Photography space has a focus on growth

THE owner behind Ballarat’s specialised camera store is excited to show off the business’ new home.

For the past two months, Dave Bailey has been operating Obscura Cameras, formerly David Bailey Photography and Training, at a secluded former World War Two explosives building in Delacombe.

Now he’s ready to invite everyone to attend as part of an opening extravaganza next weekend.

“We’ve had our teething problems and we’re ready to let the community know there’s a camera store in town,” he said.

“We’re the only people that do a significant amount of things to do with cameras in Ballarat.”

The event will feature door prizes as well as live music, while models will be on hand in the studio for attendees to photograph.

Representatives from the store’s suppliers will also be present to showcase new lenses, while two local artists will be painting vintage cameras as part of the studio’s inaugural exhibition.

Mr Bailey made the move to Delacombe’s industrial precinct following the opening of his first store at 2 Albert Street, Sebastopol in 2021.

He said the new space has allowed the business to grow in ways he couldn’t previously consider.

“In Sebastopol, we were confined in the space we had,” he said.

“This has given us the space to expand into different areas. We now have a large format printer onsite. There’s more space for framing, and we have a full working studio whereas before we were crammed in.

“We’re looking for it to be an arts hub where artists can hang out and use it as inspiration. We’re going to be having a quarterly exhibition for artists in-house.”

Mr Bailey said the business’ name change is about “letting the community know it’s a camera store rather than Dave’s store.

“I felt like the original name was only providing the community with me as a photographer and trainer rather than having a camera store that encompasses all of that,” he said.

The name change is also in reference to the camera obscura, the first camera to be invented.

The event will run from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday 24 August. Obscura Cameras is located at Shed 3, 20 Elizabeth Street, Delacombe.