Our April session provided a spectrum of topics and ‘contemporary seeing’.
It’s frequently surprising how, totally unprompted, subjects can have close associations. In this respect trees in one form or another featured in three contributions. Tessa Mills expressed the shimmering, shape-shifting, abstract nature of trees reflected in water by revealing small sections of the larger reflection. While Tessa’s trees were vibrant and very much alive, Clive Haynes’ set was about the final stage of many trees, that of becoming a stump and how although seemingly dead, they continue to contribute to woodland life. Gill Haynes’ interpretation of a sunny springtime day at Hidcote showed many trees in context with the grounds and gardens.
People provide natural subjects for contemporary photography. However, a keen ‘seeing eye’ is required to select the subject, environment and the critical moment for the composition to engage with the viewer. Dr. Charles Ashton recently spent some time in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and his series of pictures gave an insight into how the 22 million people of this most densely populated city in the world remain cheerful and industrious. Darren Leeson returned to his love of street photography and capturing the moment when his subjects visually interact with the environment and sometimes engage with him.
Bob Oakley returned to Grays, a town near London, where he was born, remaining there until he was 11 years old. What had changed? Depressingly little it would appear apart from later model cars, double-glazing and even more dilapidation than witnessed on a visit a few years ago. In strange way and how things can interrelate, Lucy Allum’s set, ‘Remnants’, curiously referred to how things left and forgotten can attract the acute observational eye of the photographer. Grotty things have backstories.
Bob Green continued his exploration about how our response to a subject can be influenced through choice of colouration, toning and texture.
Our two ‘outside sources’ provided further welcome ideas and inspiration beyond the usual realm of club photography (and a good thing too). This time we enjoyed the eclectic gaze and a form of ‘visual poetry’ by Stacy Platt. Here’s the link:
And ..... A curated selection of magical and transformative cyanotypes by numerous photographers.
Link: TOP #20 Cyanotypes: Botanicals
All members’ work from our session can be seen in our Viewpoint e-book for this month. Click on the image below or this link: Viewpoint and choose the April 2025 edition. The same link provides access to many previous issues of ‘Viewpoint’ - a fascinating treasure-trove waiting for you to explore!
The next CPG meeting will be on Thursday, 1st May 2025.
Best wishes,
Tessa and Clive.
