history Archive

Snippets from the Past.............

History Archive

Last updated – 24 December 2005.
Added information is shown in italics.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive record of the history of the society; rather it is a random collection of items of interest that have been researched and selected from past records. Where necessary, notes have been added to explain the reason for the inclusion of specific items. In some instances items from the past seasonal programmes have been selected at random merely to illustrate the topics which were current at the time, or to indicate progress in photographic developments in general. It will be seen that there was a growing trend away from the use of what we would now refer to as ‘medium format’ cameras to 35mm (then referred to as ‘miniature cameras’). In parallel with this was the increasing use of colour film, both negative and transparency, the transition from flash-bulbs to electronic flash for ‘portable sunlight’, and the availability of much-improved chemicals and materials.
It will be noted that many of the lectures were supported or sponsored by the film, camera and photographic chemicals manufacturers during the fifties and on into the seventies.

1950
Programme items –
12 June – Reserved for possible outing. This might have been to Whipsnade, as there was an item in the accounts for that year ‘Loss on Whipsnade Outing – Two pounds eleven shillings’. There was also an item in the accounts for the ‘Hire of Cinematograph – One pound ten shillings’.
26 June - Lecture on ‘Photography for Medical Research’, illustrated with lantern slides and films, by Mr R McV. Weston MA FRPS.

1951
Programme items –
8 October - Carbro Demonstration by G E Oakley MPS
31 December – Lecture ‘Dufay Colour’ (lantern lecture) by R M Fanstone ARPS

1952
The following item was selected from the society rule book of this year, as being typical of the competition rules for that period.
Annual Exhibition Classes:

Pictorial (Advanced worker)
Pictorial (Intermediate worker)
Pictorial (Beginner)
Portrait (including figure studies)
Record, Architectural, Scientific and Natural History
Lantern Slides – Monochrome (including transparencies)
Lantern Slides – Colour (including transparencies)
Colour prints (any subject)
Hand-coloured work will not be accepted.

Trade processing of colour work will be permitted, but this must be stated on the entry form.
All entries must be the entire work of the exhibitor, with the exception of mounting and colour work (classes G and H), which may be trade processed.
Prints must be mounted on white or cream mounts, size 16 x 20 in., or 12 x 15 in.
Note: It is interesting to see that trade processed work was not the subject of controversy at this time. In more recent times (the eighties?) trade processed work was initially segregated, and only after heated debate was the distinction eliminated. There is further interest in the fact that lantern slides (maybe on glass, and larger than the current ‘standard’ 2 x 2 in. transparency slides) were co-existing. The standard for print boards and colours is also interesting
Programme items –
28 January – ‘Miniature Negative Technique’ by H D J Cole ARPS AIBP FRSA
9 June – ‘Miniature Camera Technique’ by H D J Cole ARPS AIBP FRSA.
Note: It is assumed that ‘miniature’ refers to 35mm.
1953
Programme items –
5 October – Trichrome Carbro Demonstration by Mr & Mrs R E Gray
9 November – ‘Electrical Apparatus Useful In Photography’. Lecture by Major J Binyon OBE MA MIEE.
7 December – ‘Photoflux Photography’. Lantern lecture by Mr. R Bruce Grice AIBP ARPS, by courtesy of Philips Electrical Ltd.
1954
Programme items –
25 January – Monochrome Lantern Slide Evening.
Note: It is assumed that the slides were those produced by members, as there was no lecturer named.
8 February – ‘Motor Racing Photography’ (Lantern slides) by K V Duerden
15 February – ‘Aerial Photography, Present and Future’. An illustrated Kodak Postal Lecture.
8 March – ‘Circus, Stage and Ice Rink’ Lantern lecture by Lancelot Vining FRPS FIBP (by courtesy of Ilford Ltd)
Note: Lancelot Vining was a leading Fleet Street photographer, who also wrote a regular article for ‘Amateur Photographer’ magazine for many years.
