I was looking for the photographer when I began delving into
the life of Harold A. Taylor. This is the photographer who founded the Camera
Enthusiasts of San Diego in 1927. This is the first photography club to meet in
Balboa Park. He was an active participant with Dr. Scott Watson and his
Photographic Arts Society. Harold Taylor also assisted in the formation of the
current Southern California Association of Camera Clubs in 1949-1950. This organization
continues to meet in Balboa Park.
Showing posts with label harold a taylor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label harold a taylor. Show all posts
Monday, November 28, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
The Sexagesimus Sextus Anniversary of SCACC
The San Diego Association of Camera Clubs will see
its 66th anniversary this coming February 2016. Imagine, Sixty-six years in
Balboa Park, the gem of San Diego. Sixty-six years of teaching, learning, competitions,
friendships. Sixty-six years of bringing photography to the community of San
Diego.
The Photographic Arts Society (PAS) of San Diego
filed as an Articles of Incorporation in the State of California on September
1, 1937. There was a boom in photography after World War II and by the closing years
of the 1940s there were twelve member camera clubs under the responsibility of
the Photographic Arts Society.
Dr. Watson referred to the
member clubs of the Photographic Arts Society as the “associated camera clubs”[1] as
early as February 1947. By November 1949 Carl F. Reupsch, Photographic Arts
Society President sent letters to all member clubs which included the following,
“…the name of the
organization should possibly be changed to, “The Southern California
Association of Camera Clubs”, which better expresses the intent and purpose of
the organization. Any name, in fact, would be satisfactory which designates
this society as a group of camera clubs rather than an organization composed of
individual members.” [2]
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
San Diego YMCA Camera Club
The earliest camera club in San Diego was formed in 1900 and named the San Diego Camera Club. As a matter of interest the San Diego Camera Club was found as a member club of the Photographic Arts Society in 1942. I doubt that this was the 1900 club.
Harold A. Taylor founded the YMCA Camera Club in January 1920. This is the same Harold A. Taylor who helped found the Camera Enthusiasts in 1927. He was involved with the Photographic Arts Society and had a hand in reforming that group into the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs (SCACC) in 1950. He remained active in the member photography clubs of SCACC for the opening years of 1950s.
The San Diego YMCA had their first photographic exhibit in the summer of 1920. About fifty prints that represented the best of the club were hung in the lobby of the YMCA Building.
Harold A. Taylor founded the YMCA Camera Club in January 1920. This is the same Harold A. Taylor who helped found the Camera Enthusiasts in 1927. He was involved with the Photographic Arts Society and had a hand in reforming that group into the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs (SCACC) in 1950. He remained active in the member photography clubs of SCACC for the opening years of 1950s.
The San Diego YMCA had their first photographic exhibit in the summer of 1920. About fifty prints that represented the best of the club were hung in the lobby of the YMCA Building.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
1927: A Beginning
Dr. Reginald Poland, the Director of the Fine Arts Gallery, called photographers to a meeting in February 1927. These camera enthusiasts would consider the formation of a camera club in Balboa Park.
The “Camera Enthusiasts” photography club had its inaugural meeting in August of 1927 with Harold A. Taylor presiding as the first president. There was an initiation fee of $1.00 with a yearly membership of $3.00. Meetings were to be held within the Fine Arts Gallery on the last Tuesday of each month. There were also monthly photographic outings to picturesque localities of San Diego.
A notable achievement of the Camera Enthusiasts was the creation and running five annual exhibition salons: the first three were regional “Pacific Coast” exhibitions while the last two were International salons. The guide book for the 1935 California-Pacific Exposition regarded that year’s salon as “the most important event of its kind to be held in the United States this year.”
The club’s name was changed to the Photographic Arts Society in 1936. The new name reflected its cultural contributions to the city of San Diego. Several local and traveling exhibitions were hosted by the organization which was lead by a Yankee dentist; Dr. Scott Watson.
This organization continued to grow beyond the conception of its original mandate. By the end of the 1940s several other camera clubs has aligned their selves with the Society. The group recognized this change by calling itself the Photographic Arts Society and Associated Camera Clubs.
The Southern California Association of Camera Clubs grew from those beginnings to incorporate 23 camera clubs by 1985.
This blog will delve into the history of these clubs and the men and women who guided them through the decades.
The “Camera Enthusiasts” photography club had its inaugural meeting in August of 1927 with Harold A. Taylor presiding as the first president. There was an initiation fee of $1.00 with a yearly membership of $3.00. Meetings were to be held within the Fine Arts Gallery on the last Tuesday of each month. There were also monthly photographic outings to picturesque localities of San Diego.
A notable achievement of the Camera Enthusiasts was the creation and running five annual exhibition salons: the first three were regional “Pacific Coast” exhibitions while the last two were International salons. The guide book for the 1935 California-Pacific Exposition regarded that year’s salon as “the most important event of its kind to be held in the United States this year.”
The club’s name was changed to the Photographic Arts Society in 1936. The new name reflected its cultural contributions to the city of San Diego. Several local and traveling exhibitions were hosted by the organization which was lead by a Yankee dentist; Dr. Scott Watson.
This organization continued to grow beyond the conception of its original mandate. By the end of the 1940s several other camera clubs has aligned their selves with the Society. The group recognized this change by calling itself the Photographic Arts Society and Associated Camera Clubs.
The Southern California Association of Camera Clubs grew from those beginnings to incorporate 23 camera clubs by 1985.
This blog will delve into the history of these clubs and the men and women who guided them through the decades.
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