27th February – Peter Downs Imagination Let Loose.

​Peter Downs, the Programme Secretary of Morpeth Camera Club, presented his talk about abstract photography to CCC members on 27th February. He explained that he has had a lifelong love for and background in art, and this appeared to inform and inspire his approach to creating abstract images from the photographs he takes. Peter explained that he captures photographs using the Automatic setting on his camera and then spends time manipulating them in a variety of computer software programmes, including Photoshop 25, Nik and a range of Topaz programmes. Sometimes Peter spends many hours creating a single abstract image from a either a single original photograph or from a composite of multiple photographs.
 
Peter explained that he does not use a single process to create his abstract shots and that it is at varying stages of the processes that he decides the theme which he will adopt to produce his final creation. This is a freewheeling approach in which he finds himself totally engrossed!
 
It was acknowledged by Peter that his abstract creations do not appeal to everybody, including all photography judges. Some photographers tell Peter that they would struggle to find the courage to manipulate and display the images he produces. However, Peter told us that he produces images, first and foremost, for himself and so this empowers him to not be overly concerned about how others view them.  
 
Our members enjoyed Peter's talk and his images as he challenged and informed our views of photography. Some of his concepts, shapes and colours were striking. Inevitably, as individuals our members liked some of Peter's images more than others, but we all felt that his talk was really interesting, and it was well appreciated.
 
Ray Barnes
Programme Secretary