Enjoying success

The Singapore Camera Club’s first photographic competition in 1950 proved to be a huge success for an organisation as new as theirs. From then on, more photographic competitions were introduced. Besides annual and quarterly competitions, there were also exhibitions. Their success prompted the introduction of open competitions and exhibitions in conjunction with other organisations.

The 1st Malayan Photographic Exhibition was held in 1953. Its name was later changed to Pan Malaysian Photographic Exhibition and again, after Singapore separated from Malaysia, to Singapore National Photographic Exhibition (SNP). In 1978, the ASEAN Salon of Photography replaced SNP.

With the confidence in their club growing, members felt the need for more exposure in the international circles of photography enthusiasts. More exposure would mean more interaction with overseas photographic organisations and societies. This led to the club’s affiliation with The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (RPS) and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).

Over time, Singapore Camera Club played host to individuals and representatives of photographic bodies from abroad. Its members reciprocated with overseas visits and in 1978 the club organised a historic trip to China for Singaporean photographers.

Encouraged, members proposed that the name of their club be changed to one that would befit its role at an international level. This led to the establishment of The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS) in 1956.