Page 13 - Cape Camera June 2024 edits

Cape Camera June 2024

Left: after chairing the Cam-
era News publication com- What is PSSA?
mittee for nearly five years, PSSA was launched on 24 July 1954
Eric asked to be relieved of at a congress held in the Durban City
this responsibility. The last Hall, following years of negotiations,
issue he produced, Janu-
ary 1960, features a photo spearheaded by Dr Kin Bensusan.
of himself, CTPS Vice Presi- CTPS was a main supporter of such
dents Robert Page and Don a unifying body. They believed that:
McKellar and then CTPS • Together we can achieve more;
President Terence Stafford- • A national body will improve pho-
Smith sharing a drink in the tographic standards in clubs;
Thatched Tavern pub on • It will promote the sharing of local
Greenmarket Square, Cape and international information.
Town, where the idea for the Growing photographic standards
establishment of CTPS was Via salons
first discussed in 1890. • Photographers can measure their
work against a much bigger com-
petition base than at a club;
• The Impala and Premier club
competitions measure salon per-
formances against other entrants;
Eric Vertue 1968, Eric also served on the Tulbagh • Members can earn Salon Hon-

Continued from p12 Restoration Committee, where he ours, e.g., DPSSA, EPSSA etc.
played an important part during the Via Honours panels
Eric’s interest in history and conser- 1970’s in restoring the old Drostdy PSSA rewards members for produc-
vation was expressed in many ways. after the earthquake. He was also a ing quality work by awarding hon-
He was especially interested in pho- member of the Simon van der Stel ours titles (LPSSA, APSSA etc.)
tographing historical buildings and foundation committee and served Via Competitions
established the CTPS Survey Group on the Table Mountain Preservation • Monthly club and website compe-
in 1965, which did much acclaimed Board. titions measure how well mem-
work documenting historical West bers compare against each other;
Coast farms. In 1976 his employer, the Perma- • Annual Interclub and other an-
nent Building Society, in collabora-
nual photographic competitions
He was especially concerned that tion with the Old Mutual, published widen the competition base;
some of these his- Travels with Eric Via Congresses
toric homesteads Let us hope that in our lifetimes Vertue, which was • Expert speakers share knowledge;
could be demol- we an look back on this first vol- described as an • Learning new skills at workshops;
ished, or destroyed ume as a ‘turning point’ or a ‘ral- excellent record • Photo opportunities that differ
by fire, as had lying point’ for the unification of of the rural West- from familiar venues;
happened to two scattered interests of our National ern Cape and his- • Share experiences and learn from
properties shortly photography - Dr Kin Bensusan toric homesteads. each other.
before the group PSSA assists clubs & members
Eric Vertue lived
was established. to the impressive age of 95 and • Guidelines for running a club
The next year they introduced their passed away on 18 July 2006. His • Providing access to PhotoVault-
work to the public with an exhibition contributions did not go unnoticed Online for entries
titled Old Cape Homes. In 1967 the and he was awarded the following • Trains judges via JAP
group’s invaluable work in record- honours: • Club news shared on website
ing and photographing much of Youth promotion
the Cape's architectural heritage re- • Associateship of PSSA (APSSA) for An active youth division encourages
sulted in the publication of the book his contribution to photography. participation in international and
From The Days That Are Gone, which • ARPS by the Royal Photographic national competitions and salons.
has become Africana. Society of Great Britain for his Youths can earn Honours.
photographs of South African his-
In 1973, Eric and CTPS member Ray torical architecture. Links to international bodies
Ryan published another book based • The rare award of a gold medal by Members can earn international
on their work as members of the Sur- the National Monuments Council honours through salons and compe-
vey Group, called Cape Homesteads, in 1975. titions. Recognised by all major pho-
which also became Africana. • A silver medal from the Simon van tographic associations, PSSA is kept
abreast of the latest information,
Apart from being invited to join der Stel Foundation guidelines and developments.
the National Monuments Council in • CTPS Honorary Life Membership.

Cape Town Photographic Society 13