For our second meeting of the new season the club were treated to a presentation by longstanding member Keith Snell of his photographic hits and misses over the years. Hits were those images that had been awarded medals in international competitions, whereas the misses were favourites that he felt should perhaps have been rewarded. However, he emphasised that as photographers we should not be seeking to please competition judges but rather to please ourselves. Very often our emotional connection to an image would then make it uniquely personal.
Keith attributed his start in photography to his family moving at his early age to a house with a bathroom. Having running water and a small easily-blocked window, this could be temporarily converted to a dark room for the contact printing of film negatives. His further progress from then on was largely the result of inspiration and advice from fellow photographers, not least through joining Keswick Photographic Society when he moved to the area in 2008. He also considered that becoming a photographic judge of local club competitions improved his own critical appreciation as well as enjoying the wealth of photography excellence in the camera club scene.
Having travelled worldwide for holidays and as a research scientist attending conferences and working abroad, his initial competition submissions were mainly travel photographs. But over time his photography has become focussed on wildlife, portraiture and creative landscapes.
A particular highlight was being recognised with a commendation in the 2015 Sony World Photography Awards for his photograph of a polar bear on ice. The melting ice as a result of climate change means that the polar bear is prevented from successfully hunting the seals on which it is reliant to survive the coming winter months. The wildlife photographs he showed included birds and animals much closer to home as well as more exotic species from polar excursions and African safaris.
Keith’s examples of portraiture included studio work, as well as candid photos taken during his travels or at events such as the Edinburgh Festival and the Goth weekends held annually at Whitby Abbey.
He finished by showing his transition from conventional scenic landscapes to more abstract creative images achieved with camera movement or by overlapping multiple exposures in the camera. He assured us that an idyllic seascape at St Bees was based on reality, but with a movement of the camera at a slow shutter speed creating the more painterly effect. With his exploration of multiple exposure images though, colourful unreality was purposely introduced by modifying the camera settings between exposures.
Keith’s diverse presentation was enjoyed by all and he was rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the audience present in person, as well as those viewing online.
Our next meeting will be on 16th September with a presentation of wildlife photography by professional photographer Alastair Marsh. Prospective new members and visitors are always welcome to join us on any Wednesday, at 7.30pm in the Quaker Meeting House, opposite Booths supermarket, Keswick or alternatively via Zoom. Please contact us with with any questions or to reserve a place.