Member Profiles
For 2025 and 2026 we have introduced a new section ‘member profiles’ to the website. Here you will see the profiles of Masham Photographic Club members introduced to you with a simple photographic ‘Q & A’ format; from which you can learn a little more about our talented and unique membership.
Thanks to all of our members for taking part and showcasing what a diverse and approachable club we are!
Kendall P
Member
Masham Photography Club
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How did you first become interested in photography?
I have always had an interest in great images that grab your attention and the desire to freeze that moment in time when something catches your eye.
What is you favourite genre?
I would love to say wildlife - but unfortunately I do not have the patience, gumption, equipment or speed to pick that topic.
Therefore I will go with any image that catches my eye - providing it isn't moving.
Film or digital?
100% digital since I take a lot of shots of the same thing, from different angles and then cull them at my leisure.
Colour or B & W?
I prefer the romance of black and white - but take everything in colour and then have a play with the filters at a later time, maybe when I become an adult I will stick with b/w.
How did you become involved with the MPC
I spotted a flyer in Bedale and the mention of accepting camera phone heathens into the club encouraged me to give it a try.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Not really, but if pushed, I would say Simon “Suggy” Sugden since he is very local to the area I used to live and I have visited many of the buildings he captured.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
It would be ‘don't get hung up on the equipment and just photograph whatever catches your eye’. 99% of my images are taken with my phone and the benefit of always having it with me outweighs the benefits of a great camera and lens. A good image is made with the right opportunity and the eye, not that big bag of expensive, confusing equipment
Chris T
Member
MPC
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How did you first become interested in photography?
It was a passing interest before retirement from full time employment – my leaving gift allowed purchase of a Canon D700 kit
What is your favorite genre?
I’d say landscapes and architecture
Film or digital?
Digital to suit my camera
Colour or B & W?
I’m open to both options !!!
How did you become involved with the MPC?
It was a recommendation from an existing Member who lives in North Stainley (Chris Broadbent)
Do you have a favorite photographer?
Not enough knowledge to have a favourite photographer as yet
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
To buy a decent, perhaps used camera kit (as I have) and then join a camera club such as MPC, both from a photography knowledge and social aspect
Victor P
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
As a child I was given my Mum’s old camera when she upgraded. I mostly used slide film and achieved absolutely nothing of note. Nevertheless, I maintained an interest in photography and always wanted a good camera. Finally, as we entered the digital age, I was able to buy a Canon EOS 350D DSLR and found a hobby that was no longer frustrated by my lack of patience, giving me almost instant results. I spent many hours shooting dog sport and more recently expanded into equine work.
What is your favourite genre?
Certainly sports photography with a focus on Dog and Equestrian Sport. I love to capture action shots. I would love to move into portrait work in future.
Film or digital?
Digital beyond a shadow of doubt. I love the model T Ford, but I wouldn’t want one for the run over the M62…
Colour or B & W?
I try to capture the scene as it exists. I see in colour, so I photograph in colour. Occasionally, I will convert an image to monochrome when I feel this can add value, for example by drawing out emotion within the image.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
I blame thank Margaret for that!
Do you have a favourite photographer?
As a working photographer I am constantly looking for inspiration, advice and expertise. For me, it is very important to be current and up to date as I try to compete with the inexorable rise of computational photography in the mobile phones of every spectator at events I cover.
There are many photographers whose work I draw inspiration from. Some examples, in no particular order:
Anne Geier – Dog photographer in Austria
Laura Petermans _ Belgian pet photographer
Kym Illman – F1 photographer who is so closely integrated into the world of F1 that he can share better insights than many media pundits
Audrey Woulard – Portrait photographer in Chicago and Nikon USA ambassador. Uses lighting and shallow depth of field to such great effect
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Do what you want to do and don’t be constrained by what others think photography is. Learn by experience and practice, but also take time to understand the principles of photography as a sound understanding of what your camera is doing will help you make it do what you want.
