Berwick Photo Centre
Photography was first introduced in the mid 19th century and has since become an important visual medium. The Photo Centre, a family run press agency and photo studio in Berwick, documented life in North Northumberland and the Scottish borders from its establishment in 1951 until 2012. Their photographs covered newsworthy events as well as portraying people’s lives through weddings and portraits. It gives a wonderful insight into life at the time including employment, fashion and architecture. Have a look at our website – www.photocentreberwick.co.uk
Below are a series of learning resources created from the Photo Centre negatives held at the Berwick Record Office. They include suggested activities from a wide range of subjects including photography, arts and humanities and are aimed at all key stages and lifelong learners.
Resources are available to download in Word and PDF format.
Documents
Portrait Photographs, 1960s – 1970s
Photographs showing different styles of portraiture including wedding and studio portraits.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, History, Literacy, Fashion
Photographs of the Fishing Industry, 1952-1969
Photographs of people working in the salmon fishing industry in the Berwick area.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, Geography, History, Literacy, Science, Politics
Photographs of Miners, 1959-1960
Photographs of people working in the mining industry in the Berwick area.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, Geography, History, Literacy, Science
Photographs of Shop Interiors in Berwick, 1958-1966
Photographs showing the interiors of shops in Berwick.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Literacy, History, Maths
Passport Photographs, July 1966 – June 1968
Portrait photographs taken to be used in passports.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, Geography, History, Literacy
Photographs of Animals, 1954-1967
Photographs showing elephants and a monkey in Berwick.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, History, Citizenship, Literacy, Music
Photographs of Building Exteriors, 1952 – 1964
Photographs showing buildings and streetscapes in Berwick.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art, History
Photographs of Ship Building, 1960 – 1970
Photographs showing the ship building industry in Berwick.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, Geography, History, Literacy, Science
Photographs of the Transport Industry, 1964 – 1970
Photographs showing the bus and rail industries in Berwick.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art and Design, Geography, History, Literacy, Science
Photographs of Rescue and Disasters in Berwick, 1952 – 1969
Photographs showing rescues after accidents and disasters in the Berwick area.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, History, Citizenship, Literacy
Photographs of Sports in Berwick, 1960 -1968
Photographs showing football, swimming, racing and speedway.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Literacy, History, Citizenship
Photographs of Women in Berwick, 1960 – 1968
Photographs of women and traditions in Berwick, including Mayor Mrs F.B.C. Adams.
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Subject areas: Photography, Art, History, Literacy
Video – Portrait of a Town Exhibition
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
‘Portrait of a Town’ – Exhibition Trailer
The Photo Centre collection encapsulates almost every aspect of life in Berwick between 1951, when the David Smith founded his photojournalism business in the town, until 2012 when his son Ian retired.
Video – Portrait of a Town
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Preview of the exhibition which ran from 29th May – 10th Oct 2021, The Granary Gallery, Bridge Street, Berwick Upon Tweed.
Video – Photography taster workshop
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Photographer Jo Coates leads you through a simple photography framing taster workshop, aimed at children 6 years and over. The workshop will help you think about choosing a subject and basic framing and composition for taking photographs or drawings.
Video – Photography taster workshop 2 – Creating a Photo Story
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
Creating a Photo Story – photographer Jo Coates leads you through our next photography workshop, aimed at children 6 to 13 years old.
Video – Photo News Service
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners
When David Smith began his photo news agency in Berwick in 1951, demand for his work came thick and fast at a local and national level. An experienced journalist with a keen eye for a story, he captured a wide range of subjects, from a visiting celebrity to a runaway circus elephant, not to mention a host of wedding and portrait commissions.
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