A few words about the history of Derby Photographic Society
by Ken Walters APAGB
The Society is now 125 years old and its purpose still remains to encourage an interest in all aspects of photography, digital and chemical. We believe we are the oldest Society in the North & East Midlands Federation.
The city of Derby can boast a link with the history of photography from the year 1854 (the year after the Royal Photographic Society was formed) because it was then that a “photographist”, William Brennan, worked at 14 Iron Gate. By 1857 there were fourteen similar businesses in the town, one of which, W. W. Winter, still survives in Midland Road.
With the development of this new hobby and art form a group of eminent Derby people met on 11th June 1884, in Rodney Chambers, Corn Market, and formed the Derby Photographic Society. Capt. Abney was first President and members included Richard Keene, Arnold Bemrose, Pollard Graham and Thomas Scotten; the latter became the Chief Photographer for the Midland Railway Co. and his photographs of UK beauty spots were displayed in the railway carriages.
Photographs from the Society’s archives are in the Local Studies Library and illustrate the superb work accomplished by the members in the early days. Cameras at this time were heavy and bulky, it is recorded that Richard Keene the driving force behind the formation of the Society spent time touring Derbyshire with a hand cart pushed by a Mr Tippet loaded with Photographic equipment!
In 1886 Derby hosted the first Photographic Convention in the UK. It was held at the College of Art in Green Lane and lasted three days. Derby was chosen for this event because of its central location, excellent railway facilities and fine scenery. It was recorded at the time that “The still silent streets of Derby reverberated with the cheerful sound of the post horn, handled by the conductor of the brake, drawn by four horses, dashing from the Midland Hotel crammed with 30 to 40 photographers”.
Founded in 1884
Affiliated to the Photographic Alliance through
The North and East Midlands Photographic Federation