Cleer Alger used the calotype camera, which was developed by William Fox Talbot, to take his photographs. He utilised parts of his theodolite (used in his survey work) to enhance his camera, enabling greater focus on his subject.

He took numerous varied photographs in and around the Waveney Valley, also as far afield as Holt, Thetford, Stowmarket and Beccles. He liked to take photographs of buildings before and after the process of restoration, to mark the changes for future reference.

Cleer also took individual and group portraits of people, sometimes using his studio in Mere Street, Diss. He was a member of the Army Reservists 1879-1882, serving with ‘B’ Company Norfolk Volunteer Reserves, at Frenze Hall.

A number of his photographs are held in the Suffolk Archives, reference K612.

Cleer Alger married Ellen in 1810, and they had four children. The eldest was also called Cleer. Cleer (junior) followed his father, firstly as his assistant, and then taking over the family business in Diss after Cleer (senior) retired.

Cleer (junior) died in a motor car accident in 1903, while on holiday with his family. The business was then passed to his nephew, Frederick, who sold it a year later.

Cleer S Alger