The images above were taken approximately 100 years apart in similar positions on Brisbane Street looking down what was previously known as Nicholas Street (now Ipswich City Mall). The first image was taken by Whitehead Studios in 1898 whilst the second image was taken by photographer Lyle Radford in 2005 – Images courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Photography was an important part of Ipswich’s early years as a city, with many families visiting photography studios around the area to have group, family and sporting shots taken. Many of these early photographs still exist today as do some of the early and fragile glass plates first used in this industry. For families in the early days photography was a way to remember important or special events in a family member’s life and to also send such mementos to friends or relatives who may have lived in far reaching towns or other states. Today, photos are still taken with similar purposes in mind, and in some ways we take for granted the technology we possess to capture a moment preserved for perpetuity.
During this period of time many different photographic techniques were adopted to keep up with the continued demand and constantly evolving technology. The Queensland Times Newspaper often contained advertisements for local studios advertising new and improved techniques with the purpose of attracting customers to a quicker process, clearer shot and unblemished finish, all of which were considered to be an innovation at the time.
Between the 1850s and 1930s many photographic studios and photographers existed in the Ipswich area, including Whitehead Studios, who still operate in Ipswich today. Whiteheads was established in 1883 by Mr Francis Arnold Whitehead after he purchased the Frisco Photo Company’s Studio on Ellenborough Street. To read more on F.A. Whiteheads story and the establishment of Whitehead Studios view this earlier post on our By the Bremer blog.
Another early photographer of the time was a gentleman by the name of Biggingee Sorabjee Poochee. Mr Poochee was originally from Bombay, India and came to Australia in the 1860s before arriving in Ipswich to establish a photography business in 1863 in a studio on the corner of Bell and Union Streets. During his time in Ipswich B.S. Poochee produced many award-winning and now famous photographs of the Ipswich area and its founding families. To read more about Biggingee’s story view this earlier post on our By the Bremer blog.
The Frisco Photo Co. which was owned and operated by George Anthony Tissington was another early studio around in Ipswich’s early days. Mr Tissington set up his first studio in Brisbane in 1877 before opening another in Ipswich in Mr Poochee’s old premises on Brisbane Street in 1878. He then moved to an Ellenborough Street address where he employed the local budding photographer F.A. Whitehead. George boasted many services including enlargements to life size or reductions to fit small lockets.
Trademark of Frisco Photo Co. between 1878 and 1882 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
William Deazeley was another prominent Ipswich photographer who first established his studio on Brisbane Street, Ipswich in 1882. William also operated a studio in South Brisbane during this time and specialised in portrait and landscape photography. In the 1860s his father John Deazeley joined him at his studio until 1886 when he relocated to Queen Street, Brisbane. In 1888 William Deazeley’s studio was taken over by the then well- established F.A. Whitehead Studios.
Portrait of Maggie O’Sullivan taken by William Deazeley in the Brisbane Street Studios in 1880s – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Lomer & Co. studios although not principally an Ipswich establishment, having been established for many years in Brisbane, set up a studio in the area in 1898. The Brisbane studio was owned and operated by Gustav Collin on the behalf of Albert Lomer, with assistance from a Mr Francis Keogh. Little is known about Lomer & Co’s time in Ipswich, however a number of photographs still exist as evidence of their presence.
Today, Ipswich is still home to several photography studios and photographers, however with innovative new technology the business of photography has become simpler and quicker for both the photographer and the subject. One of these photographers is Lyle Radford, several of whose images can be found on the Picture Ipswich website. Mr Radford was born in Victoria and completed his apprenticeship as a photographer in the 1970s. During his time as a photographer he has produced over 450,000 images of varying subjects, formats and using a wide range of procedures. After working for a number of years in Victoria, Lyle moved to Queensland where he became a photographer for the Courier Mail and Sunday Mail newspapers as well as chief photographer for The Queensland Times newspaper. He has had the opportunity to photograph many amazing events in Australia as well as a number of celebrities, among which included the Dalai Lama.
Paul Geddes is another modern photographer in the Ipswich area. He was born in Ipswich and started his photography career in 1971 by taking photographs of local Ipswich events such as school formals and later moved on to establish himself as a wedding photographer. Soon after, he transferred his skills to photography for media and advertising purposes, where he stayed for 19 years. Although not working in this field any more Paul is still an avid professional photographer and has a passion for landscape photography which he transforms into printed art pieces.
The preservation of Ipswich’s heritage is important to many residents. The Picture Ipswich website was established with the purpose to preserve our history through contributed photographs. All of these amazing experiences and memories captured in photographs are excellent examples of Ipswich’s past and should be preserved for the benefit of future generations.