Club Meeting "My View of the World"Tuesday 21st April

                           

On Tuesday 21st April, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed Guest Speaker Phil Benton who gave a presentation entitled ‘My View of the World.’ Based in the North East Phil specialises in capturing wildlife, landscapes, corporate event photography and pet portraits.
His aim is to preserve most treasured moments with creativity and professionalism.
Phil opened the evening by saying that he first took up photography 11 years ago. He had contracted ME 40 years ago and then Covid struck and when, at his lowest ebb, he would look from his window and watch birds and other wildlife. This inspired him to get out and about with his camera, which greatly improved his health.
We enjoyed watching images of his nature photography; of mating hoverflies, an almost transparent, newly hatched dragonfly, studies of rats and their activities, bees on foxgloves, and hearing anecdotes relating to young starlings and hoglets. We saw humorous images of running ducklings, frolicking lambs, a squirrel looking into the camera lens and a striking image of a frog taken at ground level.
He describes himself as a natural photographer who goes out and takes whatever catches his eye and when appropriate he likes to include people in the scene for scale.
We saw beautiful sunrises over Holy Island’s Pilgrims Causeway, mirrored reflections of flame-coloured clouds which contrasted with images of enormous waves battering Tynemouth Pier, atmospheric views of Streetley Pier, Hartlepool and of Roker Pier through a haze of sea fret.
A lot of his images are down to happenstance, he said. Swans suddenly appearing in a shot of Coniston Lake, a perfect sunset over Alnwick Castle, the appearance of a double rainbow over Seaton Sluice and views of Corbridge in morning mist.
He went on to say that his photography has led him laterally into interior design, creating dramatic wall murals, vibrant backsplashes for kitchens, large images for corporate buildings and property letting agents. He was commissioned to provide images for hospitals, which, he has been told, have had a very positive effect, especially on dementia patients.
Phil has, through his efforts, taken photography to the next level.
He left us with a very useful tip; if you come across a spectacular scene, take a quick shot, because by the time you have set up your tripod and camera, that moment will have passed.
Club Chairman Jeremy Cooper thanked Phil for a very inspiring, informative presentation.
Members were able to see a selection of Phils prints close at hand after which coffee was served concluding another great evening at the club.
Steph