Kate T
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
Through travel and meeting my wildlife hero who was also a wildlife photographer, Mark Carwardine. I went to Kenya as a student and borrowed a camera which got very disappointing results. I then went back, with a better camera, but couldn’t use it well. A couple of years later I had the opportunity to go to Antarctica on a trip guided by Mark Cawardine, whose environment spot I had listed to as a child on the radio every day. Mark inspired me for a lifetime of exploring the Arctic, for whale watching and wildlife photography.
What is your favourite genre?
Wildlife. I also like minimalism.
Film or digital?
Digital – I did film and developed my own as a student but with poor results.
Colour or B & W?
Colour – some shots suit B&W, some don’t.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
When I moved to Bedale a decade ago I heard about the club through the TIC.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Mark Carwardine is my favourite professional photographer. I also like a couple of club member photography styles (Gordon, Chris…)!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Get the best kit you can afford. Yes, a phone camera can do snapshots but cannot capture the quality of DSLR or mirrorless. And practice, a lot, even if it’s only on your family, dog, local park etc. So when you do get a chance to travel, you know what to do. Remember photography is an art form. To me, composition and framing are 90% of the result. Getting it sharp helps though, and is easier in all light conditions with more expensive kit.
Chris B
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
My Dad and Grandpa used to take slide films on their Voightlander Vito 35mm cameras and I thought I would join in, I was probably aged around 10-12
What is you favourite genre?
I like a bit of everything really, photojournalism, landscapes, street, people in situ; never interested in studio lighting or anything that isn’t spontaneous
Film or digital?
Bit of both, I have gone full circle and am now experimenting and revisiting many previous digital images and locations with a film camera, the same model I originally bought over 40 years ago
Colour or B & W?
B&W mainly, always have digital camera set in B&W and sometimes convert/print in colour
How did you become involved with the MPC?
Andrew Stockham was very kind to me when I came as a guest in the summer of 2021, he persuaded me to join and the next thing I knew, he was moving away and I was doing the website for the next four years!
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Don McCullin was a childhood hero, I still have all his books and went to his retrospective at Tate Britain & Liverpool in 2019/20 numerous times
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Don’t worry about the kit, get outside with any phone or camera and observe the people and things around you, start with the basics of everyday life, just use your eyes and ears to seek out what interests you, then record it forever the way you see it - you are the camera.
John G
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
I firmly believe that learning is recollection and knowledge is buried deep in our soul. And, by this reckoning, we possessed it before we were born. I was a born photographer. It’s something I’ve always been good at. This is just as well as I’ve been good at little else. If you are only good at art at school, what else can you do to make a living? Fortunately, when I was teenager, along with vinyl records and girls, photographers were cool. Bailey seemed to be having a good time.
What is your favourite genre?
I really don’t care. I’ll take anything. These days it’s mostly Landscape work taken on wide angle lens and post-produced in black and white. I strive for emotion and ask questions. I love scowling dramatic skies. My Reportage, formerly in fields of conflict is today Street Photography and in colour only. I use a medium telephoto to compress and isolate layered images. I’m not offered professional work these days.
Film or Digital?
Up until 2002, I worked with Film. Even when it was clear to everyone that the industry was fast moving into digital, I stuck with celluloid. After a gap of 16 years and no photography, I started shooting again. I use a crop frame camera that I bought 18 years and was not the latest digital even then. I always carried a camera wherever I went. You never know what might happen. Today, for those moments in time, never repeated, I carry a phone camera. I only take a few pictures at a time these days, whatever is in my hand or on tripod. I stand around a lot waiting; then it’s click, click and away. Next? I want to put my digital images in a photo book.
Colour or B&W?
Black & White 35mm Tri-x film at the start of my career. Then 5x4 Ektachrome Colour film for commercial work. Back to Tri-X with occasional Kodachrome for Reportage. In between 35mm Movie film.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
I thought after a long gap, I was ready. A lot if it was to do with wanting to share. Masham is not that far from Bedale.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
I have many who I admire. In my areas of interest and in no order: Micheal Kenna for his contemplative and Zen influenced black & white landscapes. Larry Burrows for his brutal Vietnam images and empathy. Saul Leiter for his lack of interest in camera rules or whether the image is in focus. Whose Street Photography is full of colour, makes me happy.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Professionally? Be observant. Be single-minded. Above all be a photo-holic. It’s a rare opportunity to meet so many interesting people and go to interesting places.
