Around 1843, several gentlemen from the legal profession in Edinburgh visited Sir David Brewster in St Andrews to learn about the calotype process.  They returned to Edinburgh and formed the Edinburgh Calotype Club. 

The members were a group of enthusiasts who met informally in each other’s houses to discuss their photography.  They produced two albums of their work between about 1845 and 1855.  The Edinburgh Room of the Central Library holds one of the two albums.  The other has not been found.

The Photographic Society of Scotland (PSS) was established in 1856. 

It was one of Britain’s earliest and most prestigious photographic societies.  Initially many had a good mix of amateur and professional photographers, but most of the professionals resigned following a Special Meeting in1858.  

PSS held Open Photographic Exhibitions, annually from 1856, and played a prominent part in the development of photography in Britain. The Society was active until around 1867.  It was wound up in 1873.

For about ten years, and particularly during its first five years it held a full program of lectures and exhibitions and was highly regarded.  Sir David Brewster was President.  The Prince Consort was Patron.  

Some of Britain’s most renowned photographers, both amateur and professional, were PSS Members:

Edinburgh Photographic Exchange Club was established in 1859:  The founding members were all PSS Members.  They were:

Each member was required to contribute 13 Photographs each year.

The Committee had the power to reject prints not considered sufficiently good.   Photos are then distributed amongst the Members.

4.

Edinburgh Photographic Society

Edinburgh Photographic Society (EPS) was established in 1861.  Subscription was more modest than that charged by PSS.  -  only 5/- a year  - a sum that  remained unchanged for thirty years.

The society’s membership reached 200 during the 1870s and over 500 by 1900.  Both amateurs and professionals participated in the society’s lectures, exhibitions and outings.

The following were elected to EPS as Honorary Members on 15 Jan 1862.

Edinburgh Photographic Society held lectures, exhibitions and social outings.  News of the EPS Annual Picnics spread.   The Chicago Beacon reported:

“EPS organises frequent camera excursions and a grand annual picnic on which occasion the whole of the photographic establishments are closed and amateur and professional employer and employé meet together and have a right good time"   

Established 1881.  This was a club within Edinburgh Photographic Society.  Membership was by invitation, and was limited to 40 of the more distinguished and experienced Members of EPS.  In later years the number of members was reduced to 30.

The club continued until 1948.  When it was wound up, it presented the EPC Memorial Shield to EPS, to be awarded annually for photographic competitions.

Established 1888 at a time when the number of photographic societies in Britain was rapidly beginning to increase.  The Society met on the last Tuesday of each month at 165 Constitution Street.  In later years, it met in the Literary Society’s Rooms, Church Street.

7.

Leith Camera Club

The name by which Leith Amateur Photographic Association was known from around 1930 onwards

Established 1889 – re-organized 1893.  The Society met on the first Monday of each month in the Lecture Hall of the Philosophical Institute.

A review of the Midlothian Camera Club 1909 Exhibition appeared in the British Journal of Photography. 

9.

Edinburgh University Photographic Society

Established 1890  The Society met at The Photographic Rooms, 3 Bristo Place.  The Society still exists today (Feb 2001) and is thriving, with 550 Members and 3 darkrooms and its own web page.

A meeting of Edinburgh University Photographic Society was held on 8 December, President, Dr Drinkwater, in the Chair.

[It was Dr Drinkwater who chaired the Viewfinder Club Meeting one month earlier.]

At the meeting on 8 December, it was reported that:

  "Mr Haddow read a Paper on Telephotography and exhibited Dallmeyer's new lens.  Several lantern slides were shown on the screen to illustrate the uses of the lens, and an interesting discussion followed.  The remainder of the evening was devoted to a social meeting and smoking concert."   
[Amateur Photographer:  16 December 1892]

Established 1890.  The Society met on the first Monday of each month at 31 Chambers Street.  The Club appears to have had a limited number of members. 

The second meeting of the season was held on 14 November, Dr Drinkwater in the Chair:

"After some discussion, the rule regarding the presentation by each member of twenty prints was rescinded.

After some other formal business Dr Drinkwater exhibited a number of prints on rough drawing paper for criticism.

The convener intimated that there were three vacancies in the club"     [Amateur Photographer:  14 November 1892]

I have not seen any a syllabus for the Edinburgh Viewfinders Club, but I found this post card to be interesting.

The post card was found in an old edition of the British Journal of Photography.  It is post-marked 13 May 1890, and advises Hugh Brebner of Messrs Tunny, Maitland Street that the business of the Viewfinders' Club Meeting to be held the following Wednesday is "Ayton's Prints"

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