13 September – ‘Exposure & Exposure Meters’ by Mr L B Fleming
22 November – ‘My Adventures with Colour’. Lantern lecture by Lancelot Vining FRPS FIBP
The 1954 – 1955 Syllabus, Rules & Notes handbook had a newly-designed cover that featured a silhouette of the Reigate Heath windmill against a dramatic sky. The advertisements are of interest –
Windsor-Spice (1952) Ltd, Photographers & Photographic Dealers are shown with two local addresses – 1 Station Road, Redhill, and 5 The Broadway, Reigate.
Note: Readers may be puzzled by the address ‘The Broadway’, in Reigate. If you look at a modern street map of Reigate you will not find it. In fact it no longer exists, having given way to the extensive redevelopment of the eastern side of London Road, south of the Rushworth Road junction and before the start of Castlefield Road. At about the location currently occupied by the statue of Dame Margot Fonteyn (in front of the Watson Wyatt Building), and at a time when two-way traffic went through the tunnel, there was a row of business premises and shops on that side of the road. These included Wray Park Garages, Connells Antiques and the photographers.
(Note: Dame Margot Fonteyn (1919 – 1991) was born in Reigate, a fact that is commemorated by the statue at this point)
Amongst the camera and film makes listed were – Voigtlander, Zeiss Ikon, Kodachrome, Ektachrome, Ferraniacolour, Pakolor, Gevacolour, Telcolour, Agfacolour, Anscocolour and Ilford Colour.
The Gevaert advertisement listed four film types – Gevachrome, a general purpose orthochromatic film for daylight photography; Gevapan 33, a very fast panchromatic film for action photographs and all exposures in poor light, even with a ‘box’ camera; Gevapan 30, a fast panchromatic film for general outdoor use; Gevapan 27 Microgran, a very fine grain panchromatic film of medium speed.
Note: It is interesting to see that orthochromatic film was still available (panchromatic now being the accepted standard), and the mention of ‘box’ cameras gives an indication that these were still around in some numbers. It is assumed that the film speed indications relate to the Scheiner scale (no longer used). If so, this would indicate that the ‘very fast film’ (Gevapan 33) was equivalent to ISO 125, and that the others were ISO 64 and ISO 32 respectively.
1955
Programme items –
31 January – ‘Stereoscopy in Colour’ (3-D Colour Projection) by Mr W C Dalgoutte (Twickenham PS)
28 February – ‘Using Multigrade Paper’ by H D J Cole ARPS AIBP FRSA (by courtesy of Ilford Ltd)
10 October – ‘Tri-Pack Colour Demonstration’ by Mr L H Moppett MPS.
14 November – ‘Making The Most Of The Miniature’ by Mr H S Newcombe FRPS
Note: In the programme for the 1955-56 the wording ‘Indicates a Lantern Lecture’ was replaced by ‘Indicates Projector in use’. The end of an era?
1956
Programme items –
20 February – ‘The Use of Flash in Colour Photography’ by Mr W C Dalgoutte (Twickenham PS)
5 March – ‘Colour Prints from Ilford Colour’ by Mr L W Offord (Brighton & Hove CC)
19 March – ‘Modern Photography’ by Mr Kevin McDonnell (by courtesy of Johnson’s of Hendon Ltd).
7 May – ‘Synchronised Flash’ by Lancelot Vining FRPS FIBP
Note: It should be recalled that although it was now 10 years since the end of WW2, import restrictions and materials shortages persisted. As a result many amateurs would still have been using equipment from pre-war years. Many of the cameras from that era would not have been equipped for synchronised flash.
4 September – ‘Miniature Camera Technique’ by Mr Stanley W Bowler FRPS FRSA (by courtesy of Ilford Ltd)
31 October – ‘Miniature versus Larger cameras’ by Dr. S D Jouhar FRPS FISA (Twickenham PS)
Note: In the syllabus for 1956 – 1957 certain programme items were highlighted as being of especial interest to beginners. These were presented by Johnsons Ltd, and included ‘How to develop your negatives’ (1 October); ‘Negative development’ (5 November); ‘Print making’ (3 December’; ‘How to make good prints’ (7 January); ‘Developing for fine grain’ (4 February); ‘Fine grain by the Johnson system’ (4 March); ‘The negative and its after-treatment’ (1 April); and ‘Flash photography’ (6 May).
