UNCHAINED - Wildlife Photography For The Timid and The Brave presented by Mollie Isaacs of Awake The Light Photo Workshops
2025-09-15 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
September 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM: Mollie Issacs will present “Put More Life In Your Wildlife Photography”
Photographing animals, birds, and other wildlife can be exciting and rewarding. With the right techniques and a little knowledge, your wildlife photography can soar! Join Mollie Isaacs for this eye-opening peek into the finer points of getting the images you strive for. You’ll learn some pro tips and tricks that will elevate your wildlife and bird photography to a higher level. This program is educational, inspirational, and fun! You will come away with fresh ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for all the photography you love.
Mollie Isaacs is a professional photographer who specializes in Nature, Wildlife, Flowers, Birds, and Abstracts. She is passionate about photography, and loves to share that passion by teaching others. Early in her career she studied with Ansel Adams and Joyce Tenneson. She has won the Kodak Gallery Award 14 times, considered by some to be the “Oscar” of photography. Her work is in the Permanent Collection of the International Photography Hall of Fame, and has been exhibited at Epcot Center in Disney World, and Grand Central Terminal in NYC. She runs Awake The Light Photo Workshops & Tours, offers online Webinars, and personally leads photo workshops around the country and beyond. Read more about her and see her work on www.awakethelight.com.

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

Ginnie Lodge “Still Life Photography”
2025-10-06 19:00 - 21:00
10/6/25 Ginnie Lodge “Still Life Photography”
follow up hands on session Oct 11th
https://ginnielodge.com/

Ginnie Lodge will present ideas on “Still Life Photography”
2025-10-11 09:00 - 15:00
October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM: Ginnie Lodge will present ideas on “Still Life Photography”
Still Life images have been around for centuries. A fresco found in the ruins of Pompeii depicts a still life of food items on a platter. Of course, ancient still life images were made with paint and brush. We’ll be talking about creating still life images with our cameras.
Ginnie will share the many elements that go into creating a still life photograph: composition, light, color, balance, etc. She will also talk about where to get inspiration and objects to include in the image, as well as how to process the image after the fact to add your own creative touch.
Still life is a genre of photography that can be done no matter what the weather! It allows the photographer to have control over the light, the subject, and the story being told.
Ginnie is a BPS member who loves to experiment behind the camera. She is always up for a challenge and loves to push herself to improve her photography.
You can see Ginnie’s work at ginnielodge.com/still-life.

Hands on follow-up workshop at the GoggleWorks shooting Still Life subjects
2025-10-11 09:30 - 11:30 | Goggle Works Suite 326
October 11, 2025 (SATURDAY) at 9:30 – 11:30AM: Hands on follow-up workshop at the GoggleWorks shooting Still Life subjects

Come to the GoggleWorks to try your hand at creating still life images. We will have objects, lighting, backdrops, and ideas. You bring your camera and your creative eye!

October 11, 2025 (SATURDAY) Noon - 3 PM: Hands on follow-up workshop at the GoggleWorks shooting Still Life subjects
2025-10-11 12:00 - 15:00
October 11, 2025 (SATURDAY) Noon – 3 PM: Hands on follow-up workshop at the GoggleWorks shooting Still Life subjects
Come to the GoggleWorks to try your hand at creating still life images. We will have objects, lighting, backdrops, and ideas. You bring your camera, tripod, and your creative eye! For members, a donation to the club (not Ginnie) will be accepted but is not required, we ask that non-members give a $10 donation for BPS.
Sign up if you are going to attend to that we can plan accordingly. Sign up HERE.

October 12, 2025 - Deadline to submit images for the October 27th Competition
2025-10-12
October 12, 2025 – Deadline to submit images for the October 27th Competition

“How AI is changing Photography!” by Bert Sirkin
2025-10-20 19:00 - 21:00
October 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM: “How AI is changing Photography!” by Bert Sirkin

Bert Sirkin describes his presentation this way, “Photography is undergoing a paradigm shift. AI changes everything – from camera capabilities to editing to generative AI. The future of photography as an artform is open to those who learn to use all the tools available to them. Learn how AI can help you increase your photographic creative potential.

I will explain, in simple terms, how AI works, what you can do with AI and how you can combine AI with the tools and skills we already have as photographers.

