In 1972 a public meeting was advertised to propose the formation of a Camera Club in Dingwall. There was a fairly healthy attendance, although most appeared to be interested in a holiday-snap appreciation society. Thankfully, interest for this kind of society waned, and a core of fifteen dedicated photographers remained. At least half of these were keen mono print workers (amateur colour printing was in its infancy), so the club started out as both print and slide.
By 1978 membership had increased to 45 and after some success in an SPF sponsored national competition, it was decided to launch our own National Slide Exhibition, at the time the only one in Scotland. The idea was to put Dingwall on the map (see the Location page?!) and to give it some prestige on the British scene. The first Exhibition Chairman, Roy Millet APAGB, left for Derbyshire in 1979, and started the Clay Cross Exhibition south of the border.
Up to 1982, premises had been a problem, various venues were used, sometimes being changed at the last minute! The District Council then offered us the use of Eaglehouse, an ancient listed building, next to the Town Hall (now the museum), in the middle of Dingwall. The building was in a sorry state, but thanks to very enthusiastic work parties, it was transformed into the excellent premises we now have.
Since 1982, we have been gradually adding to our facilties. A fully equipped darkroom, studio, and A/V equipment. Our membership has remained around the 45 members mark, with members coming from as far away as Dornoch, Forres, Cromarty, and even the Aviemore area. Competitions form a large part of our syllabus, slide, mono print, and colour print work being well represented. Each AGM used to have heated discussions on the merits of Set Subject verses Open, this has now been replace by heated debates on the merits of Digital Photography!
We hope to continue well into the future, with members interest covering a wide range of technics, from landscape to studio, slide and prints, stereo, A/V, traditional and digital.