THE PLYMOUTH COVENTION : REPORT OF THE DELEGATES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB. Read at the Club, August 2, 1893.
The Photographic Convention of 1893 has come and gone. To sum its results in a few words, we may say : Socially it has been a success! From a photographer's point of view, a failure.
Without precise instructions from the Club as to our duties, we have concluded to state our personal opinions for what they are worth, and to give you a brief diary.
The actual programme has, doubtless, come before you, the press having given full publicity to it, as also to the Convention papers. Our part we conceive to be to give you a personal report.
To us the most noticeable feature was a poor attendance. This is a matter for regret. That a gathering which promises and supplies such exceptional opportunities for recreation and intercourse should not be able, out of the thousands of amateur and professional photographers, dealers, &c., to attract more members, is a matter which merits the serious consideration of the Committee of the Convention. We are inclined to attribute much to the date of meeting, and to hold is a cardinal error to have fixed npon one of the busiest weeks of the year, the week of half-yearly accounts, when a majority of business men are intent upon the adjustment of their books. An inconvenient date is not only unfortunate for those unable to go at such a time, but it is even more so for others who, intending to meet old friends, attend, and are disappointed.
There is still another grumble to which, as Englishmen and your delegates, we feel entitled. It is the continued folly of attempting to do too much in one week—too much on each day. The Committee should have experience enough by this time to know that photographers do not want a week of hurry-scurry, but a holiday, and also that most photographers like leisure and opportunity to take pictures when they take their pleasures, even if they take them sadly—the pleasures, not the pictures, which, by the bye, is not characteristic of Conventioners. This year the opportunities were too few, and this was the more tantalising because the pictures were there in abundance, and only leisure was required to work. In fact, an 1S93 Conventioner's diary might read as follows:—
Monday.—Journey down. Pleasant day in train. Gloated over a large supply of plates.
Tuesday.—Boat excursion. Rain saved plates.
Wednesday.—Listened to Convention- papers. No exposures, but exercised changing box in the bedroom at night.
Thursday.—Excursion through fine country. No stops, so saved plates.
Friday.—Good boat excursion. Reaction too much. Shot plates at everything and anything.
Saturday.—Rail home with, unexposed plates.
Result —Severe economy in plates.
And now, abandoning this sad hypothetical case, we descend to the Conventional—one week's work.
Monday.—We arrived just in time to dress and rush to the open meeting and reception. This function, honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Plymouth, was held in the Art Gallery, the rooms of which, though small, are suitable and convenient. Here was contained the Exhibition, without which—but for some reason which to your delegates is inscrutable — no Convention is complete. About fifteen firms were represented, and enlargements predominated. There were no noticeable novelties, and it would not have been a, matter of any difficulty to select the best exhibit. The Mayor welcomed us in a hearty speech. Then the general President of the Convention, Mr. George Mason, followed with his address—practical, lucid, and Scotch. After wards lantern slides were shown upon the screen. Amongst the exhibitors were Major Lysaght, Messrs. York, Cembrano, Hindley, Welford, &c and many of the slides were exceptionally good. After the formal meeting was closed, an informal adjournment of the male Conventioners was made to one of the local hotels. The fragrant weed and social glass, the merry quip, jovial song, and the tall (and still growing) yarn made all present forget that time was flying, and that the pleasant labours of the morrow called for refreshing sleep.
Tuesday was to have been the day of days, when, as the guests of the local clubs, who treated us most hospitably, we were to have enjoyed the pleasure of a steamer trip in the waters in and about Plymouth. Unfortunately, rain interfered, and somewhat marred the excursion. Still, we adhered to the programme, and it is high testimony to the efforts of Mr. Hansford Worth, the local Secretary—to the beauty of the surroundings and to the jolly dispositions of Conventioners—that, the rain notwithstanding, we enjoyed the trip.