As a hobby? Join in. Think of all the interesting people you haven’t yet met? Don’t worry about developing creative skills. Drink tea, eat scones; enjoy.
Joan B
Member
Masham Photographic Club
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How did you first become interested in photography?
When my children were small I borrowed a friends camera and eventually bought a Kodak film camera.
What is you favourite genre?
I like people and street photography
Film or digital?
Digital
Colour or B & W?
Both colour and black and white
How did you become involved with the MPC
Ian Whittaker invited me to join the camera club in 2005
Do you have a favourite photographer?
No
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Keep taking many photos, one half decent photo out of a hundred is a good result!
David M
Competitions Coordinator
Masham Photographic Club
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How did you first become interested in photography?
Taking B&W photos with a Kodak Brownie 127, shortly after that I moved to a Lubitel 2! My father built me a darkroom shed in the garden where I could do my own B&W processing, using an enlarger I had made in my school metalwork class.
What is your favourite genre?
I particularly enjoy landscape, nature and woodland photography.
Film or digital?
I moved with the times and went fully digital in 2002 and haven’t felt the desire to go back.
Colour or B & W?
Colour by default, although very occasionally I will convert an image to B&W.
How did you become involved with the MPC
I’ve had a long-time squash connection with Masham (although I’ve never lived there), so when I was looking for a photo club it was a natural choice. The deal was sealed at my first meeting when Ian Whittaker made me so welcome!.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Not really, in fact I’d be hard pushed to name any, apart from a handful of local professionals!!.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Have a go!! Once you have some basic DSLR equipment try things out (e.g. exposures, timing, lighting etc.) these (digital) days it doesn’t need to cost much.
Janice A
Refreshments Co-Ordinator
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
My dad took loads of family photos on the odd occasion that we went on holiday. Used to love turning all the lights out and watching the slides of us on the beach! I nearly got put off photography; borrowed a camera when I was 7ish to take to a school outing to Peter Scotts’ Slimbridge Wetlands. Eventually shots got printed and my mother was outraged that they were all of birds – where are your friends? she said. Put me off wildlife photography forever! First ‘proper’ Zenit camera at 11/12 years old – not sure what happened to the photos………
What is your favourite genre?
Happy snappy – nature; fungi, flowers, characters across the world, toilets, rainbows, things that make you smile.
Film or digital?
Digital
Colour or B & W?
Colour
How did you become involved with the MPC?
Moved to KM from Harrogate – decision to move from HG club to a more local, relaxed, and friendly club. Masham fitted the bill on all counts!
Do you have a favourite photographer?
No
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Enjoy taking photos but don’t let the photography spoil your enjoyment of the REAL thing, I learnt this the hard way 20 years ago on safari in Africa – after x2 broken cameras I actually started to see the wildlife, and not through a lens!
Matt M
Member
Masham Photographic Club
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How did you first become interested in photography?
In the mid 90’s I was looking for a hobby and visited a local college where they were advertising photography courses in the evenings. It was the same people enrolled on the same courses each term just to use the darkrooms.
What is your favourite genre?
I don’t really have a favourite genre, if a photograph captures my attention, then it doesn’t matter what genre it is.
Film or digital?
Film, always and only film.
Colour or B & W?
I mainly use B&W film, but will use colour if the subjects demands it.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
I was recovering from a depressive illness and needed some motivation to get back into photography so I joined MPC as a form of photo-therapy.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
I like the work of Bob Carlos Clarke and Ross Halfin.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
If you ever get chance to do any printing in an analogue darkroom, take it, there’s nothing like seeing the magic of the image appear on the paper in front of your eyes.
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Bill T
President of
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
Back in Dark Ages with a Kodak Box cameras which cost ten bob, (50p for the younger members)
What is your favourite genre?
Don’t have one, I like variety
Film or Digital?
Digital, I spent years working in a dark room with film, give me digital every time.
Colour or Monochrome?
Depending on what I am photographing, as someone who spent decades shooting black and white I still have a soft spot for it.
