Roy Lanphier-Osborne

I first remember using a camera as a kid of about ten, it was a Kodak black box. I have been fascinated in photography ever since. My first S.L.R. camera Was a Russian Zenith which was totally manual. This being the case, it gave me a good grounding in timing and aperture settings. I then moved on to a Canon Eos 600 which served me well until I decided to go digital in 2001, which is when I joined South Liverpool Photographic Society to find out more about Digital Photography. I was not disappointed as the club has been a great help to me in my understanding of Photoshop and other related subjects. It is also a great place to meet and make friends with like minded people.

I do not specialise in any one subject, I just enjoy taking pictures, which to me is what the hobby is all about.

Jane Evans

I've been a member of the SLPS for two years. My motivation behind joining the club was due to wanting to make friends with like-minded people. I found that after finishing university, the chats outside the school, in the playground, and at the gym were not satisfying enough. Photography for me is just something I enjoy doing. I don't see it as a competitive medium and I haven't entered any of the club competitions. I am happy seeing things, talking honestly and being free to do my own stuff.

My very first camera was a compact kodak using 110 film. I was thrilled taking this out on family holidays around Europe. At 16 I got into art school studying general art and design, photography being a part of that course. In 1997 I went to Camerberwell College of Arts in London to do a BA Hons degree in Graphic Design. During my first year I discovered the printing rooms and the darkrooms - they were fantastic. However, I had to specialize and opted for illustration and used the ceramic paper making machines, which I did my works on, using mixed media, wax, inks, pva, and tissue paper.

At art school, doing photography I found aided my compositional and observational skills and I have always approached the medium through art. In London I did alot of sequences of the Thames and during time out went down to Brighton.

In 2001, whilst studying for my MA Multimedia Design, I found that the only way to produce original pieces of work was to do my own stuff, and to put myself into my work. It was towards the end of the second year that I created my own portfolio website www.asfaras.co.uk producing visually interactive narratives - making montages, writing, photography or mixing simple scripts together to achieve interesting interactive results. At the time I was using an SLR Pentax super mainly doing works around my local environment and documenting the changes through the seasons in conjunction with the concentrated urban environment, photographing objects that I found interesting in someway.

Since my rewind button has busted on my SLR through overuse, I now use a Nikon 5000 digital camera. I find it a little restrictive with regards to focusing. My Pentax was a nicer camera, but the Nikon has enabled me be experimental. I can now work on the fly, loading what ever images need more easily and therefore load elements straight into either photoshop or illustrator. Using the software programmes, I can cut up images, and move pieces around the screen. However, photography still remains a vital part of the design process.

Martin Reece MBE ARPS

Having been interested in photography and owning a camera for some 40 years I have developed my photography in many different ways. A person's photography usually runs along side their hobbies and interests. I have to own up that in my early days of photography I was a train spotter and as a consequence I used to shoot a lot of black & White images of trains however I soon realised that there were other things in life. The majority of my photography was shot predominantly on slide film starting with Agfa CT 18 and latterly Fuji Sensia & Provia.

Over the years I have owned numerous 35mm cameras starting firstly with the Ilford Sportsman, then a couple of Yashica Cameras and the great Contax 139. When I joined the SLPS and seeing the high standard of work, I started to take things more seriously. As a consequence I decided to go down the Canon EOS route and I have owned a number of Canon Cameras with best being the Canon EOS 1N.

The benefits of being a club photographer is that you are learning from others all the time as well as ultimately photographing things that you would not normally take. This should make you a better photographer. I know that I am a better photographer for being a member of the SLPS. Having seen my photography improve dramatically I made you decision in 2002 to go digital and that has been the best decision I have made. I now have total control over everything I do from the taking stage right through to the printing stage. This has again seen another leap in the quality of my photography, which is very satisfying. The benefits of a digital camera can not be understated, being able to instantly see if you have captured the type of image you want, no more waiting for the postman to bring your slides back two weeks later, only to find out that you have not got the picture that you were after. Another bonus as you are not dictated by cost you tend to be a lot more experimental. As a consequence of the digital world I enjoy putting together AV's, which is time consuming but very rewarding when you get it right.

The following are some of the types of photography that I enjoy, Rallying, Landscapes (combined with hill walking), Portraits, Travel Photography, Air shows, Mountain and Winter Photography (combined with Skiing)

One tip do not just take an image without exploring other viewpoints, I guarantee that you will find something a little different if you spend a little time exploring the options. The other thing is research your subject. Also ensure that your presentation does not let your picture down.

I have had reasonable success in national competitions as well as having images published in magazines and books as well as obtaining my Licentiate and Associate of The Royal Photographic Society. My aim at the moment is to achieve FRPS status having just recently hit the bar with my Fellowship Panel of the Venice Carnival in the Visual Journalism and Documentary section.

Mike McDonnel CPAGB

I am a founder member of the Back Row Coronary Bypass Group. We sit at the back so we don't get too excited and because it is nearer the bar.

