ISSUE 124
22 / CLUB ZONE
Historic Halton celebrates 125 years as photography pioneer
A recent get-together marked a milestone for one of Britain’s oldest and most influential camera clubs, the Halton Photographic Society, which celebrated 125 years since its founding in November 1900. Now a thriving modern club that inspires its members to create great images, the society’s roots lie in the groundbreaking research of Dr Ferdinand Hurter and Vero Charles
Driffield, Widnes-based chemical engineers whose studies in light sensitivity and exposure laid the scientific foundations for modern photography. Their invention of a patented exposure calculator revolutionised the artistic and technical aspects of image making. After Hurter’s death, Driffield founded the Widnes Photographic Society, now Halton Photographic
Society. It has nurtured generations of photographers, hosted countless competitions and excursions and maintained a reputation as a centre of photographic excellence in the north-west of England. Now based at Rainhill Cricket and Recreation Club, the society meets every Monday. Activities include club competitions, photo trips and more. rainhillrec.org.uk
You don’t need the latest hardware and editing skills to take winning images, as this shot by Carol Hall proved when her image Lean on Me won the Visitors’ Choice award in the Rye and District Camera Club’s annual print exhibition. Taken on a decade-old Canon Powershot SX510 bridge camera with a print straight off the SD card, it was voted the favourite in the exhibition, which was officially opened by the local mayor. More than 750 guests saw the show. “I spotted the herd of cattle in the field beside my house, grabbed my camera and took the photo with my SX510. A very basic camera, but I love it!” said Hall. “The photo was printed by putting the card into a printer as I don’t have a computer or photo editing software.” rdcc.co.uk Udderly brilliant shot from simple kit
It’s fitting an outdoor theme was not only the focus of the first guest speaker at the Isle of Thanet Photographic Society, but also prominent in this great photo titled Harvest Mouse by Andy Shaw, made on a Canon EOS R5 with a 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens at f/9 and 1/320sec. Club members were inspired to get out and about after the first guest speaker of the season, Nik Mitchell, showed some stunning work and explained how his interest in the great outdoors began. Additionally, a capacity audience came to see Antony Penrose, the son of the legendary photographer Lee Miller, whose exhibition has opened at Tate Britain and runs until 15 February. He provided a fascinating insight into the craft of photography and a backstage glimpse of the treasured archives of Lee Miller. isleofthanetphotographicsociety.com A real mouse-terpiece!
TIME SERVED From photo pioneers Hurter and Driffield (above) to modern day digital shots, Halton has seen it all
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