History of The Camera Club
Origins: Bedford Street
The Camera Club was founded in 1885 when the editor of Amateur Photographer magazine, J Harris Stone, called together the most prominent photographers of that time, to create a group that aimed at being “A Social, Scientific and Artistic Centre for Amateur Photographers and others interested in Art and Science.” A subscription paid for the rent of premises on Bedford Street near The Strand, where the club established nine model darkrooms.
Charing Cross Road
In 1891 the Club moved to more spacious premises in Charing Cross Road which included a 27’ studio and four darkrooms. At this time, photography was going through a rapid evolution, gaining popularity as the meeting point of science and art. We later amalgamated with the Blenheim Club in 1908, but preferring independence, then president F.J. Mortimer led a move to John Street Adelphi where the club had excellent facilities, a billiard room, library and dining room. Despite slight bomb damage in the First World War, the club stayed there until further bombing in the Second World War in April 1941.
Grosvenor Street
The Camera Club reopened the following year at 11 Grosvenor Street and despite wartime conditions, it continued to thrive with studio, pictorial, 35mm and colour photography groups. Darkroom hire was 2½ p per hour!
Manchester Square
In 1946 The Camera Club moved again to Manchester Square where it remained until 1969, when it moved into premises over the Photographers Gallery in Great Newport Street. Although smaller, these premises were still popular with members. The club held regular demonstrations on Wednesday and Friday evenings and ran popular studio groups in glamour, portraiture and figure photography.
Bowden Street
In 1990 the Camera Club purchased our present property, which had been a pickle factory. From the original three floors, a fourth floor was added and the club moved in on January 1991. The club now has four darkrooms and two studios, as well as a digital suite and exhibition gallery.
Notable Members
Many of the most influential figures in photography were members of The Camera Club, including:
The Royal photographer Marcus Adams
Founding member and renowned cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne
Leading portrait photographer of 1920s and 30s celebrities, Bertram Park
His wife and equally renowned photographer to the elite, Yvonne Gregory
Famous pictorial photographer and founding member of The Linked Ring, Alfred Horsley Hinton
Technical innovator and boundary-pushing photographer FJ Mortimer
One of the most well-known photographers of fine artists, Jorge Lewinski
Even one of the most famous names in photographer, Cecil Beaton, held an exhibition at The Camera Club gallery.
Founder of The Linked Ring Brotherhood and Managing Director of Kodak George Davison was Honorary Secretary