July 2018

Well, it's been 3 years since I last posted anything here. Much has happened in that time; some good, some bad - and, it seems, few constants to hang on to. Thankfully, photography has been one of those constants and, despite not being as prolific as I used to be, it has still been a a great comfort and source of pleasure for me.

I moved back to Milton Keynes in 2016 but have somehow remained a member of Princes Risborough Photographic Society, where I am now in my third term of office as their External Competitions Secretary. Nearer to home, I have now also joined Leighton Buzzard Photographic Club.

In 2015, I joined the Royal Photographic Society, with a view to gaining a distinction at the Licentiate level (LRPS). The "L" is a panel of 10 prints which must work as cohesive body and "demonstrate basic photographic competency". Sounds easy enough. Right? Wrong! My first submission, in 2015, failed on technicalities, but fortunately I was encouraged to make some changes and resubmit the panel in 2016...and passed! I then set about preparing a panel of 15 prints for the Associate distinction (ARPS). My inspiration came from a 3-day stopover in Hong Kong, and my daily visits to the Graham Street Wet Markets and its rich source of human interest. My submission, in October 2017, was in the "Applied" category and is essentially candid street portraiture, exploring - as I put it - "The Unguarded Moment". I still feel very chuffed when I see my name with the letters ARPS after it!