Wednesday was devoted to business meetings, photographing the group of members—always an important function with Conventioners—and the reading of papers. Threatening at first, the weather became finer as the day wore on, and, with its change in mood., Conventioners were drawn away from serious considerations to enjoy the sunshine and the surroundings. The photographing of the group concluded, and lunch discussed, papers at the Art Gallery became the order of the day; but the Gallery was sultry and obsessively hot, and the attendance of members—never large—became smaller by degrees and beautifully less, whilst the temperature rose by tens of degrees.
We think that, if the Convention is to remain anything mure than a social and photographic outing, the arrangements for the reading, discussion, and reporting of papers at the Convention will have to be revised. Except so far as the publicity of the press is concerned, the meeting for the reading of the papers was a fiasco. Too many were attempted; consequently it was a rush against time. The discussions were inadequate, and the reports of the discussions, to our mind, very incomplete. Why cannot the Convention issue an official report of its own, after the manner of the Photographic Club?
On the Wednesday evening there was another reception—at Devonport this time—another lantern show, and more papers. The first discussed, a la tea and coffee, the papers taken as read, and the lantern show, a lucid interval.
Thursday.— The Royal Wedding-day. The favourite excursion was that to Totnes by rail, thence by steam launch down the Dart to Dartmouth, thence by rail to Plymouth. As a trip to see the country, charming ; but, for photographic purposes, the excursion was disappointing. There was no opportunity, save a brief one in Dartmouth after lunch, for taking pictures. Like the restless spirits of which we read in Dante, we were driven at high speed from place to place; no photographic opportunity was ours.
In the evening there was a meeting for papers, but the Wedding festivities on the Hoe and in the Sound prevailed. Like truth, which is also said to prevail, they were great. The view from Plymouth Hoe is a lovely one at all times, but on this special occasion, with the ships illuminated, bonfires en the surrounding hills, search-lights from the men-of-war in the bay, and jollity all round, the sight was most impressive.
Friday.—Three excursions divided theConventioners. Those who with your delegates decided to visit the Cuttewater Hooe Lake and the Sound had ihe most pleasant excursion of the whole Convention. The steamer at our disposal was commodious and convenient, and we had ample opportunity of making exposures to our hearts' content; we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
In the evening the Convention dinner was successfully carried out. Afterwards music and recitations completed a very pleasant and enjoyable day and practically brought to a close the 1893 Convention.
Saturday.—All excursions were abandoned for this day, This gave us the opportunity to roam about the quaint streets and quays of Plymouth as we liked, and we obtained some of the best pictures on this last day.
In bringing our report to a close, we hope to see the Convention strengthened by certain alterations in the arrangements.
Besides, the points to which we have already alluded as requiring attention, viz., a more convenient date, an official or authorised report, we think there is still too much attempted in the time at the Convention's disposal, too many items of interest crammed into the week. As regards the excursions, the general Committee might make suggestions to the local Committee embodying the general experience of previous meetings and the requirements of the members. A local Convention Committee must always, and of necessity, be inexperienced as far as the requirements of Conveationers is concerned, for we meet but once and then pass on. But in the general Committee wisdom must have accumulated by now ! In addition, we believe it would be to the general advantage of the business portion of the Convention—by which we mean the papers and discussions — were taken all together, de die in diem, instead of being sandwiched, as now obtains, between distracting entertainments.
And now, in conclusion, let it not be said that we are not grateful for the efforts made to please us.. The energetic Local Secretary, Mr. Hansford Worth, and the local societies whom he represented, are to be congratulated on having beaten record for hearty and well-directed hospitality. Towards our Plymouth hosts and friends, if they will permit us the familiarity, we can only have sentiments of gratitude for the successful efforts which they made to entertain us, and their kindness will ever be one of our most pleasant recollections.
We have but one word to add—a member of this Club is the Hon. Secretary of the Convention. Mr. Cembrano is the right man in the right place, and to him the success of the Convention is largely due. We find it a pleasure to be allowed to express what we believe is the universal sentiment amongst Conventioners, hearty thanks for his energetic work in the past, and the hope that he may long stage-manage our photographic holiday.