New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
WITH CAMERA AND TRIPOD.
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY IN NEw-YORKI
RAPID GROWTH OF THE AMUSING ART-CoN


vENIENcES SECURED BY CLUBS.
That amateur photography has made tremendous
strides in popular esteem during the last five years
or so IS well known all for the ubiquitous camera
and tripod-not TO mention hand detective
every side and at all times. Not only do the
enthusiastic amateurs make their pictures during the
summer months at seaside and mountain resorts, but
they are busy in the cities well, making street
scenes with their west" and pocket cameras, and
| even at night, with magnesium flash" light.
A low estimate places the number of amateur pho
tographcrs in this country at something more than
| 10000 OF which fully 1000 are in New-York. The
Society of Amateur Photographers in this city, now
It's sixth year, alone has membership of over go
| There large nuls6cr Of amateurs belonging 10
the Photographic Section of the American Institute
| the NewYork Camera Club numbers seventy-hve
| more and the camera club at Columbia College, one
at YonkeIs and the Uptown Camera Club, not TO men,
ton the three Photographic organizations in Brooklyn
and the large number of amateurs who belong to no
association bring up the number Of amateur picture
takers in this city to at least 1000.
The formation of Photographic clubs and socletieS
is of the by which amateur photography mas
grown so rapidly in this country These camera
clubs are scattered the entire land. There IS
a large society In Boston, two associations in Phiia-
deJphia smaller ones at Haven, Hartford, Bridge
port, Worcester, Lynn, Lowell, Montclar, Rochester,
| Syracuse, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Washing
|
fargo organization in Chicago, with Lantern-sihe
Club while good sized clubs represent ST. Louis, Pits
burg san Francisco and many other cities a num-
Der of colleges and higher institutions of learning nave
their Photographic organizations. Nassar college hoI
being behind with its club of twelve far nem
berS.
FACILITIES FOR EXCHANGING WORK.
For the exchange of lantern slides and photographs,
and The transaction of business OF common interest,"
TO the various associations, these numerous photo
graphic clubs hold occasional conventions at Whch
each society its chosen delegate to represent us
membership. The Society of Amateur photographers
of New-York with the Boston Camera CluD ana uo
Photographic Society OF Philadelphia, hold yearly
Joint exhibition in of the three great cities to
which photo graphic work by amateurs, not only from
these three largest societies. but also from amateur
club in this country abroad IS admitted, and most
| interesting exhibition IS the result. The exhibition
! this year was held in Philadelphia, early In tho
spring. and 1t will therefore be held next year In this
city There has also been organized International
Lanternslide Exchange for collecting work made by
members Of the various associations in this country
and forwarding it TO a committee in London which
sends the American committee in exchange an equal
number Of pictures made by English amateurs, and
collected in similar way among the societies on tho
other Side Then there is Postal Photographic
Club the members of which send a secretary prints
from their best negatives, which he arranges in an
album and sends the rounds of the members a
new one being dis patched every month. The
various clubs are also engaged IN
collecting views illustrating their own city ana
immediate neghborhood, which, with descriptive text,
Is sent in exchange for similar illustrated city or
town. to a sister club This Is the latest work which
the societies do In common, and It has been greatly
enjoyed by all, Arrangements have already been
made for extending the exchange to the societies beyond
the sea, so that next winter clubs will undoubtedly
have still greater attractions TO offer at their regular
lantern slide exhibitions.
The Society Of Amateur Photographers OF New-fork
is the largest and most important Photographic or
ganization in this country, numbering, as 1t does, over
/ go members, and including in its membership prom
inent lawyers, physicians, business men scientists
and number of women. The club rooms are at NO
122 West Thirty-sixth-st., and well repay visit OF
inspection. They include three entire floors the
second floor being occupied by the library and reading
room and the conimodious apartment for holding the
meetings, lantern exhibitions, etc
In the cosey library and reading room are kept on
file all the current Photographic literature, with
conveniently arranged library of Photographic reference
books and the latest works photography published
n this country and abroad. Hero, also, pro
vlded desks for the use of members and many inter-
esting collections Of photographs arc contained in
albums the tables, or framed, decorate the walls.
One album especially IS full Of interest, containing,
as ii does, the portraits of nearly all the members OF
the society, with autographs appended.
They include President c. W. Garfield, ex- Presi
dents +. C. Beach and Dexter IL. Walker; j. Wells
Champney and his brother artist, George Boynton;
l.. p. Atkinson, Of Brooklyn; DR.. Powell VI. Bradley,
also Doctors L. L. Brush, J. 7. Ferguson, E. T.
Fowler, II. NJ Fuller and j. II. Janeway, of the United
States Army; Professor III. \. Rowland, of Johns
Hopkins University Ii. Edwards Fcken, the architect
Charles p. Howell United States Navy; DR.. A. IGager,
United States Navy; George II. Read of the United
States Navy; Professor Randall Spauding, of Mont
clair president of the Postal Photographic Club; ". L.
Lincoln Adams, Editor of The Photographic Times"
A. A. Adee, Of the Department of state, Washington;
John Carbutt, dry-plate maker of Philadelphia; John
T. Dumont, of Rochester, Professor l.. II. LauGy
Columbia College; John r. Magic, of the City Health
Department; Lieutenant G. l.. Brnes, United States
Navy; James II. stebbns IT,. chemist; the Rev
/ F. & BowIcs and the Rev A. H. Hail Franklin
Harper, ii. V. Parsel Mr. and Mrs. David Williams.
Mrs. Nathan Appleton. Mrs. Augusta Arnold. Miss
Elizabeth a. sade, Miss e. W. Barnes and Miss S. NJ.
In the assembly room whore fortnlghtly meetings
Are Rs arr ARE decorated s s by p ri a be
hibitions and by specimens of superior amateur work
IF other pbdtoaphc assocatons in his
and abroad, In this loom the entertaining lantern
slide exhibitions are gwen throughout the winter
| months 10 which the members generally bring their
friends. They have pleasant social character that
gss over amateur phoogapy and uf 6o sr wbo
the Photographic work of their friends.
COMMODIOUS DARK ROOM.
On the third floor the cOmmOdlOus dark room Is
situated, and here. too numerous lockers for the
convenience of the members. In the front part Of
this floor skylght has been arranged, that por-
| traits may be made and copying work carried on.
large portrait camera fitted with suitable lenses and
a Copying camera are here Always I'm attendance
on this floor IS professional Photographer who makes
nominal fee and develops their plates for them
when they desire. lie is here, also fer pu1-
pose Of instructing the younger members and finds
| that his time Is fully and probably employed One
large lantern hangs in the centre Of the dark room
proper, which dimly but evenly Eliminates the whole
apartment. For the work OF developing a light from
| the lanterns Immediately Overhanging the trays Is
used, and they made after the most improved pat
| terms A double door Is provided. so that members
may make their entrances and exits while the work