1957
Note: In the spring of 1957 a series of evening strolls and outings was introduced. These included – ‘The Silent City’ (by train from Redhill, Sunday 14 April); evening strolls on 15 and 29 April; ramble to Polesden Lacey (by bus from Reigate, Sunday 26 May); evening strolls on Mondays between 3 June and 22 July; Shere and Albury (by train on Sunday 23 June); and a visit to Mr and Mrs John Allen at Hastings (Sunday 21 July).
Programme items -
18 February – ‘My Adventures with Colour’ by Paul C de Save (by courtesy of his wife)
Note: It is assumed that the last comment was intended as a humorous one! Paul was in fact a member of the society.
25 March – ‘35mm Technique – Exposing, Processing and Printing’ by Lancelot Vining FRPS FIBP
8 April – ‘Best of Both Worlds – Colour and Black and White from the same film’ by Mr G L Hawkins MC FRPS FIBP FRSA (by courtesy of Kodak Ltd).
1959
Programme items –
2 November – ‘How to Develop A Colour Film’ by H E Streicher (Hammersmith HH)
7 December – ‘Oil Reinforcement and Print Finishing’ by W A Speed ARPS (Guildford CC and Twickenham PS)
Note: Advertisements appearing in the 1959 –1960 syllabus booklet included the following –
Kodak advert for the Kodaslide Home Projector (priced £9.9.0) to project your 2” x 2” slides up to 30” x 40” at a distance of 10 feet.
Ilford Multigrade paper.
H Hocken Ltd, 33 Station Road, Redhill promised ‘Quality Equipment and Hand Finished Processing’, and included images of Rolleicord, Rolleiflex and Leica cameras in their advert.
Johnson Unitol concentrated fine grain liquid film developer – ‘One ounce for One film and use it Once only’.
Agfa Isopan films – Isopan FF, extra fine grain (ASA 16); Isopan F, fine grain (ASA 40); Isopan ISS, super special (ASA 100); and Isopan Ultra, very fast (ASA 250). Also mentioned were Brovira and Portriga Rapid photographic papers.
Phelps & Marchant offered to supply your photographic needs at Wray Park Studio, 59 London Road, Reigate.
Paul C de Save FBOA (Hons) FSMC (Hons) & Rita I de Save FBOA FSMC (Optical Practitioners) The Pilgrim House, High Street, Reigate, and The Old Treasure House, Oxted. (They were both members of the club, and their adverts had appeared on syllabus booklets for many years before)
1960
Programme items –
8 February - ‘Photographing The Roof Of The World’ by Alfred Gregory ARPS (by courtesy of Kodak Ltd)
29 February – ‘How To Make Exhibition Prints From Ilford Colour’ by Donald Allen FRPS FRSA FRES (by courtesy of Ilford Ltd)
4 April – ‘Electronic Flash Technique’ by H R Lunger (Islington CC)
11 April – ‘Photography In Industry’ Michael J Langford FIBP FRPS
2 May – ‘How A Photographic Lens Is Made’ by Arthur W Smith ARCS B.Sc. (by courtesy of Wray [Optical Works] Ltd)
3 October – ‘Exposure and Exposure Meters’ by L B Fleming Esq.
1961
Programme item –
9 January – ‘Beginner’s Progress’ by S W Hayter Esq. (film-strip lecture by courtesy of Kodak Ltd., showing that modest equipment, intelligently used, can produce excellent pictures)
1963
In this year the society staged a major exhibition to coincide with the Borough Centenary Celebrations. Called ‘This Is Reigate’ it was an exhibition of contemporary photography taken within the Borough of Reigate and Redhill. Three people formed the core of the organising committee – John Morris, a business executive; Keith Duerden, a professional photographer; and Ron Diplock, a typographical draughtsman. The following selected quotes are from the brochure that accompanied the exhibition. Bold print has been applied to add emphasis.
