Anne Gilmore LRPS

Anne is a long serving member of the SLPS and has contributed both in the role of President of the SLPS during the 1998 and 1999 seasons and on the Management Committee.

Anne was also the organizer of the annual Mersey River Festival exhibition held in Liverpool's Royal Liver Building.

Annual Exhibition 2007

This gallery shows pictures from the 2007 Annual Exhibition held at the Anglican Cathedral.

Tony Myers FRPS

Having seen a number of lectures from travel photographers who had visited India I became very interested in the culture of this fascinating country. However it appears that very few people travel to Southern India, so I thought I would research that area and go for something a little different other than the Taj Mahal.

It didn't take long for me to plan a suitable date and look up flights to Bombay using the internet to find further information on methods of transportation. The adventure being on the road with a friend of mine from Southport camera club. My plan was to tour with a hire car and driver and travel South following the coast road to Kerala via Goa and take a slightly western route back via Madras, having no idea if this was at all possible. Our travel company assured is it would be possible so we were full of confidence.

I had 18 days to carry out this journey which had very many unforeseen adventures, however the people and their culture was just something very special to me that I will remember very clearly for the rest of my life.

The 24 images in this portfolio are a very small section of this wonderful and varied country.

Jane Evans

I've been a member of the SLPS for two years. My motivation behind joining the club was due to wanting to make friends with like-minded people. I found that after finishing university, the chats outside the school, in the playground, and at the gym were not satisfying enough. Photography for me is just something I enjoy doing. I don't see it as a competitive medium and I haven't entered any of the club competitions. I am happy seeing things, talking honestly and being free to do my own stuff.

My very first camera was a compact kodak using 110 film. I was thrilled taking this out on family holidays around Europe. At 16 I got into art school studying general art and design, photography being a part of that course. In 1997 I went to Camerberwell College of Arts in London to do a BA Hons degree in Graphic Design. During my first year I discovered the printing rooms and the darkrooms - they were fantastic. However, I had to specialize and opted for illustration and used the ceramic paper making machines, which I did my works on, using mixed media, wax, inks, pva, and tissue paper.

At art school, doing photography I found aided my compositional and observational skills and I have always approached the medium through art. In London I did alot of sequences of the Thames and during time out went down to Brighton.

In 2001, whilst studying for my MA Multimedia Design, I found that the only way to produce original pieces of work was to do my own stuff, and to put myself into my work. It was towards the end of the second year that I created my own portfolio website www.asfaras.co.uk producing visually interactive narratives - making montages, writing, photography or mixing simple scripts together to achieve interesting interactive results. At the time I was using an SLR Pentax super mainly doing works around my local environment and documenting the changes through the seasons in conjunction with the concentrated urban environment, photographing objects that I found interesting in someway.

Since my rewind button has busted on my SLR through overuse, I now use a Nikon 5000 digital camera. I find it a little restrictive with regards to focusing. My Pentax was a nicer camera, but the Nikon has enabled me be experimental. I can now work on the fly, loading what ever images need more easily and therefore load elements straight into either photoshop or illustrator. Using the software programmes, I can cut up images, and move pieces around the screen. However, photography still remains a vital part of the design process.

Patsy Prentice ARPS

I joined SLPS in September 2003, but didn't start photography as a hobby until January 2004, after purchasing a Canon Ixus 400 digital compact camera. (which is still my only camera).

On the competition circuit I've been lucky enough to enjoy success at club, national, and international levels, and in July 2004 I was awarded my Licentiateship of the RPS. Followed by my Associateship in March 2005, with a panel on New York City.

Even so, I wouldn't call myself a photographer, I'm just a snapper, who enjoys the creativity of image making, both in the camera and the computer.

But best of all, photography is great fun and I've met some lovely people and made some good friends along the way. The images I've chosen for the gallery, are just a small cross section of my work.

Eric P. Garnett ARPS CPAGB

Eric got involved in photography though the study of fine art. Using photography as a starting point for researching and recording subject matters, exploring landscapes, and the inspiration of capturing and illustrating that 'magical last rays of light'.

At his disposal a choice of two cameras : Bronica EIRS 645/Olympus 35m. Film type:Velvia ASA50 Building up a photographic portfolio of landscapes he joined the slps to further pursue his interests and technical abilities. which enabled him to gain his LRPS and CPAGB distinctions.

