A good number of Gainsborough Snappers members gathered just days before the September meeting for the funeral of a fellow member and dear friend, Gerry Kemp. The news of Gerry’s passing deeply saddened the group. Gerry was always the first to offer help when someone needed advice, and he recently modelled for members at a portraiture session. He was also the first to give a talk at the club about using AI in photography, demonstrating how he had used it to create an image of a fox in the potteries.
Gerry’s presence brought laughter wherever he went, thanks to his great sense of humour. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
On a lighter note, as the holiday season drew to a close, Snappers members met at Beckingham to showcase images they hadn’t previously had a chance to bring along. The meeting featured a wide variety of subject matter, catering to all tastes.
Several members brought prints to share, with excellent wildlife shots from Des Lloyd and Barry Inman, and stunning infra-red prints from Peter Yeo. Alan Burkwood presented a set of atmospheric monochrome prints from a recent visit to the Welsh Slate Museum.
The group also reviewed digital images from the club trip to Doddington Hall near Lincoln, where members had photographed many sculptures and artworks displayed in the beautiful gardens.
With over 300 artworks from 60 national and international artists, there was no shortage of fascinating subjects for the members to capture. Many of the pieces were inspired by nature, featuring birds, animals, and plants, with prices ranging from £20 to £43,000. Human figure sculptures were also abundant, with a colourful life-sized figure near the entrance catching the eye of several members, including Michael Hinks, who used it as a subject for a fine art technique demonstrated by Paul Lancaster in a previous meeting.
One of the most impactful displays stood in a corner of the formal garden – a collection of large, hand-blown glass flowers in brilliant orange. Close by was a glass droplet in which elements of the larger display could be reflected, and many members had taken the opportunity to capture it.
The photographs ranged from straightforward ‘record’ shots to more creatively processed images that included different effects. Some members produced monochrome studies, while others compared their colour and monochrome images. It was both inspiring and fascinating to see the diverse interpretations of the same subjects.
After refreshments, the meeting typically focuses on the monthly challenge. However, this time, the majority of images came from members who hadn’t yet presented their shots from Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. Some members also took the chance to bring along their favourite images, showcasing a variety of styles, many enhanced through creative processing.
The next meeting will be on Friday 4th October, at Beckingham. Gainsborough Snappers always welcome guests and visitors, so anyone who can make it to Beckingham Village Hall will find a warm reception.
The Snappers meet from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on the first Friday of each month, unless otherwise advised on the website. For more information, visit www.snappers.org.uk.