1890

Last night a packed assemblage of spectators witnessed in the Victoria Hall, Southsea, an exhibition of Lantern Plates, given under the auspices of the Southsea Photographic Society.
The views taken by all the Club Members were in every respect extremely admirable productions. For the purpose of transparencies, where the subject is enlarged so many degrees through an optical lantern, it is necessary that the original negative shall be of the most perfect character and every one of the views shown excelled in the clearness of the definition, right up to the edges of the pictures. Particularly fine were the plates of Cathedrals. The work of Lt. Gladstone, who was manipulating the Lantern, with the assistance of Dr Wardrope RMAC, was immaculate throughout the evening. The interiors were remarkably clear and bright. Lt. Cobb read the descriptive accounts of the various photographs as they were thrown up onto the large screen. At intervals Messrs JJ Rockett, Harrison-Smith and JW Peters sung musical selections. A very pleasant evening was spent by the Patrons, Members and friends of the society. Dear me, it sounded more like a Naval operation!

The second Annual Dinner was held. The reason for mentioning this was because the young Mortimor accompanied by his father, who was a member, gave a banjo solo. It seems that during these evenings the gathered throng, at some point, would be entertained by fellow members.

J Thornton read a paper on “The Figure Study”.
The main points were that in his opinion the genre or figure class took precedence, from an art viewpoint, and although he appreciated the work that the landscape, seascape and architecture workers put into their pictures, it was his considered opinion that the figure study was the most difficult. It was apparent that not all the members agreed with him, because there was a very lively debate, with quite a number of diverse views being put.

A new Photographic Society has been formed in East Southsea, with a view of enlisting those whom do not aspire to the lofty claims of the existing society.
A quartet of club members discussed the camera, this led to a very lively evening indeed, the four could not agree amongst themselves about which camera was the best and the meeting became a general discussion controlled by the President, who refused to allow more than one member to express his view at a time.

A snippet of news of the time … Succesful local Photographers.

The Photographic Society of India awarded Messrs West & Son of Southsea and Gosport, a Gold Medal for the second time, making 32 that they have won altogether.

The club members are not an assertive body as a rule, but they are making good progress for all that. Saturday evening gave friends the opportunity of participating in the pleasure of amateur photography. Holding an “AT HOME” in the clubs HQ at 3 Kings Road. Principal feature was the showing of dissolving views, the plates being the work of the members.
Mr Farney-Brown granted the use of his new showroom for the occasion and a capital darkroom it made. Lanternist was Captain Lamb with Dr F Lord giving the commentary.
Among the views shown were several by Lieutenant Gladstone who recently gained second prize in a worldwide competition. The evening finished up with a musical section led and organised by Mr JJ Rockett.

Mr GG lnkspen, a member, showed other members a walking stick stand that he had invented. Mr lnkspen who lived at 112 High Street, Portsmouth was hoping to go into production with it. A lot of interest was evinced as members handled the stick. The general opinion was that it would be a very useful addition to a photographers kit, having a twofold use.

The club rooms at Kings Road presented quite an artistic appearance, the walls being covered with neatly mounted productions of the members, hung for the Annual Exhibition. There were more than 600 prints on show. The work showed every conceivable description, Landscape, Architecture, Statues, Portraiture plus Lantern Slides. Some of the work was, as one might expect with a club exhibition somewhat crude and unfinished, but the award winners, a delicacy of touch was discernible, which would have done credit to a Professional.
Winners Silver Medal: Dr Tirehurst (Contact print).
Special mention: Haymaking and Killiecrankie.
Bronze Medal: F.J. Smith for two views of Dovedale. R. Leverahorpe
Commended for Burnham Beeches and Ullswater.
Enlargements Silver Medal: JJ Thompson for Old Peggy.
Bronze Medal J Sawyer for St Peters Church.
Captain Lamb, A Jersey Lane and G Gurd with Portsmouth Harbour were commended.
Other exhibitors FW Bedford, Dr Lord, GC lnkspen, Dr Newley, GA Grant, A Fisher and AW Ward.
The judges were Messrs West and Alfieri.

1891

The Annual General Meeting. The President JJ Thompson said that the club had had a very successful year. Finance wise the Club was quite sound, the meetings had been well supported, as had been the exhibition and trips out and about. The following were elected to office.
President: Captain Cobb.
Hon. Vice Presidents: L.G. Bonham Carter, Commander Gladstone and Captain Lamb.
Vice President and Treasurer: JJ Thornton.
Secretary: Major Bruno.
Assistant Secretary: Dr Lord.
Council: Dr Lord, Messrs Fisher, Grant, Leventhorpe and Sawyer.

