Quite a varied meeting earlier this week ! We started with some ‘unfinished business’ as Jon made a return to a location he shared with us ‘in conversation with’ us a couple of months ago. In the eighties Jon was able to document the heavy industry from the Wear at Sunderland, Consett, Redcar and Bearpark. In particular, large ships on a narrow river. It’s not so easy to see such things in the UK these days, still less be able to photo them up close – although not impossible.
Next, Tom showed us some lovely images from a visit to Oban, Skye, Lewis and Harris, and Barra with phots that tempt me to go back and visit again soon – Luskentyre, Callanish, Barra beach, and the Quirang. So much great landscape, so relatively near.
David showed us the work of the great Vivian Maier, unappreciated in her lifetime but now very much sought after. The featured image shows one of those David showed, a better reproduction of which can be seen on the homepage linked. It’s impressive that the photographer was able to incorporate her passion into her daily work life – a legacy of about 150,000 negatives.
Rudolf took us briefly to Northumberland, and in particular Bamburgh beach with a series of images taken in beautiful dawn light. Good point, well made – if you want good light, make to effort to get out early.
Grace read a very moving poem, and lead a discussion on how to illustrate the words and feelings best through the medium of a photobook. Nice photos so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished work (please).
Alastair finished the evening with local photos again reminding us of the interest we have available close to us – North Berwick and the Lammermuirs, beaches, geology, and dare I say windfarms.
In housekeeping terms were updated on some decisions that we need to make at the AGM (31st March) this year, including :
- Preparation for the annual exhibition, where mounting prints will be 5/12th May with the exhibition starting soon after. There was discussion about presenting a panel of images this year.
- Grace is working on next year’s programme already and shared that some judges actually prefer to be with us in the mill, to judge. This presents its own challenges, particularly in terms of accessibility.
- We need new chairs !
- A decision to be agreed regarding how the club’s finances are audited
Next week’s meeting will be on zoom, guest speaker Ross Lawford talking about Nature photography. The week after we’ll be back at t’Mill for an ‘In conversation with…’ evening.
Don't forget - the deadline for the next competition (The Annual) is midnight, Tuesday 10th Feb - next week. Entries to the CompSec.
Incidentally, if you like images of real life in the North East of England you might enjoy the work of Tish Murtha, who is the subject of a good documentary available on BBC - ‘Tish’.