National Photographic Association of the United States
Encyclopedia
The National Photographic Association of the United States (1868–1880) formed "for the purpose of elevating and advancing the art of photography, and for the protection and furthering the interests of those who make their living by it." In particular, the group organized initially to prevent "the reissue of the ... ambrotype
patent.
W. Irving Adams,
J. Baker,
Abraham Bogardus
,
James Wallace Black
,
R.J. Chute,
Benjamin French,
Alfred Hall,
Alfred Howe,
Albert Southworth
,
W.H. Rhoads,
William Rulofson
,
J.F. Ryder,
J.B. Webster, and Edward L. Wilson.
Conferences occurred annually, beginning in June 1869, with the "National Photographic Association Exposition and Convention" held in Boston
. Its purpose was "to keep the public informed as to progress of photography, [to share] amongst photographers a knowledge of the improvements that are made both here and abroad, and to excite ... a taste for the new art. An exhibition will be formed to contain the pictures of contemporary artists. ...There will also be shown various photographic apparatus, chemicals. ... A course of lectures on the chemical properties of light will be delivered by a number of scientific gentlemen." Subsequent conventions took place in: Cleveland (June 7–10, 1870) ("it is thought 400 members will be present. The photographs on exhibition are the largest collection ever seen in this country, and are the finest specimens"); Philadelphia (June 1871); St. Louis (1872); Buffalo (1873); Chicago (July 1874);
San Francisco (July 1875); and Philadelphia (1876).
At the 1871 convention in Philadelphia, events included "a grand stereopticon and lantern exhibition; ...business and scientific meetings." "The whole affair is to be a grand one, conducted on a magnificent scale. The railroad companies have made liberal arrangements for delegates, and at least one thousand photographers are expected." Among the numerous exhibitors in Horticultural Hall:
Growing membership and conference attendance proved the success of the organization. By 1873, "we can see the leaven working which was scattered at the birth of the National Photographic Association, and the result is most promising. The whole body photographic is feeling its influence in one way or another, and the thirst for more knowledge is very apparent in the increased attendance upon and interest in the annual conventions and exhibitions."
However, according to one account, by the late 1870s "photographers were ... assailed on every side by process-vendors and patentees, and 'lightning' processes were pushed against them with great vigor, and many victims were caught. The Executive Committee of the N.P.A. became discouraged, and, largely in debt, the society died."
In 1880 the group merged with the Photographers Association of America (later called the Professional Photographers of America
).
Ambrotype
right|thumb|Many ambrotypes were made by unknown photographers, such as this American example of a small girl holding a flower, circa 1860. Because of their fragility ambrotypes were held in folding cases much like those used for [[daguerreotype]]s...
patent.
History
Through the years, officers of the society includedW. Irving Adams,
J. Baker,
Abraham Bogardus
Abraham Bogardus
Abraham Bogardus was an American Daguerreotypist and photographer who made some 200,000 daguerreotypes during his career....
,
James Wallace Black
James Wallace Black
James Wallace Black , known professionally as J.W. Black, was an early American photographer whose career was marked by experimentation and innovation.-Biography:...
,
R.J. Chute,
Benjamin French,
Alfred Hall,
Alfred Howe,
Albert Southworth
Albert Southworth
thumb|Albert Southworth, circa 1848Albert Sands Southworth operated Southworth & Hawes daguerreotype studio with Josiah Johnson Hawes from 1843 to 1863.-Biography:...
,
W.H. Rhoads,
William Rulofson
William Rulofson
William Herman Rulofson was a Canadian-American photographer, who along with his partner, H. W. Bradley, was considered one of the leading photographers in the city of San Francisco, California. He was also the brother of Edward H...
,
J.F. Ryder,
J.B. Webster, and Edward L. Wilson.
Conferences occurred annually, beginning in June 1869, with the "National Photographic Association Exposition and Convention" held in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Its purpose was "to keep the public informed as to progress of photography, [to share] amongst photographers a knowledge of the improvements that are made both here and abroad, and to excite ... a taste for the new art. An exhibition will be formed to contain the pictures of contemporary artists. ...There will also be shown various photographic apparatus, chemicals. ... A course of lectures on the chemical properties of light will be delivered by a number of scientific gentlemen." Subsequent conventions took place in: Cleveland (June 7–10, 1870) ("it is thought 400 members will be present. The photographs on exhibition are the largest collection ever seen in this country, and are the finest specimens"); Philadelphia (June 1871); St. Louis (1872); Buffalo (1873); Chicago (July 1874);
San Francisco (July 1875); and Philadelphia (1876).
