Introduction
Photography did not just attract professionals, there were a growing number of amateurs interested in the new technology and it was not long before various associations, clubs, and societies were formed.
Like the professional photographers, information about these early clubs are hard to find. I came across the April 2016 newsletter of the Bristol Photographic Society and that has a brief outline of some of the earliestcubs, and I used that as the basis of this page.
Bristol & West of England Amateur Photographic Association
This was the first organised photographic society in Bristol, and was probably founded in 1866. It met in the Philosophical Institute, Park Street "discussing subjects relating to their most interesting art and science". Between 1880 and 1896, it organised several major photographic exhibitions in the large galleries of the Royal Fine Arts Academy.
The society was the first to bring to a public audience outside London some of the earliest films (or "animated photography" as it was then called) that were shown in the large Colston Hall. William Friese-Greene, a Bristol photographer and member of the Association, is credited as the inventor of 'cinematography'!
Members were provided with an equipped darkroom as well as a Reading & Lecture Room. It moved to 20 Berkeley Square in 1886 and continued to do so until it ceased to exist in 1939.
The Association held exhibitions and competitions and would issue a handsome medal to the winners:
Bristol and West of England Amateur Photographic Association medal
Image: Numista
One of the past presidents of the Association was H. A. Hood Daniel Esq. FSI,
H. A. Hood Daniel Esq. FSI, past president of the BWEPA
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Bristol Museums has a fine collection of the Association's glass plate negatives.
In 1933, the Association donated one hundred and fourteen calotypes (paper negatives) taken by the Reverend Francis Lockey (1796-1869) to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales. These images were taken during photographic tours of Wales.
Bristol Camera Society
This society was founded on November 4, 1887. It originally met at University College in Tyndall's Park then moved to the Kensington School of Science & Art in Berkeley Square in 1896.
Bristol & District Photographic Society
This was founded in 1901 but records suggest that, in 1904, it merged with the Bristol Camera Society with combined funds of £2 14s. 4d! The society was renamed the "Bristol Photographic Club" which changed to "Bristol Photographic Society" in 1923.
Bristol Camera Club
This club was founded in 1939. It was ultimately disbanded (possibly in 1962). The BCC's original print collection dated 1952 to 1962 is now part of our archive in the Bristol Record Office.
Bristol Photographic Society
Meetings began in the Caxton Rooms, Bristol Bridge. The club flourished and merged with the Bristol & West of England Amateur Photographic Association in 1939. The club rooms moved to 42 Park Street which, unfortunately, were destroyed in the major air-raid of November 24, 1940 along with, among other things, their valuable permanent collection of prints. The only prints that were saved were those that were in circulation in a folio and a few that were later found in the bottom of a trunk bought at an auction of furniture from the home of Roderick Fry, past president of the BPS, who died in 1945. These are now in the Society's archive collection.
The Society held the first International Salon of Photography in 1947. Following the destruction of the club rooms, meetings were held in a variety of places including the Grand Hotel and 20 Berkeley Square. The Society moved to West Mall, Clifton in 1970. Thanks to a generous bequest from the late Fred Matthews and after much searching, they were able to move to new premises in Montpelier in May 2015.
One of the past presidents was Roderick J. Fry, a member of the chocolate family. The R. J. Fry Bowl is presented annually as one of their competition prizes.
Sources & Resources
April 2016 newsletter of the Bristol Photographic Society
Bristol Photographers Club
Bristol Photographic Society
Downend Camera Club
Hanham & Kingswood Photo Club
Keynsham Photographic Society
Lincombe Barn Camera Club
North West Bristol Camera Club
Reflex Camera Club
Resound Camera Club