2020 has certainly been a year like no other, and Norton Radstock Photographic Society member, Pamela Bruce Lockhart, chose the title, ‘A Year in my Life’ for her entertaining, illustrated talk to members, on what was our penultimate club Zoom of the year.

We were aware of Pamela’s enduring love of travel that she combines with photography as often as possible, exploring far flung place in her quest for the unusual. Sadly, her planned trips to India and to Canada have had to be put on hold this year. Whilst before the Covid lockdown in the early months of 2020 Pamela was able to follow her passion, and we were treated to photos and anecdotes from Bedgellert in North Wales to Barcelona in sunny Spain, thereafter she has been forced to operate closer to home, experimenting with new ideas that plumb the depths of her new-found creativity. The beautiful photos of the intriguing Welsh ponies with their flowing manes amidst the haunting, mountain landscapes were a taste of things to come in what was a most interesting evening. Many details catch Pamela’s photographic eye, and her lively commentary brought the festival and fantasy of sunnier, Spanish climes to life on a damp and dreary, December evening.

Post lockdown, the club challenges have made the family garden with its flowers, squirrels and birds a source of inspiration. Techniques of intentional camera movement and unusual viewpoints are clearly things that Pamela has enjoyed and mastered. The walks too, have provided food for thought, and for her insatiable eye for detail. A particular delight was Pamela’s take on what she called her “Magic Mushroom” walks with Diana – creativity in the making, together with the reflections on riverside walks in Bath and abstractions within the paper challenge.

We also know that Pamela has a passion for dogs, and for Greyhounds in particular. Her photos of her rescued pups in action were varied, and show her skill for portraying their various characters and quirks. Together with her tales of their escapades and of the fun she and her husband have with them, we sympathised with the plight of many, and shared her love of the unusual through the Lurcher breed, described as “anything crossed with a greyhound.”

It was a night we all enjoyed, and again illustrates what varied and interesting personalities and talents we have in our Society!

Next week we shall see just how much they know when we engage with a Photographic Christmas Quiz, in an evening organised traditionally on the last meeting before Christmas by the Chair.

Members were reminded that entries for Picture of the Year are due in on the first evening back in January, and reassured that whilst we cannot yet enjoy a celebration meal together, as soon as it is safe to do so, we will hold our presentation evening for 2020, and show the entries as we always do.

Jenny Short