Take three different studio lighting set-ups, include three different models, add 20 or so keen photographers, and stir gently for an excellent evening of ’foto fun’ and practical entertainment - which was exactly what transpired at this week’s meeting of the Isle of Man Photographic Society.

Two of the three studio lighting arrangements were standard studio flash equipment (two or more flash heads plus softboxes) provided by members Tony Curtis and Chris Blyth.

These require triggers of one sort or another to fire, but with the disadvantage that only one photographer can use the set at any one time.

The third arrangement, supplied by Nigel Owen and Jeremy Broome-Smith, was of continuous LED lights - lower power but the big advantage of continuous lighting is that multiple members can take their shots at the same time - a significant benefit when we have the numbers attending that we did.

Our three models represented three different styles - Steven Corfield came as a swordsman, Peter Crellin as a Viking whilst Gwenael La Sirene appeared in a belly dancer costume (and with the appropriate movements for the necessary realistic effect!) - with all three moving around the various lighting arrangements to provide our members with their photo opportunities.

As always, it was a very popular and intriguing evening, with members requested to provide sample images to the models for their portfolios - a modest reward for their efforts but likely to include some top-class shots.

Jeremy Broome-Smith thanked all involved for their input and participation.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 19, when local professional photographer Andrew Barton will be leading a demonstration and workshop on food photography using table-top lighting techniques.

Andrew is a long-time supporter of the Society as both mentor and as a judge and this is certain to be another very interesting tutorial on a genre of photography new to many of our members.

The society meets at the Arts Society Building (Thie Ellyn) in Worthington Road, Douglas, on Wednesday evenings, all meetings starting at 7.30pm, and all open to the public (with a modest fee for non-members). More details of the Society and its programme can be found on our website at www.iomps.com.