Wooler, Camera Club

Wooler Camera Club was treated to a fascinating presentation entitled A Passion for Nature, by Phil Mclean, a semi-professional photographer from Berwickshire.

With over 200 images, subjects included gannets collecting seaweed, otters, red squirrels, barn owls, garden birds, feathers, fungi, leaves and grass. All were captured in the finest detail and revealed the infinite variety of colour and form in creatures and plants that we see every day.

The importance of avoiding distracting backgrounds was emphasised. This ensures that the subject matter stands out and is the focus of the picture.

All of the photographs were taken within a 50-mile radius of Mr Mclean’s home at Chirnside, many in his garden, showing that travel to exotic places is not necessary to find subjects and take spectacular images.

Phil has won awards for his photographs nationally and locally, and his work has appeared in books, magazines and calendars. His passion for nature certainly rubbed off and inspired members to look more closely at the commonplace.