I will present perspectives you may not have yet have thought of. I will show you some of the more useful AI options available to photographers today. Gain valuable insights into the diverse applications of AI, including the groundbreaking AI features in Photoshop, alongside a range of other cutting-edge AI tools. We’ll look at how these tools can be combined to open up a whole new world of creativity.”

Bert Sirkin apprenticed at with a Professional Photographer in Boston when he was 18 years old and has done part-time Professional Photography since he was 19 years old. He’s taught various photography topics since 1970 and has spent 10 years teaching workshops in Everglades NP, Joshua Tree NP & Monument Valley Tribal park. He taught various computer programming languages at Capital Community Technical college in Hartford, CT for 20 years. He currently teaches online photography workshops and frequently speaks to photography groups.

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

October 25, 2025 (Saturday) Annual BPS Halloween Photo Shoot - this year's theme: The Addams Family
2025-10-25 13:00 - 17:00
Halloween Photoshoot
October 25th 1pm-5pm
Room 326
Members are free and non-members will be $10.00
We invite you to attend our annual Halloween photoshoot event.
This year’s themed photoshoot will feature the Addams Family. You will meet Morticia, Gomez, and Wednesday. They are characterized by distinct personalities and unique traits.
Our models will be Martha and her family.
We will have our annual set up with the dry ice, a carved pumpkin by James Egitto, and plenty of Halloween décor to practice your still life photography.
Pack your camera, tripod, wide-angle lens, and Pocket Wizard if you have one.
We will have Pocket Wizards at each station, if you do not have one.
Kindly inform us of your attendance in advance so that we may accurately anticipate the number of participants.
Please contact Kim Sweimler at kim.sweimler@berksphotographic.com if you are planning on joining us.
Thank you,
Kim Sweimler

October 27, 2025 - October Competition
2025-10-27 19:00 - 21:00
October 27, 2025 – October Competition: See the images and hear the critiques for the theme “Celestial Bodies.” See details elsewhere in this newsletter.
Our judge is David Fokos https://www.davidfokos.net/

Tom and Meg Stoeri “A Photographing Experience from Scotland to Iceland"
2025-11-03 19:00 - 21:00
Long time BPS members Tom and Meg Stoeri say, “Join us as we present our experience as photographers on an expedition small ship cruise exploring the North Atlantic from the Orkney islands of Scotland through the Faroe Islands and on to circumnavigate Iceland by sea. From a neolithic settlement, through isolated but enduring small island villages, to new land being created in Iceland, we encountered challenging and unique photographing opportunities. All with the North Atlantic weather as a backdrop. It was memorable and we would love to present it to you.”

Ray Schneider “Visual Time Travel”
2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM: Ray Schneider will present “Visual Time Travel:How to Take Your Viewers on a Trip”

Explore how to compose pictures that draw the viewer in and that conjure a story in the mind.
Storytelling is a popular genre in the visual arts, but Ray Schneider will help participants do more than just tell stories with photographs. In addition to reviewing the core tenets of composition he will explore how composing pictures that are relatable, that evoke emotions, engage the viewer empathically and contain classic visual archetypes, dramatically increases the likelihood that the picture will take the viewer on a trip through their consciousness, past, present and future. The stronger this connection can be the more interesting and memorable the photograph will be.
During this presentation Ray will share pictures from a variety of genres including landscape, street photography and more. And he will offer ideas which come from the world of composition, perception, and cognitive psychology, for creating more impactful pictures.
Ray Schneider is a freelance photographer whose images span numerous genres including portrait, street, landscape, garden, animals, and events. An avid traveler, his images come from over 30 countries. He has published a book entitled What the Photographer Sees, available on Amazon and recently received a Portfolio Merit Award from Black and White Magazine. He teaches photography workshops and is also a speaker at camera clubs across the country.
Prior to becoming a professional photographer, Ray travelled the country as an operations management consultant. He is a recognized expert in process, quality and operations improvement consulting, with deep experience across a broad range of industries.
For Ray, seeing like a photographer is to perceive well. It’s creating images that are more than pretty pictures — hopefully — and that trigger the viewer’s inner-voice, that suggest a story, that evolve in the consciousness as they’re viewed, that invite a sense of curiosity, that cause one to pause and maybe take a closer look. www.rayschneiderphotography.com

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

Leigh Reeves hosts “How Would You Edit This?”
2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00
December 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM: EDITING NIGHT with Leigh Reeves

Our member from Australia, Leigh Reeves, will host a special evening where several BPS members will show their own take on how they would edit an image he presents them with.

