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History of the Society
During
the latter years of the war the Raven Photographic Society was formed as an
adjunct to social club of the Fort Halstead Government Research Station. With
the ending of the war, the numbers of this select body of scientists and
technicians gradually reduced to a point when, in early 1948, it was decided to
invite local photographers to join..
Following
a public meeting the Orpington
Photographic Society came into being with regular meetings commencing in the
following September at the old Orpington Public Library – opposite the bottom
of Knoll Rise. Harold Marchant FIBP, a well known local professional
photographer was elected President. John Forbes ARPS served on the original
steering committee, and continued as an active print making member of the
Society until his death in 2005.
With
input from a nucleus of experienced and practising photographers, the content of
the winter season’s programmes for the early years quickly became established
as a blend of competitions, instructional lectures, travelogues, and more light
hearted subjects. More than fifty years later the same format continues, albeit
slightly modified to take account of changing technology and trends, but
indicative of it’s undoubted success and acceptance by the membership.
The
Society soon became affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain,
the Central Association ( disbanded ), the Federation of South London
Photographic Societies, and the Kent County Photographic Association. Membership
of these organisations continues to this day bringing advantages in terms of the
availability of top class judges and lecturers. It also enabled the Society and
it’s membership to more formally participate in inter-club competitions and
external exhibitions. Having a wealth of talent and expertise amongst its
membership the Society quickly gained many competition and exhibition successes
– however this did not detract from its prime aim of encouraging the enjoyment
of photography within an informal and friendly club atmosphere. The same
philosophy is still maintained, particularly insofar as new members and
beginners are concerned.
At
first the work of the Society was predominantly monochrome, both in print and
slide format, with the majority of the membership still using roll film or plate
cameras. Colour was something of a rarity but, with time, it’s availability
and popularity has increased to a point where monochrome is itself now
declining. Fortunately, and unlike most clubs, the Society has many active print
workers capable of producing monochrome work of the highest standard. Colour
printing, both from slides and colour negatives, together with more historic
forms of image manipulation, have their devotees. Even modern digital imaging
techniques have been adopted, and prints derived from this process have been
successfully exhibited.
Meetings
at the old Library had always been well attended to the point of ‘standing
room only’, and it was therefore with some relief that, in the mid 1960s, the
Society transferred to it’s present venue of The Priory. The current meeting
room, with its genuine Elizabethan “décor” was much enjoyed by both members
and visitors.
There
has always been an emphasis on the social side of the Society and a tradition of
outings, purely social get-togethers, friendly competitions with other clubs,
and other ‘fun’ evenings form an important part of the programme.
Another
integral part of the programme are the internal print and slide competitions
which provide members with not only an opportunity to show their work, but
enabling them to receive expert appraisal and advice. Entry into the
competitions is not obligatory, but it is encouraged. A system of grading is in
place to ensure no member is disadvantaged or deterred by lack of experience
etc. All work is marked, and promotion to the upper classes is based on such
marking. A number of excellent trophies are awarded to the winners in each
class.
Because
of it’s reputation as one of the leading clubs in the South East, and it’s
friendly atmosphere, the Society has been able to attract many of the top judges
and lecturers over the years.
The
Society has a gained a further enviable reputation with the individual successes
of its members, the majority of whom joined as ‘beginners’. Many past and current members have achieved distinctions of
the Royal Photographic Society. More recently the awards of
DPAGB and MPAGB have been gained - the latter being almost unique in the
South of England, and there have been countless individual successes in national
and international exhibitions. The recent competition successes listed elsewhere
are indicative of the wealth of expertise within the Society, all of which is
freely available to the less experienced workers.
Although
the Society has a reputation for producing work comparable to the very best in
the world of amateur photography, and indeed much of it is to a professional
standard, the needs of the average member is not neglected in terms of
assistance and encouragement. In order to promote the latter in a more informal
and relaxing atmosphere various, and very successful, ‘Groups’ have been
formed over the years. Details of these groups are given on a separate page and
range from the Portrait Group, started back in 1954, to the more recently formed
Digital Group which promotes an exchange of ideas and knowledge on producing
prints via the computer.