How did you become involved in the MPC?
Through meeting Ian Whittaker one day in the Masham Community Office.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Joe Cornish and Nigel Danson for Landscapes, Rachel Bigsby for Wildlife & Richard Tatti for Nightscape,
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography today?
Cameras are a complex piece of technology, learn how to use it, then take lots and lots of images, practice makes perfect. But most important of all, have fun.
Margaret L
Outings Coordinator
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
I retired in 2007 and went on a special trip to India and knew it was important to record what I saw. I just had a 2MP camera in those days.
What is your favourite genre?
Just whatever interests me at the time, it might be the countryside or a city or reflections, depending where I am
Film or Digital?
Digital these days
Colour or Monochrome?
Both, but I do like black and white
How did you become involved in the MPC?
A long time club member, David, is a friend and encouraged me to join the club
Do you have a favourite photographer?
No not really
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography today?
It really doesn’t matter about all the equipment, its your ‘eyes’ that matter
Jane R
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
After having used a camera for many years to record holidays etc. I decided to learn more about photography by taking a course in the subject about 30 years ago.
What is your favourite genre?
I don’t really have one at present.
Film or Digital?
Digital though I have kept a film camera just in case!
Colour of B&W?
I take both, but I am increasingly moving towards B&W.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
When I moved to the area I looked on the internet for Photography Clubs. The MPC was one of the nearest. I sent an e-mail to the Club asking for details and had such a nice response from Tom that I decided to try the Club.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
No. But when I was taking my course I did admire the photographs of those people taking pictures when photography was in its infancy.
What advice would you give someone starting out in photography?
Don’t get too hung up on equipment. Concentrate instead on the composition and what appears in all four corners of the proposed photograph.
John C
Programme Coordinator
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
My Dad bought an Ensign Ful-Vue camera, which had a waist level viewfinder. As a seven year old, I was able to use it to take a few photographs. Unfortunately, it started to let in light through the metal body and, in spite of being repaired, never really performed reliably. In my twenties, I bought a Canon EF SLR with a 50mm prime lens, which took superb photographs. It was very expensive for me at the time but, as they say, you get what you pay for. I still have it.
What is your favourite genre?
Street Photography! My interest began in 2016 when I came along to MPC for the first time. There was a visiting speaker from another Camera Club who gave an excellent presentation on this genre. He belonged to a ‘365 club’ [taking one photograph each day for a year and he had some wonderful images, mainly of street life in Harrogate.
Film or Digital?
I am definitely a fan of digital photography. For me, it is so much more enjoyable. The results are immediate and I’m delighted that the days of waiting for the TruePrint envelope to arrive in the post are well and truly behind me.
Colour or B & W?
Both. I find that some situations lend themselves well to colour, but strong sunlight can produce shadowy, high contrast conditions, which can look superb in black and white.
How did you become involved with MPC?
See above. I was also attracted to the club because it had some excellent speakers. This was the reason I returned and eventually became a member.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
I have several, all of them being Street Photographers, so it is really difficult for me to choose. However, I am currently reading about Garry Winogrand, an American photographer, who took an iconic image of eight people on a park bench at the New York World Fair in 1964. There is so much going on within this photograph and, for me, it is an exceptional street image.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
Stick to using your phone camera for as long as possible. Don’t get hooked into the ‘I must have the best gear’ frame of mind. Phone cameras can take wonderful images and will allow you to be creative in terms of composition, as well as experimenting with the in-phone adjustments. There are some excellent cameras out there for later, but don’t rush into spending large sums of money prematurely. I would also recommend joining a good camera club, like MPC. There is so much to be learned from other members, as well as being able to share experiences.
Jayne F
Communications Coordinator
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
I can’t remember how or why I got interested, it was so long ago. I was about 12 years old when I asked for a camera for Christmas and my parents kindly bought me a good compact camera which saw me through until I was in my early 20s.
I took a lot of photographs in that time, travelled a lot, studied in Germany and France, and worked for a year in Germany as part of my degree course, so the camera was put to good use. I bought a Pentax ME SLR as soon as I took up a teaching post after university, and then later added a wide angle and zoom lens. Shortly afterwards in 1986 I visited Soviet Russia – Leningrad, Yalta and Moscow – and captured some amazing shots.
