The Beginnings

The society was founded in 1889, meeting in the Camberwell area of South East London. This was then a middle-class area with fields nearby. Early members included well-known photographers of the turn of the century. These included Dr. Farmer who first described the reducer named after him. Later members included Louis Gandolfi (1864-1932), who founded the large format camera company that still bears his name. Above is a picture of Dr. Edwards who was the first president of the club.

The Evershed Shield is one of our oldest competitive award for depicting London Life and Architecture. This was named after the society’s President of that period, Dr. Evershed.

Club outing 1891

Club outing 1900

Club outing 1906

Club outings

Outings were among the early activities,

with numerous trips arranged to various locations in the British Isles and others further a field including a notable trip up the river Rhine.

War time

These two pictures of St. Paul’s Cathedral were taken towards the end of World War 2 by one of our members, Mr Arthur Cross who was a policeman.

The First World War curtailed activities, but regular meetings were continued up to the period of the Second World War in the Camberwell area. A few members maintained contact during the Second World War, with regular meetings held again soon afterwards at Cambridge House in Walworth Road.