My interest in photography goes back in the mists of time when I bought an Exa 2b and a Lubitel twin lens reflex. Everything was done in black and white then, colour being far too costly. I still have some photographs taken in the early 60s hidden somewhere in the cobwebs in the loft.

Photography was always just a pastime until I met Noel Greenwood when I went to work in Ogdens Tobacco. He was already a member of SLPS and he persuaded me to come to a couple of meetings in 1992. I was hooked. I was amazed that the photographs I saw at the club were far better than those seen in magazines.

I sat and watched in awe at the photography of Wally Free, John Riley, Ted Baker, Doug Owen, Alec Balmer and others too numerous to mention. It was about 18 months later before I entered a monthly competition and waited with bated breath and pounding heart for the judge to make his comments. To my relief, he didn't savage it. I still feel the same trepidation whenever I put a picture into a competition. I suppose it's the feeling of elation when the judge praises one of your pictures and the feeling that the judge is obviously out of touch with reality when he can't see that you have produced a masterpiece.

My wife bought me my first Canon EOS 1000f with 2 zoom lenses. I now have a collection of 4 EOS film cameras with various lenses. The cameras have rarely seen the light of day since I switched to digital but I have just bought some film so I am going to resurrect them. I believe I have become a lazy photographer by using digital. I don't think I put enough thought into my pictures because I can always delete those I don't like. Those that I do like can always have faults corrected in Photoshop.

I love the social atmosphere in the club and particularly enjoy the company of a few like-minded souls (Noel & Noel & Jimmy) who feel that photographic trips should be interspersed with a few libations, preferably from Cain's Brewery. Many light-hearted debates seem to take on a very erudite aspect when viewed through a pint of bitter. There is the added bonus that you might even take a few half-decent photographs on the days out.

Pam Clarke

Pam Clarke has lived and worked in Liverpool since 1979. She first joined South Liverpool Photographic Society (SLPS) in 1987, and is a former committee member and syllabus secretary. Pam trained in photography at the Open Eye and at Hugh Baird College, and she continues to develop her skills through regular attendance at SLPS meetings.

Pam's particular interest is in portraiture, but she enjoys photographing the world around her from a range of viewpoints. She uses a Bronica SQB manual camera (medium format and 35mm) and a Gossen Lunasix 3 light meter (which belonged to much-missed society member, Sid Cairns). Pam processes and prints all her monochrome work using traditional (chemical) methods. Her colour work is usually produced on transparencies.

Above all, Pam sees photography as an art, and she intends to continue 'painting with light' for many years to come.

Annual Exhibition 2007

This gallery shows pictures from the 2007 Annual Exhibition held at the Anglican Cathedral.

Noel George

Some people keep dogs, but I have a camera which provides an excuse for taking long walks. These walks should, and often do, end with a sojourn at a hostelry which sells good beer, preferably that produced by the brewery in Stanhope Street.

Unlike dog walking, exercising with a camera is a sociable activity and the companionship of fellow photographers, especially the members of the 'back row fraternity', lessens the burden of carrying a heavy camera bag while the thought of a refreshing pint (or four) supplies the stimulus for many photographic masterpieces.

Sometimes these works of art are not fully appreciated by those who judge our competitions. But so what! Being a member of a photographic society is all about companionship and enjoyment and at times a meeting of like minded people: after all, polishing trophies can itself become a burden which could drive a man (or woman) to drink.

Patsy Prentice ARPS

I joined SLPS in September 2003, but didn't start photography as a hobby until January 2004, after purchasing a Canon Ixus 400 digital compact camera. (which is still my only camera).

On the competition circuit I've been lucky enough to enjoy success at club, national, and international levels, and in July 2004 I was awarded my Licentiateship of the RPS. Followed by my Associateship in March 2005, with a panel on New York City.

Even so, I wouldn't call myself a photographer, I'm just a snapper, who enjoys the creativity of image making, both in the camera and the computer.

But best of all, photography is great fun and I've met some lovely people and made some good friends along the way. The images I've chosen for the gallery, are just a small cross section of my work.

Tony Myers FRPS

Having seen a number of lectures from travel photographers who had visited India I became very interested in the culture of this fascinating country. However it appears that very few people travel to Southern India, so I thought I would research that area and go for something a little different other than the Taj Mahal.

It didn't take long for me to plan a suitable date and look up flights to Bombay using the internet to find further information on methods of transportation. The adventure being on the road with a friend of mine from Southport camera club. My plan was to tour with a hire car and driver and travel South following the coast road to Kerala via Goa and take a slightly western route back via Madras, having no idea if this was at all possible. Our travel company assured is it would be possible so we were full of confidence.

I had 18 days to carry out this journey which had very many unforeseen adventures, however the people and their culture was just something very special to me that I will remember very clearly for the rest of my life.

The 24 images in this portfolio are a very small section of this wonderful and varied country.

Anne Gilmore LRPS

Anne is a long serving member of the SLPS and has contributed both in the role of President of the SLPS during the 1998 and 1999 seasons and on the Management Committee.

Anne was also the organizer of the annual Mersey River Festival exhibition held in Liverpool's Royal Liver Building.