Forest of Galtres Camera Club

Monday 2nd November 2015

Step into my World was presented by Richard Cochrane ARPS DPAGB of Northallerton. Richard likes a series of images on a linked theme to tell a story particularly focusing on people.

He began with Halloween at Thorpe Perrow: several images of witches, ghosts, coffins and skeletons back dropped by autumnal colours often manipulated through appropriate software.

A five mile walk across New York meant seeing people going about their everyday business. Many images have been seen of different aspects of the Tour de France but Richard caught the mood of the crowds, the drama of the racing itself. The Long Black Train was a clever mix of black and white images, some with just one subtle element of colour. Timeless Wensleydale followed Richard and friends walking from Bainbridge to Hawes on a circular walk, all images in sepia giving a wonderful timeless quality to the shots just as the title suggested.

A visit to London married the poppy display at the Tower of London with tributes laid at the Cenataph and a visit to the War Museum. The Hymn to the Fallen sung by Katherine Jenkins made this particularly moving. The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery engaging in a 41 gun salute were brought into a sequence that was at times dramatic. Richard used clever manipulation of some of his images to create a real sense of the troops and guns charging into battle and firing.

Finally, what to do with your wedding dress post the big day. Emily, a family friend, had married and following a trend from America, she and Richard devised unlikely scenarios when she could be photographed wearing her wedding dress. Astride a quad bike, wearing pink wellies and carrying a shot gun was one; fly fishing another. She may never have cast a line before but look at the photograph you would never know. Apparently though, she really can shoot!

Many thanks to Richard. Next week, John Elvin LRPS will judge the Portfolio and the Taff Landscape Competitions.