Each Contemporary Group meeting brings its own particular delights, and September’s session provided a veritable basketful.
Our Group celebrates veering away from ‘the norm’ through the diversity of ideas and ways of presentation. Here are some of the contrasts we enjoyed this month…..
The spirit of doing things differently was exemplified by our opening set when Tessa Mills explored how to ‘step outside of her particular ‘box’. In reaching beyond the conventional box for expression, Tej Kaushal presented a fascinating series of images where extreme light and dark were fundamental to his theme. However, choosing to remain within an established ‘box’ or theme was the approach adopted by Kaz Diller with his observational photography about ‘washing’ (people’s laundry) whilst the self-imposed ‘container’ for Bob Green was the presence of the colours blue and orange within a scene.
Going outside the ‘box’ of conventionality was also exemplified by Maddy Pennock who, through her set of ‘Marmite Images (Love them or Hate them’), did just that, by shooting through the base of the eponymous jar. Clive Haynes also nudged the boundaries of the ‘box’ with his set of shadows cast by plants, a ‘Plato’s Garden world’, rendered more intriguing through ‘tintype’ presentation.
Returning to more representational work, monochrome was the key for Stewart Bourne’s sombre response to ‘Churchgoing’, a poem by Philip Larkin; whilst Phil Turney’s carefully considered viewpoints informed us about his interactions with outdoor sculptures. Henry Leeson revealed how an eleven year-old responded to aspects of Tewkesbury, whilst Dr. Charles Ashton’s eloquent street photography style, gave an insight into the weariness and anticipation of passengers upon India’s extensive railway network.
Our two ‘outside sources’ featured different, yet sympathetic, approaches to landscapes that held deeply felt resonances for the two photographers. Do explore the websites…..
Here are the links:
Tom McGaghan – ‘I am Always Here’
Adrian Kinloch - ‘Liminal Spaces – Where the City Meets Nature’
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 September 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, 2nd October 2025.
AND ..... don’t forget to send Clive your images from the very enjoyable ‘Tewkesbury Trundle’ by 20th September in readiness for the e-book that he’s assembling.
Best wishes,
Tessa and Clive