This evening’s presentation was a complete contrast in styles as well as subjects.

Trevor Leach spoke about a recent visit to Borneo.  It was basically a “great” family holiday organised by his daughter-in-law, to use his phrase, “on the cheap”.  This meant staying in the homes of local people, and similar allowing the group to see Borneo away from the gloss of major hotels.

Trevor spent four years of his childhood in Singapore so this visit brought back many memories of that part of the world.

Photographically, it was quite a challenge.  Fast moving wildlife, trying to photograph them in poor light (or even at night!) without using flash and trying to focus and expose correctly in torch light.  Fascinating pictures of flocks of bats in the evening (part of a colony of up to two million), helping to round-up baby turtles or witnessing Lunar New Year celebrations.

A wide-ranging selection of good pictures, delivered in a self-deprecating style made for an enjoyable half an evening.

After the tea break Bob Scarlett gave a presentation called “Opening Doors”.  In this he described something familiar to many photographers when friends and others say”…oh, you know about photography, can you take pictures of this – or that….” or “you know about image software can you clean-up this picture for me” etc.  This lead to a commission to illustrate an article on Shepton Mallet prison.  The site is now an ex-prison but at the time of Bob’s visit it was still in use by the Prison Service.  The site has a mixed history of both civilian and military (both UK and USA) use and Bob found this a mix of fascinating and intimidating.

His talk was a fascinating mix of history lesson and illustrated guide.  Bob said that he was on the site for three hours but that was enough and he was pleased to leave.  Now the site is closed ( as an active prison) they cannot be repeated and as our President, Helen Frost, said “Bob’s photographs become part of that history”.

Unfortunately due to a technical problem, Derek Dewey-Leader’s presentation has had to be deferred until a later date.

Our next meeting is on 7^th October and will be an inter-club competition for prints of landscape scenes.  This will be for The Ron Harvey Trophy, a past President of The Society who had a passion for photographing the world around him.

As usual, we are happy to see anyone interested in joining us (however you make your photographs) at any of our meetings at Wyllyotts Theatre on Monday evenings from 7:30pm.