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Latvian Photographic Society member excursion to Photographer’s Hill (now Olas Hill) in Sigulda. June 6 or 7 1910. Latvian Museum of Photography. Celebratory excursions for members to Photographer’s Hill were organised regularly from 1908 until 1916
The Latvian Photographic Society played a crucial role in Latvian photo-ethnography. One of its aim became the documentation of disappearing Latvian traditional culture. More than 1000 photographs were taken as part of this initiative in the early 20th c. Some of these have not survived, other are scattered amongst the collections of various institutions, including the National History Museum of Latvia.
The Latvian Photographic Society was a natural continuation of the “victory march” of photography, accompanied by the creation of specialised magazines and photographers’ organisations. Several associations uniting professionals and amateurs in Latvia were founded, among them the Riga Photography Society (Photographische Gesellschaft zu Riga, 1890), Latvian Photographic Society (1906), Russian Photo Club (Русский фото-клуб, 1906) Liepāja Photography Society (1909). Members held regular meetings, listened to lectures, organised excursions and photography courses, and exchanged professional experience.
Latvian Photographic Society goal: “.. cultivate and develop Latvians’ understanding and love of art in general, and Latvian photography in particular.”
Latvian Photographic Association in Riga. In: Stari. 1906. No. 1.
Latvian Photographic Society
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First excursion of Latvian Photographic Society members to Photographer’s Hill (now Olas Hill) in Sigulda. June 1908. Latvian Museum of Photography collection
-Founded 26 January 1906
-June 1906 – first photo exhibition; in July the Society’s magazine Stari was published.
-Autumn 1908 – LPS begins organising courses on learning and improving composition and photography techniques. Mārtiņš Buclers, Jānis Sīlis, Mārtiņš Sams, Jānis Rieksts, Ernests Brastiņš, Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš, and many others led lectures and practical classes.
-From 1909 on, LPA participates in international exhibitions in Dresden, Kiev, Budapest, St. Petersburg, Graz, etc. Submitted works are awarded several times.
-1912 – Stari publishes an invitation to all to document Latvian traditions that are beginning to vanish.
-Shortly after the start of the World War I, in 1915, LPS ceases to exist. Several members are called up for military service.
-26 November 1920 – first post-war meeting takes place.
-1921 – Fotogrāfijas Mēnešraksts (Photographic Monthly) published by Arnolds Cālītis, edited by Jānis Sīlis becomes the official publication of the society.
-1922 – Latvian Cultural Foundation grants 2000 lats for the creation of a collection of ethnographic photographs, requiring that a copy of each photo should be given to the Latvian National Museum of History.
-26 October 1939 Latvian Photographic Society is renamed Photography Society of Latvia.
-1940 – Activities of the Society are reduced and in 1941 it is liquidated.
Photographers’ gifts to the new state of Latvia
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Renewed homesteads after the World War I and the Latvian War of Independence. Early 1920s. Photo Mārtiņš Sams
The Latvian Photographic Society set itself the task of documenting the vanishing traditional way of life – the Latvian landscape, farmers, fishers, and artisans at work as well as celebrations, anthropological types of people, and folk dress. This initiative was appreciated and supported by the new Latvian state. To promote the development of historical ethnographic photography, the Latvian Cultural Foundation granted 2000 lats to the society for the creation of a collection of ethnographic photographs. Financial support required that a copy of each photo be given to the National History Museum of Latvia and the Cultural Foundation. In 1923, members gave the Museum 132 ethnographic photos taken by Mārtiņš Sams, Arturs Štāls, Eduards Gaiķis, Voldemārs Priede, Arnolds Cālītis, Jānis Sīlis, Georgs Zemītis, and Oskars Jankovskis.
Photographer’s tools
Photography became increasingly available at the turn of the 20th c. In addition to the 60 professional photo workshops operating in Riga on the eve of World War I, there was a significant circle of amateur photographers – teachers, students, engineers, accountants, artists, doctors, traders, civil servants, lawyers, etc. Technical progress also contributed to this. At that time, photographers no longer used only large and heavy cameras on tripods – light handheld cameras were also available. Equipment also included glass plates negatives that required great care, especially during off-site sessions, as they were fragile.
See the next stand: Life mission – photography
See the previous stand: Latvians in the focus of researchers from other nations