Founded in 1936 by a small group of local photography enthusiasts, Dorchester Camera Club is one of the UK’s most successful photographic clubs, with both the Club and individual members achieving notable success in regional, national, and international photographic competitions.
At the end of this month (September 23 - October 1), it is holding its largest ever exhibition of photography at the Jubilee Hall in Poundbury. Taking the theme ‘Inspired by Light’ it showcases a diverse range of work from over 60 club members, featuring landscape, nature, street and creative photography, some of which are featured here. There will also be a rolling audio-visual video display of other work not featured in the print exhibition, together with the opportunity to purchase prints, greeting cards and other items, including ceramic and glass work.
Dorchester Camera Club is one of 13 camera clubs based in Dorset. Its current membership of nearly 100 come from across Dorset and beyond. If you are a keen photographer, or would like to develop your interest further, then camera clubs are a great way to meet fellow photographers; they also put on talks on a wide variety of photography topics throughout the year. For further information about the club visit dorchestercameraclub.co.uk
Fire and Ice by Tony Gill (picture above)
‘Taken one New Year's Day, when a hard frost and chance of mist sent me high up on Quarr Hill, Symondsbury. The success of this image is due to the contrast between the warm dawn sky and the ice-cold ground.’
Taken with Canon EOS 6D with 16-35mm L lens, 1/2 second at f/16 and ISO 160.
Corfe Castle Sunrise by Garry Prescott
This Dorset landmarks is a wonderful place to visit in the early morning and on New Year’s Day in 2021 I was greeted by this beautiful frosty sunrise.'
Taken with a Nikon D7200 with a Tamron 10-24mm lens at f/14 and shutter 0.8 sec at ISO 100.
Looking down West Street, Bridport by Rosie Mathisen
‘There I was, up on Bridport Town Hall roof being trained to manoeuvre around the parapet, (harnessed and clipped-on). A friend from Bridport Camera Club and I were in place for capturing images of the Freedom of the Town celebrations for the First Battalion, The Rifles in March 2014. And there’s the perfect picture of Colmer’s Hill looking down West Street.’
Taken with Canon 5D Mk II, EF 70-200mm lens at 200mm at f/14 and 1/30 sec.
Dartford Warbler by Jenny Warr
‘Taken at the end of April in East Dorset. I had seen a few Dartford warblers on the heath that morning, then this one popped up right in front of me and sat on the gorse bush while I took a few photos.’
Taken with Nikon D500 and 500mm lens at f/7.1, ISO 180 and 1/640 sec.
Bearded Tit by Frank Schweitzer
‘On a cold bright January morning, whilst walking the Buddleia loop at RSPB Radipole Lake in Weymouth, this male bearded tit stopped just long enough for me to take this shot.’
Taken with a Canon 7D Mk II with a Canon 100-400mm lens with shutter speed 1/640 at f/8 with an ISO of 200.
Common Terns by Sue Buckland
‘I regularly visit Weymouth RSPB Lodmoor reserve especially when the common terns are nesting there. On this occasion it was a very white sky, so there is not much colour in the image. I like the positioning of the birds and the arty look it has created.
Taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV and a Sigma 150-600mm lens at ISO 400 f/6.3 at 1/2500 sec.
Trampled Underfoot by Stephen Jones
I like to get close to the action and shoot from a low angle to emphasise the movement of the dance sides. In this photo of Lyme Morris in action at the Wessex Folk Festival 2017, I captured this unusual shot with the camera resting on the ground, composed without the viewfinder to get a worm’s-eye view of the dancers.’
Taken with a Canon 5D Mk III 21mm at f/6.3 with 1/2000 sec and ISO 320.
Colour Fun by Helen Jones
‘As an event photographer at Weldmar Colour Run at Lodmoor Country Park in 2016, I got permission to stand on an elevated stage, well away from the paint. This enabled me to shoot safely from a high angle and capture this joyous moment of a girl throwing powder paint across the heads of the other participants.’
Taken with a Canon 5D Mk III with a 70-200mm f/4 lens at 70mm. Aperture of f/6.3 and a high ISO of 5000, shutter speed of 1/4000 sec to freeze the action and keep people in sharp focus.
Splash! by Helen Jones
‘Taken during the Badger Trails Events Dorset Ooser race in August 2021 on a bridleway between Turnerspuddle and Briantspuddle. Despite having run nearly 26 miles, many participants, like Carole Loader pictured here, were more than happy to jump in the puddles for the camera.’
Taken with a Canon 5D Mk IV with 70-200mm f/4 lens fully extended to 200mm. Aperture f/7.3 to give context in background, ISO of 1250, shutter speed of 1/1000 sec.
Inspired by Light, September 23 – October 1, is at the Jubilee Hall on Great Cranford Street (just behind Waitrose in the centre of Poundbury), open 10am-4pm every day, with late night opening until 7pm on September 29.
