Eugene Carolan our very own ‘News Four’ designer and photo editor was recently elected President of the prestigious Dublin Camera Club of which he has been a member since 1987. He has been on the Council for 12 years and was also President in 1999.

The Club, founded in 1945, caters primarily for amateur photographers, although it has generated many professional photographers over the years.

The President is just one of the dozen hard-working people on the Council which runs the club on behalf of the members. Sub-committees organise club exhibitions and a number of other events, reporting back to the Council.

The Camera Club is entirely non-profit making, being financed by members’ subscriptions and fees from running classes for beginners and more advanced photographers.

Recently, I was invited to the Tuesday weekly meeting of the Dublin Camera Club in its premises at 10 Lower Camden Street.

I arrived early for the scheduled 8.00 pm start. The room quickly filled up and an aura of fellowship and chat spread a lively atmosphere. The lady beside me, a club member for 10 years commented “it’s a great night out every Tuesday, tonight is the finals of some three categories of monochrome prints, judged by a visiting professional.”

The man at her side joined in the chat. He has been a member for some 31 years and currently runs the library section of the club. Eugene, meanwhile, having personally welcomed me, went about the business of seeing to the needs of people. Order was called and the evening officially began.

After an entertaining hour of commentary on competing photos and applause for the winner, the meeting finished and people adjourned to the second floor coffee dock. Eugene, being now free, took me on a tour of the three-story premises.

The meeting area on the ground floor is also used for photo exhibitions, usually open to the public on Saturdays 12.00- 5.00pm. On the walls that evening hung an exquisite black and white exhibition by Gerard Kelleher of Saltee Gannets taken over a twelve-year period.

Behind the meeting room are the two darkrooms and toilet facilities. On the second floor people were gathered around the coffee counter or in the library area. Eugene commented, “There is a great mix of members and a very vibrant feel. In age, membership ranges from the very young to the ‘very highly experienced’! We have a good balance of male and female and a wide spread of people from numerous nationalities, which has enriched the club enormously. The mutual interest in photography is great for breaking down reserves.”

Eugene was particularly proud of the Club’s third-floor fully equipped photographic studio which members can utilize to produce portraiture work. Also on this floor is the digital facility.

Back in the library, where there is a comprehensive collection of photographic books available for members’ use, Eugene showed me the chain of office and the many trophies won by various members throughout the years.

He noted: “Photo competitions are a club mainstay. There is a summer competition, five-month League and others. No-one is obliged to enter– many just enjoy looking at the photos. Every Summer there is a major public exhibition, incorporating prizes. This is held at large external venues, last year at the Public Library in Pearse Street. This is the club’s major ‘shop window’ and always includes excellent photographs.”

For non-members who just wish to improve their photography, the club runs evening courses for beginners, which cover every aspect of producing good digital and film photos for all levels and Eugene remarked, “We include a Saturday afternoon workshop, where beginners can get practical experience of studio, digital and darkroom. There is currently a team of 10 excellent presenters, each with their specialist knowledge.”

Eugene told me that there is a strong social side to the club. “It is a good place to make friendships. Even romances are not unknown! There are generally outings to areas of interest, usually day trips, sometimes long weekends in Summer. However, these depend on interest from members and pressure of work is a problem for many members nowadays, who would love to get away and take photos.”

Eugene himself is modest about his own prowess as a photographer and says he prefers working outside with landscapes and buildings.

The Club runs many other activities, including talks by visiting photographers, advanced courses in Photoshop and digital photography and courses in advanced darkroom printing for which there is considerable demand.

Dublin Camera Club is at 10 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2. Weekly meetings are on Tuesday nights at 8pm, all year round.

For information on the club visit the website on www.dublincameraclub.ie or phone 6624464.

Membership is open to anyone interested in photography.

Beginners’ classes in photography at the Club commence in September and January each year, with a choice of 6.30pm or 8.30pm sessions. Details of upcoming classes will be advertised in our August issue.

Above left: Martin Dolan, on left, explains how to make the most of studio lighting for portraits.

Top: Eugene Carolan with the Presidential chain of office.

Below: Gerard Kelleher’s (centre) darkroom photographic printing classes are a firm favourite.