Oxford Photograpic society

Q. Have you any photographic awards?
A. After a few years of entering club competitions I started to enter the national and international exhibitions, which remains my main interest today. This has resulted in two exhibition distinctions, EFIAP and, more recently, BPE5. Along the way I've also collected my ARPS and MPAGB. Currently I've having another go at my Fellowship of the RPS - personally I think they should give it to me for sheer perseverance!

Q. What equipment do you use now?
A. These days I'm 90% digital, using a Canon 300D with several EOS type lenses. My favourite of these is a Sigma 105 macro, which converts to about 160mm on the digital body. This is great for taking pictures of insects, as it allows you to stay further back.

The only time I use film now is for wideangle landscapes - I simply cannot get wide enough with digital. Film of choice is Fuji Sensia 100.

Q.What are your favourite subjects?
A. I tend to go through fads, but I've always enjoyed taking pictures of colourful characters such as street entertainers, Morris Dancers, Sealed Knot etc. As a total contrast I also dabble in nature photography, mainly plants and insects, but I would say it's the most difficult subject of all to do really well.

Q. Here is a blank cheque, what piece of equipment would you buy?
A. The list is endless! A digital projector, a second digital camera...But my real priority would be a Sigma 12-24 wideangle zoom. This would give me a true wideangle with my 300D and I would probably never use film again.

Q. What is your most successful picture?
A. Probably "The Gateway", which won a FIAP Gold Medal for best slide in the Bristol Salon. A certain Colin Harrison gave it his selectors award in another exhibition - he didn't know it was mine at the time and has regretted it ever since!

Q. What was your most disappointing picture?
A. There have been so many! In the old days they were filed in the waste bucket, these days I simply press Delete. But I did have a similar experience to Colin Armitage when trying to photograph some hummingbirds in Canada - all I managed to get were these blurred blobs! Whether digital would give me better results is questionable, but I would love the opportunity to go back and try.

Q. What are the rewards of being a member of OPS?
A. I joined Oxford PS four years ago. Living in Milton Keynes and being heavily involved in judging at other clubs means I only get to about half of the OPS meetings. However, I do enjoy the high standard of work and the excellent speakers we have at Oxford. Perhaps the best thing about OPS is that we have a high number of active photographers and they willingly donate their work for club use - as we saw at Warwick, of course. This is not the case in all clubs and Oxford are to be envied.

Q. Have you any other interests?
A. Sad but true, I collect diecast models of vintage vehicles - Model T Ford, Bullnose Morris etc. Some weekends, when I should be out taking pictures, you'll find me at toy fairs hunting for rare models.

Other interests include rock music - Pink Floyd, Dire Straits - and going to the theatre and cinema.

Q. Where do you see your photography going?
A. I'm quite keen to have a go at some digital AV, which would combine my love of music and photography. I would also like to judge some more national exhibitions - I've done three so far - and mabe one or two internationals. The problem I have is trying to fit everything in, what with judging and giving talks, being on the CACC committee, and trying to produce new work for comps and exhibitions. Little did I know 20 years ago what I was letting myself in for!