Croydon Camera Club
Croydon Camera Club

Croydon Camera Club History: 1890-2000

SLF Out! 1949-50
The strength of 35mm Slides

An SLF competition on 9th November between Mitcham (61) and Croydon (85) convinced Croydon of the superior merits of its lantern slides over the transparencies entered by Mitcham: but such attitudes were not to prevail and now the lantern slide is as rare as an unspotted print! Yet in those far off days we could still hold an "Annual Lantern Slide 11 evening on 30th November which showed that slide making was far from a dying art.

SLF Fees: 2/6d too far

In early December the Club resolved that the proposed increase in SLF subscription from 7/6d should only be supported to a maximum of 10/- and if the subscription was increased to above that figure the Club would withdraw from the Federation. At a meeting on 13th February 1950, the SLF by a vote of seven to one (Croydon) determined the subscription at 12/6d per annum and notice was therefore given that Croydon, a founder member since 23rd January 1947 would withdraw with effect from 31st May 1950. So began the yo-yo of Croydon being in and out of the SLF for the ensuing years and up to the present time.

During the summer and winter the studios of H. G. Dorrett had been the object of visits by members and Miss Nettie Moon had given much tuition on portraiture at the Club. On 21st December she brought along a lady model and a large number of exposures were made and "in spite of various exposure meters being used no two members could agree on what was the correct exposure".

At the beginning of 1950 Kodak Ltd sent us Mr C. L. Clarke again with "Confessions" after which "question time drew a blank - a unique situation at Croydon for Mr Clarke had criticised his slides so severely that even the most critical members were unable to add anything".

Croydon Council's non exhibition

Croydon Education Officer invited the Club to participate in a Leisure Exhibition to be held in March 1950. This invitation was accepted but when further particulars were received, the Education Department had decided the Exhibition costs should be born by the Societies taking part at a charge of about £10. Croydon withdrew and later the Exhibition was abandoned through lack of support. Small wonder at an invitation like that!

The monthly print critique on 1st March had a table top scene which included a tree "purchased from the local dustman for one shilling - it was remarked that it would have been dear at half the price", but the judge, H. G Trodd ARPS, thought the "extravagance had been justified".

Competitions and Lectures

Croydon (80 points) beat South London PS (73) in the SLF competition on 8th March, and West Wickham PS on 10th May with 76 points to 72. During the commentary by L. B. Fleming it was apparent that if all the trimming recommended to one controversial print were put into effect the result would be its complete elimination. Perhaps the judge had that in mind...

I.D. Wratten FRPS a Vice President of the Club and a Director of Kodak Ltd gave a talk on the history of 16mm cine film from its introduction in 1923 to the present time.

17th May had an evening with members giving individual lecturettes and the AGM on 31st May was not the happy event it should have been for our 60th year.