December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM: Best of 2025 – All of the competition winners from 2025 will be judged, with judge Henry Rowan
2025-12-08 19:00 - 21:00
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM: Best of 2025 – All of the competition winners from 2025 will be judged. Henry Rowan will be our judge.

Santa Shoot
2025-12-13 08:00 - 17:00
Santa Photoshoot – Save the Date
Each year our club raises money by hosting a “Photos with Santa” event. This year the date is set for Saturday, December 13th at The Reading Fairgrounds Market. Time to be determined. We always need club members to come out and help with organizing, shooting, printing, etc. Kim Sweimler, who heads this up, is very knowledgeable and will give full directions to all helpers. Put the date on your calendar today!

Annual Members’ Meeting
2025-12-15 18:00 - 21:00
12/15/25 Annual Members’ Meeting

January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Vince Pellegrini will present “In the Voice of Sam Abell”
2026-01-05 19:00 - 21:00
Sam Abell is a very well known, former National Geographic Magazine photographer. He retired from Nat Geo in 2001 after 31 years there. The second phase of his photographic life has continued, as will be demonstrated by his soon to be published two volume, 400 page retrospective monograph. Abell was recently honored by his induction into the International Photography Hall of Fame.
Abell is known as a documentary photographer who practices a very controlled & precise style. His images are immediately recognizable for their quietness & lack of much color. I have been drawn to Sam Abell’s work for many years. I find his photographic tenets to really suit me as a photographer. I finally fulfilled my dream of doing a workshop with Abell in May 2025. This was an intense, full day experience over a week on Whidbey Island, WA. It was without a doubt, the best workshop that I have ever done. Abell poured out his heart while giving his all to the 9 participants. His words of wisdom were never ending.
I would like to share with the BPS members the knowledge that I received from Sam Abell over this very impactful week & how this has changed my approach to photography. I also want to share with members a little of my follow up work, practicing the key principles that I learned during that memorable week in WA. I truly feel that everyone will be able to apply at least some of this message to their own work, regardless of the genre. I hope that many will join.

January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Jonathan Vaines will present “ME, Myself & Eye”
2026-01-19 19:00 - 21:00
This talk is a follow up of a previous zoom session given to BPS by Jonathan. This time, Jonathan will explore the world using in-camera techniques, such as multiple exposure, for creative imagery. During this session, Jonathan will engage in post-processing enhancements to his captures. He will look at pictures that are single images & venture into some elaborate ways to make images from a number of multiple exposures. Jonathan is a specialist in the art of pastel images but also uses bold color to express his vision of the world. BPS will see a wide variety of visual art work in this enlightening talk. Welcome back Jonathan.
Jonathan Vaines is a very well-known photographer & educator from the UK. He took his first photograph in 2012, joined his local club to work out what to do & soon moved on. He has since had many roles in his short photographic life. Jonathan has been the Regional Organizer for the Royal Photographic Society for five years & is currently the Judges’ Secretary for the East Anglian Federation (EAF) of Photographic Societies in Great Britain. In 2024, he was invited to become a member of The London Salon of Photography. He is a tutor for PhotoClub 247, the Royal Photographic Society & other organizations in addition to 1:1 teaching & mentoring. He is an A panel judge, judging & lecturing at over 100 clubs throughout the UK each year. He is sponsored lecturer for Permajet, the leading paper supplier in the UK, as well as an affiliate of DxO Labs, the photography software developer, & Wex Photo Video for everything camera along with Qimage software for print applications. Jonathan is always busy somewhere in the world of photography.
Jonathan’s image making started out as photographing anything, but now he uses the camera to create what he sees as wall art. Multiple exposures along with some sort of camera distortion appears in almost all his work. He polishes the result in Adobe Photoshop. Jonathan feels that an image does not exist until it’s printed so he is helping to keep the ink & paper industry alive. He finds enjoyment from engaging with every image. He works with thoughts, concepts & projects. It’s not about capturing the moment for Jonathan, it’s about visualization & being able to deliver that in print.
Learn more about Jonathan at the following locations:

https://blueroomphoto.site123.me

PhotoClub 247 for Photoshop teaching: https://photoclub247.com/jv/

DxO product discounts: enter Jonathan15

Qimage Ultimate app discount: https://www.ddisoftware.com/qucustomer/JonathanVaines/