‘The Exhibition Committee met once every two weeks to short list prints that might be suitable, and to decide on new assignments. Assignments were allocated in order to cover every aspect of the Borough: Public Services, Schools, Sport, Leisure, Religion and Night Life, etc.’ … ‘Final selection and arrangement of prints for display, we consider to be one of the most vital aspects of the exhibition. Keith and Ron worked well into the night, night after night, sifting through some three thousand prints, and arranging them on dummy panels.’ … From the Chairman’s Letter (Brian Thomas) – ‘ The Society not only offers you pearls of wisdom from the great; many evenings are spent on more homely activities, such as colour travelogues, discussions, and print and slide competitions with other clubs.’ … ‘If you are not completely satisfied with your holiday slides or prints, then joining the Society is your first step towards improvement. If you think your photographs are terrific, why not let the pundits at the club give their opinion. An expert’s unbiased opinion is always more satisfying than the praise of your family and friends.’ (Comment – Forty years on; how some attitudes have changed, yet some remain) … Other names mentioned in connection with assistance – Iain Anderson, Iain Laurenson (proprietor of the local camera shop), Jack Thomas (still a member), Eric Weekes, and Tony Marchant (a Reigate professional photographer).
Local photographic suppliers mentioned in the brochure were –
Alan Laurenson & Co, Bell Street, Reigate
Baldwins of Reigate Ltd, Church Street, Reigate
Phelps & Marchant, London Road, Reigate
H Hocken Ltd, Station Road, Redhill
Dudley Styles, Dorking Photo Centre, High Street, Dorking
(Forty years on, all have ceased as photographic dealers, ousted by the ‘chains’ of Photo Optix and Jessops).
1966
Programme item –
19 September – ‘A Start In Photojournalism’ by Bill Jay (Ilford Lecture Service)
1968
Programme item –
26 February – ‘Photography Amongst The Gypsies’ by A G (Tony) Boxall ARPS
Note: Tony, then a member of Horley Camera Club, documented a group of gypsies over a period of several years. This was a very popular lecture, and toured the camera club circuit for very many years.
1969
Programme item –
10 November – ‘Thirty Years in Sports Photography’ by B Smith ARPS
1970
Programme items –
2 February – ‘Bird Photography with a Leica System’ by Charles Bruce MPS (courtesy of E Leitz)
4 May – ‘A Nikon Evening’ (courtesy Rank Organisation Ltd)
1972
Quote from the Surrey Mirror – week-ending 25 May 1972
Over 700 attend photo exhibition
More then 700 people attended the Reigate Photographic Society’s 34th annual exhibition held at Reigate’s Old Town Hall on Saturday.
Altogether 174 prints – both black and white and colour were on display and according to Miss Christine Hughes, the society’s publicity secretary, there was a mood of gaiety about the exhibition.
“The members were greatly encouraged by the fact that the Deputy Mayor and his wife, Alderman and Mrs Peter Phillips agreed to open the event,” she said.
“The monochrome prints which were displayed on cardinal red screens looked well and the titles had been photographed precisely to enhance the overall effect.”
“Exquisite photo-micrographs by Mr Douglas Lawson, the society’s president, a panel of beautiful colour prints by Mr Bernard Hensel, who judged the exhibition and a continuing back-projection of colour transparencies provided a wide variety of photographic subjects and techniques.”
Award winners were:
Advanced class: 1. “Grandad” by David Thorpe: 2. “400 years a King” by Bill Harfield: 3. “Tropicana” by Bill Harfield: Intermediate class: 1. “Home Late” by Reg Seale: 2. “Ghost” by Bill Cox: 3. “Dancing Veteran” by Reg Seale. Beginners’ class: 1. “Power” by Peter Earthy: 2. “George Chisholm” by Peter Earthy: 3. “Boat House” by Miss Patience Ashton. Colour transparencies: 1. “Fog on South Downs” by Mrs V Rogers: 2. “Dawn Viewpoint” by Peter Earthy: 3. “No Title Number 11” by David Thorpe.
Trophies were awarded to Peter Earthy, for the best print in the exhibition (“Power”): Reg Seale for the highest total of merit points during the year for black and white prints: Peter Earthy, for the highest total of merit points during the year for black and white prints in the beginners’ class: Reg Seale, for the highest number of merit points for black and white prints in the intermediate class: Mrs V Rogers, for the best colour transparency in the exhibition (“Fog on South Downs”) Reg Seale, for sustained and consistent effort throughout the season in colour transparencies.
1975
Programme items –
14 October – Visit to North Downs Cine Camera Club at the Scout Hut, Alpine Road, Redhill.
8 December – ‘Travelogue Presentations: Planning, Editing and Presenting’ by Alan Ainsworth and Reg Seale.
Note: This was a presentation by two long-term society members.
