We’d love to learn more about you!
What sparks your passion for photography? Are there styles or subjects you’re drawn to – or ones you tend to avoid?
Our group thrives on the diversity and creativity of its members. Even if you haven’t had a chance to join us for meetings or photo walks yet, this is your space to share a bit about yourself and connect with the whole group.
Member Profile
Reflections!
Julia
Joined us: July 2025
I moved to Bollington in 2021 after growing up and living in Surrey, and working for Transport for London for nearly thirty years until 2019.
My earliest awareness of photography was watching my late father take photographs and develop them in his own attic darkroom as publicity material for his business producing flying scale model helicopter kits.
I’ve taken many photographs myself over the years, mainly around my home, on holidays and at social gatherings, but only really started to develop my skills in the early 2000s when, with my husband Geoff (also a new BPG member), we began attending creative photography classes run by Surrey Adult Learning (SAL). Our association with SAL continues, now via Zoom.
I like a wide variety of photography genres – travel, landscape, street, architecture, wildlife and theatre – though I think my favourite would be abstract and reflections. I use a Canon 850D DSLR, a Canon M50 Mk2 mirrorless, a Panasonic TZ60 compact, and of course my trusty smartphone.
I’m really looking forward to developing my compositional skills and technical knowledge further through participation in the Bollington Photography Group, meeting and learning from members and attending the Group’s activities.
If you would like to message Julia directly, please follow this link.
Urban Warrior!
Kevin
Joined us: October 2023
I like urban photography including Street and Architecture.
Recently I have been trying landscape and Bird photography whilst out on the photo-walks with the group.
Photography is my hobby. I’ve been interested in it for many years although at the time, I had only really used a bridge camera and basic DSLR in auto. Since I retired I have been to night-school on a short course covering how to shoot in manual; I am still learning to use those manual settings 😉 I joined BPG in October 2023 to meet people with the same interest and gain experience from the members, they have all been very helpful by giving me the advice on manual settings that I need, to help me achieve the results I want. The photo-walks that our group organize are brilliant and have given me the opportunity to try different types of photography in different conditions. Street photography interests me most, of course, although i am still searching for that perfect shot in the right light conditions! At the end of June 2025 I reached one of my progression points, I’m now competent in the use of a Mirrorless Camera in full manual mode. I can walk up to a scene and I know exactly what settings to use to create the photo I want and, in addition, I am learning to use Lightroom which helps me tweak my photos in post. I’m really enjoying photography now but its all about practice; learning what the settings do then trying it, again and again.
I’m currently experimenting with long exposures (30 seconds plus) and venturing into Fine Art photography.
I’m still doing Street Photography but not as much, I’m leading towards the more creative aspect of photography now, photos that you can only create in full manual mode. These include shutter drag, light painting etc.
Kevin |
If you would like to message Kevin directly, please follow this link.
Member Profile
Terry Heathcote
Joined us: 1995.
Always Learning!
My photographic journey spans a wide variety of photographic types; from my black-and-white and analogue beginnings to the vibrant world of colour and digital imaging.
At the age of approximately 10 my first camera was a point and shoot and ‘hope for the best’. Both the cost of film and developing was relatively expensive so composition and choice of subject were important learning skills. Since those early days I always seemed to have had a camera of some shape and form and learnt a great deal by making mistakes. I remember taking a photograph of a plane at an airshow flying upside down without including the ground in the image…. (think about it!).
My first ‘proper’ camera was an Olympus OM10 which came with a very thin instruction manual. Compare that to the size of an instruction manual for your modern digital camera! Obviously, next to follow were various lenses, a tripod, flashgun etc. and a bag to carry them around.
I next progressed from film to slides with Fujifilm chosen for its vibrant colour. After taking and cataloguing over 3,600 slides I eventually decided it was time to bite the bullet and purchase a digital camera, an Olympus ‘bridge’ camera (which is still in working order). I still remember buying a 750MB compact flash memory card at the knock down price of £57. How times have changed, I could now buy a 128GB SD memory card for only £19!
Eventually, after the purchase of several more digital cameras, I now use a Panasonic TZ200 compact camera for the vast majority of my photography since it produces excellent images but still has options I have yet to discover. I also have a couple of Canon digital SLRs which see the light of day occasionally.
Obviously, the other great advance I have seen is the development of photo editing software and my preferred choices are Adobe Photoshop Elements 2024 and Photomatix Pro.. I’m constantly amazed on how the image can be changed/improved with a few clicks.
I joined BPG as one of the original members and over the years have gained a great deal of knowledge from both past and current members, in a welcoming and helpful environment, with my photography ranging from landscapes to the obscure. The only subject I have never got to grips with is portraiture. Even a passport photo is a challenge!
The one thing I have learnt over the decades is that photography is constantly changing and I wonder what will be the next big development, perhaps AI and the use of smartphones only.
Keep shooting, Remember it does not matter whether the subject has been photographed many times before, it’s your own personal interpretation of the subject.
Terry
If you would like to message Terry directly, please follow this link.
Member Profile
Pam Lob
Joined us: February 2025.
A Love Hate Relationship with Photography
My earliest memories include my father always having a camera in his hand. I came to find it intrusive and to hate having my photograph taken. It took a friend in the US who is a professional photographer to put me at ease in front of the camera and to get me to the point of loving the images he has taken of me over the last few years.
I may have hated being in front of the camera but have always enjoyed taking my own photos mostly of landscapes and nature, initially with a compact, then a bridge camera and more lately my phone. In recent years when I’ve wanted to relax I snap images of what I see on my local walks. Result I have loads of images of the canal, as reflections in water have always fascinated me.
I’ve always wanted to learn more and this year now have the time, so decided there was no better way to learn and also meet new people than to join the Bollington Photography Group.
I’ve not been disappointed and have even splashed out on a Nikon Z50 and now have 2 lenses. I’m enjoying the challenge on how to take better and more interesting pictures guided by the more experienced members of the group who have been very welcoming and more than happy to help and answer my sometimes what feel to me stupid questions. I hear my coaching voice saying “there is no such thing as a stupid questions, just a desire to learn.”
I’ve already learnt a lot, its now more a question of remembering how to do things, so practice-practice-practice (as Andrew tells me). There are some good results and a load that end up in the recycle bin. Thank goodness for digital and Lightroom.
Pam.
If you would like to message Pam directly, please follow this link.