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

February 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Betsy Wilson will share “At-Home Photo Creativity - Oodles of Ideas”
2026-02-02 19:00 - 21:00
February 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Betsy Wilson will share “At-Home Photo Creativity – Oodles of Ideas”
Limited to photographing around your home? No worries! This presentation opens up a whole new world of fun and creative photo projects that you can do in the comfort of your own home. From fun kitchen techniques such as making abstracts with oil and water, or throwing fruit into a fishbowl, to photographing macro water droplet refractions, there is no shortage of new ideas! Betsy’s husband Jim has worked with speedlights and multi-flash to create fascinating portraits, and Betsy explores still life photography through her unique perspective, introducing some new still life styles not shared before in this fast-paced inspirational presentation.
Betsy Wilson began learning photography after retiring from a career as a newspaper publisher. Her husband Jim gave her his hand-me-down camera and a lot of encouragement, and he now says he created a monster. Her passion for photography includes a wide variety of types including macro, landscape and nature photography. In addition to being honored as Photographer of the Year Award at the Chester County Camera Club, she has received numerous recognitions for her artistic photography including a Silver Medal awarded at the Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography, and First Place Award in Photography at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Betsy is an active member of the Chester County Camera Club, and has given numerous presentations for camera clubs in many states.

February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Sharon Tenenbaum will give a presentation on “Architectural Photography as Fine Art”
2026-02-16 19:00 - 21:00
February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Sharon Tenenbaum will give a presentation on “Architectural Photography as Fine Art”
Sharon will share her transitioning journey from engineering to photography with an overview of the variety & scope of her work throughout her career. She will then move into a presentation on Architectural Photography as Fine Art. Sharon will delve into the captivating world of architectural photography, shedding light on the diverse forms of capturing art within the built environment. Through a series of striking visuals & insightful commentary, Sharon will introduce the myriad techniques & perspectives employed by photographers to immortalize architectural masterpieces. From dramatic black & white compositions that emphasize form & texture to vibrant color images that highlight the interplay of light & shadow, this presentation will showcase the artistic versatility of architectural photography. Sharon will explore the use of different angles, focal lengths & framing techniques to convey a sense of scale, depth & emotional impact. By the end of the presentation, there will be a renewed appreciation for the artistry involved in photographing architecture & all will be inspired to view the built environment through a new lens. If time permits, Sharon will also add a bonus segment titled “Seeing Lines” in which she will show her thought process, methodology & techniques from conception to completion in creating her Sundial Bridge series.
Sharon Tenenbaum defines herself as an artist working within the medium of photography. The artistic process is paramount in every creation she completes. She always aspires to “show reality in a different way”, creating images rather than capturing them. Sharon is constantly challenging herself: whether experimenting with bicycle parts to create composite cityscapes or painting selective overlays onto her images. She is committed to the artistic process of growth & change in the continuous pursuit of novelty.
Sharon was educated as a Civil Engineer. Her love for structures is reflected in a vast body of works celebrating more than mere architecture, but rather, the Art of Architecture. As an artist, Sharon has won numerous international photography awards & has been published in esteemed magazines, such as National Geographic. As an educator, Sharon has taught group workshops from New York to Melbourne, as well as online workshops & courses. She has a variety of video tutorials and eBooks & is the founder of Talk-&-Learn, a free one-hour weekly Zoom session for image creation & critique.
Fine Art Photographer | Educator | Author | Engineer
Website | Facebook | Instagram
This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

