Rochdale Photographic Society A Tribute to Roger Fenton

ROCHDALE was the birthplace of one of the 19 th Century's most famous photographers. Roger Fenton was born in Crimble Hall on 28 March 1819. His grandfather was a wealthy cotton manufacturer and banker, his father a banker and Member of Parliament

Roger Fenton self-portrait He trained as a solicitor, then studied art in Paris, registering as a copyist in the there. In 1849-51 he exhibited paintings in the Royal Academy. The of 1851 in Hyde Park aroused his interest in photography, and he returned to Paris to learn photographic techniques.

By 1852 he had photographs exhibited in Britain of views and architecture, and had also travelled to Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. His published call for the setting up of a photographic society was answered in 1853 with the establishment of the 'Photographic Society', with Fenton as founder and first Secretary. It later became the Royal Photographic Society under the patronage of Prince Albert.

It is likely that, in autumn 1854 as the grabbed the attention of the British public, some powerful friends and patrons - among them Prince Albert and Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State for War - urged Fenton to go the to record the happenings. He set off aboard HMS Hecla in February, landed at on 8 March and remained there until 22 June. The resulting photographs may have been intended to offset the general unpopularity of the war among the British people, and to counteract the occasionally critical reporting of correspondent of The Times. Fenton took Marcus Sparling as his photographic assistant, a servant known as William and a large horse-drawn van of equipment.

Despite summer high temperatures, breaking several ribs in a fall, suffering from cholera and also becoming depressed at the carnage he witnessed at , in all Fenton managed to make over 350 usable large format negatives. An exhibition of 312 prints was soon on show in London and at various Roger Fenton's van places across the nation in the months that followed. Fenton also showed them to and Prince Albert and also to Emperor Napoleon III.

In 1862 the organising committee for the International Exhibition in London announced its plans to place photography, not with the other fine arts as had been done in the Art Treasures Exhibition only five years earlier, but in the section reserved for machinery, tools and instruments - photography was considered a craft, for tradesmen. For Fenton this was proof of photography's diminished status, and the pioneers drifted away. In 1863, Fenton sold his equipment and returned to the law as a barrister on the Northern Circuit.

He died 8 August 1869 at his home after a week-long illness - he was only 50 years old.

"On Friday evening a group of gentlemen, and others, met at Mr. Duckworth's hotel on Drake Street, to form the Rochdale Photographic Society. The chair was taken by Mr. J.A. Bright, M.P., and he was elected as President, with Messrs. H. & W. Bamford as joint Secretary, and Mr. T. Pinder as Treasurer. Following the speeches, a convivial hour was spent over a glass of mulled wine."

John Albert Bright by Sir (John) Benjamin Stone

platinum print, 1907 NPG x8906

NPG ref: mw118085 © National Portrait Gallery, London

This short report in the Rochdale Observer of November 18th, 1890, marked the formation of the Rochdale Photographic Society which is still going strong 129 years later in 2019.

The `others' referred to, were mainly chemists and joiners, who were not regarded as 'gentlemen; but were essential to the wealthy `gentry' who needed them to procure the chemicals and build the wooden camera bodies and tripods for their new hobby. When Rochdale Photographic Society was founded in 1890, the typical camera was a wooden box with bellows, the image being recorded on glass plates, which were processed by the user. (See the display in the Local Studies Centre at the other end of the building.)

The Society was formed at a significant time, as the first 'user-friendly' camera produced by Kodak in 1888, was supplied loaded with film for 100 pictures to be returned to the supplier for processing and reloading. "You take the picture, we do the rest!" was their slogan. Ordinary families could take their own pictures without specialised knowledge.

Twin-lens reflex

The 1920's saw the development of the 'Twin lens reflex" and the "miniature" camera using 35mm film and, with the growth of the popular "Single lens reflex" after the War, these represented the main film cameras used by serious amateurs until the onset of the digital era.

Leica III 'minature camera'

Polaroid Land Type 103 The "Polaroid" instant cameras of the 1950's onwards showed the attraction of seeing 'instant' results without complicated processing.

The 1990's saw the first range of commercial digital cameras, but their popularisation came only in the past 15 years. The integration of cameras with our phones and tablets means that everyone is a photographer now!

Rochdale Photographic Society have already had a hands-on demonstration of the next generation of digital cameras - the Light-field camera where you can choose your focus point after you've taken the shot!

But these are just tools that will always change - what matters is the Photographer and the Subject and the Light ... Lyto Illium Light-field camera ...TODAY, the essence of photography continues to be what it has always been - regardless of equipment - a way in which the photographer can tell their own story - the "way they see it". Whether you want • to illustrate your own interests, • to record events for family history and or • to share them across the world, or • as artistic expression, Rochdale Photographic Society members share their experience and expertise for others to learn and enjoy the results. And sometimes we can be challenged to do something a little different!

Outside judges are invited to appraise our photos and to help us improve and, while members don't have to show their work, most find that friendly comment and constructive advice really helps.

Recent and forthcoming 2019 events include:

Speakers: Maurice Wilson: "Can't Stop Cheating" Brian White: "World Travel Photograpy" Members: "An Evening With Steven Rittey"

Practicals: Studio Flash Photography Various Outdoor Initiatives Model Portrait sessions Outings: Rochdale Then & Now Whitby & the Goths Manchester Monuments Technical: Taking sharp photos An Introduction to Audio-Visual Do I need to process my shots?

For the current syllabus see www.rochdaleps.org.uk

Rochdale Photographic Society meets weekly at Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale, OL12 6TP on Wednesdays at 7:30pm

You are invited to come and meet us for up to three meetings before deciding to join us!