Seeking information on Photographic Information Council, 1950s-1970s

[Michael Pritchard]

I hope someone here might be able to help. I’m seeking information about the Photographic Information Council, which seems to have existed as a photographic industry promotional body in Britain between the late 1950s and the early 1970s. The Photographic Information Council produced leaflets, organised competitions (including the Junior Photographer of the Year prize) and wrote articles for local and national newspapers promoting photography and giving advice to novices.

They seem to have been based at two London addresses: Wardrobe House, Wardrobe Place, London EC4 and 140 Park Lane, London W1Y 4EL. Contributing writers / representatives include George Hughes, Howard S. Cotton, Robin Bowles, Harry Challoner, Michael Geraghty and Kenneth G. Pope.

Was anyone here a member or know anyone who was? Does anyone have any of their leaflets? I’m particularly interested their promotion of photography for school children. Were you a Junior Photographer competition winner or entrant? Please get in touch if so!

With thanks,

Annebella Pollen, Professor of Visual and Material Culture, University of Brighton. E:  [e-mail]

Image: the new PIC trophy introduced in 1971 for its Young Photographer of the Year competition, boys' open class

[James McArdle]

Hi Annebella,

Your query on British Photo History Ning piqued my curiosity so, as you have no doubt done. I made a search on Newspapers.com which brought up nearly a thousand entries, the earliest being in The Guardian Journal 10 Jun 1958, Tue · Page 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121774400/. 

Photographic council

A photographic information 

council for Britain, representing

the leading sections of the photo-

graphic industry, has been formed.

it is announced. The chairman is

Mr. Norman Thorpe of Derby.

Many of the articles are ‘how-to’s’ which may be reprints of the leaflets to which you refer, and announcements of competitions, helpfully with some names of winners.

All the best with this fascinating project; it will be interesting to see which significant photographers the council’s efforts encouraged in their careers.

James