Steve's Photo Site

Part 2: An Idea is Born

by Steve Wells

In which the members of the Falling Plate camera Club consider the possibilities for celebrating the end of the century and decide to hold an exhibition.

-o-O-o-

It was somewhere about midsummer of the last year of the Nineteenth century when the members of the Falling Plate Camera Club gathered in the room over the bar of the Falling Plate Arms. The chairman Josiah Smith, resplendent in his official chairman's gold chain, opened the proceedings. Now, Josiah, you should understand, was a member of the old school. For him the art of photography was also the art of fine woodwork in mahogany and boxwood set about with finely polished brass. He was heard to argue that mahogany lends a patina to a print which cameras made of other materials could not match. There were other members present but I'll describe them as they appear.

"I bring this 37th meeting of the falling Plate Camera Club to order". Josiah's voice was high pitched and clear and his gavel fell with an assumption of clear authority. "We have gathered here to discuss what might be achieved by way of celebration of the coming end of century. Though, I must note, that since the date is a mere numerological coincidence and that, furthermore, since our good Queen Victoria still reigns..."

Sounds of "here-here" and "jolly good show" could be heard from round the room.

Josiah continued "...furthermore, since our good Queen Victoria still reigns and the world is at peace, or will be after we have resolved our differences at Mafeking and Ladysmith, why do we have need of any special celebration? However..."

Henry Bell was heard to intervene at this point muttering that Josiah could equally see no reason to celebrate his own Birthday since it was merely a "numerological coincidence". Henry is the chemist in the local town. His chemicals are good enough but his photographic theories sometimes leave something to be desired. His attempt, for example, to make colour photographs by mixing equal amounts of any red, green and blue chemicals which came to hand caused a major fire which resulted in the loss of three hay-ricks.

As secretary to the club, I felt it necessary at this point to ask the chair to bring the meeting to order. This formal action made Henry joke even louder while his daughter Emily Bell looked the other way for fear of breaking into unseemly laughter. Looking round the room I was mortified to see that my own son, Alan, his eyes fixed on the fair form of Miss Bell, was also about to break into unseemly mirth.

Alone among the gathering, John Quinton retained a measure of decorum.

Josiah was still standing. "I call upon all members here present to suggest what might be an appropriate form of celebration."

He sat down and waited in the gathering silence of the room. Why is it that at all meetings where a question is opened to the floor either everyone speaks at once or no-one speaks at all? Eventually Quinton stood up. Everyone turned to hear what he had to say, but none more so than Emily. The young lady seemed to have taken something of a shine to John Quinton.

"Er, ha ha! Er. Jolly good idea what? Well I was thinkin' a bit and, well, how about showin' off some of the really latest bits of camera gear? A exhibition to show of how much cameras have improved. Don't you know." He was now warming to his theme and failed to notice warning signs from the chairman. "We could show the latest small box cameras an an' then there's roll film. A real improvement...."

Josiah's gold chain shook as he rose to his feet.

"Improvement!!! IMPROVEMENT. Where is the skill in mastering film that seems to have been bought from a haberdasher. Ribbon, that's what it is. Only useful for decorating ladies hats at Easter... and even then I don't like the colour. What you need is glass. Clear glass with no blemishes, lovingly hand coated with a silver emulsion. Ah!" He paused in contemplation for a moment - a long enough moment for Quinton and Henry Bell to start talking at the same time.

Quinton went on at length about the improvements to photography punctuated at intervals by loud "herrumphs" from Josiah. Eventually Henry was able to take the floor.

"Friends..."

"Romans and Countrymen", continued a small voice from the back of the room.

"Friends!", continued Henry, "Let us speak more gently. The point surely is not what camera is used, but what use the photographer makes of it. I suggest, therefore, that we should hold not an exhibition of equipment, but an exhibition of photographs. If modern equipment is so good then we will be able to see it in the photographs." He continued rapidly before Josiah could explode again. "...and if older equipment is better, then the quality will surely show." He bowed briefly to the chairman and sat down.

The chairman addressed the meeting again. "So there we have it. Two suggestions I think. First a demonstration of the degradation of photographic equipment or..." Quinton was about to have apoplexy. "...or an exhibition of photographs. We need not take a decision now, so I suggest you ponder these suggestions in you mind and consider which might celebrate the century better."

The meeting broke up and descended the narrow stair to the bar below. Emily exchanged a quick glance with Quinton before her father took her home. The rest of us stayed for a refreshing glass: a tradition which has remained from that day to this.

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