I’d like to draw members’ attention to a small exhibition in Walthamstow, East London - the original home of one of the largest camera factories in Europe. The emphasis is on popular photography rather than the historical - though there are historical references.
The space is divided into nine sections; 'small people', 'just a bit cut off', 'some exceedingly bad pictures', etc. Each section is prefaced by a vintage photograph with the rest of the images in that section reprinted from scans of either found, archive or contemporary images I've taken with locally-made vintage Ensign cameras. I was unable show the museum’s original photographs and this way the display has coherence and it's not immediately obvious (in some cases) which are vintage and which contemporary images.
It is an accessible and humorous show which also includes a display cabinet of Ensign artefacts and the cameras I used, plus some others from the museum’s collection. Round the room are quotes from Ensign publications and there is also a table display relating to a local man who used an Ensign with some of his family snaps loaned by his daughter.
The feedback I have had has been very positive with people remarking that it makes them want to revisit film and see what cameras they have in their attics. I hope it also makes people appreciate the old photographs they have in their possession.
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