Howard Moo Young, Contributor

Last week Sunday, marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic earthquake that completely destroyed much of Kingston's infrastructure, taking the lives of more than 1,000 citizens of the day. A photographic exhibition is now on display at the Institute of Jamaica, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Jamaica, bringing back memories of that fateful day, titled 'QUAKE'.

An acclaimed family of Jamaican photographers, A. Duperly and Son, has left with us a rich heritage of beautiful vintage black and white photographs handed down through three generations. The business was established in 1840 by Mr. Adolph Duperly, who died in 1865. It was then carried on by his son, Armond, whose son, Mr. Theophile Duperly continued the famed tradition of taking excellent photographs.

The premises which housed the photo studio upstairs were completely destroyed by the great fire in 1907 which resulted from the deadly earthquake. It nearly caused the death of Theophile Duperly, who ran the business at the time. As it was, He was severely injured and lost his right hand; but that calamity did not interfere in any way with the excellent work he produced, for he could do with his left hand what many of his contemporaries couldn't do with their right.

There is a detailed description of

the business which was recorded in The West Indies Illustrated, an historical and descriptive journal of commercial and industrial facts, figures, and resources. It was compiled and edited by Allister MacMillan and published by W. H. & L. Collingridge, London, which reads as follows:

"A. Duperly and Son, Artists and Photographers, 85 King Street.

Photography is one of the most wonderful of modern sciences. That a tiny film, ugly and unattractive in itself, should be able to secure impressions on its surface is certainly a marvellous invention of a scientific age, and would, in former times, have been associated with witchcraft. Yet the once possible has now become a reality which, in the hands of capable operators, is one of the highest forms of art.

"The leading and best photographers in Kingston are Messrs. A. Duperly and Son, whose work, judged by the severest canons of aesthetic criticism, cannot fail to elicit the highest recommendation. There is nothing crude or unfinished about the photographs which come from their studios. While true to the originals they are, at the same time, triumphs of artistic perfection. The verisimilitude of a portrait is perhaps its chief recommendation. But when besides exactitude of likeness it embodies also definiteness and softness of expression, and that excellence of finish which characterizes Messrs. A. Duperly and Sons' productions, the high place to which the art has been raised is well demonstrated.

" Messrs. A. Duperly and Son know the exact psychological moment when to snap the shutter of the camera - the moment when the sitter's features are at their best. Their studios are well equipped for pictures and poses of all kinds, and people putting the skill of the firm to test will assuredly not be disappointed. Their high-class work obtained the gold medal at the Jamaica Exhibition of 1891 and honourable mention at the Paris Exhibition of 1867."

I'm sure that many satisfied clients passed through their studios who told others about the service and excellent photographs they produced. They certainly paid a lot of attention to lighting, details and composition, from the many great pictures that were credited to Duperly over a hundred years ago.

Kingston was also blessed with another photographic mastermind in the person of Mr. H. E. Attewell. He operated under the trade name "The Camera", in temporary premises at 36 Orange Street. Here's how The West Indies Illustrated described this supplier of photographic equipment:

"The great strides made during the past few years in the processes of photography have now brought the delights of that fascinating pastime within the reach of everyone; and there is a large and increasing proportion of travellers who, whether their holiday headquarters are at the nearest sea-side resort, or far enough afield or afloat to yield the charm of another clime, would consider any vacation trip sadly incomplete without provision for securing permanent pictorial souvenirs of it. And this has led to the establishment, almost throughout the world, certainly through all that part of it which is brought within the network of modern travel routes, the representatives of an essentially latter-day calling - photographic supplies.

"Kingston is fortunate to possess a typical depot in the business conducted by Mr. H. E. Attewell in temporary premises at 36 Orange Street. It is this gentleman's vocation to act as guide, philosopher and friend to all who follow the cult of the camera. He is, to begin with, the local agent for the famous Eastman Kodak Co., whose name spells cameras and their complements to the ends of the earth. Mr. Attewell carries a useful stock of cameras and a very complete assortment of the sundries necessary to their use, including plates, films, solutions, etc. He has fitted up an admirable dark room also, where the amateur who, reveling in snap-shooting, yet shrinks from the more tedious operation of developing and printing, may have it done for him at a nominal charge. His establishment is one of the most useful that the visitor may find in Jamaica; and many a tourist, bent on carrying away with him some pictorial mementoes of a stay in one of the most nature-favoured spots on earth, is only too glad of the opportunity to avail himself of the thirteen years' experience which entitles Mr. Attewell to the confidence and patronage of every amateur photographer who, through lack of experience of shortage of materials, requires assistance. Dental goods and garden seeds are also stocked by him."

Both the Duperlys and Mr. Attewell have been great examples of professionals in their chosen field during the early years of Jamaican photography, and today we're better off for it. How many of us today can walk into a 'camera store' and get the attention, information, help and advice that will make us better photographers, whether we are locals or tourists? Very few establishments are equipped to do so. Most of the photography stores are not even willing to show you the camera manuals as they remain sealed. You will not be able to see a 4 x 6 being printed on a mini-printer, and some don't have a clue about the different types of films or how to demonstrate the use of a tripod. The personnel behind the counter might as well be selling cigarettes.

-Howard Moo Young, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, New York, is an Advertising, Graphic Design and Photography Consultant with over 40 years experience. Email: mooimages@yahoo.com