Welshot Focus - Issue 3 - October 2017

MEMBER SINCE: SEPTEMBER 2015
Would you like to introduce yourself to the
readers?
Hi! I'm Sue Mannings (I'm only "Susan" if I've been naughty). I
was born and grew up in South Wales and came to Liverpool
to get my degree and train to be a teacher. I met my OH at
College after which we stayed in Liverpool, married, taught
or worked in education and have one brilliant son (not that
I'm biased) and wonderful daughter-in-law - oh and a granddog,
Philly, a beautiful rescue greyhound who has a penchant
for squirrels which has got us into a few painful scrapes ( but
that's another story). Next year, we celebrate 40 years of
wedded.......now, what's the word again?
How long have you been a member?
Ive been a member of Welshot since 2015 after attending a
Snapshot Day in Liverpool and was hooked! It was the best
move I've ever made in my photography journey.
What made you take the plunge and join?
My late father was a keen amateur photographer when I was
growing up and he used to let me help him in our converted
box room- darkroom. I remember watching the magic happen
as the images slowly came through and can still smell the
wonderful smell of the developing chemicals he used. Ive
always enjoyed taking photographs but after his death I
wanted to take it up "properly" in his honour and carry on
doing something he loved. Welshot gave me the opportunity
to live my dream! From the first second I was introduced to
great people who made me so welcome and who inspired and
supported me and gave me the opportunity to turn my dream
into a reality through so many photographic opportunities,
learning so much, making good friends and having great fun in
the process.
Have you ever given one of your photos to somebody as a
gift? (And did you buy them a frame, or did they have to fork
out for one themselves?)
Yes, a few times. It sounds a bit big-headed, doesn't it? Most
recently, inspired my images Ive seen elsewhere, I took a
close-up photograph of my wedding ring balanced upright
on an Bible open at Saint Paul's " love is...." reflection, lit and
shot in such a way to make the ring's shadow look like a heart.
I mounted it on silver card, added a couple of hearts and an
insert and gave it to my OH this Valentine's Day. It's still on the
mantelpiece. I was actually pretty chuffed with that!
member FOCUS
ACADEMY EVENTS:
WELSHOT ACADEMY EVENINGS
AT CHESTER & ELLESMERE PORT.
FAVOURITE GENRE: URBAN,
MACRO,
STREET,
CREATIVE,
PORTRATURE
Sue Mannings
From that, what would you say is your
favourite genre?
I keep asking myself that, but I really do
love all-things photography. I do enjoy
getting up close and personal (if you'll
pardon the expression) with Macro
photography so if I were pushed, I'd say
macro, though cityscapes and portraits
come a close second.
What’s been your favourite Welshot
event so far?
Oh my! There have been so many brilliant
events, but I think Dark Beauty which
took me out of my comfort zone and
really challenged me creatively and where
I took some of my favourite photographs
and I loved love loved Welshot Does
Shakespeare! The costumes, the models
and the venue! Wow!
What do you love most about your
camera?
That it enables me to capture a moment
in time.
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Somebody gives you a film camera and says you’ve got to
take a shot an hour for 24 hours. What would be find on the
film once it was developed?
Ooh. That's hard. One of two things - probably some of my
favourite creatures from Chester Zoo which would have to
include at least one close-up of a giraffe, elephants at play,
a meerkat and the obligatory macro shots of butterflies and
mini poisonous frogs. If not, Chester Zoo, then it would be
location shots of Liverpool near the Waterfront which is a
photographer's dream - usually from a bit of a quirky angle so
they're a little bit different.
And finally, as a Liverpool girl, are you a
blue or a red?
Haha!!! Neither. As a South Wales girl, I'm
definitely a red- as in the Wales Rugby
team. As an adopted Liverpudlian I
haven't a clue about football, I'm afraid.
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