During the mid 19th century artists, chemists and innovators in Scotland became photographers playing an historic role in advancing the medium then, in 1889 photographers in Falkirk banded together to form the Falkirk Amateur Photographic Association. That group survived two World Wars and various incarnations before, on 17th April 1958, becoming the Falkirk Camera Club which we know today.
On 31st March 2018 in The Gallery at Falkirk Town Hall, West Bridge St., Falkirk, an exhibition Genesis To Jubilee – The Story Of Falkirk Camera Club opened telling the story of that journey. The exhibition is supported by Falkirk Community Trust. http://www.
We chart the formation, and identify some of the members of that late 19th century group and include in the exhibition, just one article from the many in our archive from the Falkirk Herald of 1889 which reported their formation and meetings.
We show a c1890’s photograph of those first Falkirk photographers together with a photograph of some current Falkirk Camera Club members taken recently in the same spot, Callendar House – Falkirk. Those recent photographs, plus short biographies of some of today’s members will join those 19th century images in the Falkirk History Archives at Callendar House for the benefit of future generations. At the end of the 19th century Callendar House was the home of the main landowning family in the district. ( http://www.
We show a photograph of the 1898 committee of the Falkirk Amateur Photographic Association and another of their President, George Sherriff. Father of the eminent Botanist of the same name.
For the first time in almost 80 years, we exhibit the first photograph which a Club photographer, John P. Munn, exhibited internationally by touring it in the U.S.A. immediately before that country entered WWII. We show the first Falkirk C.C. Print Of The Year, by Dr J. McMurray, from the re-named Falkirk Camera Club in 1958 and one of the first photographs which one of their members exhibited nationally.
We exhibit a 1962 Monochrome Print Of The Year from Falkirk C.C. member, Peter Easton, still active in the Club today. We exhibit photographs which were exhibited by Falkirk C.C. members in International Exhibitions from the 1980’s through to the present day and crucially, the work of photographers who have only joined the group within the past few months.
Falkirk Camera Club has flourished due to the skill and dedication of many, many photographers starting with those 19th century pioneers. While a small number are represented in this exhibition it is those many photographers who made a notable impact on the life of the Club. In a location steeped in the manufacturing instigated by the Industrial Revolution, they provided a forum for self expression or, for individuals to simply better record the lives of their family and friends. Today, in the 21st century, the photographic process has evolved way beyond their capabilities, but perhaps not beyond their dreams. We hope that you enjoy our exhibition as we continue to strive to match their ingenuity and are proud to be the custodians of their vision.
Falkirk Town Hall is open most days but please check with them before travelling on, 01324 – 506177.