Additionally his photographic horizons broadened with entering the monthly comps. Giving him the opportunity to build his range as a photographer. Applying his artistic/analitical sense to produce both stimulating and interesting pieces although his artistic eye for composition and knowledge gained through practice was key.

Eric has applied him self in many subject matters, but his interest from a personal perspective has grown through his passion of nature. He was influenced by the wildlife photographer John powers FRPS and thus purchased a macro lens. thereby developing and honing in on the study of such things as: 'insects - butterflies', fungi,flowers, rocks and water. Eric remains flexible with his approach to photography, subject matters varying according to seasonal changes, weather conditions and location based around the british isles. By applying himself accordingly, he has just achieved success in the ARPS with an outstanding panel of butterflies.

As yet all his national and international success has come in from other fields, i.e. figure work but Eric however remains completely focused and true to himself.

Mike McDonnel CPAGB

I am a founder member of the Back Row Coronary Bypass Group. We sit at the back so we don't get too excited and because it is nearer the bar.

My interest in photography goes back in the mists of time when I bought an Exa 2b and a Lubitel twin lens reflex. Everything was done in black and white then, colour being far too costly. I still have some photographs taken in the early 60s hidden somewhere in the cobwebs in the loft.

Photography was always just a pastime until I met Noel Greenwood when I went to work in Ogdens Tobacco. He was already a member of SLPS and he persuaded me to come to a couple of meetings in 1992. I was hooked. I was amazed that the photographs I saw at the club were far better than those seen in magazines.

I sat and watched in awe at the photography of Wally Free, John Riley, Ted Baker, Doug Owen, Alec Balmer and others too numerous to mention. It was about 18 months later before I entered a monthly competition and waited with bated breath and pounding heart for the judge to make his comments. To my relief, he didn't savage it. I still feel the same trepidation whenever I put a picture into a competition. I suppose it's the feeling of elation when the judge praises one of your pictures and the feeling that the judge is obviously out of touch with reality when he can't see that you have produced a masterpiece.

My wife bought me my first Canon EOS 1000f with 2 zoom lenses. I now have a collection of 4 EOS film cameras with various lenses. The cameras have rarely seen the light of day since I switched to digital but I have just bought some film so I am going to resurrect them. I believe I have become a lazy photographer by using digital. I don't think I put enough thought into my pictures because I can always delete those I don't like. Those that I do like can always have faults corrected in Photoshop.

I love the social atmosphere in the club and particularly enjoy the company of a few like-minded souls (Noel & Noel & Jimmy) who feel that photographic trips should be interspersed with a few libations, preferably from Cain's Brewery. Many light-hearted debates seem to take on a very erudite aspect when viewed through a pint of bitter. There is the added bonus that you might even take a few half-decent photographs on the days out.

John Dwyer

Info available soon.

Noel George

Some people keep dogs, but I have a camera which provides an excuse for taking long walks. These walks should, and often do, end with a sojourn at a hostelry which sells good beer, preferably that produced by the brewery in Stanhope Street.

Unlike dog walking, exercising with a camera is a sociable activity and the companionship of fellow photographers, especially the members of the 'back row fraternity', lessens the burden of carrying a heavy camera bag while the thought of a refreshing pint (or four) supplies the stimulus for many photographic masterpieces.

Sometimes these works of art are not fully appreciated by those who judge our competitions. But so what! Being a member of a photographic society is all about companionship and enjoyment and at times a meeting of like minded people: after all, polishing trophies can itself become a burden which could drive a man (or woman) to drink.

Pam Clarke

Pam Clarke has lived and worked in Liverpool since 1979. She first joined South Liverpool Photographic Society (SLPS) in 1987, and is a former committee member and syllabus secretary. Pam trained in photography at the Open Eye and at Hugh Baird College, and she continues to develop her skills through regular attendance at SLPS meetings.

Pam's particular interest is in portraiture, but she enjoys photographing the world around her from a range of viewpoints. She uses a Bronica SQB manual camera (medium format and 35mm) and a Gossen Lunasix 3 light meter (which belonged to much-missed society member, Sid Cairns). Pam processes and prints all her monochrome work using traditional (chemical) methods. Her colour work is usually produced on transparencies.

Above all, Pam sees photography as an art, and she intends to continue 'painting with light' for many years to come.