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EDINBURGH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Comments
and
Quotes
from the
19th
Century
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1862 - Albumen
process – Poor results during Lent
Mr
MacPherson attributed his poor photographic results during Lent to:
“the
garbage of fish which the hens ate during Lent, and which affected the
albumen so as to cause a want of success”
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1867
- Eclipse of the Sun
Mr
Davies exhibited a number of photographs of the eclipse of the Sun, taken
by him that morning with an exposure
of
1/10 of a second to 4
seconds.
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1868
- Grisdale Washing Machine
Mr
Pringle read a report on the Grisdale Washing Machine, which was generally
to the effect that
“although
he thought the principle good, it had failed in their hands. The
mechanical parts were weak and had broken down.”
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1873
- Experiment at AGM
The
1873 AGM, in addition to the formal business, included an experiment.
Mr
Tunny directed attention to:
"an
experiment in which a solution of Barytic Nitrate was said to dissolve the
silver iodide thrown down from an old bath by the addition of water."
The
experiment was made in the presence of
the meeting but without a result.
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1876
- Presentation Prints
Mr
Yerbury suggested
“that
every Member of EPS should be presented with a print”
In
common with other photographic societies, EPS went on to provide a Presentation
Print annually to each member. This practice continued until 1908.
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1880
- Restoring old Developer
I C Burton suggested:
“Restore
old developer by boiling it in a clean iron pan with nails.”
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1880
- Cameras
I
C Burton suggested:
“We
have want of some instrument far more scientific than anything we have as
yet – something that will enable us to give a short exposure, say to one
hundredth of a second without much more percentage of error than a
moderately careful man is likely to have with a long exposure.”
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1881
- Gelatine that would not set
One
of the EPS Members reported his problems with gelatine that would not set:
“It
turned out (Anglicé) groggy, or (Scotticé) unco fow; that is it would not
or could not stand firm on its legs.”
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1882
- Popular Meeting
Looking
back on the early days of photography, the speaker at one of the 1882
Popular Meetings recalled:
“When
photography first became a possibility, it at once became the scientific
rage of the day, just as, a year or two ago, was the telephone.”
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1883
- Lecture – Notes on the Green Fog
Green
fog was a problem that affected gelatine.
A discussion followed on what were the most appropriate bones to
use for making gelatine. Bones
from large rats in Paris sewers
were recommended.
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1883
- American Tour by President
Mr
Tunny spoke of his tour of Yosemite Valley
“carrying
nearly 2 tons of impedimenta mounted on 16 mules secured under the most
trying circumstances”
This
tour was
made 20 years before Ansel Adams was born.
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1884
- EPS: Monthly Competitions
The
President suggested monthly competitions, but restricted to amateurs with
less than four years’ experience with a camera.
“This
would gently lead (young Members) into the higher studies of chemistry and
art, and so deliver them from many of the evils which arise from indolence
and the neglect of self-culture.”
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1884
- Outdoor Photography
The
Society attempted to persuade the authorities to permit photography in
public gardens in Edinburgh. The
reason for forbidding photography was:
“in
consequence of the great nuisance that had arisen through excursionists
having photographers among their number, and bringing about a disorderly
crowd.”
However,
two years later, the Society received a letter from HM Board of Works,
confirming that “persons taking scenic photographs in Holyrood
Park shall not be interfered with in future.”
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1884
- Processing
Looking
back on earlier days, one of the EPS speakers recalled:
“The
collodion age with its capricious baths and laborious manipulations has
practically passed away. Many
of us know nothing of the troubles and tribulations of earlier workers.”
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1885
- Darkroom
It
was reported that:
“The
Glasgow and West of Scotland Amateur Photographic Association had set up a
darkroom off West Regent Street, Glasgow.”
So
EPS began to look for premises for an Edinburgh darkroom. Premises
were suggested at the corner of George Street and Hanover Street, but only
about 50 out of 500 Members were willing to pay 5/- pa for use of a
darkroom.
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1886
- Suburban Tour with a Tricycle
Extracts
from the EPS lecture, Suburban Tour with a Tricycle:
“Photography
on wheels is assuredly making rapid progress”
“Lighting
my lamp, I mounted the iron steed once more”
“The
‘Coventry-Rotary’ for safety and convenience has met with most favour.
Though the ‘Humber’ or ‘Sparbrook’ is difficult to
steer, it is in other respects well suited for photographic purposes.
With a whole plate camera, tripod and six plates, I find it
comparatively easy to work on a journey.”
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1887
- Outing to Dollar Glen
It
was reported that EPS Members would leave on 6.25am train from Waverley:
“It
is hoped that the ladies will grace the occasion with their presence.”
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1887
- A Jaunt in Spain
Andrie
Pringle gave several lectures in Scots to EPS. He began one of the
1887 EPS Popular Lectures, 'A Jaunt to Spain' with the words:
"Ye’ll
maybe hae mind that twa-three years syne I wrote ye a letter in the auld
Scots tongue aboot a jaunt I was takin’ in Italy, the land o’ bawbees
an’ beggars; an’ the nicht I’m gaun tae try to gie ye a bit glint
intae Spain, the land o’ bulls an’ biggins an maybe o’ a geed wheen
blethers. Aye! There’s a
gey lot o’ bletherin’ aboot the land o’ Spain.”
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1887
- EPS Popular Lecture with Songs
EPS
Members heard in 1887:
“Mr
Pringle has kindly consented to lecture. His subject, we understand, will embrace allusion to incidents in
the lives of Scott and Hogg, and the lecture will be illustrated by a
series of lantern pictures of objects and localities associated with these
authors. Mr Pringle may be
relied upon to sing some of the choice songs from the Ettrick Shepherd”
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1889
- Lecture: Cycling and photography
Quote
from the EPS lecture, 'Cycling and Photography':
"Cycling
and photography are not identical, but they are courting each other and
are generally very good friends.”
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1890
- Lecture: Abundance of Detail
Mr
Brebner began his lecture with the words –
“Fain,
without prefatory remark of any kind, would I plunge at once into my
subject, but that a cruel fate forbids. Fain alternatively would I cut my preface short, but stern
necessity has otherwise decreed.”
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1896
- Call for Members to Participate
EPS
Members were encouraged to participate in the Societies activities:
“By
means of these many pleasant and profitable acquaintances may be made
which may prove very useful during the approaching spring and summer, when
Members begin to ramble into the country in search of the picturesque, and
where the company of a companion who follows the same pastime is a
distinct acquisition.”
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1897
- Hand Cameras
James
Patrick, EPS President commented on hand cameras in 1897:
“Only
a few months ago, while spending a holiday in St Andrews, I saw glaring
instances of abuse of the hand camera and instantaneous photography.
Dozens of hand cameras were pointed within a few feet of old Tom
Morris (the father of golf) and it mattered not how the light was shining,
the button was pressed.
This
sort of thing can only be beneficial to the plate-makers, and on seeing so
much waste going on, I could not help remarking, “It’s an ill wind
that blaws naebody guid.”
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1898
- Popular Lecture
One
of the EPS Popular Lectures in 1898 included the first public showing in
Scotland of x-ray slides or 'shadowgraphs'.
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