IDPS History

Ipswich & District Photographic Society can trace its origins back to the very earliest days of photography. On 6th March 1888 a number of keen photographers met to form the first Photographic Society in Ipswich. This first society was reformed as Ipswich Social Settlement Camera Club in June 1904 and this became the Ipswich and District Photographic Society in the late 1920s. In 1988 the Society celebrated 100 years of club photography in Ipswich. There have been regular annual exhibitions since 1926 and these have usually been opened by the Mayor of the Borough. This has been a continuous tradition for over 40 years. IDPS is proud of its long association with Ipswich Borough Council and with other Arts organisations in the area. Over the years IDPS has had a number of prominent citizens and leading photographers of the day among its membership. These associations are represented by the names on the collection of IDPS cups and trophies which are awarded annually. With over 80 members, IDPS continues to be one of the larger photographic societies in East Anglia and one of the leading photography clubs in the Region.