In 2011 Warrington Photographic Society celebrates 125 years from it’s inauguration. In this exhibition we show a selection of pictures made by our members over the last 125 years
In 1886, some 47 years after Louis Dagerre and William Fox Talbot invented the first photographic processes, a group of enthusiasts met to form a Photographic Society with the aim of improving photography amongst it’s members. The Society was called The Warrington Amateur Photographic Society and it’s first President was Mr J.T.Down, Secretary and Managing Director of the Wilderspool Brewery.
In the early days photographs were taken on glass slides for projection. The Society has a large collection of slides from these days which cover summer trips by the Society, seaside holidays taken at the turn of the twentieth centaury by some of it’s more wealthy members. Perhaps the most interesting collection “ Slumming with a Hand Camera” a title considered not politically correct today, was described as “depicting Local Scenes in that part of the town not generally frequented by the amateur photographer”.
Developments in photographic techniques and materials saw the growth of monochrome printing alongside projected slides and the first exhibitions of prints were held.
The war years severely restricted photographic activities, added to that was a scarcity of photographic materials. The post war period saw a boom in membership driven by the growing popularity of 35 mm film and affordable 35mm single lens reflex cameras.
By the late 1960’s colour printing became possible for the amateur photographer. Printing was an exacting task requiring seven separate processing stages and accurate time and temperature control and was attempted only by highly skilled darkroom workers. In the 1980’s however simplified colour processing became available and colour printing started to surpass monochrome printing.
In 1986 the Society, boosted by a buoyant membership, celebrated it’s centenary and looked forward confidently to the future. By the late 1990’s however, Warrington Photographic Society in line with similar societies saw a decline in membership and a lack of interest in photography, particularly amongst the upcoming generation.
The digital revolution burst upon photography leading to a renewed interest and growing membership. By now the vast majority of members use digital cameras to tackle traditional subjects along with the opportunity offer by digital technology to push photography in to more creative realms.
As we progress through our second centaury we hope that there will be people still willing to associate together with the common cause of making pictures. We meet weekly from September to May and monthly during the summer months. You are welcome to join us; full details may be found on our website at http://www.warringtonps.co.uk/
4th March - 11th April
Private View 3rd March 6-8pm
