Documentary Photography Archive: MATERIAL RELATED TO THE NORTHERN PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP

The deposit relates to the Northern Photographic Group which was started by Bill Parker in c1960 as a way of improving photography (and photographers). The group comprised invited members of existing local societies in the region, who brought prints to be criticised by Fred Veal and Ralph Aubrey. Approved prints were awarded a sticker and the award of a certain number (10?) to any photographer made them a Master. Only Arthur Downes achieved this level. The meetings were intended to assist serious photographers attain their Associateship or Fellowship of the R.P.S. The emphasis was on the aesthetic rather than the technical element in photography. The meetings normally took place in Manchester. The founding members comprised R. Aubrey, J. Bowes, F. Hilton, E. K. Thompson, and F. Veal. The organisation was wound up in October 1973. At that time the depositor was the chairman.