Nick Rogers, Finance Manager, shares an image entitled Chess Set, which is the result of his interest in traditional photography, which has been rekindled since working for The Society. “I used to take photos when I was younger with a film SLR”, he says. “When the children were born, photography became about family snaps, but now, working for the RPS has rekindled my interest. The chess set in the photo belonged to my father, who later emigrated to Australia; the last time I saw him was in 1985 and we played quite a bit of chess using this set. When he died, my half-sister sent it to me.”

Simon Vercoe LRPS, Distinctions Assistant, meanwhile, represents a new generation of photographers, continuously experimenting with the latest technology. He frequently takes photos on his Samsung Galaxy S2 phone, and carries out post processing on it, too. In contrast to his methods however, the motivation behind his photography is surprisingly traditional. “I take photographs because of their sentimental nature”, says Vercoe. “Rarely will I, or any other person, take a photograph that is truly meaningful to anyone other than the photographer themself.”

The sentimental nature of photography means that family members are often a popular choice for portraits, and Liz Williams, Education Manager, and Debbie Cant, Membership Assistant, share photographs of their children, with obvious sentiment. Jo MacDonald’s portrait of her husband has a back-story, which provides humour and character. She says, “I took the photo of Magnus because I was entering him in the Best Beard competition which Dimbola Lodge was holding. He didn’t win ...”

Another favourite area is travel photography, and Michael Pritchard FRPS, Director General, says he always carries a compact camera with him, and keeps his eyes open for photographic opportunities. His contribution to the exhibition features boats on the Estuary of the Shijing River, Quanzhou, in China, and was taken at sunrise. Andy Moore, Distinctions Manager, shares a strikingly composed photo from a trip to Barcelona, and Simon Bibb, Membership Manager, captures the beautiful dusk light at Lyme Bay in winter.

Lesley Goode, Exhibitions Manager, captures the human interest side of travel, with a portrait of a traditional Bahian food seller in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro. “In February this year, I went to Rio de Janeiro for the Carnival, to experience five days of music and partying in the streets”, she says. “In the village of Santa Teresa, just outside the city, amidst the excitement of the celebrations, this beautiful woman sat calmly in her shaded corner, selling her delicious traditional Bahian wares. It was a serene moment in the madness of colour, noise and mayhem!”

One image that particularly made me smile is of a rather proud looking chicken, by Tony Mant, Database Manager. “It is just a simple image of a hybrid hen, which are hatched in their millions to be egg laying machines”, he says. “To me, the image shows the hen as the stalwart of the egg production industry, and ought to have the banner ‘Lay for Victory’ or ‘Britain Needs You’ across the top.”

Another aspect of nature is captured by Zoe Tinkler, Membership Assistant – a tiger heliconian butterfly, from a series of photographs taken at the Butterfly World Project in St Albans, during 2010. “The butterfly hatchery had recently opened, and it was fascinating to observe these beautiful creatures up close, using a macro lens”, she says.

Photography is not entirely about aesthetics however, and Benjamin Fox ARPS, Distinctions Assistant, has submitted an image designed to make you think. It is of a toy plane in flight, shot against a domestic ceiling, complete with lampshade. “The image plays on the difference in perception from childhood to adulthood”, he explains. “During childhood we are at our most vulnerable, and yet at our most fearless. But as we learn and grow, reality impedes our imagination. What we witness via media or experience first hand brings new fears.”

Sally Smart ARPS, Exhibitions Assistant, has captured a vibrant moment from a live event. Her image of American rock band OK Go, performing on the John Peel Stageat Glastonbury in 2011, is the result of a passion for music festivals, which has developed over the last decade. “You see lots of bands performing, but I’m just as interested, if not more, in the hustle of camera and stage crews”, says Smart. “For the last couple of years, I had a great opportunity to work as site crew on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury. You are guaranteed a great atmosphere, lights, sounds, interesting people and cider. Just not always the sun!”

RPS Journal April 2013

Free Entry
Monday – Friday. 9.30 – 16.30

The Royal Photographic Society
Fenton House
122 Wells Road
Bath BA2 3AH

For further information please contact Lesley Goode.  01225 325720 lesley@rps.org