In 1947, a group of trade associates foresaw that the photographic trade should be more organized for the goal of making friendly contact and exchange techniques between professionals. As a result, the “Chinese Photographic Studio Proprietors Association” was formed. In 1950, another group of trade associates with a common ideal drew up plans and founded the “Singapore Photographic Research Society”. Subsequently, these two associations merged and was named “Singapore Photographic Trade Association” in 1960.
The Singapore Photographic & Digital Imaging Trade Association is a special organization of Singapore.
Its members includes owners of photo studios and their employees, photographic equipment wholesalers and retailers, color photo laboratories and agency, and a lots of others related to the photographic trade. The association is currenly thriving with over three hundred photo laboratories, a good number of professional photo studios, more then 30 of equipment/materials suppliers and other related businesses.
The association is well positioned to serve as a bridge to the new technology and techniques of the industry. From digital capture, conversion, manipulation, enhancement and output, no area is left uncovered. While not exactly in its infancy, digital photography is still not fully understood and efficiently harnessed by the general public and to certain extents the professionals in the field.
The association is also an ideal place for professionals in the industry to network, find collaborators, and exchange pointers with each other.
Since its inception, the Singapore Photographic & Digital Imaging Trade Association has progressed from an independant association in 1960 to a government-recognized trade association.