Camera Crowd

By: Sandra Fernando

If you google “photographic societies in Sri Lanka,” you’ll find that there are many. The oldest is The Photographic Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL), which has been around since 1906, earlier than many other photographic societies in this world.

Henry Lorenz Wendt, father of Lionel Wendt, established the Amateur Photographic Society of Ceylon, the precursor of the PSSL. The society has had periods of sustained activity interspersed with dormant periods. In 1934, Lionel Wendt infused vigour into it after one dormant period. Since then, it has been active, holding 77 annual exhibitions of photographs of members and non-members. After a while, exhibitions were opened up and became international. That means that for most of its history, once a year, members of the society would sit around stuffing application forms into envelopes to post them abroad to people who wanted to participate! There’s commitment!

In the early days, one had to import film, the chemicals to process it, the paper and the dark room equipment. When fridges became a norm, chemicals could be stored for a day or two, eliminating the need to mix them up on the spot every time one had to develop film. Cameras became more sophisticated and colour slide film and then colour film were introduced. Studios went from taking portraits to developing and printing film for people as well. Other photographic societies proliferated. And then everything went digital and today, you just need two pieces of equipment: a camera and a computer. PSSL has worked through every change, every development and every movement in photography all the while.

Initially, the Society met in homes, like Lionel Wendt’s home, and members made their darkrooms available to each other. When Lionel Wendt died, his brother decided to set up an Arts Centre in his name. It was to be the home of the Society as a well as a gallery and performance space. You know the drinks and food outlet at the far end of the lobby, near the office? You know the door behind the outlet? That door is what’s left of Lionel Wendt’s house: his front door. That door leads to a corridor that connects with the office and teaching space (including a real darkroom!) of the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka. No, I didn’t know that, either, till a couple of months ago. But that’s where they are – in the space between the art gallery and the theatre.

With a permanent home, there are more possibilities and potentials. The society receives thousands of entries for its exhibitions each year and hangs about 200. From one class a year with a handful of students they have gone to several full classes running throughout the year. Classes are inclusive and children learn alongside adults. From meeting once a month to critique and feedback the work of members, they have expanded to include films, presentations by international photographers of repute, presentations of products by vendors, monthly competitions for members and field trips of a day or more inside Sri Lanka and internationally. And these are not outings: they are workshops conducted in the field and participants have to be timely because “you can’t play with light.” Participants are given all of one minute’s grace period and then the bus leaves. With all the discipline involved, they’re still an easy bunch to be around with their easy camaraderie.

Given that there are many photographic societies and associations, why should PSSL be so enduring? When pressed for an answer to that question, Romesh de Silva, observed that PSSL is broad based (consisting of a combination of professional photographers and amateurs) and broad in its outlook. Being inclusive, anyone can step into it, learn and grow as a photographer. Specific styles or approaches are not imposed on students or members who are, therefore, free to explore the medium and come to terms with its structures and opportunities in ways that suit them best. They participate in competitions in foreign countries and win awards. Photographers with an international profile!

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out the website of The Photographic Society of Sri Lanka (https://www.pssl.lk/) or call 7220115 and check out for yourself! Sandra Fernando