.-R.

The Judges, who were considerably impressed with the high standard of the work, were: Mr. Crosby Morrison, Bachelor of Science, Editor of Wild Life and Outdoors; Mr. E.R. Rotherham, nature photographer and overseas exhibitor and Mr. Edwin G. Adamson ARPS, photographer.

Eighty-three entries were received, three of which, in addition to the prize winners, were highly commended by the judges and 52 will receive the Association’s Print Sticker as an award of merit.



August 1954  Page 513 - Australasian Photo-Review

VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETIES
The Association’s first Convention (and we believe it was the first convention of associated camera clubs in Australia) was held at Healesville during the Queen’s Birthday week-end—June 12th to 14th.

The Association is very much indebted to the Healesville Camera Club which acted as host and extended a hearty welcome to all its visitors. How many went? It is not easy to be sure for, in addition to those who spend the whole week-end at Healesville, here were many who just made day trips and joined in the fun. Probably about a hundred.

The recreation hall at “Allambee” was made available for evening sessions where the convention was officially opened on the Saturday evening by Councilor Ewart, the Shire President. Mr. Ewart in his address gave the visitors both a personal welcome and one from the Shire Council. He said that he believed Healesville was privileged because this was the first time the Association had met in this way and he hoped that everyone would enjoy the occasion. The President of the Association, Mr. W. Broadhead, responded and thanked Mr. Ewart for the interest he had shown. He extended apologies for those unable to attend, including Mr. Herb Richmond of the Ballarat Camera Club who was the convener of the convention. (Herb was in hospital but is now home and recuperating). Mr. Broadhead spoke of the Y.M.C.A. Camerally being held in Sydney at the same time and read a telegram of congratulations received from its president. He spoke, also, of the recent photographic convention held in New Zealand and said that such conventions were necessary not only for the exchange of ideas but from the social angle. He then referred briefly to the activities of the Association and finally thanked the Healesville Camera Club and again Mr. Ewart.

The evening continued with a showing of color slides comprising “The Fifty-Six Best” from the A.P.-R. Contest, “The Fifty Best” from Kodak 19th International Salon, followed by a selection from members of the Healesville Camera Club, many of which were really excellent. The final item was one which was loaned by one of the Association’s members, the Northern Tasmanian Camera Club. This comprised a set of 45 color slides together with a tape recorded commentary, with background music, which was received by the Tasmanian club in Launceston from the Launceston Camera Club in Cornwall, England. This was in exchange for one sent to England by the Tasmanian club.

The slides proved to be of considerable interest, the commentary was good and was spiced with that subtle English humor we all appreciate. The item was well received, considered to be an excellent idea and it gives us food for thought. Thank you, Northern Tasmanian Camera Club.

On Sunday evening there was a further showing of color slides and a talk by the Association’s Secretary, Mr. N.B. Crouch, on his “Trans-Australian Journey”.

Conducted outings were arranged for each day, both before and after breakfast and for the afternoons. One of the best should have been to Roach’s Timber Mill, which was at work, but unfortunately the sun — etc., etc. However we had fun, probably exposed much film and every little while one would see a flashlight go off so perhaps someone got something. Don’t forget Mr. Roberts, the manager, was promised some pictures of his mill.

Thanks again, Healesville Camera Club.



Saturday 18th September 1954  Page 16 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)

Camera clubs are booming in Victoria.

The Victorian Association of Photographic Societies, formed two years ago, is doing everything possible to foster this increasing interest in photography amongst the amateurs.

One of the newest camera clubs is now forming at Shepparton. Photographic clubs are also being formed within such companies as Ford Company and General Motors-Holden.

It now has a panel of judges - including men with world-wide photographic reputations - which is always available for adjudicating at camera club competitions.

Another excellent service which has been put into effect by the association is the dispatching of parcels of prints and slides to distant clubs, such as at Mildura, Sale, Ballarat and in Tasmania.

To this service the association has added tape recordings of criticisms and comments on the prints and slides to help the clubs assess the true worth of the selected photographs.

ENTRIES GROW
The continued development of amateur photography in Victoria was shown by the increased number of entries received for the association's second annual inter-club competition just concluded.

Twenty-nine club entries were received as compared with 16 club entries in 1953 - first year the contest was held. The clubs submitted 148 prints and 140 color slides, compared with 100 prints and 92 color slides last year.

The Melbourne Camera Club won the competition for prints. The 20 prints it entered scored an average of 72.25%. Preston Photographic Club was second with an average of 63.16%; and Northern Tasmanian Camera Club came third with 62.58%.

Ballarat won the color slide competition with an average of 76.63%; Melbourne was second with 76.46%; and the Sunraysia club third with 75.12%.

ATMOSPHERE WINS
Highest individual scorer in the prints section was Mr N.B. Crouch, of the Melbourne Camera Club (who is secretary of the association), with an atmospheric tree study, titled "Windy Ridge".

It was taken in the Strzlecki Ranges, a favorite, hunting ground for pictorial winners.

J.O. Fried (Photographic Society of Victoria) came second with his church interior, "Holy Light", Mr J. McClonkey came third with his study, "Figurehead".

Mrs M. Strange (Ballarat) and Mr L.P. Mullumby (Melbourne) shared first place in the color slides section.

All prints and slides entered for the contest will be on view in the Kodak Gallery, Collins st., from Monday next, 20th September to 2nd October.

WORTH NOTING
The Melbourne Camera Club lecture and demonstration for beginners next Thursday will be on "Films and Filters". These classes take place in the club rooms at 6.30pm and are open to all.

Mr P. Crosbie Morrison will officially open the display of photography in the Box Hill Town Hall on 28th September at 4.15pm Proceeds aid the Box Hill and District Hospital. The display is open from noon till 9.30pm.