Alf Rendell (1917-2019) - Photographer

SummaryAlf was born in November 1917, he came to Tauranga as an infant from Whakatane and like his father before him, became a well know photographer in the region. He recalls the old glass plate (wet plate) technology used by his father who travelled around the country taking photographs. Alf began helping his father after leaving school as the Great Depression meant there were no other jobs available. We discuss the changes in photographic technology over the years, fishing in the bay and aerial photography in the 1950s. Main BodyAlf was interviewed by Tauranga City Library Research Collections staff in his Tauranga home in 2012. The interview itself was just 27 minutes long and the topics covered are described below.

Topics discussed:

01'49-leaving school, the depression years, printing postcards off glass plates
02'45"-technology after glass plate photography
04'28"-taking pictures in New Caledoniain while in the Army during the Second World War. Public relations dept. Dark room work
06'00"-back to NZ, Tauranga in Devonport road. Focussing on people, family, child, wedding and school photography
08'00"-equipment changes in the 1950s. Roliflex and Renhoff cameras
11'00"-changes in Tauranga
14'00"-selling the business and getting out on the water in a little boat. He describes the harbour before the wharf and the fishing before the war
18'00"-aerial photos taken from a Tiger Moth around Tauranga. Sitting in the front as passenger he would have to take shots leaning backward over his shoulders
20'55"-favourite camera, changes in film technology from black and white to colour negative film and recent over reliance on digital technology rather than learning how to use a camera
23'50"-current activity, use of photos in BOP Times.
24'25"-the airport and landing on the estuary
25'12"-describes the Southern Cross, Kingsford Smith (first plane to fly the Tasman). Also the WACO flying around Ngarahoe as it erupted in 1949
26'44"- end . Shows glass negatives taken by father and self

Interview for Tauranga Memories website (2011-2021) in 2012.

Note

This article was originally part of Tauranga City Library's 'Tauranga Memories' website. To your right the 'Archived Kete Link' (if there is one) will take you to a snapshot of the original record.
Tauranga Memories was made up of several focus areas, called 'baskets'. This article was part of the Tauranga Local History basket.

This page was archived at Perma cc February 2017 https://perma.cc/9xgy-s5a2

Usage

AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Personal Information

First Name(s)AlfSurnameRendellDate of Birth1917OccupationPhotographer

Relates To

PeopleTauranga Memories (2011-2021) - People

Admin

AuthorTauranga City Libraries Staff - Harley CouperArchived Kete Linkhttps://perma.cc/9xgy-s5a2Type of ContributionLibrary story Last edited by: Matanga Taonga Tuku Iho Maori

Last edited by: Matanga Taonga Tuku Iho Maori

TaxonomyStories | People

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Alf Rendell (1917-2019) - Photographer