Members of Snappers Camera Club and some partners spent an enjoyable day on a photo shoot at Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, early in July. In addition to the Hall being open, there are immaculate formal gardens and extensive and varied areas with a tremendous number of photo opportunities.
With uncertain weather, most decided to opt for going outside first. There was an added bonus with the croquet lawns in use. Some members had dabbled with the game, but for others, it was a complete mystery, though still a good and relatively easy sporting subject. Different areas of the gardens caught the eye. There is a big rock garden with interesting plants, shapes, and rocks. The archery area has a pretty little summer house at one end, with a bench in front. As the day brightened, the insect life obliged by providing attractive and willing subjects.
Inside, the darkness of the interior provided a challenge, but the mirrors, which reflected the little light there was, gave plenty of scope for photography. One mirror, bordered by beautifully hand-painted stained glass, was captured by most members. The kitchen offered the usual range of subjects, as did the furnishings. Outside, there was an impressive, mature tree which Steve Parrish had captured with his infrared camera. He had also shot the picturesque church in a setting reminiscent of a village green, but the IR treatment made it look like a snowy mid-winter scene.
At the group meeting on Friday 1st August, members brought their favourite images to show and comment on, and it was a busy afternoon as they also looked at images from the current challenge, Signs of Summer, and reviewed prints shown by a trio of top nature photographers. The prints covered a range of species. Tom Coulson had selected mainly butterfly images, plus a family of great spotted woodpeckers. Barry Inman brought a great variety of bird species, while Des Lloyd showed a range of fledgling birds, hares, and roe deer, including some hiding in a wildflower meadow. His most unusual images were of a Meridian wasp nest. Members’ humour was evident in the Summer images, which covered a wide range of topics, from beach scenes to street life, summer events, sunshine and rain, insects, and children at play.
The group was joined by their Treasurer, Michael Hinks, on his birthday, at what was probably his last meeting as he and his wife are moving away. He commented on how he had seen the club develop from a nervous group of people who didn’t know if they could make it work after their former leader died, into a group of much-improved photographers who had learned to feel comfortable speaking in the group and creating a unique club with a practical focus. Everyone wished him well and thanked him for his enormous contribution to the club, as well as thanking his wife, Wendy, for the excellent homemade biscuits.
Before the next meeting in Beckingham Village Hall on Friday 5th September, the group will have been on a photo shoot at Doddington Hall’s Sculpture Exhibition. The results of the visit will be shared. Visitors or potential new members are always welcome at any of the meetings.
Please see http://www.snappers.org.uk for more information.