At the 1871 convention in Philadelphia, events included "a grand stereopticon and lantern exhibition; ...business and scientific meetings." "The whole affair is to be a grand one, conducted on a magnificent scale. The railroad companies have made liberal arrangements for delegates, and at least one thousand photographers are expected." Among the numerous exhibitors in Horticultural Hall:
- A.M. Allen, Pottsville PA
- D.H. Anderson, Richmond VA
- E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., NY
- B.F. Battels, Akron, OH
- W. G. Basset, Erie PA
- Robert Benecke, St. Louis
- Bennermann & Wilson
- Herman Boettger, Philadelphia
- A. Bogardus, NY
- J.H. Bostwick, Bristol PA
- N.H. Bussey, Baltimore
- W.M. Chase, Baltimore
- Charles Cooper & Co., NY
- Cramer, Gross & Co., St. Louis
- James Cremer, Philadelphia
- Crosscup & West
- Dinsmore & Wilson, Baltimore
- B.L.H. Dobbs, Pittsburg
- L. Dubernol, NY
- E.J. Foss, Boston
- Gihon & Thompson, Philadelphia
- F. Gutekunst, Philadelphia
- William H. Harding
- E.E. Henry, Kansas
- Jones & Stiff, Salem MA
- Kilburn BrothersBenjamin W. KilburnBenjamin West Kilburn was an American photographer and stereoscopic view publisher famous for his landscape images of the nascent American and Canadian state, provincial, and national parks and his visual record of the great migrations at the end of the nineteenth century...
, Littleton NH - R. Knecht, Paterson NY
- A. Kracan, Iowa
- Oscar Kunath, NY
- W. Kurtz, NY
- M. Carey Lea, Philadelphia
- Lenox Glass Co., Massachusetts
- D. Lothrop, Philadelphia
- Maddock & Co., NY
- J.F. Meyer
- Miltz & Swart, Peoria, Ill.
- J. Morrey
- Albert Moore, Philadelphia
- J.W. Morgeneier, Sheboygan, Michigan
- William Nottmann, Montreal
- Oster, Philadelphia
- Lewis Pattberg & Bro., NY
- W.S. Pendleton, Brooklyn
- L.D. Philippi, Philadelphia
- Photograph Relief Printing Co., Philadelphia
- Powers & Weightman
- J. Reid, Paterson NJ
- William H. Rhoads, Philadelphia
- J.F. Ryder, Cleveland OH
- S.W. Sawyer, Chicago
- Schneider & Son, Philadelphia
- Andrew Scholler, St. Louis
- Scoville Manufacturing Co.
- F.L. Stuber, Bethlehem PA
- H.K.P. Trask
- Henry Peach RobinsonHenry Peach RobinsonHenry Peach Robinson was an English pictorialist photographer best known for his pioneering combination printing - joining multiple negatives to form a single image, the precursor to photomontage...
and Nelson King Cherrill, Tunbridge, England - William Valk, Philadelphia
- Leon Van LooLeon Van LooLeon Van Loo was a Belgian-born photographer and art promoter.Born 12 August 1841, in Ghent, Belgium, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1858, when he opened a photography gallery. After doing well in the cotton trade after the Civil War, he retired early in 1866. He subsequently spent time...
, Cincinnati - Vansyckel & Burr, Philadelphia
- Dr. H. Vogel, Berlin
- C.E. Wallin, Indiana
- Walmsley & Co., Philadelphia
- F.A. Wenderoth, Philadelphia
- Wilson, Hood & Co., Philadelphia
- C.A. Zimmerman, St. Paul MN
Growing membership and conference attendance proved the success of the organization. By 1873, "we can see the leaven working which was scattered at the birth of the National Photographic Association, and the result is most promising. The whole body photographic is feeling its influence in one way or another, and the thirst for more knowledge is very apparent in the increased attendance upon and interest in the annual conventions and exhibitions."
However, according to one account, by the late 1870s "photographers were ... assailed on every side by process-vendors and patentees, and 'lightning' processes were pushed against them with great vigor, and many victims were caught. The Executive Committee of the N.P.A. became discouraged, and, largely in debt, the society died."
In 1880 the group merged with the Photographers Association of America (later called the Professional Photographers of America
Professional Photographers of America
This organization was formed in April 1880 as the Photographers Association of America, Inc., by members of the Chicago Photographic Association and the National Photographic Association. The name was changed to Professional Photographers of America, Inc. , in 1958 to distinguish the association...
).
Further reading
- Albert Sands Southworth. An Address to the National Photographic Association of the United States. Philadelphia Photographer Oct. 1871.
- Manual of the National Photographic Association of the United States. Philadelphia : Printed by Sherman & Co., 1873.
- Report of the Sixth Annual Convention of the National Photographic Association of the United States, held at Chicago, Illinois, July 1874. Philadelphia: 1874.