The Wellington Lens Club Presents: "Our City"

If you find yourself on Cuba Street on a Friday night and spot a pack of photographers poking their lenses into shop windows it means one of two things: either Taylor Swift has added Wellington to her latest tour and the paparazzi have turned up; or the Wellington Lens Club is on their fortnightly photo walk in the CBD. 

The WLC has an unusual history. It was launched nearly two years ago by vintage lens collector and restorer Benni Krueger as “The Vintage Lens Club.” But what was meant to be a small regional group quickly drew nearly 40000 members in more than 20 countries. A new group for locals only was spun off and they’ve been roaming the streets of the city ever since. While the WLC is a private group membership is open to photographers at every level so long as they live in or regularly spend time in the Wellington area.

From April 1-6 13 members of the WLC will stage an exhibition entitled “Our City” at Cuba Street’s Thistle Hall. All the photos in the show were captured within a few blocks of the venue and the project is meant to be a love letter to the city that the members call home. 

While the exhibiting photographers use all manner of cameras and lenses the group encourages the use of older and experimental glass not all of which was designed for still photography. Some of the photos in the exhibition were shot with lenses originally designed for vintage cinema projectors x-ray machines aerial reconnaissance and even military tanks.

The WLC’s mission is to capture the capital's diversity and dynamism its daily life and its vibrant culture. Each photographer will be showcasing their own unique approach and perspective and this will be reflected in the variety of images on show.

Those with interest in the event are encouraged to follow the club’s Instagram account @wellingtonlensclub. Photos by the exhibiting photographers will be posted in the days leading up to the exhibition.

Host or Publisher Wellington Lens Club