The Photographic Society of Madras, also known as PSM, is a photographic society based in

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

city of

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. Founded in 1857, it is the oldest photographic society in India and one of the oldest in the world. PSM was founded in 1857, with the objective of promoting the Art and Science of

Photography Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employed ...

. The Society was renamed as Madras Amateur Photographic Society in the mid-1880s and later it reverted to its original name and continues to be known as Photographic Society of Madras. The Photographic Society of Madras is registered under the

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

Societies Registration Act 1975. PSM organizes programs including, photo-walks, photo-tours, classes, workshops, salons and exhibitions, on most weeks of the year. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in photography.

History

Alexander Hunter Dr Alexander Hunter (1729–17 May 1809) was a Scottish physician, known also as a writer and editor. Life Born in Edinburgh in 1729 (the ''Memoir'' says 1733), he was eldest son of a prosperous druggist. He was sent to the grammar school at ...

, who founded The Photographic Society was also the driving force behind Madras School of Industrial Arts where the Society used to have its initial meetings. Walter Elliot, a member of the Governor's Council, was elected the first president of the society. Because of his proximity to the corridor of power, Walter Elliot inducted

Lord Harris Colonel George Robert Canning Harris, 4th Baron Harris, (3 February 1851 – 24 March 1932), generally known as Lord Harris, was a British colonial administrator and Governor of Bombay. He was also an English amateur cricketer, mainly active f ...

, the Governor of the

Madras Presidency The Madras Presidency, or the Presidency of Fort St. George, also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision (presidency) of British India. At its greatest extent, the presidency included most of southern India, including the ...

as the four Southern States of India were known before Independence and then his successor, Sir Charles Trevelyn as members of the society. In the earlier years of its formation, its members were mostly Europeans - army men and civilians alike. The society met regularly in the premises of the School of Industrial Arts and held annual exhibitions.

Linnaeus Tripe Linnaeus Tripe (14 April 1822 – 2 March 1902) was a British pioneer of photography, best known for his photographs of India and Burma taken in the 1850s. Early life Linnaeus Tripe was born in Plymouth Dock (now Devonport), Devon, to Mary (178 ...

, a pioneering photographer of British India, was one of the earliest members of this society.

Exhibitions

The Society has held an annual exhibition since its beginning. The annual exhibition is one of the flagship events of the society which brings photographs from around the world. Apart from annual exhibition it also conducts photography competitions and exhibitions to commemorate specific days and celebrations to bring solidarity among the citizens of the city. The exhibition of member's work during the monthly member's meet is also a regular practise.

Membership

There are no restrictions on membership which includes amateur and professional photographers through to photographic scientists and those involved in exhibiting, curating and writing about photography, as well as those with a general interest in the medium. Many of the great names in photographic history as well as many well-known photographers today have been members.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Images from Tripe
* Taylor, R & LJ Schaaf (2007
Impressed by Light
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photography organizations established in the 19th century Arts organizations established in 1857 Indian photography organisations 1857 establishments in India