CELEBRATING 75 YEARS:PART I

Excerpts from the RAPC Souvenir History
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
by Nix Wadden

Tracing its origins to the beginning of the Second World War, Ottawa’s RA Photo Club has a proud record of achievement in support of amateur photography in the national capital region. It was founded in 1939, two years before its parent body, the Ottawa Civil Service Recreation Association (the RA), came formally into being. It was known as the RA Camera Club for its first 43 years of existence, and some old-timers still tend to call it that. The RA Photo Club name was adopted in 1982-83, partly to reflect the fact that photography is not just about cameras. Membership was largely confined to federal government employees but is now open to anyone interested.

Early Years (1939-1974)

Founding members met in modest quarters above Bowles Lunch at 30 Rideau Street near Union Station. Focusing on black and white photography, the club began under the chairmanship of Doug White, who worked with the National Film Board, renowned for its prowess in the photographic arts. Darkroom facilities were established as members engaged in the production and exhibiting of black and white prints in local stores and theatres. Colour slides soon came into use at club functions.

In what seems to have been its first story on the Camera Club, the RA News reported in June 1945 on a large display of photographic prints in the RA Handicrafts Exhibition held at Freiman`s department store: A pleasing variety of subjects characterized this exhibit. There was everything from a strutting turkey to an amusing ski spill, and portrait studies like Bachelor’s Bliss, a gentleman ironing, and Thumbs Up, a cheerful child. The prints were by Doug White, instructor, Earl Bergin and John Read, winners in recent Camera Club contests. A photo of a girl in a swimsuit appearing in the same edition, billed as RA’s Summer Girl, was by Lorne Grummisch.

The RA News gave the Camera Club tangible support by paying $5 for the winning print in monthly contests, plus $3 for the best caption. At a time when club membership cost $1 a year, these incentives were much appreciated.

In 1961, following re-location of the club to the RA Centre, Tubby Sutcliffe was elected as club president. Use of the term president seemed to be interchangeable with “chairman” during that period, which appears to have been one of significant expansion for the Camera Club. Membership doubled, interest in movies led to formation of a new movie section, consideration was given to establishing a junior camera club in the 10 to 14 age group, and budget approval was received for a new slide projector and a ceiling-mounted 70″ by 70″ screen.

New competition rules dividing entrants into two classes, Novice and Advanced, were introduced. An Annual Dinner was held, with presentation of a Print of the Year cup donated by Eastview Photo, and a Slide of the Year shield donated by Saro’s Photography.

President Charlie Jones suggested in 1963 that a new maturity had been attained, with a membership approaching 60. A call for candidates for the new executive note: “We require the service of two ladies, one to act as Secretary, the other to look after coffee arrangements…” By 1965, membership was over 90. Notable visitors included Malak of Ottawa, discussing Pictorial Photography.” A unique competition topic in that year was Quotations from Shakespeare. In 1966-67, Evelyn Nicol-Mockett served as the first female chairperson of the club.

In 1968-69, the club’s critique chairman Eric Bawden (often in later years invited to judge club competitions) outlined a new approach to competitions whereby a photographer was chosen by the work submitted for a critique and not for the number of points received for a particular slide or print. Informal classes on darkroom film developing and print-making techniques were held “to help members who either feel that this is the domain of witchcraft or need some guidance.”

In 1972-73, Lance Rotchell’s RA News report offered this curious comment: “In recent years photography has taken a big step forward in public prestige. In large measure this is due to members of the peerage who have taken up photography and are doing really outstanding work which has got them into the public eye and into the photographic magazines in England.”

The same columnist noted a not uncommon phenomenon: “One of the constant complaints is that the most advance members tend to form cliques and do not welcome newcomers. We try not to let it happen at the RA.” Coincidentally or not, club membership fell that year.

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS:PART 2 will appear in November, 2014.

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