Speaker last Friday evening was Chris Warren, whose work we may well have seen on more than one occasion. Chris is a 'stock photographer' whose work is destined for the picture libraries and the big European photographic agencies. From there the pictures appear on magazine covers, holiday brochures, newspapers, calendars, postcards, television adverts, and many more publications worldwide.
His professional life began in the RAF where he became a ground photographer taking pictures of royal visits, air-sea rescues and technical subjects.
After leaving the RAF, he became a photographer with the Western Telegraph, doing weddings, portraits and general newspaper items.
At this time he sent a portfolio of Welsh images to an agency which were well received and this was the start of his work in stock photography.
Chris began with images taken on film, but has now transferred to computer and hard drive.
He travels around Europe taking mood pictures, lifestyle, architecture and any subject that will sell to an agency.
Members saw remarkable examples of his images, from a New York skyline at night with afterburn, to a Parisian café shot, the Eiffel Tower, Snowdonia, the very modern Salford Quays, Fuerteventura in the Canaries and numerous others. There were shots of Prague with its many bridges, Lisbon with its monuments and fountains, Venice in winter, the mosaics in Barcelona, flowers in Majorca and glimpses of other cities of Spain.
Returning to Britain, the Oxford spires and the Dorset countryside were some of the 'home' images seen before coming back to Wales where Chris's photographs took his audience from the Brecon Beacons to the Welsh Assembly and westwards to Tenby Harbour where the journey ended.
Chris Warren's photography was superb and his interesting commentary made this a very rewarding and enjoyable evening.
Tonight (Friday), John Beynon and friends will entertain with 'Some Men and Women.'
Non-members are welcome at 8 pm in Church House. Admittance £2 (£1 for members). Tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.