Competition launched as camera club celebrates 70th anniversary

A GOOD photograph can be understood by people who speak a different language according to Owen Cochrane, president of the Inverness Camera Club.

"It is also a record of a moment in time so it can be seen as a historical marker," he said. "It might make you happy or sad. It could even inspire you."

Mr Cochrane is among more than 60 members aged 16 to 80-plus who will celebrate the club’s 70th anniversary in November.

Although cameras and photographic techniques have changed hugely and the club has moved premises several times since its formation, the pursuit of excellence has remained constant among its members over the decades.

"At its core, the camera club is about bringing photography to Inverness and the surrounding areas," Mr Cochrane said.

"It is about giving the opportunity for those interested in photography to show their work, to interact with others, to share and gain knowledge and expertise and to foster an environment for learning."

The idea of forming a camera club originally arose from evening photography classes run at Inverness Royal Academy by Fred Hardley who also ran the town’s photographic business, D Whyte’s Studio.

His mission was to educate people on producing artistic photographs, although the education committee of the time insisted that art and photography were two entirely different things and the classes had to be entitled ‘Photography’.

They proved popular and as the students’ skills developed, enquiries were made about the availability of space for a darkroom.

The offered solution was the provision of a wooden board to convert the rector’s private toilet – which measured 3ft by 2ft – into a darkroom on the evenings of classes.

The camera club was inaugurated in November 1948 and moved into rented premises in Fourth Street, Dempster Gardens, the following month.

Since then, it has met in Church Street, an old billiard room in High Street, a derelict house in Innes Street and a former Mission Hall in Stephens Brae and regulars get together twice weekly between September and April at Culduthel Christian Centre.

"It is a long-established club and we have many children of parents who were keen photographers in the days when film, chemicals and darkrooms were the norm," Mr Cochrane said.

He said that the quality of cameras on today’s smartphones surpassed that of a 10-year-old digital camera.

"Today, we are taking more photos than mankind ever has and these are seen all over the internet and social media. But how many ever get printed and displayed? Not very many. "Conversely, film is making a comeback partially because of the quality of the finished photograph it gives, but also because it requires you to slow down and think about what you are doing."

Club members, especially new or less experienced ones, can improve their skills and learn new techniques at the Monday meetings which take the form of workshops while the Wednesday meetings are more formal with presentations and competitions.

The club also runs courses for beginners.

Despite changing technology, Mr Cochrane believes the timelessness of photography will endure.

"I hope Inverness Camera Club will continue to expand its ideas and thoughts, to encourage, train and mentor those interested in photography, to be seen as a camera club for all abilities and styles," he said.

THE search is on for the best young photographers capturing a winning image of Inverness.

The Inverness Courier and the Inverness Camera Club – which are both celebrating milestone anniversaries – have joined forces to launch a photographic competition.

Aimed at eight to 26-year-olds, entrants are asked to submit an image depicting the theme Inverness Past and Present. The winners will have their work published in the Courier and will also receive a voucher and framed print of their entry after it has been exhibited in a city community gallery.

The competition marks the 200th anniversary of the Courier while the camera club will reach its 70th anniversary in November.

It also chimes with the Scottish Government’s designation of 2018 as the Year of Young People which aims to be a platform for young people, giving them a stronger voice on issues affecting their lives, showcasing their ideas and talents and ultimately, challenging status quo and creating a more positive perception of them in society.

Digital entries only will be accepted in the four age categories – eight to 10 years, 11 to 14, 15 to 18 and 19 to 26.

Just one entry per person will be allowed although two images per entry will be accepted.

The judging panel will include Owen Cochrane, president of the camera club, Matt Sillars, a lecturer in photography at Inverness College UHI and also a committee member of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography, and teacher Jen Hay who runs the Higher Photography course at Culloden Academy,

They will be joined by Phil Murray, news editor with Scottish Provincial Press, publisher of the Courier.

The four winning entries in each category plus a selection of other images will be exhibited at the Upstairs Gallery in Academy Street in December.

Entries should be submitted as a jpeg to YOYP@invernesscameraclub.co.uk by 5pm on Sunday November 4.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.