Jenny Leathes ARPS

Regional Organiser

I developed a general interest in photography whilst at Art College in the late seventies whilst studying for a ceramics degree. Afterwards I taught art and outdoor education for 20 years. 

In 1996 I took a sabbatical for nine months and concentrated on my photography. I set up a darkroom for black and white printing, joined a local camera club and then the RPS. In 1999 and 2001 I gained my LRPS and ARPS respectively. In 2002 I gave up teaching to return to my creative roots: I had another spell at Falmouth College of Arts completing a Master’s degree in photography: critical practice in 2004; this time working in colour. 

My journey through life brought me to Cornwall. I have lived here for twenty five years. I have a strong passion for the wild areas of the South West and enjoy photographing the more intimate areas of the landscape.

Tel. no 01209 211156
email:  jennyleathes@btinternet.com

Martin Howse ARPS

Deputy Regional Organiser

Tel. no 01326 221939
email: mghvkh@btinternet.com

I started my serious photography back in 1976 when I joined The Exmouth Photo Group. This gave me a good grounding in slide work and monochrome printing. In 1978 I moved to Chippenham where I became a member of Westinghouse Camera Club. My late wife decided to do an O level course in photography and this led to our interest in photography expanding and we joined the R.P.S. In 1981 I obtained my L.R.P.S., but it was 20 years later when I tried and succeeded with an application in Visual Art for my A.R.P.S. 

My major interest has been the landscape. I work in digital and film and produce monochrome prints in my darkroom. I have supported the local R.P.S. region since 1997 and I have been on the committee since 2000.

Joy Medley LRPS

Treasurer

I enjoy all aspects of landscape photography plus recording family events and my grandchildren. My only camera now is a Canon G10 with the zoom attachment which gives me the freedom to take pictures quickly or to be more considered in the way I was with an SLR. My photography is now more enjoyable and relaxed.

Tel. no: 01626 824865
email: joy.medley@btinternet.com

Mick Medley LRPS

Regional webmaster

Having been hade redundant at the end of 2009 and deciding to retire early, this now gives me more time for my photography and golf. My previous employment involved working in road transport, from my early days in Ipswich to the last 18 years spent in Devon following a transfer to open and manage a new depot.

My main photographic activities involve railways, both steam and diesel, and landscape photography, plus projects which I work on to keep a focus on specific types of image making. I have recently joined the Contemporay Group which gives me more opportunities for my project type work.

Tel. no 01626 824865
email: michael.medley@btinternet.com
www.clikpic.com/mickmedley

Margaret Hocking ARPS

Committee member and Regional folio secretary

Tel. no 01872 561219
email: bosrowynek@btinternet.com

I started taking photographs when I was a child using hand me down Box Brownies and after encouragement by my Maths mistress I bought my first SLR with money I earned in the holidays. I have been taking photos ever since but as my interests are very broad I haven’t honed my skills in any particular area. Most of my work was slides until I succumbed to digital a few years ago. I joined the RPS in the 80’s when living in London as I was fed up with the local camera club and I gained my LRPS while in Australia in the early 1990’s and my ARPS in Visual Art in 2002, both with slides.  I enjoy anything which is not set up but particularly nature and travel, and more specifically dogs and the relationship between humans and animals. Now I have retired from the NHS I have more time to indulge my interests.

Linda Wevill ARPS

Committee member/Regional VA Group Organiser

Tel. no 01752 873162
email: linda.wevill@btinternet.com

I showed an interest in the black and white photographs my daughter produced whilst studying for her ‘A’ Level Photography in 2002 and I went to numerous exhibitions with her. Before I knew it, she had booked me on an intensive weekend photography course.  That was the first time I had picked up an SLR and I have been absolutely hooked ever since.  I soon set up my own dark room and decided to work for my LRPS, which I gained in 2004 with a panel of black and white images.  I have since ‘gone digital’ and have not looked back.

I have lived in Devon for the past 17 years and consider myself extremely lucky to be living in such beautiful surroundings. For my ARPS, which I gained in September 2008 in the Visual Art section, I was able to combine my passion for photography with my love of the area in a panel of local landscapes. 
I am an active member of Plymouth Camera Club and joined the RPS SW Committee in April 2009 and the Visual Art Committee in July 2011.'

John Widdows ARPS

Committee member

Tel.no 01752 781555
email: johnwiddows@btinternet.com

My passion for photography began in my early teens (1960) and included darkroom work.  This was followed by a relatively quiet photographic period as a result of university, family life and career development as a research scientist at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. In the mid 1990s, when my offspring had flown the nest, I rekindled my photographic interests and joined the RPS and Plymouth Camera Club. At this time I was producing Cibachrome colour prints from slides, but with the advent of slide scanning and digital printing I finally closed the darkroom in 1998. Then in 2005 my photography became totally digital, from image capture to printing. Retirement from full-time research in 2008 has enabled me to spend a little more time on photography, although I continue to have a role as editor of an international scientific journal.  My photographic interests are diverse and include landscape, nature, visual arts, creative, travel and sport.

Di Wilkins LRPS

Committee member

Tel. number 01392 469149

email: diwilkins@hotmail.co.uk

I am an incomer who moved to Devon in 1978 to get married.   A friend and I visit a city about every 18 months.  She used to take the photos and I provided the words for our albums.  However, I felt I was somehow missing out and bought my first camera in 2002 to take to Barcelona.  Since then I have not looked back. I have a background in graphic design and have used Photoshop since its inception, which has come in very useful indeed for my images.

I retired about 4 years ago when I joined Exeter Camera Club, where, after a few weeks, I became the Secretary and latterly Vice President. and now The Manager. I also instigated and maintain the web site.  I have learned so much from the more experienced members and hope this is reflected in my images.

I love to travel and take landscapes and wildlife images.  I am at present dipping a tentative toe into the macro world, at present growing grass on my windowcill.  I joined the RPS a year or so ago and take advantage of workshops and the SW Visual Arts Group. I am also a member of the camera club RPS Group, and gained my LRPS in April 2010.  I am now working towards my ARPS.