March 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Bill Vitiello will give a presentation on “The Wet Plate Collodion Process”
2026-03-02 19:00 - 21:00
With over 25 years behind the lens, Bill Vitiello, a new member to BPS, is a photographer whose work bridges the past and present of photographic art. A true craftsman, he works across all film formats — from 35mm and medium format to large format — and is also an accomplished wet plate collodion photographer, keeping one of photography’s earliest processes alive through meticulous, hands-on artistry. Beyond image-making, Bill is an avid camera collector, curating a personal archive spanning the history of photography — from 19th-century brass and mahogany masterpieces to modern mechanical marvels. Among the treasures in his collection is a fully functional 1912 Kodak 7A studio camera, a reminder of the enduring beauty and ingenuity of analog tools. Driven by a deep respect for photographic heritage and a passion for experimentation, Bill continues to explore the interplay between light, chemistry, and time — crafting images that honor the roots of the medium while offering a timeless perspective on the world.
The “tintype” or “wet plate collodion” process is the second oldest form of photography and dates back to the early 1850’s. Bill will share a brief history of the process and what it takes to make a tintype. Through a live demonstration, Bill will share the magic, precision, and unpredictability of this handmade process — from pouring collodion to developing plates in real time.

March 15, 2026 at midnight: Entries are due for the March member photo competition. Dual themes: Still Life for Pictorial and Winter Scene for Nature.
2026-03-15

March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Jared Platt will give a talk on “Perfect Exposures - A Wholistic Approach”
2026-03-16 19:00 - 21:00
In the era of film, we knew that the perfect exposure was not accomplished at the negative alone, but in a combined effort of pre-visualization, camera exposure, negative development, the choice of paper, chemistry, exposure at the enlarger & finally the processing time in the chemistry. This end to end approach to exposure allowed us to take very challenging exposure situations & manage them to get the perfect final print. But somehow, in the transition to digital (like in everything in the digital world) photographers have become laxed & expect that their camera’s sensor should just provide them with the perfect exposure out of the camera. In this talk, Jared will teach us how to approach our exposure problems with a more holistic approach & get the perfect exposure for the perfect final print (or the perfect Instagram post).
Jared Platt is a photographer & writer based in Arizona. He is a master educator with over 25 years of experience teaching photography, lighting & photo editing through CreativeLive & international conferences. Known for simplifying complex concepts, he emphasizes storytelling & critical self-reflection, helping students develop their unique voices. Platt lectures for major companies like Adobe, Canon & Profoto. He is a Profoto Legend of Light, underscoring his industry impact. His courses, such as those on Lightroom, are praised for their practical value, transforming how photographers approach their craft.
Website:
www.jaredplatt.com
This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

March 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM: March Member Competition - Dual Themes - with judge Gail Bisson
2026-03-30 19:00 - 21:00
March 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM: March Member Competition – Dual Themes – with judge Gail Bisson

April 6 2026 -- TBA
2026-04-06 19:00 - 21:00
TBA

April 11, 2026 Green Hills Nature Preserve Sunrise
2026-04-11 06:00 - 08:00
April 11, 2026 Green Hills Nature Preserve Sunrise – meet in the parking lot at 6:00 AM for 6:31AM sunrise. Rain date April 18, 2026 meet at 5:50 AM for 6:21 AM sunrise. Led by Vince Pellegrini

April 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Mark Battista will present “Composition: Shooting With Intent”
2026-04-20 19:00 - 21:00
Why do certain images grab attention, make us think or make us feel emotion in a deep way? Often, it is due to the underlying compositional structure within an image. Mark Battista, artist and fine art photographer, will share his insight on composition to create images that tell a story, effectively communicate an idea & express an emotion. The intentional arrangement of visual elements into a unified, impactful whole is key. When it comes to visual composition, intent is a crucial element. It means making deliberate choices regarding what you include & exclude in your images & how to arrange them. Come explore ways of taking your photography to a whole new level through the use of compositional strategies to create more visually impactful images. Mark’s years of training & working as a painter has influenced how he arranges elements in his photographic images. Discover ways of composing inspired by master painters of the past & learn how to apply those skills to your photographic imagery. Topics covered will include the elements of art; line; shape; color; value; principles of design; creating a focal point through contrast of tone, color or area of focus; point of view/framing a subject; balance & visual weight vs. “rules”.

Mark Battista is a painter & fine art photographer specializing in portrait & still life photography and living in Connecticut. He graduated from Paier College of Art with a B.F.A. & received an M.S. in art education from S.C.S.U. He recently retired from teaching art after 35 years. He is a sought-after speaker who has presented across the US & abroad bringing insight & inspiration to painters & photographers. Mark’s artwork & photography has been internationally recognized & has won awards from organizations such as the Salmagundi Art Club in NYC, the New York Center For Photographic Arts, the American Artists Professional League & the CT Watercolor Society. He recently won the Grand Prize & the Second Place in an international exhibit through nyc4pa. Mark is represented by the Salmagundi Club in NYC. Mark recently published two eBooks titled “The Art of Still Life Photography” & “Composition: Shooting With Intent” which fosters the creation of images with impact and meaning.
Website:
www.markbattista.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/m16battista

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.

