In the latter part of the 19th century, there was a great interest in the scientific aspects of photography, the interaction of light with certain chemicals.
The Greenock Camera Club was formed in 1888 by 12 men who met in the Watt Museum committee room. It was formed from a branch of the local Philosophical Society with some of the individuals involved being Messrs.. Drummond, Niven, Sinclair & Thomson. The Philosophical Society met in the McLean Museum hall and it is understood that the Club was supposed to be allocated premises in the proposed extension to the museum which unfortunately did not materialise.
The group of gentlemen from the Club met at first only once a month, in the schoolhouse of the old Kilblain Academy just off Kilblain St. between St. Georges Church and Hasties Engineering Works. Half of the upper floor of the Academy was leased to the Greenock Camera Club for 50 years, and this area was divided by partitions into 3 compartments - namely a committee / reading room, a darkroom and a printing room.
In 1890 the club’s first exhibition of prints was hung in the Watt Hall and the membership was now up to 30. The half plate (4 3/4" x 6 1/2") enlargers the members used were simple gas lit ones that were later converted to electricity, with adapters to take quarter plates (3 1/4" x 4 1/2" - this being the smallest size that keen amateurs used) Roll film came later. After this, membership increased and as facilities for enlarging prints was limited members concentrated on 'lantern slides'. A screen about 8' x 6' could be pulled down to allow for the projection of B&W slides with the use of a 'lime light lantern'.
When ladies were admitted they were allowed use of the club rooms on a Thursday only from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m. otherwise gentlemen could use the rooms from 10:00 am until 10:00 p.m. every day except Sundays. By 1903 membership had risen to 200 and darkroom facilities had to be limited, club lectures, demonstrations and outings were well patronised.
During the 1914 - 18 war years the members obviously decreased again.
In the 1920's when times were bad, membership declined to about 30 but the club continued to learn about such things as the new 'flash bulbs' which replaced the previously used magnesium powder which could be unpredictable and was highly explosive and also in the use of 'dry mounting tissue' to replace the previously used paste. The early use of colour was also the subjects of demonstrations although the purists though that this gimmick would never catch on !! Exhibitions were held in the Kilblain St. Hall but sometimes in the Watt Hall in Union St. where the let for the hall stipulated that every print had to be properly framed as they were often hung below the oil paintings and tapestries already hanging in the museum premises so that they were of the same standard.
In the early 1930's outings were very popular prior to the Second World War and included Findlaystone House, Craigends, Duchal Estate Kilmalcolm, Formakin house at Langbank. These were organised by rail, bus and also hiking as an affinity with the Ramblers club had an effect, bearing in mind that the cameras, tripods and equipment then were quite large and heavy this then was no mean feat. Destinations further a field included Edinburgh, Kilcreggan, Roseneath, Glen Mason, Lock Eck and Loch Lomond.
During 1939 - 1945 wartime most premises were commandeered, activities continued with difficulty but exhibitions continued at a variety of premises in the town. Of course wartime restrictions curtailed most photographic activity on the grounds of security especially with the importance of Greenock and the surrounding area for naval activities etc. and with non availability and short supply of materials.
After the war in 1945 no premises were available and the membership was down to about 17 but meetings continued in members houses, the James Watt College or the Old Library Boardroom until a group of farsighted people collaborated to purchase the buildings which housed the old West End Baths and with the aid of Mr. Erskine Orr of the Greenock Telegraph newspaper these premises in Campbell St. were converted to The Greenock Arts Guild catering for the sponsorship of Drama, Theatre, Dance, Music and other artistic pursuits for the people of the area.
As one of the original guarantors the Greenock Camera Club have met there since 1946 every Thursday night, from October through to the end of May and have darkroom facilities suitable for developing mono and colour films and in their printing.
During the next 20 - 30 years, popular interest in photography increased particularly because of the introduction of the much smaller and convenient cameras using 35mm. film and more easily used chemicals. Membership also increased again and outings to venues far and near were very popular and well attended, also work was of a very high standard. We still have members from this period, who have been honoured as Life Members and the guidance and experience of Ria Stuart, Fred McNeil, the late Alec Yeaman and Gordon Clark has been and still is much appreciated by the current members.
In 1977 the club had the honour of hosting the 60th. Scottish International Salon for Photography on behalf of the SPF which was held from 28th. May until the 11th. June 1977 in the McLean Museum and Art Gallery in Greenock and was opened by the ex-Provost John Walsh. The catalogue that was produced to accompany the Salon which cost 15p bore the Queen’s silver jubilee crest on the top of the front page and inside carried a very special message from the Queen’s private secretary dated 28th. May 1977.
“The queen sincerely thanks all the members of the Greenock Camera Club for their kind and loyal message of greetings on her silver jubilee,sent on the 60th. Scottish International Salon of Photography. Her Majesty much appreciates this message and sends her best wishes for a very successful exhibition.“
In 1988 the Greenock Camera Club celebrated their Centenary with a dinner in the Tontine Hotel as well as a Centenary Exhibition which was opened by the Provost, Sir Simpson Stevenson.
Membership has continued to produce first class work in all aspects of photography and each year's syllabus includes lectures and demonstrations by visiting professionals and enthusiasts on a wide range of subjects and different aspects of photography. Competitions entered at local, area and national level have kept the club at the forefront of the art. At present the membership is around 24. In 1996 we celebrated our 50th. Anniversary at the Greenock Arts Guild and in 1999 the club went global with our own home page on the Internet at http://www.greenockcc.co.uk and in January / March of 2000 the Club set up a fast computer system for the members use, along with all that is required to have a complete digital darkroom including printers & scanners which was paid for with a Lottery grant the Club were awarded.
Late 2002, the club purchased a complete Royale AV (Audio Visual) system and there is now a section of the club that have made up an active AV group that regularly meet and are producing some great slide sequences and making full use of the AV system that was purchased through a Lottery grant.
2006 also saw the club once again of having the honour of hosting the 87th. Scottish Salon Exhibition from 13th May 2006 to 4th June 2006 at McLean Museum & Art Gallery Greenock Members had a number of Prints & Slides accepted and displayed which was opened by Provost
Visitors and new members are always made welcome at any night advertised in the syllabus
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