Committee members listed in the programme were –
Chairman – Reg Seale; Secretary – Miss K Gee; Members – Bill Harfield, David Thorpe, David Multon, Bob Brewer, Les Carter, Alan Ainsworth and David Ellin.
1984
4-5 May – 46th Annual Exhibition.
The following information is extracted from the programme, which featured a line drawing of 6 Slipshoe Street on the cover.
Officers at the time were – President, Geoffrey Rogers; Chairman, Reg Seale; Vice Chairman & Hon. Secretary, Alan Ainsworth; Hon. Treasurer, David Thorpe; Syllabus Secretary, John Bellenie; Exhibition Secretary, Ian Marjoribanks; and Publicity Secretary, Brian Morris.
The awards were presented by the Deputy Mayor, Mrs M E Robson.
Note: Unlike present times, when entries are awarded marks up to 10, the judges awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class, plus as many Honorary Mentions as they deemed appropriate. In addition, for the exhibition competition only, a ‘Best in section’ award was made, irrespective of the class (experience level) of the competitor.
A sample of winners –
Paul de Save Trophy (best print overall) – Don Carter, “Fast Train”. This also won the Ruby Celebration Cup for 1st in the Preliminary monochrome print class.
Rita de Save Challenge Cup (best slide overall) – Peter Flower “Brolly Boy”.
Coincidentally, both of these winners were from the Preliminary class (least experienced) entrants. Peter Flower also had the distinction of all three winning entries in his class (1st awarded the Vina Rogers Shield, plus 2nd and 3rd). Other notable winners were –
Douglas Lawson Trophy (Advanced class monochrome prints) – Phil Bromhead “Portuguese”
Intermediate class monochrome prints – John Carless “Eskdale”
Albert Trophy (Colour prints) – Reg Seale “Heavy Weather”
Art & Photography Award (Advanced class colour slides) – Phil Duplock “Contra Jour”
The Margaret Bates Cup (Intermediate colour slides) – Brian Morris “Speedy Veteran”
Programme items –
10 September – Forensic Photography by A Goring.
22 October – Building the Barbican Centre by Suzanne Stanton.
3 December – Demonstration of printing with Photocolour 2 materials by Alan Rose of that company.
17 December – Christmas Dinner at the White Horse, Dorking.
1985
3-4 May – Annual Exhibition at the Old Town Hall, Reigate.
29 October – 2 November – Reigate Heritage Exhibition. The society presented a photographic record of the town and its people in the Eighties. This was at the Reigate Priory School, and the School museum was also open. Items listed included – Slide show with commentary, ‘Rare Orchids’, ‘Then and Now’ and a ‘Guess Where’ feature.
1988
The 1988/89 season was the society’s 50th.
Programme items –
19 September – North Downs Film Club showed films of local interest.
22-29 October – 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the Harlequin, Redhill.
5 December – ‘Aerial Photography’ by Tom Samson FRPS, FBIPP.
12 December – Christmas Dinner at the Cock Inn, Headley.
1989
Programme items –
24 April – ‘Abstract First And Last’. R J Freeman presented a twin projector slide-sound show controlled by Diafade.
15-16 September – Annual Exhibition.
December – Extracts from ‘Vision’ (the society’s newsletter)
‘The Chairman’s Evening on 6 November was the occasion for the submission of prints from the Fujicolor Quicksnap cameras. This evening was a roaring success. The volume of entries was enormous and the quality breathtaking. Without doubt, there had to be no apologies for the simplicity of the equipment used. If it had not been known beforehand I deny anyone to have identified this supreme standard of entry as having come from anything other than the normal, expensive, camera gear that the club members habitually use. Tony Riley faced an enormous task in the judging of such a huge entry. As a result of the huge success of this event it is to be hoped that it will be repeated in another season. There is no truth in the rumour that Canon EOS-1s are to be used next year. The thought of smashing the case to get the film out was too distressing for the Chairman to contemplate!’ (Note: the Chairman owned a Canon EOS-1)
The magazine featured a long article by David Brown, with photographs by Ray Ashbee, about a recent visit to China. Their visit had coincided with the momentous events that took place in May, culminating in the protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
1994
Extract from a Press Release (by Honorary Secretary, Steve Lawrenson) dated 2 May 1994
Reigate Photographic Society win the Albany Cup
“This is twice in a row that we have come home with this cup” said Chairman Gerry Stone ARPS. “Let’s tell people about it this time because we are not allowed to do it again!”
