Virtual Meeting, 'Living with Red Dot' - Tuesday 9th March 2021.
On Tuesday 9th March, Morpeth Camera club enjoyed a virtual presentation by one of their own members, John
Willmore, who gave a talk with the intriguing title ‘Living with Red Dot.’ His talk featured the Leica Q, a compact
full frame camera with a 28mm fixed lens. The 'Red Dot' referred to in the title is the logo of the legendary Leica
camera brand. Leica has an elite status amongst its devotees, and has been used by many great photographers
through time. This camera, which he had always dreamed of owning, comes with its own challenges when one is
used to zoom lenses, it comes with a different discipline altogether, he said. There is restriction of choice with a
fixed lens camera which makes you think again, a discrete and silent camera is good for enlargement, adding
that ‘if you cannot get up close, become a ‘cropper.’
Being lightweight, he found it liberating when taking images on a summer break to Menton in the south of France,
the first time he had ventured out with only one camera. We saw lovely images of narrow streets and alleyways,
with distressed rustic doors, windows and shutters in faded blues and greys which contrasted with colourful buildings
with vibrant green paintwork.
In Menton’s hilltop cemetery, ravaged by the sun, John concentrated on detail rather than the whole, of dried flowers,
paintwork and weathered statuary. We enjoyed seeing his visit to the hilltop town of Gorbio with its ancient cobbled
streets, archways, a wide variety of letter boxes and faded old cars and a visit to Monaco and its affluent lifestyle of
luxury cars, shops, hotels and gardens.
A trip to Breil sur Roya’s transport museum gave us graphic images of old trucks, cars and trains all in various states
of wreckage. Then to stunning church interiors, street lamps, of old weathered doors, algae covered downpipes, and
washing lines draped across narrow streets.
Away from the harsh heat and sunlight of France we were then transported to a Haworth 40’s weekend. Most people
dress for the period and are happy to be photographed; there is no shyness or fear of photographing individuals, so
John’s camera was perfect for getting in close. We saw cheerful images of children, ladies in jaunty hats, resistance
workers, military policemen, soldiers, dancers, bandsmen, funfair characters, even wheeler dealers and spivs, who
wander about completely in character.
A ‘mixed bag’ of images followed of his relatively local wanderings from Hartlepool’s historic headland, the Hexham
violin shop, Newbiggin, Blyth, Alnmouth and Amble beaches, Tyne walk scenes, Ouseburns graffiti, and fish quay.
John also showed a series of memory images taken for his parents who were moving from their family home of
many years; atmospheric shots of their kitchen, shed and garden. Trips to Scotland followed, of Crail’s harbour,
Lochearnhead’s old garage and station, then Howick house and gardens, where, with the use of the macro setting
on his camera, we enjoyed vibrantly coloured flowers in detail.
John displays his work in panels using several images, all which compliment each other, either linked by colour,
subject or shape. We enjoyed sharing John’s experiences as he has adapted to using this camera and overcame
the challenges. This was a varied presentation of monochrome and colour images which contained something of
interest to everyone. Club Chairman, John Barnes thanked John for his very informative presentation.
Steph.
Willmore, who gave a talk with the intriguing title ‘Living with Red Dot.’ His talk featured the Leica Q, a compact
full frame camera with a 28mm fixed lens. The 'Red Dot' referred to in the title is the logo of the legendary Leica
camera brand. Leica has an elite status amongst its devotees, and has been used by many great photographers
through time. This camera, which he had always dreamed of owning, comes with its own challenges when one is
used to zoom lenses, it comes with a different discipline altogether, he said. There is restriction of choice with a
fixed lens camera which makes you think again, a discrete and silent camera is good for enlargement, adding
that ‘if you cannot get up close, become a ‘cropper.’
Being lightweight, he found it liberating when taking images on a summer break to Menton in the south of France,
the first time he had ventured out with only one camera. We saw lovely images of narrow streets and alleyways,
with distressed rustic doors, windows and shutters in faded blues and greys which contrasted with colourful buildings
with vibrant green paintwork.
In Menton’s hilltop cemetery, ravaged by the sun, John concentrated on detail rather than the whole, of dried flowers,
paintwork and weathered statuary. We enjoyed seeing his visit to the hilltop town of Gorbio with its ancient cobbled
streets, archways, a wide variety of letter boxes and faded old cars and a visit to Monaco and its affluent lifestyle of
luxury cars, shops, hotels and gardens.
A trip to Breil sur Roya’s transport museum gave us graphic images of old trucks, cars and trains all in various states
of wreckage. Then to stunning church interiors, street lamps, of old weathered doors, algae covered downpipes, and
washing lines draped across narrow streets.
Away from the harsh heat and sunlight of France we were then transported to a Haworth 40’s weekend. Most people
dress for the period and are happy to be photographed; there is no shyness or fear of photographing individuals, so
John’s camera was perfect for getting in close. We saw cheerful images of children, ladies in jaunty hats, resistance
workers, military policemen, soldiers, dancers, bandsmen, funfair characters, even wheeler dealers and spivs, who
wander about completely in character.
A ‘mixed bag’ of images followed of his relatively local wanderings from Hartlepool’s historic headland, the Hexham
violin shop, Newbiggin, Blyth, Alnmouth and Amble beaches, Tyne walk scenes, Ouseburns graffiti, and fish quay.
John also showed a series of memory images taken for his parents who were moving from their family home of
many years; atmospheric shots of their kitchen, shed and garden. Trips to Scotland followed, of Crail’s harbour,
Lochearnhead’s old garage and station, then Howick house and gardens, where, with the use of the macro setting
on his camera, we enjoyed vibrantly coloured flowers in detail.
John displays his work in panels using several images, all which compliment each other, either linked by colour,
subject or shape. We enjoyed sharing John’s experiences as he has adapted to using this camera and overcame
the challenges. This was a varied presentation of monochrome and colour images which contained something of
interest to everyone. Club Chairman, John Barnes thanked John for his very informative presentation.
Steph.