This week we were lucky to be joined by local professional photographer and good friend to the society Andrew Barton LBIPP LMPA, who led a workshop on table top photography.

Andrew had spent a great deal of time transforming our club room at Thie Ellyn to accommodate a full studio set at one end of the room with a number of table top set-ups arranged around the rest of the area.

He even brought chocolates, which went down well with the members but actually he had alternative reasons, which became clear as the evening progressed.

The evening began with Andrew explaining the use of lights and the importance of them for our photography.

He then used studio flash to photograph Izzy, a very cute spaniel brought in by one of the members before moving on to the table top demonstration.

This is where we found out about the chocolates.

The wrappers were stuck together with Sellotape and used as DIY gels to change the colour of the desk lamps.

The workshop was based on the use of lighting which can be found around the house and members brought in a variety of desk lamps, work lights and torches with some members even providing their own backgrounds.

Andrew was on hand to help members photograph a variety of objects and demonstrate what could be achieved by moving the lights around the subject.

We experimented with different backgrounds, including tinfoil, cloth and coloured papers, and different ornaments, from books, to sunglasses to paperweights.

Some objects proved more successful than others.

It gave the members a chance to experiment and try out new skills, giving them lots to think about and ideas to try at home.

Nigel Owen gave the vote of thanks to Andrew for providing members with an excellent practical evening greatly enjoyed by all.

The next meeting on Wednesday, March 7, at Thie Ellyn, the Arts Society Building in Withington Road, Douglas, will be a Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union print portfolio and discussion.

Meetings start at 7.30pm.

They are open to the public and everyone is very welcome to come along.

For more information about the club please check out our website.

Lara Howe