Ilkley Camera Club - Founded 1953 continued

The founding of the Club occurred just as colour photography was gaining in popularity amongst amateur photographers, hence the need for a projector: for this was well before the days of home colour printing. Quite soon, however, Ilkley had a group of highly competent colour workers, and the Club was partly instrumental in setting up the Inter Club Colour Slide Competition in the early '60s, which still exists, and which has been keenly contested for many years by clubs throughout the region.

Success in this field, and in monochrome photography, created a demand from other clubs for our members to give lectures and to act as judges, something which continues to this day. Gradually, colour printing was introduced and soon became popular. Within the Club there were those, including another of our founder members, who were receiving national and international recognition of their colour photography, as well as becoming Associates and Fellows of the Royal Photographic Society.

During the past few years we have seen the increasing involvement of members in digital photography and the signs are that this medium will transcend all others before long. Already some excellent work is being produced, some of it from those who have previously excelled in conventional techniques.

Despite many similar clubs struggling, and several closing, in these times when there are so many other diversions available to people, Ilkley Camera Club has continued to flourish and has a current membership of 72, with a regular attendance of between 40 and 50. This is not only because the Club has some good and keen workers, but mostly because its committee members (some of whom have held various offices over a period of many years) work devotedly for the well being of the Club, something which has been true from the outset and to mention any names would be inappropriate for fear of excluding somebody!

Our first 50 years have seen a huge change in photographic techniques, whoever would have thought that single lens reflex cameras would become the norm, quickly followed by through the lens metering, auto focusing, and now digital cameras? There may be some of our present members who will see our centenary. What a tale they will have to tell!

With thanks to John Hardy – Founder member and President 1963-1964

(Article written for the Golden Jubilee Exhibition 2003)

 

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