KEEN photographers have been taking scenic shots and sharing their secrets for more than 50 years.

And now members of the Kidlington Camera Club are exhibiting their photos as part of Artweeks.

Joy Rawlins, who has lived in the village since 1972, rekindled her love of photography thanks to the help of club members.

She has just won the club’s Photographer of the Year award and her recent pictures were inspired by a summer holiday to the Forest of Dean.

Mrs Rawlins said: “I take my camera most places. I take it on holiday. I don’t have it in the car all the time, but I have days when the weather is nice, when I go out especially to do photography.

“I have been a member of the club for just over 23 years. I have always liked photography. I used to just take pictures of my children when they were small.”

Mrs Rawlins won the colour and black and white photo of the year at the club’s annual competition for her pictures of a steam engine in the Forest of Dean from a holiday last July.

She said: “Every year we have eight competitions through the seasons.

“The shot was an instantaneous thing. I could see the character in the man’s face. I saw the man pass the station and thought ‘that is a good photo’.”

Mrs Rawlins, who is retired, worked as a research assistant at Oxford University.

Her photos have been on display at the Kidlington Library and will be also be displayed at the village’s Exeter Hall throughout June.

Kidlington Camera Club was formed in April 1961 and members celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.

The club has more than 40 members, but has encouraged residents to join the club and find out more about photography.

Jill Grain, fellow member of the club, said: “The print display is composed of members’ entries to the final competitions of the year, both colour and black and white, with every entrant having at least two pictures included.

“We consider ourselves a friendly club and not overly competitive, believing that competitions are a way of encouraging us to keep taking photos and striving to improve. We aim to encourage involvement and enjoyment in all forms of photography in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and are always pleased to welcome visitors and new members.”

  • The club’s new season will start on Monday, September 8. Members meet from September to April on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in Kidlington’s Foresters Hall.

 

 

Our top stories: