Leslie Harold Beer was born in Petersham, Sydney,in 1882 or 1886, the son of William Lewis Beer a printer and had brothers or relatives involved with commercial photography in Sydney and Bowral. Leslie studied drawing at Sydney Technical College in 1898. He exhibited at the Society of Artists 1901 (watercolour). Exhibited at Royal Art Society of NSW from 1903, mainly watercolours of Sydney. In 1909 he spent time in Paris studying art and wrote of his experiences 'An Art Student in Paris’in the Harrington’s Photographic Journal of December 1909. He was employed by Harringtons Ltd Sydney around 1910-14 as editor of Harrington Photographic Journal and was for the Melbourne Harrington’s from 1917 as a manager until 1925.
Leslie Beer illustrated a number of articles with his won drawings and appears competent as do the small number of extant watercolours of Sydney in a manner similar to J.J. Hilder. While involved with Art Societies as an amateur but little evidence of ambition for a professional practise. He wrote on art photography and judges competitions but taken photographs himself but became an art and photography columnist for The Lone Hand around 1914-16 taking an interest in cinematography. He gave lectures to Camera clubs in Sydney and Melbourne and acted as a judge for amateur competitions and society salons. IN 1919 he provided the text for _The Art of John Kauffmann _- a deluxe monograph on prominent art photographer.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1999
- Last updated:
- 2022
