Here’s an opportunity to join a Leica meet-up at The Camera Club, one of the most significant organisations in photographic history. Britain’s largest association for Leica owners, The Leica Society (TLS) is organising the get-together of members and other Leica enthusiasts later this month. It is part of the development of local hubs and events designed to establish a strong local presence in various parts of the country. The Leica gathering will take place on Saturday, 26 October 2024 at The Camera Club’s historic premises. It will be followed by a photo-walk along the South Bank of the Thames.
Leica admirers welcome
While the event is targeted at existing members living in London and the Home Counties, the organisers, David Shaw and Dan Bachmann, are keen to welcome all Leica owners who have perhaps never considered joining such an organisation. To add to the attraction, the choice of venue is perfectly appropriate and is an attraction in itself.
The Camera Club in Kennington, south of the River Thames, is one of the most significant organisations in the history of photography. Established 139 years ago, The Camera Club is one of the longest-running photographic societies in the world.
The editor of Amateur Photographer magazine, J. Harris Stone, called together the most prominent photographers in 1885. His object was to create a “social, scientific and artistic centre for amateur photographers and others interested in art and science”. It was originally a gentleman’s club, and enforced a strict dress code on members.
One hundred years later, The Camera Club got into financial difficulties and decided to auction the historical and iconic images in the archive. The auction raised more than had been expected, but there was still a significant shortfall. However, just days before the club was to vanish, three members each loaned £10,000.
The result was renewed stability and the club was eventually able to buy its present building, which had been an old pickle factory, and moved there in 1991. A fourth floor was added, and the club now has four darkrooms and two studios, as well as a digital suite and exhibition gallery.
Leica Meet-up: A photo opportunity
With this history in mind, this month’s TLS gathering will provide a great opportunity to see the history of photography at first hand. I plan to be present and look forward to Macfilos readers.
All members and Leica owners considering joining are welcome to join the organising team for coffee, a chat, and a look around this remarkable site. In the afternoon there will be a photo walk around this historic part of south London.
If you would like to join us on the day, please contact David Shaw (dave.shaw@mac.com) so that he can plan for numbers.
Visit the website of The Leica Society. New members are always welcome.
A cup of coffee works wonders in supporting Macfilos
Did you know that Macfilos is run by a dedicated team of volunteers? We rely on donations to help pay our running costs. And even the cost of a cup of coffee will do wonders for our energy levels.
Well done to Dan and Dave for orgabising this. Unfortunately, I have a lomg-standing (and can’t get out of) family event on the Broads that weekend…… I’m sure all will have a great time…. Tony Cole
There is renewed speculation, again, about the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. This follows the discovery of a boot and sock embroidered with “A. C. Irvine” on the Central Rongbuk
Glacier below the north face of the world’s tallest peak. Sandy Irvine went missing with his climbing
partner George Mallory on June 8 1924.
It is rumoured they took a camera with them, not inconceivably after taking advice from The Camera Club. Could this have been a Leica “0” model ? If not, what other make ? No doubt the Wetzlar
marketing people are already salivating over how to monetise such a future discovery were it to happen.
Sorry to disappoint but Irvine’s camera was a Kodak Vest Pocket Camera http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Vest_Pocket_Kodak
The very camera which I played with when I were a lad (see the Macfilos story http://www.tinyurl.com/10cam3ras) ..although not on Everest, and it wasn’t (weren’t) mine; it was my Mum’s! [..So that’s why there were all those pictures of snow on the film!]
Sounds great, Mike. Would love to go if I was in the London area. I’ll be in Stevenage that weekend with fellow PCCGB members (I am also member of TLS) discussing an upcoming book on Victorian Photographers for which I will write the chapter on Victorian Darkrooms. On a similar theme I am also member of Dublin Camera Club which goes back to 1946, but I have just finished cataloguing the camera collection of the Photographic Society of Ireland which was founded in 1854, not long after the Royal Photographic Society (I’m also a member of RPS). I am about to start photographing the latter collection next Wednesday.
Great credit is due to the people who saved the Camera Club in London and those premises look splendid. The history of camera clubs and photographic societies is littered with failing entities and changing premises and it is great to find continuity being maintained.
Well done to David and Dan for organising this event. I hope everyone has a great day at the Camera Club on 26th October.
William
I will be there and it would be great to meet and chat to Macfilos readers. Please try to come if you can.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I have sent Dave an email and I look forward to getting to meet you.
Best regards,
Michael
Look forward to seeing you, Michael. I hope more readers will decide to come and meet other TLS members.
Fantastic! looking forward to seeing you and the others!