Last night Laura Pearce talked to a smallish but appreciative audience. She is a professional Fashion, Beauty and Portraits photographer. She also embarks on shoots for her own projects. She showed us how the shoot will develop from inception to completion. This includes mood boards, choosing models and locations, and props to dress the scene. She obviously has a keen eye for colour and how she co-ordinates the colour palette is an important part of the look of the final images.

Her clients include fashion retailers, actors wanting to broaden their portfolio and model for their promotional portfolio. Some choices were dictated by the client but her careful choice of theme, props and settings are obviously an important part of her work.

She talked about how she lights studio shots, using terms that some of us (me!!) had no idea of their meaning, so she carefully explained. She also talked about her own projects for her own portfolio and website, these tended to be a bit 'edgier' and atmospheric. Recently, she told us, fashions in fashion photography have changed and a more photo documentary style is favoured. These were usually shot on location and had a more 'candid ' look to them.


This is not my genre of photography but I found it very interesting - surprisingly!! At the end of the talk she encouraged us as photographers to enjoy what we do, break the rules and not get too hooked up on what judges say!!

Talking of judges, next week is the March competition, The Great Outdoors and of course Open judged by Richard Curzon, I'm looking forward to seeing some great images of the type that I don't usually take ('scapes?)

The 'Competition Sub Committee' had a short meeting this week, and we reckon that with the help that has been offered we should be able to run competitions next season, this is in no small part thanks to Huw's work with the new software which seems to offer some solutions. Many thanks also to the people who put forward ideas for themes for next season. There was some overlap/duplication of ideas but we put together a short list of 12 titles and as was mentioned last week, we are leaving the final choice to members. Voting slips were handed out last night and will also be available at the next two meetings at the Rugby Club - 27 March and 9 April, each member was asked to vote on their favourite seven - I have started to compile the results of the vote!!

It'll soon be time to start thinking about the next competition, if you haven't already - Light and Shade - a print competition with final hand in on 9 April - the portrait evening.