The Camera Club of Negros: In Retrospect

In 1981, Architect Antonio Corral invited Billy Lopue to set up a new camera club to stir a love for photography in the province. The Negros Camera Club, of which Architect Corral was a member, had already been dormant for many years.

Members of the original Negros Camera Club included Leonito Lopue, brother of Billy, Antonio Corral, and many more. Its most prominent member, Bo Villanueva, also belonged to the Camera Club of the Philippines. The club through them had already awakened an enthusiasm for the craft in the province. But for some reason, it had become inactive. A new camera club was thus ripe for the launching.

With the formation of a new photography club, the Camera Club of Negros was born.

Attorney Alex Mirano and Billy helped register the club with the Security and Exchange Commission in July 16, 1983.

Offices in SEC registration were Antonio Corral Jr (President), Billy Lopue (VP), Elenita Corral (Treasurer) & Alexander Mirano (Secretary).

CCN, as our club was known, involved itself in supporting the initial creation of the House of Negros (now Negros Producers) by assisting them in product shots for their display presentations.

The club also involved itself in documenting illegal logging activities in Don Salvador Benedicto on the initiative of Art Valdez (the Mt. Everest leader) who was then working for Roberto S. Benedicto during the time of Marcos. It was our first project aimed at awakening social awareness in people and which saw print in local and national newspapers.

Years after, the Camera Club of Negros had its first major photo exhibit to o scenic spots in Negros. The venue of this was the old airport. It was set up in partnership with the Department of Tourism.

Nude photography as an art was also introduced by this club in Negros for the first time.

Today, a new generation of photographers has emerged to keep the passion for photography burning. Their enthusiasm in this endeavor and innate artistry sustain not only the clubs’ goal of promoting photography as a craft but also in expanding its membership base while upholding the fine standards that it has maintained since its founding.