A new photographic club met last Wednesday for it’s inaugural evening.
Twelve photographers, who ranged from complete novice through to professional photojournalist, assembled with their cameras, lenses and bags for an evening of gear presentations, the announcement of a photography bursary and personal top ten from wildlife photographer Chris Wormwell.
Opening the club, called PhotoCloud, organiser, Rich Ashcroft said: ‘Despite a serious fire in the building at the weekend I was determined that Wednesday evening would not be postponed.’
‘As a Manx photographer, I wanted good speakers and to learn new skills in a non-competitive environment.’
During his introduction Rich said one of the key aims of the club is the ‘free sharing’ of ideas, expertise, equipment in a friendly and creative environment.
A photographic bursary fund was announced which, in the grand traditions of the historic Magnum Photographic Society, aimed to fund a photographic expedition, or dream project, for one resourceful and passionate member with an eye catching and innovative plan.
Following this, members registered and then completed a survey on where they would like to see where the future shape of the new club lie.
Members then opened their camera bags and chatted about their most commonly used lenses, gear and gadgets
Phil Kneen’s camera bag drew suprise and many questions when he pulled out a mint twin lens Rolleiflex, followed by a Mamiya 7 and £10 Nikon 35mm film camera, snapped up for the bargain price of just £12.
The biggest lens was Chris Wormwell’s 500mm camouflaged glass, which was ‘standard kit’ for birding and wildlife photography he said.
Martin Parnell presented a homemade gadget designed to aid a camera to focus on fast moving subjects - even in complete darkness.
Closing the evening was a slideshow presentation by Chris Wormwell, who had kindly put together his ‘top ten’ favourite wildlife shots. they ranged from a pin sharp image of the extremely rare wandering Albatross which Chris explained ‘was taken with a long lens on the back of a little boat in rough seas off the South African coast.
Other highlights included a beautifully framed shot of a Bee-Eater on a small branch followed by a well constructed image of a rare Glaucous Gull with a tumultuous foaming sea as a backdrop.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 16th May at 6pm in Patchwork Cafe, Port St Mary and all are welcome. For more details see the clubs facebook page ‘PhotoCloud Isle of Man’ or email richashcroft@gmail.com
Image 1: Chris Wormwell guides fellow member Jan Sellors around his camouflaged 500mm lens, the perfect equipment for photographing wildlife
Image 2: A rare sight for the Isle of Man, a Glaucous Gull, captured by Photographer Chris Wormwell
