February at Retford and District Photographic Society began with a Zoom speaker, Karen Thorburn. Her presentation was followed by an excellent practical session organised by member Alan Dibbo, where attendees used their cameras to explore various aspects of flash photography. This included several still-life setups and some portraiture, with fellow members stepping in as models.
A live speaker followed. Tracey Lund, a well-known photographer with 25 years of experience, brought a selection of her exceptional photographs. She has dedicated her career to photographing wildlife across the world and now leads photography tours, sharing awe-inspiring experiences with others.
In the society’s portfolio competition, Andy Stephenson won the colour print class. His entry featured a red squirrel ‘flying’ towards the camera, a shot from a costumed equestrian event on a beach, an architectural photograph, and a final image of a wrecked boat on a loch with Ben Nevis in the background. His broad range of genres was highly commended.
The monochrome entries were particularly well received by the judge. Joyce Bell won by a single point with a portfolio consisting of two figures on a bridge with strong shadows, a landscape with a tree and dramatic clouds, the Kelpies at Falkirk, and a well-observed image of a person in a window. Joyce also covered four distinct genres.
New member David Hauton won the digital class. His portfolio included an image of a small dog on the beach, a sunset, a superb shot of an aircraft in flight with its smoke trail, and a monochrome portrait of a gentleman holding a small snake against his face. The latter image received high praise, with the judge describing it as of the highest standard and the best shot of the night.
The month concluded with a presentation from local photographer Chris Caesar, showcasing images of Venice. He primarily shoots at dawn and dusk, capturing the city’s illuminated beauty in impressive photographs. His talk also included historical insights into Venice and notable figures such as Marco Polo and Casanova. One of his key photography tips was using long exposure and a dark filter to smooth out water and remove crowds from images.
Meetings are held at St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford, at 7.30pm every Monday until the end of April 2025. Further information can be found at www.retford-photographic.co.uk.