June 6 1891
A large number of members went on an excursion to Portchester Castle. Tea was served in the Castle grounds, with a group photograph being taken by Mr Knight of Castle Road, Southsea. After tea there followed a couple of hours hard work with cameras among the ruins. About 60 good photographs were obtained by members. The outing proved both pleasant and profitable.

HT Lilley gave a talk on the Bromoil print and how to achieve it. He explained very thoroughly the steps required to get a satisfactory result, showing samples of the various stages as they arose. He explained that it was possible to remove completely unwanted detail. Very fine work could be produced by care in using the dyes and brushes and lots of practice.

A cycle trip to Emsworth to explore the Harbour and surrounds led by Mr Jeffery. After a most instructive, busy and enjoyable evening the 21 members present, retired to a local Tavern to discuss the evenings work over a glass or two of liquid refreshment!

The Grand Jury Room in the town was filled last night by members and their friends who gathered to see Commander Gladstone’s photographs, taken during a tour of Brittany. The views, shown by the use of a powerful Oxy-Hydrogen light lantern, were chiefly of eclesiastical architecture. In themselves the photographs were very interesting, but Commander Gladstone’s commentary made them doubly so. Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, Dinan and Mount St Michel, along with others of the old Norman Towers were visited. The photographs showed that the Commander had a very keen perception as well as the Archaeologists love and reverence for works of Art of the past ages. In describing Renaissance, the Gothic, Norman and Flamboyant styles of architecture he enthralled his audience with a little of his own enthusiasm, and fully deserved the hearty Vote of Thanks at the close of the evening. Not withstanding the colourlessness that necessarily accompanies all photographs, the Commander’s vivid descriptions made it an easy matter to supply the local colouring themselves, being aided by his apt quotations from Ruskin.
The Mayor and Mrs Scott-Foster were among the packed audience.

1892

The Annual General Meeting.
The election of officers proceeded as follows:
President: Commander Cobb.
Vice President and Treasurer: Mr JJ Thornton.
Honorary Vice Presidents: Mr LG Bonham-Carter, Commander Gladstone, Captain Lamb.
Council: Dr Lord and Messrs Fisher, Grant, Leventhorpe and Sawyer.
Major Bruno was elected Secretary succeeding Dr Lord, whose resignation from the post had been received with great regret. A vote of thanks were expressed to Dr Lord for his services to the Society since it’s formation, in which he had always evinced the greatest interest. Next meeting will be the showing of the prize lantern slides of the Amateur Photographers 1891 Competition.

Photographic day trip to Arundel, 52 members attending, having travelled by train. After the mornings work Lunch was taken at the Black Rabbit before sallying forth for the afternoons session. Tea was taken in Arundel over which the day was discussed, all agreed that the weather had been fine and sunny, and that it was hoped that some good work would result from the days activities. The President, Commander Cobb was thanked for his organisation of the trip, which had been most enjoyable.

August 20
Alderman Ellis JP gave a practical demonstration of the Autotype Process of printing. He showed a number of undeveloped prints and proceeded to develop them, explaining the manipulation required. Major Bruno showed members a new printing frame, Newingtons Patent, which permitted the examination of the entire print.

1893

Annual General Meeting.
This is of some interest. Because of the stirling work done during the year, which was unanimously endorsed by the members, the Officers and Council were re-elected “En Bloc” for the coming season. This is unusual to say the least, yet it did happen.

The AGM was held at the Clubs HQ. The treasurer reported that the club was on a sound financial footing. The secretary reported that membership numbers had been maintained. The Club decided to contribute an Album to the R.P.S, the object was to show the varied results obtainable from any one negative by varying the process.

1894
April 12 1894
A very interesting talk illustrated with pictures and lantern plates was given by Mr J Kittering entitled, “With pony and trap through the West country”. Mr Kittering told members that, assisted by his son, they had travelled to Exeter by steam train. Here they hired a pony and trap and commenced a round trip embracing the southern coastal towns of Dawlish and Teignmouth, thence to Newton Abbott and Buckfastleigh. across Dartmoor to Tavistock on to Launceston then Plymouth, back across Dartmoor to Moretonhampstead and back to Exeter, once again returning home by steam train. Mr Kittering explained to the members that the epic voyage took a month in all, with several adventures occurring on the way. Like struggling across Dartmoor in a mist, the Horse shedding a shoe and one of the wheels shedding a tyre, otherwise it was a very enjoyable trip. They had been warned of the dangers of footpads (was this a term for this type of travel? Editor: No, it was a highwayman)  but only met with kindness and great interest throughout the journey. He showed many splendid pictures taken on the journey which showed up just how interesting it had been.

