Where did the Seattle Camera Club meet?

> NOTAN - Monthly Journal of the SCC (extract)

INTRODUCING THE CITY OF SEATTLE
Dr. K KOIKE

If you are a stranger who wishes to find some photographic subjects in this city, I am able to guide you. I have lived here for several years and know some points which have pictorial value. Now follow me and listen:
This is the Pioneer Square, the center of the city, where the famous totem pole stands. We will start our trip here. Look over the skyscraper one block up. This is the Smith Building which is forty-two stories high and which is the tallest building in the West. Let us take an elevator and go to the top of the building where you can look down upon the whole city and where I can show you the course of our trip.

Once in an early morning, Mr. Y. Morinaga, a member of the Seattle Camera Club, strolled along Second Avenue, and turning back from Columbia Street corner, an inspiration came to his head. He snapped this building and there was his “Quiet Hour-Seattle,” which was published on the Seattle Times, Rotogravure Section and which was accepted by New York Salon recently. One block up Third Avenue and James Street there is the County-City Building, the south entrance of which gave me my “Sunday Afternoon”, which was awarded an honorable mention in Photo-Era Magazine monthly contest a few years ago. Allow me to take you to the nearby bridge over Fourth Avenue at Yesler Way and never say our hasty judgment is not worthy of photographic desire, but remember that one who keenly observes can find a gem everywhere. Yes, a few years ago, Mr. F. Y. Ogasawara who lives in Portland at present, made one of his masterpieces – “Study in Composition,” which was welcomed by the pictorial workers in this country on this sport.

Then come with me to the Seattle Library where I found my “Entrance of Knowledge,” which was hung at Los Angeles and Fort Wayne Salons. Let us come down Madison Street to the waterfront where the Colman Dock is located.

Once Mr. George M. Allen came here from Portland by sea route and tried his camera work on the dock. He sent his “Seattle Harbor” to Frederick & Nelson Salon and the juries awarded him second prize. What do you say, Seattle photographers? Seattle seaport by Portland people! Oh, maybe you were too familiar with the dock to find its beauty.

An early morning Mr. H, Kira came to First Avenue and the charming sunlight gave him his “Street Scene-Morning,” which caught the eyes of the editors of Photo-Era Magazine and the juries of Buffalo Salon.

Now let us speed up to Kinnear Park. It was a winter day. I came here at twilight and found the sun was sinking over Bainbridge Island. My eyes were attracted by the glorious scene and my “Sunset in Winter” was accepted by the juries of Portland Salon.

Passing by Smith Cove we came to Magnolia Bluff. The Madrona forest on the cliff gave Mr. Y. Morinaga an idea. His “The World Beyond” was accepted by the judges of Fort Wayne Salon. His “The Call of Spring” was made at the nearby place with his telephoto lens. “Cloudburst” by Mr. S. Hirano is another one in the same place and it was accepted by the New York Salon. You see, between Fort Lawton and Ballard there is a famous Government Lock, second to the Panama Canal. The foaming waters downstream gave Mr. H. Kira his “Fishing,” which was recognized as a good print from the Buffalo Salon. Let us stroll by the seashore to Golden Gardens Park which is located at the northwestern limit of the city. Out of the park down the hill, the muddy road gave me my “Winding Path” which was exhibited once at Paris, France.

Coming straight to the East and turning to the South, we reached Woodland Park. Then I can not overlook Lake Union where Mr. H. Onishi found his “Morning Clam,” which was given the first place in the marine group at Montreal Salon, Canada where Mr. R. Morita had a chance to snap his “Mist.” We came to the shore of Green Lake. When the weather was extremely cold and the lake was covered with thick ice, it was the Mecca of skaters. I found a family group, a tiny boy riding on a sled and repeated it on my film. “Winter Sport” was welcomed by Portland Salon.

Our next stop will be Sand Point after passing by Cowen Park. Once American aviators started their around-the-world flight from this place. Taking the chance, Mr. Y. Morinaga made his “Magellans of Today,” which was welcomed in several salons. Then I would not neglect to visit Laurelhurst where miss Ella E. McBride found her peaceful “Midsummer” and where I snapped my romantic “He Is Coming.” Allow me to lead you to the campus of Washington University. Once Mr. Y. Idzumi visited a pond in the grounds, where water lilies were in bloom. He well knew how to arrange the flowers and reeds and made his little gem “Water Lilly,” which was admired by the people of Toronto and New York Cities.

Coming back a little distance, we will pass Montlake Bridge which was newly built and now the famous Lakeside Boulevard is at hand.

Along the way, there are many parks, namely, Washington, Interlaken, Denny-Blaine, Madrona, Leschi, Frink, Colman, Mt. Baker and Seward Parks. Before going to Madrona Park through the boulevard, we must not forget to visit Volunteer Park, the first one in the city. Mr. H. Kira found his “Shade and Shadows” in a house on Broadway nearby. The picture was accepted by the juries of Pittsburgh Salon and made his photography a habit.

On a summer day I found my “Little Adventures” on Lake Washington near Madrona Park, for which Photo-Era Magazine awarded me an honorable mention. The bridge through Frink Park was an ideal background for our pictorial works. Mr. H. Onishi made his “Elegy,” which was awarded fifth prize from Frederick & Nelson Salon and was accepted by Toronto Salon, while I made my “Spring Song” for New Westminster Salon, Canada. Moreover, I can not help telling you that my “Autumn” took place nearby. The picture was accepted by Frederick & Nelson Salon and awarded an honorable mention from Photo-Era Magazine. Mr. F. Kunishige found his three masterpieces there, “Broken Bowl,” “Sun Bath,” and “The Gate of Paradise.” They were worth enough for him to make a name both locally and abroad. The boulevard between Mt. Baker Park and Seward Park gave me four pictures: “Birch Trees” and “Stroll” were awarded honorable mentions from Photo-Era Magazine; “Fishing” was accepted by Los Angeles Salon and the last one was “Whispering,” which was printed in American Annual of Photography and Camera Craft.

After reaching Rainier Avenue by the new road from Seward Park, I will accompany you to Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill, where the Municipal Golf Course is and where Mr. H. Kira made his “After a Storm,” which was accepted by the Pittsburgh Salon this spring.

Coming down Jackson Street, we reached the railroad stations. While Mr. Sunami, who lives in New York City at present, made his “October Mist,” which was given a prize by Frederick & Nelson Salon, Mr. Y. Morinaga found his “Steam and Smoke,” and “When Night Deepens,” there.

Time is late and we must hurry to West Seattle. By the shore near Admiral Way, Mr. H. Kira was proud to find his “Peaceful City-Seattle.” We came to Alki Point where Mr. H. Onishi made his masterpiece,“End of a Day.” It was a summer evening. He found a fishing boat coming out from the twilight mist. He was deeply interested to see it on the peaceful, but dark waves. Perhaps he had no time to consider about his composition when the boat was moving toward the land, but he caught the best moment. The picture was not only welcomed by London, Los Angeles, Buffalo and Fort Wayne Salons, but was awarded second prize in the annual competitions by American Photography.

The sun has sunk beyond the Olympic Mountains and we are at the end of our little journey. The darkness of twilight is covering us. Now let us say goodbye and go home. I am sure you have it in your ability to make pictures and hope you will have good luck while staying in this city. Good night.