Chris Gravett

A bit of a change today and a bit of self indulgence and I say why not? I'm kind of chuffed at my little acheivements this weekend and as they are photography related why not share here on my photo blog?

Two years ago I was invited to join Ampthill and District Camera Club  . The invite was a little unusual as it was made on my first visit to another photographic club somehwhat nearer to where I live. However the proposition was that Ampthill was a friendly club with no pretensions and existed to help photographers of any level be welcome and offer the opportunity to learn and develop in a friendly (i.e. non political/judgemental) environment. It was also suggested that they welcomed 'younger members' which I found a bit rich but non the less flattering when it was mentioned to me (an individual whose definition 'young', other than in mind, was elimeated a long while ago).

Anyway, I went along to a meeting and found the club was everything that it said it was, so I decided to join. It was Chris and Valerie Elliott who invited me to join the club and a couple of things  soon became clear to me, well three things actually:

They are both highly accomplished photographers.

They had immersed themselves in rejuvenating and supporting ADCC

They are a thorougly nice couple.

I am somewhat shy by nauture (with strangers) and have an inferiority complex when it comes to photography (despite it now being my chosen proffession) so imagine my surprise, and indeed embarrassment when at last years annual exhibition (the second the club had held in it's 24 year history) the image below should win  'Best Digitally Project Image' and win one of only three engraved trophies allocated.

Personally at the time I was pleased with this image but had received little positive feedback. Then, out of the blue, it was judged the best digital image at the 2010 exhibition. Well that broke the ice for me and gave my confidence a little boost. (Although I decided that the judge had probably just wanted to be contraversial).

I also had a print classed as Best Mono Architecture and a coupe of highly commendeds. So I have to admit to something of a warm glow as I was in the company of far superior photographers. Inwardly I was somewhat embarrased as although I spent a lot of time selecting and presenting the prints I exhibited I just took ten DPIs at random and entered them.

So roll forward 12 months to this weekends exhibition. I am enjoying being a memeber of the club and, as last year, I spent a lot of time producing mono and colour prints for the exhibition and little time selecting the ten DPIs I would enter.

This year the lead up the exhibition proved to be a tragic event. At the actual judging (which takes place prior to the exhibition) Chris Elliott was taken ill and most sadly died. I wasn't there and it's impossible to imagine the emotions and difficulties faced by those present. Chris's wife, Valerie, declared that the exhibition should go ahead - it was what Chris would have wanted.

And indeed, this Saturday it did, there were some real challenges right up to the last minute but all went very well on the day. It was a great success. I won't go into the difficulties, although they are a story, as the exhibition's success should be dedicated to Chris and to Valerie who was so strong in being there and taking an active part throughout the day.

Now to my self indulgence...

Well first of all, with my 'lasair faire' attidude to DPI submissions I again won the Best DPI (below)

Well I must admit it is an image I am pleased with but....

Well I also won three 'Best of People' awards, mono DPI...

Now this I have to admit is one of my favourite portraits. Shot as part of a project with BK Luwo Ladies in Oxford, I just love the warmth and happiness portrayed.

But I also won the Best People Mono Print...Unwanted Attention...

A lot colder than the previous image, but nonetheless, one I am proud of.

Still on the people theme I also won the Best People Colour Print with Summer Frocks..

This image has had some previous success in making the last 36 in the finals of The Great British Photo 2010 and winning Hertfordhire Life along the way. The image seems to bring a lot of happiness to people who view it.

Well it seems I must be a people person but I also manage to win the best Nature mono print section with this - Le Renard..

Well, excuse me for my little bit of self indulgence, I am chuffed with my little bit of local success but I am more chuffed to have known and shared some time over the last couple of years with Chris Elliott - a photographer and person whose qualities I can only wish one day to achieve.