June 22 1894
The Club moves to new premises at No 5 Pembroke Road, Southsea. Here was an extremely comfortable building indeed. The Headquarters included a lecture room, an enlarging room and darkroom with private lockers, and also had a library with all the current photographic literature. A resident caretaker was installed and it was open at all reasonable hours. I understand from Cecil Davies that at one time a bar was installed which was open on Club evenings. The Clubs name was changed to the Southsea Photographic Society. The Club remained here for a number of years.

September 7 1894
Dr Upfield was invited to give a talk on Tri-Colour Carbon process. Dr Upfield who travelled from London proved to be a very interesting speaker, he told members that it was possible to produce perfect colour prints, replicas in colour of the original that were virtually permanent. The whole process was somewhat lengthy but could be completed in about 8 hours, although it was possible to do it piecemeal. He stressed that extreme care was essential when registering the three special Tri-colour pigmented tissues that were required for the process, they were Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. The tissues were sensitised in a two bath solution, contrast being controlled by the time in solution B (20-60 secs). (Note from Bill Taylor 1992. A couple of colleagues of mine in the Royal Air Force and me, played around with this in WW2 and we found it a lot of fun.)
Dr Upfield finished by showing a selection of prints by this process to the members, all agreed that they were excellent.

1895
January 1895
A feature of this particular evening was a rather sad one. It was the exhibiting of a collection of lantern plates from the works of the late RE Rejlander, one of the first photographers to produce something more interesting than the ordinary portrait or view. There were some very fine plates projected, which showed what a tremendous imagination he had. His early death was a great loss to photography.

March 1895
Mr Ward from London, arrived at the Club meeting to give a lecture on printing in ‘clouds’ and other things. This evolved into a very humorous and instructive talk, by a worker who obviously knew what he was about. Mr Ward showed a series of prints before and after they had been ‘doctored’, in a very painstaking manner. One point that he stressed very much, was the importance of getting the right cloud. He had brought along two samples from recent exhibitions in which he was a judge (he had asked for them).
The first one had the clouds lit from the right, whilst the base was lit from the left. The second was even worse, the clouds were upside down! He said that he couldnt stress enough the importance of getting it to look natural. There were so many questions that the President had to call a halt and thanked Mr Ward for a most informative and humorous evening.

Lieutenant Crutchley gave a talk on “Making Lantern Plates the Scientific Way”. The Lieutenant gave a rather technically involved and exacting method of producing lantern plates. The results obtained were first class, but from the questions asked it was obvious that one or two of the established Club workers thought that it was far too involved.

At a date that we have been unable to establish, although it is thought that it was probably sometime during June or July, a group of members had a long weekend in Bath. About 20 ventured on the trip, the object being to photograph the very fine buildings in the City, in particular the Roman Baths and the Crescent. It would appear that there was a small group in the Club who specialised in Architectural photography, and the object was to compile a folio of various localities. The idea after that was to hold an exhibition in the Club room, with a medal being donated for the best study. This information came from an elderly gentleman, Mr Sinclair, whose grandfather Mr HT Lilley was a very active member of the Club. He also told me that if he could find any medals won by Mr Lilley he would present them to the Club. SO FAR NO LUCK. (If these or any other Club Memorabilia should turn up in the future, could you please contact the local library for the name and address of the current Club Secretary).

1896

President Major Bruno, Secretary G Whitehead. The first outing of the summer season was held on Saturday May 16th. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at Grange Farm, Lee on Solent. Until the institution of a junior section at the beginning of the year, ladies had not been admitted as members (**see note), but it must be said that the fair sex contributed in no small degree to the success of the afternoon. Most members had arrived in a variety of horse drawn vehicles, whilst one or two hardy souls used bicycles! At the close of the afternoons work, tea was served on the green sward by the Presidents wife.
**One thing that I find a little peculiar, The original rules state (I have a copy) that, ‘Membership is open to all amateurs whether Lady or Gentleman.

October 8 1896
A Mr Trent from Winchester talked about the after treatment of the negative. He explained that he was talking about intensification and reduction. After a very interesting talk explaining the various chemicals and methods required, Mr Trent demonstrated that it was possible to achieve a great degree of control, making it possible to improve a negative greatly. He also showed a method to physically lighten local shadow areas using a material called “Frictol”, he told members that “Metal Polish” worked nearly as well.
One point that he stressed a number of times, was the importance of practice. Practice so as to become really familiar with the various processes, there were a large number of formulas around, so it was up to the worker to find the one that suited him. A really splendid evening.

1897
February 5 1897
The Annual General Meeting took place. The secretary read his report on the societys progress during the year. There had been a large increase in the membership. Income amounted to nearly £80 against £50 the previous year. The business included the election of officers, Major Bruno was re-elected President for the second year along with the Secretary G Whitehead. A full programme of Photo-cycling excursions had been arranged for the summer. (Bills comment: Its very frustrating when the rest of the officers are not printed in the paper.)

May 5 1897
Interesting to note that Arthur Conan Doyle had not forgotten his friends in Portsmouth. returning to give a talk at the Portland Hotel.

June 23 1897
An excursion to Southwick took place. Members arrived on bicycles, horseback and carriages. Major Bruno had given a cup for the best set of four lantern plates taken at Southwick. After the afternoons work everybody retired to a local hostelry for sandwiches washed down, no doubt, with a glass or two of the local brew and to discuss the afternoons work.
Major Bruno was thanked for the arrangements and the Cup. A large number of members had turned out for this memorable afternoon “over the hill”.

September 1 1897
A splendid lecture/demonstration was given by a Mr Hawkins from London. Mr Hawkins was a professional photographer. His subject for the evening was the Gum-Bichromate Process, he explained that the process had been around since the 1850’s and was still being produced by a number of adherents, he was one of them. Basically it was using a solution of Gum and Bichromate to coat onto a sheet of paper. When dry it was exposed under a negative then developed in water, cold, warm or hot, until the exposed portions of the pigmented gum were washed away. It was only suitable for fairly large work, therefore a large negative was required, preferably on glass for ease of handling. From the interest shown and the questions asked, it was obvious that the Club could look forward to a spate of prints derived from using this process.

1898

The President this year was Captain Lamb. During October this year A Professor A Reynolds gave a most unusual talk to the Club. His theme was that married couples who had lived together harmoniously for a long time, began to resemble each other, the longer the time the more the resemblance. Mr Reynolds had travelled all over Britain and Europe taking pictures of married couples, copying or acquiring pictures of them when they were young. He showed the Club 76 “Sets” of prints to prove his theory. The evening evoked a lot of discussion and questions from members, it being fairly obvious, that the majority of members, had to say the least, misgivings over the Professors theory. An extremely interesting evening which showed the use that photography was having on different aspects of society.

December 1898
The President, Captain Lamb showed a selection of lantern plates of Gibralter and parts of Spain. The plates were superb, as one had become to expect from the President, who is a very expert photographer. This, coupled with his very detailed descriptions and witty manner, made a very fine evenings entertainment, about an area that not many members had visited.

1899
January 31 1899
Elected as President for this year was HT Lilley. The 11th Annual Exhibition took place at the Clubs Headquarters in Pembroke Road. In previous years the Club had held two Exhibitions, one for Members early in the year, whilst later in the year an Open Exhibition was held. It was decided that from this year there would just be one Exhibition, open to amateurs and professionals alike, from home and abroad. There is no way of knowing why, whether because of lack of support or expense, this had to be changed. (This is some of the little things that are so intrigueing, whilst researching the history of the club).

Over 1600 entries were received with more than 600 being hung, half of these being from Members. In those days all exhibits were behind glass and framed!! There is no doubt that the success of the exhibition was due to the tireless work of the joint secretaries, FJ Mortimor and G Wood.

February 4 1899
Annual Dinner and Smoking Concert. Mr HT Lilley, the President presiding and in replying to the toast of “The Camera Club” by Dr F Lord, mentioned the possible formation of a ladies section in the coming year. The evening finished with a programme of music including songs by Messrs Pitt, Summers, AH Wood, G Wood, N Wilkinson and Colonel de Salis. Banjo solos by Messrs Mortimor, Main and German. The piano was played by Mr E Cowan.

March 1899
A display of lantern plates by the club were shown at the Portland Hall, Southsea. This was for the Mayors Fund for the relief of Widows and Children of soldiers killed in South Africa.
A packed hall watched a splendid display of plates taken from many parts of Great Britain and the Continent, with commentaries given by the authors. The subjects covered a very large range and from the remarks, were very much appreciated.
The Mayor, HR Pink who along with the Mayoress attended, thanked the Club for a really splendid show. He remarked on the commentaries which he found most interesting, some of the architectural studies were really magnificent and finally it was obvious from the crowded hall that his fund would benefit greatly.

April 1899
Mr AA Hardy gave a talk called “The camera never lies or does it?” Mr Hardy had a most amusing manner, speaking at times with his tongue in cheek, he showed a number of pictures. He called them the finished article, then showed the original print and explained how he had manipulated the negative, adding and removing parts. He explained that although it was a bit tedious, with care, thought and imagination a lot could be done. Some of the finished prints bore very little resemblance to the original.
From the questions put to him it was very evident that many members were extremely interested.
The President, HT LiIley, in thanking Mr Hardy said that we were fortunate that there were people who were prepared to travel to visit clubs.