Club Meeting, ‘From Castles to Cowboys’ - Tuesday 10th February 2026.
On Tuesday 10th February, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed professional local photographer Jim Scott with his
presentation entitled ‘From Castles to Cowboys’ with a subheading: ‘Finding style and purpose in where history
meets the landscape.’ Jim, who is from Morpeth, said that he only became really interested in photography just
over four years ago. He studied Ansel Adams for his monochrome work, Michael Shainblum’s foregrounds and
Sean Bagshaw for the creative aspect of photography.
Using the Cheviots as a starting point, he began to replicate the work of Ansel Adams as a learning curve. He
then went on to experiment with shutter speeds when visiting Routin Linn, learning his craft along the way. He
became obsessed with the many viewpoints and topography of Bamburgh Castle, choosing it as part of his new
journey into photographic techniques and by searching for the perfect version taught him more about composition.
The audience enjoyed seeing alternative views not only of Bamburgh Castle but of Lindisfarne Castle, a view of
Dunstanburgh Castle from Death Rocks and Bamburgh Lighthouse.
Once Jim had mastered the basics he then embarked upon The Northumberlander Project, setting out the first
ever photographic record of all the Northumberland castles. He established that there are over 70 castles, more
than any other English county. He went on to describe the remoteness and bad conditions he encountered together
with his reliance on good light, when visiting some of the castles. He then plotted them on Google Maps which
proved to have a very successful hit rate. His goal was to take documentary shots with no signs of the modern
world included, which came with their own issues. He went on to show us castles which included Bothal, Morpeth,
Willimontswick, Norham, Warkworth, and Chillingham. Jim then went on to show glorious images of the Aurora
Borealis over Northumberland’s dark skies.
The ‘Cowboys’ aspect of his presentation followed with Jim explaining that he had seen an advert for a workshop
in Wyoming, which he saw as a dream opportunity; remembering the Wild West films he saw as a boy. Led by
by two top notch photographers, one who was adept at photographing ranch life and the other who concentrated
on portraits and composition. On route to the ranch, we enjoyed seeing beautiful landscape shots of the Grand
Tetons, old barns, lakes and wildlife. At the ranch, a fully working environment, we saw semi-staged portraits of
cowboys, and candid shots of ranch life. Fast action, wide and detailed shots, using a cinematic approach, Jim
said that he brought back invaluable knowledge and experience on his trip to the ‘Wild West.’
A short Q & A followed where Jim explained his kit and settings and Club Chairman Jeremy Cooper thanked him
for his entertaining presentation, after which refreshments were enjoyed.
Steph.
presentation entitled ‘From Castles to Cowboys’ with a subheading: ‘Finding style and purpose in where history
meets the landscape.’ Jim, who is from Morpeth, said that he only became really interested in photography just
over four years ago. He studied Ansel Adams for his monochrome work, Michael Shainblum’s foregrounds and
Sean Bagshaw for the creative aspect of photography.
Using the Cheviots as a starting point, he began to replicate the work of Ansel Adams as a learning curve. He
then went on to experiment with shutter speeds when visiting Routin Linn, learning his craft along the way. He
became obsessed with the many viewpoints and topography of Bamburgh Castle, choosing it as part of his new
journey into photographic techniques and by searching for the perfect version taught him more about composition.
The audience enjoyed seeing alternative views not only of Bamburgh Castle but of Lindisfarne Castle, a view of
Dunstanburgh Castle from Death Rocks and Bamburgh Lighthouse.
Once Jim had mastered the basics he then embarked upon The Northumberlander Project, setting out the first
ever photographic record of all the Northumberland castles. He established that there are over 70 castles, more
than any other English county. He went on to describe the remoteness and bad conditions he encountered together
with his reliance on good light, when visiting some of the castles. He then plotted them on Google Maps which
proved to have a very successful hit rate. His goal was to take documentary shots with no signs of the modern
world included, which came with their own issues. He went on to show us castles which included Bothal, Morpeth,
Willimontswick, Norham, Warkworth, and Chillingham. Jim then went on to show glorious images of the Aurora
Borealis over Northumberland’s dark skies.
The ‘Cowboys’ aspect of his presentation followed with Jim explaining that he had seen an advert for a workshop
in Wyoming, which he saw as a dream opportunity; remembering the Wild West films he saw as a boy. Led by
by two top notch photographers, one who was adept at photographing ranch life and the other who concentrated
on portraits and composition. On route to the ranch, we enjoyed seeing beautiful landscape shots of the Grand
Tetons, old barns, lakes and wildlife. At the ranch, a fully working environment, we saw semi-staged portraits of
cowboys, and candid shots of ranch life. Fast action, wide and detailed shots, using a cinematic approach, Jim
said that he brought back invaluable knowledge and experience on his trip to the ‘Wild West.’
A short Q & A followed where Jim explained his kit and settings and Club Chairman Jeremy Cooper thanked him
for his entertaining presentation, after which refreshments were enjoyed.
Steph.