A Brief History of the Club
There has been a Photographic Society in Gravesend since 1901, but the present Club was formed in 1932. The inaugural meeting of the Gravesend Photographic Society was held in January 1932. Beginners as well as experts were welcomed and all classes of photography were undertaken. The annual subscription for that season was 5/-.
The onset of the war interrupted the regular meetings of the Society, and it wasn’t until 1944 that meetings reconvened. The Committee approved a 100% increase in subs to 10/- a year and also recommended that “at least two ladies were to serve on the Committee”.
It was around this time that the Society took on its present form and started its programme in September. Portrait evenings were held at Marshalls’ Photographic Studio in Windmill Street, and an enlarger was made available for members’ use.
Around 1950 the Society became Gravesend Camera Club - a less formal and more friendly title. Also around this time the Kent County Photographic Society was formed, of which the Club quickly became a member (and remains so today).
The Club membership remained small during the 1960’s, with only 9 members attending the AGM in 1965. In 1969 there was a marked increase in membership (and the Club’s bank balance!). A social committee was set up in the early 1970’s to arrange outings and other events.
In 1974 the Club became affiliated to the Gravesham Arts Council and during the mid-1970’s membership rose to around 40. During the 1978 season the Club won the Handley Shield in the external KCPA competition against some 40 other clubs.
What would the founder members make of today’s Club scene? Digital photography is now firmly established as alongside the traditional methods, and the equipment now available is mind-blowing. However, the aims of the Club are the same of nearly 70 years ago - “mutual help”.
