This month we take a closer look at photographer Andrew Gillborn.
One of our committee members, Andrew Gillborn, takes centre stage this month, relating the motivations behind his photography and membership of Royston Photographic Society.
Go anywhere and you will see individuals taking photographs. As our children grew up, I took photographs of them and looking back I’m pleased I did – it was a record shot. After graduating I worked for Kodak and saw thousands of similar photographs processed. It was only when I saw photographs from professionals that I realised that there was a lot more to achieve with a camera – composition, the position of the light, and just making the image say more to the viewer. As a result, I decided to join Royston Photographic Society because I had seen their exhibition for the Arts Festival and the variety of images there: they were so much better than anything I had taken and something I could at least aspire to. So, I joined to improve what I take with my camera and to learn from others in a friendly, non-judgemental way.
The club has helped me in many ways and there are photographs that I take now that challenge me – where should I stand, what is the light like, what is the image composition like? On the other hand, I’m not interested in spending hours waiting for the best shot (maybe I’m just too old) because I want my photography to be enjoyable and it is. I also want to keep learning and Royston Photographic Society has most definitely helped me with that.
One photograph here is of the Forts in the Thames – it won’t win any competition and that doesn’t worry me at all. It was taken when I was on a moving Thames Barge out to sea and the challenge was to take the best possible image – not on an Auto setting but thinking more about the best the camera could achieve.
Never think that everyone in the club has awards on their minds. There are plenty of us that want to learn and use our camera equipment in the best possible way and the club can definitely help with that.
More examples of member’s photography will be on show as part of the Royston Arts Festival. Do come along and see us in the upstairs gallery.
The club meets every Thursday, 19.45, during term time, at Icknield Walk School. Camera club season will finish in early May but a summer programme of activities is about to launch. Any photographers wishing to join our adventures should contact Andrew Gillborn at andrewgillborn@gmail.com.
Details of the society, club nights and membership are available from Andrew Gillborn andrewgillborn@gmail.com –
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All photographs copyright Andrew Gillborn