May 2, 2026 Intro to Digital Photography Workshops - Part One
2026-05-02 09:00 - 15:00
Intro to Digital Photography Workshops
Once again BPS will be offering a two-part “Intro to Digital Photography” learning experience. These two workshops are designed to give the participants a full understanding of both how their camera works and how to use their camera to capture fabulous images. The workshops will be held on Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 16 from 9AM – 3 PM each day (with a break for lunch).
If you are a beginning photographer, or want to hone your skills even more, this is for you! If you have friends who are interested in photography but don’t know how to get started – let them know. There is a large discount for BPS members, and a chance to join the club and get the discounted price all at the same time.
Register at: http://tinyurl.com/BPSPhotoWorkshop
We hope you will share this with anyone you know who wants to improve their photography understanding and skills.

May 4, 2026 "Developing film"
2026-05-04 19:00 - 21:00
details to follow

May 16, 2026 Intro to Digital Photography Workshops -- Part 2
2026-05-16 09:00 - 15:00
Intro to Digital Photography Workshops
Once again BPS will be offering a two-part “Intro to Digital Photography” learning experience. These two workshops are designed to give the participants a full understanding of both how their camera works and how to use their camera to capture fabulous images. The workshops will be held on Saturday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 16th from 9AM – 3 PM each day (with a break for lunch).
If you are a beginning photographer, or want to hone your skills even more, this is for you! If you have friends who are interested in photography but don’t know how to get started – let them know. There is a large discount for BPS members, and a chance to join the club and get the discounted price all at the same time.
Register at: http://tinyurl.com/BPSPhotoWorkshop
We hope you will share this with anyone you know who wants to improve their photography understanding and skills.

May 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM: Doug Chinnery will present “Working at the Edge of an Unthought”
2026-05-18 19:00 - 21:00
Abstraction is often where clarity falters & imagination begins. Many photographers find themselves uneasy here – between what is seen & what is felt, between subject & sensation. Yet it’s in this uncertain territory that some of the most original & personal work is born.
In this presentation, Doug will explore what it means to see abstractly – to move beyond representation & into perception, intuition & response. Together, we’ll look at how to loosen control, embrace ambiguity & cultivate the mental space where unexpected images emerge. The audience will discover practical ways to translate that awareness into compelling visual form, using their camera & their own sensitivity as creative instruments.
In the second half of this session, Doug will demonstrate how he takes raw, ordinary photographs & transforms them into expressive abstractions, using Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop in unconventional ways that align with his creative intent.
This session is both a meditation & a workshop – a chance to stand at the edge of the un-thought, to look beyond what one know & perhaps to rediscover the excitement of making images that surprise even us.

Doug comes to us from the UK. In Doug’s own words: “I am primarily influenced by & draw inspiration from Abstract Expressionist painters such as Hodgkin, Feiler, Rae & Ryman. My gestural work aims to distil the rhythm, rhyme & flow of the landscape through poetic visual expressions.

With the camera as my principal medium, mirroring my painted mixed-media abstracts, I attempt to create intuitive, abstracted works that layer texture, colour & form to elicit a deeply emotional & expressive response to the natural & built environments.

Living on a remote island in the Outer Hebrides, much of my time is devoted to teaching, especially through our online & app-based creative photography community at fyv.art. I have a passion for creative thinking & relish encouraging students worldwide to discover their own unique artistic voice.

I have exhibited widely in the UK & overseas, have taught in the Photography Degree course at the Bradford College of Art. My first book, ‘Abstract Mindedness’ has now sold out.

When not making art, I derive great pleasure from making (rather poor) furniture & spending time with my wife, Beth, & our exuberant Golden Retriever, Eddie.”

Please check out Doug’s online creative learning and community sites:

doug@dougchinnery.com
www.dougchinnery.com
FYV – find your voice
www.baileychinnery.com

This will be a paid event for non-members with a $10 donation. For non-members interested in attending, please register by making your $10 donation at https://store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.
