3-063-052 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Royal Air Force No. 2 School of Photography, Palatine Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, 1942-1943. A Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) trainee handling a roll of photographic film whilst wearing an eye mask to simulate working in the dark, during the Trade Test Board examination at the end of the training course. The RAF’s No. 2 School of Photography was established in August 1940 to meet the rapidly increasing need for more photographers and photographic technicians to aid with aerial reconnaissance during the WW2. The School was based at the Blackpool Technical College and Palatine Secondary School in Blackpool. Training of women at the School began in 1941. The Trade Test Board (or TTB) examination was the culmination of the training course at the No. 2 School of Photography. Each pupil had to undergo a written examination, take a series of photographs of various subjects, make prints, and carry out other tasks including enlarging, scaling, and matching prints. There was also an oral examination in front of a panel.This photograph is one of a set taken by Barnet Saidman, an RAF officer on the staff at the No. 2 School, and other colleagues, which was compiled into an album and presented to Squadron Leader W H Dunton, officer in charge of the No. 2 School. The album documents the training programme for the WAAF's at the No. 2 School, and is accompanied by written captions. The original album is held by the Defence School of Photography. A second set of prints was collected and presented within the album compiled by Knicky Chapman, who was herself on the staff at the No. 2 School.