The theme for this meeting was “New”, with some members choosing to show Personal Projects.
Robin showed some of his most recent images, some usingdouble exposure to photograph the rooms of artists at Linden Hall who have received notice of eviction. One artist’s work is based on topology – a landscape of paint splatter and dirt.
© Robin Maurice Barr[/caption]
Jan observed how quickly graffiti covered walls are painted over anew. In one location the spray paint
covers everything other than the lock and the door bell creating a new perspective.
© Jan Cylwik
Andy Schneider noted that New Year is now a secular event linked to the Gregorian calendar because of a private members bill introduced by Philip Stanhope! Andy’s new work includes a 1GB image comprising 160,000 smaller images and a photograph of a rose made “good as new” painting it, setting light to it and painting again and finally photographing it – phew!
© Andy Schneider
Austin’s more parochial approach has been to document the new year tradition of wassailing, featuring the traditional headware and the banging of pots and pans with wooden spoons to scare off the evil spirits.
© Austin Guest
Raj has photographed a Bollywood-style Asian fashion awards which takes traditional styles but presents them in a fresh way.
© Raj Munisami
Edey observed how new growth has appeared on trees, nature appearing to be confused about whether spring has arrived yet. Arrangements of branches are layered by using a shallow depth of field offering the viewer a new perspective.
© Edith Templeton
For Alec, “new” was an opportunity to photograph Edinburgh at Hogmanay where festivities last until 7 th January. The Walter Scott memorial is illuminated by the fun fair and Christmas trees are reflected in the ferris wheel capsules.
© Alec Wyllie
In the own projects section of the meeting, Sukhy uses film for his portrait photography, often over-exposing the image and sometimes only taking a single image. He had met Beth on a previous occasion but she agreed to having her photograph taken on her 30 th birthday. She had shaved her hair and dyed it pink because she had “told people she would do this”, thinking that having no hair would be a scary way to enter the fourth decade of her life. The result is a beautiful portrayal of Beth – thoughtful, sad and determined – which has been selected for the “Portrait of Britain”. Many congratulations to Sukhy.
© Sukhy Hullait
Janet has explored street scenes in Antibes, while Nusse has added a joyful burst of colour, photographing flowers on her windowsill.
© Janet Nabney
© Mechthild Belton
Prodeepta showed a fascinating set of photographs of his train trip from Moscow to Vladivostok, busy with comings and goings and a chance to make friends and share food.