Photograph film still used for the Isle of Eigg survey camp film, 1961, by Philip Warren. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0215]
Photography
Student photographers at RGS have existed since our early days at Eskdale Terrace. The images they have left behind in the archives provide us with a glimpse into our past school life, recorded in black and white snapshots, an unrivalled historical record.
The first mention in Novo magazine of starting a Photographic Club was in November 1906. The club started giving lectures on different aspects of photography and gave speakers an opportunity to showcase their photographs to the audiences. In March 1909, a Mr Foster gave a talk on his trip to Canada, showing images he had taken on lantern slides.
The club continued to rise in popularity, surviving the restrictions on cameras that were put in place during the First World War. A darkroom was set up in the school basement for developing prints – a far cry from the superb facilities the art students of 2025 are able to benefit from.
The 1960s: The Darkroom at the End of the Hall
by David Goldwater (ON 1951-62)
As a student at RGS from 1951 until 1962, there were plenty of opportunities to exercise one’s interests and even skills. An abundance of societies offered one the chance to balance studies with personal interests by developing a hobby.
One of these was ‘snapping’ pictures and as popular photography began to grow, it was no longer the preserve of those boys with scientific skills - the technical ‘geeks’. Fortunately, my father shared the interest with me and was keen to experiment with new ways. He once described how, as boys, he and a brother rigged up a crystal set with some speakers around their home (probably in the 1920’s) and amazed his parents and some elderly aunts with this new technical ‘magic’.
Photograph of Barry Hedley in the RGS darkroom, c.1960. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0231]
Photograph of the Isle of Eigg, 1961, by Philip Warren. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0215]
A fully equipped darkroom was situated downstairs in a tiny room at the bottom of the northern stairs from the balcony leading down to the Hall. As one descended further downstairs into the depths, the smell of chemicals grew stronger - the aromas of Ilford ID11 and Hypo Crystals or Fixer supplied by Johnsons of Hendon met you, indicating the proximity of this small space, where negatives and glass photographic plates could be turned magically into prints, even quite enormous ones! By turning the enlarger on its side, one could project a negative onto a large sheet of printing paper. These experiments often ended in failure, but it was all part of the learning process.
An interest in Astronomy meant regular visits ‘after hours’ to the observatory on the field, and despite the industrial murk which undoubtedly pervaded the Tyneside air, we managed to take reasonable pictures especially of the Moon, which could be developed within minutes down in the depths under the Hall.
We also discovered that one could bypass the stairs back upstairs and explore the entire underneath of the Hall with its labyrinth of pipework.
Excluding myself, of course, there was a photographic ‘elite’ in my day, demonstrating utmost professional skill, far beyond that of most Kodak Box Brownie owners. My contemporary Philip Warren (ON 1951-61) showed great talent and ability and quite recently presented a portfolio of his work to the Archives.
Photograph film still used for the Isle of Eigg survey camp film, 1961, by Philip Warren. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0215]
1980s: “RGS gave me the greatest start in photography”
by Nicholas Posner (ON 1975-85)
A camera in Year 9 was my most prized possession. My ultimate dream was to have a photo printed in Novo, the pinnacle of artistic stardom. Head of Art Kevin Egan-Fowler (staff 1969-2013) gave me the strongest encouragement, even allowing me to use the school darkroom, a privilege usually reserved for Sixth Formers. Before long I was Novo photographer and set about recording every aspect of RGS life from 1981 to 1985.
As well as the standard school play/sports day type pictures I particularly enjoyed capturing the more informal aspects of school life. A favourite is the one of three fifth formers (Year 11) sitting on a bench by the school field.
The photo was featured in Novo and soon afterwards Mr Egan-Fowler contacted me excitedly. Apparently, a parent had complained to the headmaster that the photo brought the school into disrepute. Mr Egan-Fowler seemed quite pleased with the subversive nature of my work. Artists should always provoke a reaction! Probably just as well that the magazine did not feature the photo of my class 4K in 1982.
Photograph of three RGS students, October 1983. ©Nicholas Posner
Photograph of Nicholas Posner with Prime Minister John Major, November 1990. ©Nicholas Posner
In 1985, three days after leaving RGS, I attended the Durham Miners’ Gala and took candid snaps of Arthur Scargill, Neil Kinnock and Tony Benn. These three pictures were accepted for the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. It was undoubtedly the years of experience I had photographing RGS life that gave me the confidence to be a photographer of people and events. Throughout medical school and my years as a GP in Newcastle, the success of the Durham photos emboldened me to write to prominent characters to ask if I could take their portrait. I now have 18 photographs in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery and have had sittings with five prime ministers.
Photographs of five UK Prime Ministers, taken by Nicholas Posner ©Nicholas Posner
Photograph of Nicholas Posner with Sir Max Hill, January 2023. ©Nicholas Posner
A highlight came in 2023 when I went to take the official portrait for Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill (ON 1972-82). Max had been deputy head prefect when I was at the school. We spent more time trading anecdotes than taking photos!
Now retired from general practice, and my wife and I having moved to Oxford to be nearer family, I have a great deal more time for photography. This year I was hugely honoured when Michael Heseltine came to open an exhibition of my photos, featuring his arboretum, gardens and beloved snowdrops.
But none of this can beat being a new grandparent. Now there’s a photographic project