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MEET THE CLUB
Each month we will introduce one of our club members
Meet Gina
How long have you been taking photos?
I have always liked taking photos, right from when owning my first camera, a disc camera! But it was when I got my first digital camera that my interest really peaked. The trouble was, I could not get my head around the settings, especially with my first DSLR camera. I would play around with the modes but eventually settled in full automatic. I tried reading, I attended mini courses but it just would not go in. That's why I eventually joined the photography club.
How long have you been a club member?
I joined the club for the 2022/23 season. It felt scary at first as there were so many talented photographers but everyone was so welcoming. Thankfully I was one of a few newbies that year so I did not feel alone but I do not think it would have mattered.
What has it been like being a member of the club?
I can honestly say, my photography would not be where it is today without the club. One of the first practical sessions I attended was on the exposure triangle and with the experiments that were demonstrated I finally got my head around ISO, shutter speed and aperture. After that, I went out with my camera and practiced adjusting the settings to see the results. I would not say I am an expert in this even now but understand enough to know which ones I need to adjust to get the results I want. I take all my photos in full manual mode now.
Entering competitions has challenged me to keep taking photos and I have learned from the feedback given to me. Some of my first competition images were simply awful but this is how I learned.
The club has also given me access to speakers to inspire me and give me ideas and lots of opportunities. Most of all though has to be the friendships.
What do you like to take photos of?
I love to be out in nature and to take photos of birds, flowers, trees and anything else that catches my eye. I have a passion for dragonflies and butterflies but cannot claim to be good at capturing their image. I am not a natural wildlife photographer as I am not an early bird by nature and I don't always have the patience required, but I do love to be out in nature, and if I get one good image, it is a bonus.
My passion however is theatre photography. The club is lucky to partner with The Melton Musical Theatre Company (TMMTC) and we photograph their shows to provide the cast with mementos. This has revealed my true passion. Theatre photography is challenging with constant lighting changes and glare and a constantly moving subject. I love it.
Where are your favourite places to take photographs?
Most of my images will be from my garden, Holwell Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, Charnwood Water, Burleigh Wood, Jubilee Wood, Bradgate Park and of course the theatre.
What equipment do you use?
My main camera is a Canon R6ii which I pair with one of a number of lenses, my favourites being an RF70-200 lens for my theatre work or RF100-500 for wildlife. I also have a macro lens, some lens baby lenses for creative photos an lots of lighting equipment as I have been experimenting with some portraiture. Most of this has been obtained second hand from MPB but I know I am fortunate to have some great kit at the moment.
What is your proudest photography moment ?
Someone wanting to purchase a print of my highland cow,
that and achieving my licentiate qualification with the Society of International School and Events Photographers (SISEP)
I feel my photography improves with every outing but then I do practice a lot!!
Have you ever had any photography disasters?
I've had several. Once when taking photos at my best friends wedding back in the days of film cameras I found I had been snapping away happily when the film had not wound on properly!
I have also driven to a place to take photos only to find there is no memory card in the camera not to mention having batteries run out at a crucial moment.
My worst though has to be dropping my camera and long lens off the chair where I had foolishly rested it. The lens, a sigma 150-600 lens snapped in 2. It is a sickening feeling, DONT PERCH YOUR CAMERA FOLKS!!
What photo still eludes you?
I still want to photograph a kingfisher and puffin and to get a good image of a red kite, kestrel and an owl in the wild. I also want to capture a clear flying dragonfly and any bird in flight. I also want to do some gig photography.
What are your favourite images you have taken?
Obviously my highland cow (above) and I have a new one similar of a tiger I took recently. I also love one of a poppy field I took a few years ago as the sun was setting, the colouring is pretty special. Also one of a Mum-to-be as it was such a privilege to be allowed to share that moment with her and the one below of my kids and nieces as it was such a natural moment and they are rarely together like that.
