Weekly Reports by Steve Wells
(Older reports in Archive)
13th September 2021
The London Salon of Photography exists to “exhibit only that class of photographic work in which there is distinct evidence of artistic feeling and execution”. The idea that photography should be seen primarily as an artistic medium goes way back into the nineteenth century with photographers such as Roger Fenton: a founder of the Royal Photographic Society. When Thornbury Camera Club exhibited images from the London Salon, we knew that we could expect something other than what has become known as “club photography”. We knew not to expect “chocolate box” landscapes, wildlife or sport.
These were images where the primary intent was to catch (or to create) the mood. This tended to be achieved through monochrome or muted colours. This was often supported by textures added to the image, or of a coarseness or grain imitating the character of over-processed film. Backgrounds made from images of badly plastered walls have become a cliché in recent years. After all, if Rembrandt could get away with textured backgrounds in the seventeenth century, why should we not do the same?
In the discussion which followed, not everyone seemed to appreciate what the Salon members were trying to achieve. Perhaps the difference between these images and those we are used to was uncomfortable. Despite this, there was a feeling that we were being challenged and that can only be a good thing.
The London Salon of Photography exists to “exhibit only that class of photographic work in which there is distinct evidence of artistic feeling and execution”. The idea that photography should be seen primarily as an artistic medium goes way back into the nineteenth century with photographers such as Roger Fenton: a founder of the Royal Photographic Society. When Thornbury Camera Club exhibited images from the London Salon, we knew that we could expect something other than what has become known as “club photography”. We knew not to expect “chocolate box” landscapes, wildlife or sport.
These were images where the primary intent was to catch (or to create) the mood. This tended to be achieved through monochrome or muted colours. This was often supported by textures added to the image, or of a coarseness or grain imitating the character of over-processed film. Backgrounds made from images of badly plastered walls have become a cliché in recent years. After all, if Rembrandt could get away with textured backgrounds in the seventeenth century, why should we not do the same?
In the discussion which followed, not everyone seemed to appreciate what the Salon members were trying to achieve. Perhaps the difference between these images and those we are used to was uncomfortable. Despite this, there was a feeling that we were being challenged and that can only be a good thing.
6th September 2021
For the first time in a year and a half, Thornbury Camera Club was able to meet face to face. In some ways things were back to normal: in other ways, the club has moved on and learned from its period in lockdown. This time the meeting was held as jointly live and over Zoom. While most members came to Turnberries, nine joined the meeting over Zoom. While most of the evening consisted of speakers in Turnberries, one talk was given over Zoom from the presenter’s home.
As this was the first meeting of the year, the members of the committee were each invited to introduce themselves by giving a short talk to show off their photographs. The talks started with a regatta at Oldbury: the images of yachts and boats changing as the tide came in. The talks went on to include images of bicycles and birds; a squirrel in the Rocky Mountains; a Police Museum and the tabloid press in Wapping.
The evening concluded with a presentation to Andy Gillingham. Until he stood down at the last AGM, Andy had been secretary of the club for 35 years. A remarkable achievement.
For the first time in a year and a half, Thornbury Camera Club was able to meet face to face. In some ways things were back to normal: in other ways, the club has moved on and learned from its period in lockdown. This time the meeting was held as jointly live and over Zoom. While most members came to Turnberries, nine joined the meeting over Zoom. While most of the evening consisted of speakers in Turnberries, one talk was given over Zoom from the presenter’s home.
As this was the first meeting of the year, the members of the committee were each invited to introduce themselves by giving a short talk to show off their photographs. The talks started with a regatta at Oldbury: the images of yachts and boats changing as the tide came in. The talks went on to include images of bicycles and birds; a squirrel in the Rocky Mountains; a Police Museum and the tabloid press in Wapping.
The evening concluded with a presentation to Andy Gillingham. Until he stood down at the last AGM, Andy had been secretary of the club for 35 years. A remarkable achievement.
23rd August 2021
Over the summer, Thornbury Camera Club has arranged outings to local places of photographic interest from Portishead to Clifton. For the last of these summer outings, the club came home to Thornbury.
