COWAL Camera Club has launched its new season with a busy programme of meetings, competitions and presentations.
Members returned on Monday, September 14, when the new programme got under way with short presentations on wildlife and landscape photography.
The evening also gave members an opportunity to catch up over coffee and nibbles and share stories from their photographic activities over the summer.
The club begins the season on the back of success in the Scottish Photographic Portfolio, with a number of its members gaining acceptances in the competition.
Andrew Daw, Bernard Ormrod, Sybil Baldwin, Adam Heath, David Lawson, Lesley McKay, Isabella Hillhouse and George Spence all had work accepted.
Cowal Camera Club also performed strongly in the club standings, finishing 17th out of 33 clubs in the Mono Prints section and ninth out of 29 clubs in both the Digital and Colour Print sections.
A week later, members welcomed back regular visitor and popular speaker and judge Boyd Meiklejohn, from Ayr, who took his audience on a photographic journey through India.
Boyd had considered visiting the country for several years, but his first planned trip was delayed by the Covid pandemic. He eventually made the journey two years ago before returning for a second visit in February this year.
During his travels, he opted for homestays and small hotels, often with no more than five guest rooms and with the owners living on the premises.
He told members the experience offered a more personal insight into life in India and recommended the style of accommodation to other travellers.
His photographs took the audience to some of the country’s best-known historic sites, including the Amber Palace in Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, Agrasen Ki Baoli stepwell and Chand Baori.
The latter is one of India’s most striking stepwells, featuring around 3,500 narrow steps across 13 levels and descending approximately 30 metres below ground, with its oldest sections dating from around the eighth century.
Another destination Boyd had hoped to photograph was the Meenakshi Temple, although his visit coincided with extensive repainting work which meant the temple was covered in scaffolding.
His photographs and stories from the two trips provided an entertaining evening for members and helped kick off another packed season for the Dunoon-based club.
Cowal Camera Club meets throughout the season at the Community Sheds Wellness Room at Unit 2, 8 Hamilton Street, Dunoon.
Photographers of all levels are welcome, from those taking pictures on smartphones to experienced DSLR users.
Details of forthcoming speakers, events and membership are available from the Cowal Camera Club website.
