SEMAPHORE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

The Semaphore Photographic Society appears to have been formed in 1908, as the 8th annual report was presented in July 1916, and the report of a meeting held at the residence of Captain Creer in August 1912 stated: ‘The society, since its formation some four years ago, has been doing quiet work amongst amateur photographers of the district, and the collection of between 60 and 70 framed pictures shown at the meeting evidenced considerable skill in the art.’

The Society was assisted by members of the Adelaide Camera Club who gave talks and instruction in the technical aspects of photography. One of the members, Mr R. Fraser, ‘an enthusiastic advocate of pictorial methods’, gave a ‘clear and concise’ lecture on Composition in February 1913 which, it was said, ‘will undoubtedly have the desired effect of setting the members thinking and help them to compose in a more efficient manner.’

Photographic material supplier S.P. Bond (q.v.) also entertained the members with lantern slide demonstrations and gave technical assistance. In November 1913 he demonstrated the complicated Paget colour process.

In 1916 the committee decided that, ‘owing to the depressing influence of the war’, the Society would not hold an exhibition that year. On a more cheerful note, however, it was reported that ‘a local branch of the Y.M.C.A. "Snapshots-From-Home" League was formed under the auspices of the Society.’ The Society was still operating in 1923 with Mr R. Fraser as President.

End.