Club Meeting, 'Truth & Lies' with Dave Phillips - Tuesday 1st October 2024.
On Tuesday 1st October, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed guest speaker Dave Phillips with his presentation
entitled ‘Truth and Lies.’ An accomplished photographer based in Hartlepool, Dave is an open exhibition and
international salon judge and a member of Saltburn Photographic Society.
Dave started by saying that he began his career in photography by taking slides using Fuji Velvia. This was
true photography, where you had to wait for the right time to shoot, wait for the right light, follow the weather
forecasts and then wait a week to see the results. With the advent of digital photography, he considered it the
start of a new adventure; a completely different experience where one can shoot whatever they like, see the
results instantly and showcase your best work.
We enjoyed seeing glorious images taken in the Canadian Rockies, of vertiginous mountains reflected in crystal
blue lakes, autumnal scenes and waterfalls, all photographed with well-considered beautiful foregrounds. He said
that he just used to take landscapes during the summer months but then began to fill in the winter months mostly
by taking action shots. Lively panned shots of powerboat racing with dramatic spray, muddy motocross, daredevil
speedway with swirling dust, sidecar scrambling and high-power motorcycle racing all followed. He likes to walk
the tracks to test the lie of the land, chooses viewpoints depending on where the light will land to create a more
dynamic effect. He said that his sporting shots should scream action and this was evident in his greyhound racing
images, where he strives to capture the dogs’ facial expressions.
He followed on with portraits of Steam Punks, wartime re-enactment characters, Ragged Victorians, and went on
to explain rules of etiquette and permissions when photographing complete strangers. A workshop he attended in
Scarborough brought us charming images of mice on props, which one can provide, such as teasels, conkers, seed
heads, berries and apples, explaining setting up and regulations while photographing animals.
He then returned to his landscapes, this time in the United Kingdom, of Bamburgh’s coastline under storm clouds,
boiling waves at Seaham, Roker Pier beneath a rainbow, St Mary’s lighthouse and Saltburn at sunset. Lakeland
views followed, with mist over Thirlmere and Rydal Water and Castlerigg Stone Circles bathed in a pink sunrise.
A wonderful, selection of birdlife followed of Gannets, Red Tailed Kite, Barn Owls, Jays and nuthatches, Goshawk
and Kingfishers. Finally, we were shown beautiful landscapes taken in Scotland; pastel images taken in the Outer
Hebrides, sun rays over Plockton, highland crofts in autumn, icy Rannoch Moor, moody reflections of castles
in low light, classic Skye landscapes, hoar frosted trees and the classic view of Beinn Eighe.
During his presentation, he shared stories about encountering bears and ice floats, as well as anecdotes from
his experiences with his travel companions. He generously shared his camera settings and emphasized the
importance of following the weather and waiting for good light. He advised the audience to always take a shot
when they see it, as the lighting can change within an hour. Additionally, he encouraged them to return to the
same location on different days to capture the changing light.
Dave has often visited the club as a competition judge, but tonight, we were treated to an array of his beautiful
images. Chairman Peter Downs thanked Dave for sharing his diverse and captivating photography, creating a truly
enjoyable evening.
Steph.
entitled ‘Truth and Lies.’ An accomplished photographer based in Hartlepool, Dave is an open exhibition and
international salon judge and a member of Saltburn Photographic Society.
Dave started by saying that he began his career in photography by taking slides using Fuji Velvia. This was
true photography, where you had to wait for the right time to shoot, wait for the right light, follow the weather
forecasts and then wait a week to see the results. With the advent of digital photography, he considered it the
start of a new adventure; a completely different experience where one can shoot whatever they like, see the
results instantly and showcase your best work.
We enjoyed seeing glorious images taken in the Canadian Rockies, of vertiginous mountains reflected in crystal
blue lakes, autumnal scenes and waterfalls, all photographed with well-considered beautiful foregrounds. He said
that he just used to take landscapes during the summer months but then began to fill in the winter months mostly
by taking action shots. Lively panned shots of powerboat racing with dramatic spray, muddy motocross, daredevil
speedway with swirling dust, sidecar scrambling and high-power motorcycle racing all followed. He likes to walk
the tracks to test the lie of the land, chooses viewpoints depending on where the light will land to create a more
dynamic effect. He said that his sporting shots should scream action and this was evident in his greyhound racing
images, where he strives to capture the dogs’ facial expressions.
He followed on with portraits of Steam Punks, wartime re-enactment characters, Ragged Victorians, and went on
to explain rules of etiquette and permissions when photographing complete strangers. A workshop he attended in
Scarborough brought us charming images of mice on props, which one can provide, such as teasels, conkers, seed
heads, berries and apples, explaining setting up and regulations while photographing animals.
He then returned to his landscapes, this time in the United Kingdom, of Bamburgh’s coastline under storm clouds,
boiling waves at Seaham, Roker Pier beneath a rainbow, St Mary’s lighthouse and Saltburn at sunset. Lakeland
views followed, with mist over Thirlmere and Rydal Water and Castlerigg Stone Circles bathed in a pink sunrise.
A wonderful, selection of birdlife followed of Gannets, Red Tailed Kite, Barn Owls, Jays and nuthatches, Goshawk
and Kingfishers. Finally, we were shown beautiful landscapes taken in Scotland; pastel images taken in the Outer
Hebrides, sun rays over Plockton, highland crofts in autumn, icy Rannoch Moor, moody reflections of castles
in low light, classic Skye landscapes, hoar frosted trees and the classic view of Beinn Eighe.
During his presentation, he shared stories about encountering bears and ice floats, as well as anecdotes from
his experiences with his travel companions. He generously shared his camera settings and emphasized the
importance of following the weather and waiting for good light. He advised the audience to always take a shot
when they see it, as the lighting can change within an hour. Additionally, he encouraged them to return to the
same location on different days to capture the changing light.
Dave has often visited the club as a competition judge, but tonight, we were treated to an array of his beautiful
images. Chairman Peter Downs thanked Dave for sharing his diverse and captivating photography, creating a truly
enjoyable evening.
Steph.