The sun was low in the western sky. Even though it is still August and we still think of this as summer, autumn is coming on and the days are getting shorter. In order to get some light, several members made their way to Mundy Playing fields where such light as was available was not hidden by the buildings in the high street. The playground equipment provided some abstract shapes while others were attracted by the stream and overhanging trees.
Others abandoned the natural light and took a look at the possibilities available in the artificial light of shop windows. Charity shops seemed particularly attractive with the remarkable variety of second hand goods on sale. For some reason ladies dress shoes seemed particularly in evidence. Perhaps COVID has meant people are not going out as much and don’t need party pumps.
At the end of the evening, the group gathered in the Wheatsheaf for a chat and a drink. Then, as if the earlier part of the evening had not been enough, they proceeded to take photographs of each other. The resulting portraits provided much merriment.
Over the summer, Thornbury Camera Club has arranged outings to local places of photographic interest from Portishead to Clifton. For the last of these summer outings, the club came home to Thornbury.
The sun was low in the western sky. Even though it is still August and we still think of this as summer, autumn is coming on and the days are getting shorter. In order to get some light, several members made their way to Mundy Playing fields where such light as was available was not hidden by the buildings in the high street. The playground equipment provided some abstract shapes while others were attracted by the stream and overhanging trees.
Others abandoned the natural light and took a look at the possibilities available in the artificial light of shop windows. Charity shops seemed particularly attractive with the remarkable variety of second hand goods on sale. For some reason ladies dress shoes seemed particularly in evidence. Perhaps COVID has meant people are not going out as much and don’t need party pumps.
At the end of the evening, the group gathered in the Wheatsheaf for a chat and a drink. Then, as if the earlier part of the evening had not been enough, they proceeded to take photographs of each other. The resulting portraits provided much merriment.
16th August 2021
Once again, water was the attraction. Thornbury Camera Club’s latest evening outing took them to Bristol Harbour-Side: the Floating Harbour, M Shed and the Lloyds Amphitheatre. Early cloud cover suggested poor light for the photographers who met at the John Cabot statue near Arnolfini. However, as the group discussed where to go and what might make a good image, the cloud broke and the sun was soon shining over the Lloyds Amphitheatre and the far side of the harbour.
While the light lasted, St Mary Redcliffe pointed skywards over the river into a blue sky. Most of the group headed over Prince Street Bridge and along the quay by the M-Shed. Unfortunately, despite the early promise, the sun soon disappeared behind a cloud only to reappear briefly before sinking out of sight.
While the light lasted, there were interesting images to be found in the rolling stock and harbour-side cranes of the Bristol Harbour Railway: Several photographers used the rails themselves to create abstract images. The available light soon became unusable. After yet more discussion the group changed its approach to photograph artificial lights - the boats and the restaurant lights reflected in the harbour water. At the funfair, the red and yellow lights of the helter-skelter and roundabout provided cheerful images for the end of the evening.
Once again, water was the attraction. Thornbury Camera Club’s latest evening outing took them to Bristol Harbour-Side: the Floating Harbour, M Shed and the Lloyds Amphitheatre. Early cloud cover suggested poor light for the photographers who met at the John Cabot statue near Arnolfini. However, as the group discussed where to go and what might make a good image, the cloud broke and the sun was soon shining over the Lloyds Amphitheatre and the far side of the harbour.
While the light lasted, St Mary Redcliffe pointed skywards over the river into a blue sky. Most of the group headed over Prince Street Bridge and along the quay by the M-Shed. Unfortunately, despite the early promise, the sun soon disappeared behind a cloud only to reappear briefly before sinking out of sight.
While the light lasted, there were interesting images to be found in the rolling stock and harbour-side cranes of the Bristol Harbour Railway: Several photographers used the rails themselves to create abstract images. The available light soon became unusable. After yet more discussion the group changed its approach to photograph artificial lights - the boats and the restaurant lights reflected in the harbour water. At the funfair, the red and yellow lights of the helter-skelter and roundabout provided cheerful images for the end of the evening.