What is your favourite genre?
I take photos of anything that catches my eye and that I want to keep a record of!
However, analysing my photo albums I guess I lean towards landscapes and in particular sunsets and sunrises, although not the summer 04.45 sunrises!
Film or digital?
Definitely digital, it is so easy to take a lot of photos and delete without it costing loads of money. It also offers the opportunity to amend photos so I don’t have wonky horizons!
Colour or B & W?
I usually take colour photographs but some are suited to black and white, it is good to experiment! Black and white photographs with suitable content can be really striking!
How did you become involved with the MPC?
I was one of the original members of MPC, I think in about 2004. I was a member for a few years when we used to meet in the room behind the King’s Head. Work and family life were taking up a lot of my time and energy so I left off for a while. I rejoined in about 2008 from what I remember, but then went to work abroad in 2013. I came back to the club shortly after COVID when we didn’t have many members at all, I recall David and Gordon looking at me in relief as a new member offering to pay up entered the room!
Do you have a favourite photographer?
No, I don’t have a favourite photographer, and nor do I research photographers. I enjoy my own photography and that of our club members.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?
I would say to take photographs of whatever you fancy and play around with different angles and lights. I think in the beginning I would set the camera on auto mode and just enjoy the results, see where it takes you. Advice can always be sought online and from club members if the beginner wants to pursue to slightly more technical.
Anthony W
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
My Dad was a keen photographer who as well as taking photographs used to develop his own black and white film and then produce the prints.
I found it fascinating watching the picture appear on the paper in the tray of developing fluid. As my interest developed into taking photographs my parents gave me my first camera which was a secondhand Kodak. After that my Dad got his first SLR so I was handed down his Voigtlander which served me well for many years.
What is your favourite genre?
I am an aviation photographer which combines my interest in aircraft and photography.
I also enjoy landscape, architecture and general photography.
Film or digital?
I started out with film and then went onto digital around 2003. As digital cameras improved over the years I have used film less and less owing to the versatility of digital.
Colour or Monochrome?
Initially monochrome, then we went onto colour slides and colour prints, now use both. I think monochrome can be used to create more atmosphere in certain situations.
How did you become involved with the MPC?
I was thinking about joining a photographic club and we saw an advert for MPC on Crakehall parish notice board.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
Aviation - Jonathan Saull
Landscapes – Nigel Danson and Mads Peter Iversen.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography today?
Before buying lots of expensive gear most phones have reasonable cameras so go out and take lots of photos of things that interest you. Your choice of camera system depends on where your main interest may be. Join a camera club where you will find the members friendly and keen to help.
James H
Member
Masham Photographic Club
How did you first become interested in photography?
I have been interested in photography since I was a child. My father had a darkroom and I used to play in there with black and white. I took my photography more seriously when I took a career break in 2011. This was when I purchased my first digital camera and got into post processing, which I believe to be an integral part of modern photography.
What is your favourite genre?
Landscape. I think I will always be primarily a landscape photographer but I would like to learn more about other genres.
Film or Digital?
Digital. Digital facilitates multiple exposure techniques and it’s just too expensive to experiment and learn with film.
Colour or Monochrome?
I produce both colour and black and white images but I always shoot in colour and, for images that suit it, I convert to black and white in post processing as I believe this gives greater control over the final tones in the image. I have also this year experimented with shooting in infrared which has been a great experience.
How did you become involved in the MPC?
By recommendation.
Do you have a favourite photographer?
I admire the work of Joe Cornish.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography today?
Get a camera and learn how to use it and how it produces images, and at the same time learn about post processing. It doesn’t have to be the latest and most expensive camera – as the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. Watch other people and don’t be afraid to ask what they are doing and why. They will be willing to share! Ask for help if you need it or for clarification when necessary to help your understanding. Look to the web to enhance your knowledge. There are so many excellent tuition videos online about all aspects of photography. Above all, practice makes perfect - remember the 10,000 hour rule.
