1888

It is the year of 1888 and a group of photographers decided that it as about time that a Camera Club was started in Portsmouth, and to this end a number of inaugural meetings were held at the residence of a Mr Cooke of King Street, Portsea. At the final inaugural meeting it was agreed that ladies be admitted to the Club and a meeting was arranged for April 25th 1888 at the Y.M.C.A. in the High Street.

April 25th 1888
Mr C Jeffrey occupied the Chair; a steering committee was formed consisting of G Garrrick, F Hooper and T Snelling. The object in forming the Club was to unite photographers in and around Portsmouth, also for procuring a Club Room with, if possible, the necessary equipment used in photography. The meeting was adjourned until the 4th May. The meeting had taken place at the Y.M. CA. in Edinburgh Road.

May 4th 1888
The first Annual General Meeting was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Southsea where the following were elected to office:- President: C Jeffrey. Vice-Presidents: H Hickey and R Garrick, Treasurer: H Nicholls, Secretary: H Martlew. Other committee members were R Garrick, L Cooper, W Cooke, F Hooper, C Jurd, G Knight and C Nicholas. Patrons:- Lt. Col. Sir William Crossman, It Gen J W Cox, Mr W A Callaghan and C C Claremont.
The following points were agreed upon:-
1.             Professional Photographers could become Honorary Members.
2.             To hold meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
3.             The subscription to be 5/- (25p) per annum, paid in advance.
4.             To be called the Portsmouth Amateur Photographic Society.
5.             The set of rules compiled by the steering committee were accepted without change.

This is a quote of the original rule 3. The club shall consist exclusively of Amateur Photographers and those desirous of becoming such, whether Lady or Gentleman. Any person not actually gaining a livelihood by the profession of photographer to be considered an Amateur.

Among the records gathered over the years are a number of mentions of Arthur Conan Doyle being a member. This clashes on some occasions with other information available, indeed one old member in his notes said that Conan Doyle had been secretary in 1910 or 1911. There was obviously some confusion over Conan Doyle, so some ferreting around to sort things out seemed in order. The facts as far as I have been able to ascertain are as follows: He was living in Portsmouth and was an expert photographer, it is logical therefore to assume that he would have associated with members of the Club. He was a Doctor who had a surgery at No 1 Bush Villas, on the corner of Elm Grove (now Kings Road) and Castle Road. The building on the site now is called Bush House. The only real evidence that I found was that a number of Club members attended a farewell dinner held in his honour on December 19th 1890 when he left Portsmouth for Vienna. He was reported to be living in Hindhead in 1892, and came back to Portsmouth to give the occasional talk.

June 5 1888
At today’s meeting in the Club room, Mr Jeffery read a communication from Messrs Symonds & Co in the High Street, offering members reduced prices for developing and printing.
It was also decided to have the rules of the Society printed on a linen faced card, folded in two, which would also serve as a membership card.

The President read a paper which members agreed was extremely interesting on the optics of photographic lenses. The paper evoked a lot of discussion, leading, as became usual, to one or two somewhat heated arguments.
The President also told members that:-
1.  Lt. Gladstone RN would be giving a course consisting of 6 lectures, starting at 9pm on October 30th.
2.  Certificates would be awarded to the photographs taken on the various excursions planned for the summer.
3.  The first Annual Exhibition would be held on November 28th, 29th and 30th. There were 5 classes to compete in. Entries had to be in by the 21st October.
Captain Lamb showed specimen Prints of the three types of Platino Paper at present on the market.

Lt. Gladstone read a paper on Architectural photography, he stated after reading it that in his opinion the best studies were the simple ones, such as details of carvings giving the best pictures. He closed his talk by pointing out that a basic knowledge of architecture was desirable. A very lively discussion ensued after, ending when the President closed the evening, saying that everyone was entitled to their opinions.

Mr A Fisher, Headmaster of the Gosport College of Art, gave a talk on “Composition in Art” and its application in Photography.
He referred to the vagueness in the word “Composition.” A good subject did not guarantee a good picture. Artists ask themselves “will it make a good painting. Photographers should do the same.
Photographers were handicapped in having only form, light and shade to consider whereas the artist had the advantage of colour.
In his opinion the most important part of any picture was the point of view; generally speaking I consider that if it looks right it conforms.

1889
January 24 1889
The Club changed venues from the Y.M.C.A. to rooms at No. 3 Kings Road, Southsea. The meetings continued here until 1894.

A series of lectures on general and elementary chemistry will be given by the Secretary in the club room during February and March starting on February 5th.
At the next Ordinary meeting, Captain Lamb will talk about the preparation of Lantern Plates.

Mr A Fisher of Gosport College of Art gave a talk on the various types of Architecture. Although not connected with photography, it was proving to be a favourite subject with members of the club. The talk ranged from Saxon times up to the present day, with Dr Fisher touching lightly on the various periods. The talk was illustrated throughout with some superb lantern slides, and, from the questions asked, it was obvious that members found it an absorbing subject, given by an interesting speaker.

An excursion out and around the Town was arranged for the following Saturday, to put into practice the advice given by Dr Fisher. From the attendance it was obvious that much interest had been generated. After the afternoons work the members retired to a local watering hole to discuss the merits of the afternoons activities.

An outing to Portchester Castle was arranged for the following Saturday, but unfortunately the sun did not favour the members with an appearance, which is really essential for Architecture photography.