Reigate now hold the trophy which was originally presented by Brewers, the Builders & Decorators merchants, in 1963. The cup still carries their ‘Albany’ trade name – and now that of Reigate Photographic Society with the dates 1993 & 1994.
1996
8/9 November – Annual Exhibition – Harlequin Centre, Redhill
1997
22 June – The Chatham Challenge took place at Amberly Chalk Pits Museum. The event was organised by Angela Vickers.
8 September – The opening meeting, ‘Lighting in Photography’ by Tony Riley, was the first to be held at a new venue for the society. This was in a hall at the rear of the Methodist Church in Reigate High street.
1998
Report from the Newsletter of October 1998 –
The season started on 8th September with a hands-on demonstration of new digital photographic capabilities, given by Tony Riley. Since his last lecture on this subject Tony has acquired an impressive array of computer and digital photographic equipment which enabled him to show a comprehensive range of facilities which are now available. Photographs taken at the meeting were input to the computer, and then manipulated using Adobe software. Club members can be made much more attractive-looking when the digital magic is applied!
Programme items –
21 September – Infra-red photography lecture by Ann Smith.
26 September - Chatham Challenge, organised by Steve Lawrenson, visited Tenterden. This event had been postponed from its intended date earlier in the summer due to bad weather.
17 October – Annual Exhibition/Open Day at the Reigate Methodist Church Hall.
2 November – Compact Camera Evening. There was a competition for photographs taken with compact cameras (35mm or smaller, not SLRs, and without exchangeable lenses). This was followed by a light-hearted lecture in which Peter Flower (a member) with a full range of 35mm SLR kit “did battle” with his two daughters equipped only with compact cameras. Needless to say – the girls won!
9 November – Old Print Processes, by Randall Webb. A demonstration of processes, including salt prints, blue prints, gum etc. Contact prints were made using a powerful sunlamp (as a substitute for sunlight).
14 December – Social evening, and results of the Chatham Challenge Trophy announced. The winner was Angela Vickers (second time of winning).
1999
25 January – Kew Gardens and Steam trains. An illustrated lecture by Dr. Peter Brandham, with the emphasis on his botanic research work at Kew.
8 February – The Mary Rose by John Grace. An illustrated talk on the recovery of this historic ship.
Report from the Newsletter of May 1999 –
Silverwood Second
Black and white turned into ‘silver’ for our club when the panel on the theme of Tower Bridge, London was awarded second prize in the Silverwood Trophy competition. The event, which was held at Leatherhead on Saturday 17 April was well attended by Reigate members, who were delighted to witness the success of our entry.
For the record, prints came from both Bob and Judith Boden, John Carless, Chris Gage, Marion Gatland, Amanda Gatland and Gerry Stone, and Leslie Savage prepared the mounts.
In the 1999/2000 season a new competition was announced – Photographer of the Year (affectionately known as POTY!). There were five themes – Movement, Texture, Landscape, Portrait and Curves. The significant feature of this competition was that only one photograph could be submitted for each round, although this could be either a print or slide. The other factor was that judging would be by club members.
Programme items -
21/22 May – Annual Exhibition – Old Town Hall, Reigate.
29 May – Garden Party at Reg Seale’s
12 June – Chatham Challenge, venue Brighton, organised by Angela Vickers.
25 October – Judging of POTY themes, Movement and Texture.
2000
Programme item –
24 January - Combine-a-Negative competition. This was a variation on the Print-a-Neg competition. Competitors were presented with identical sets of 3 black and white 35mm negatives. Elements from these negatives had to be combined to produce a finished print. (The negatives had been distributed in the previous November to allow members time to prepare them in their darkrooms)
7 February – Judging of POTY themes, Landscape and Portrait
22 May – Judging of POTY theme, Curves and announcement of final results.

Reigate Photographic Society

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