Bonar Bridge photographer achieves major award
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An amateur photographer from Sutherland has just achieved a major success.
Sheila McKenzie from Bonar Bridge has been awarded a prestigious Associate Distinction by the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS).
The society offers three levels of distinction and this is the second highest level. It requires a dedicated and high level of photographic skill to achieve.
Sheila joined the East Sutherland Camera Club in 2017 and, always someone to take up a challenge, embarked on what proved to be a great learning experience.
She submitted a panel of 15 images in the Natural History section for assessment in April this year. The layout of the panel is as important as each individual image. The images need to be balanced in colour, tone and form.
Sheila said: “I am particularly proud that all the photographs were taken in East Sutherland over four years as often natural history photographers look for the exotic abroad rather than the what is on their doorstep.”
She added: “I usually photograph alone as I am quite slow to get things right. There is also a lot of hanging around to catch birds and even a sympathetic companion would quickly get bored.
“I visited Dornoch Point on several occasions to get the shot of snow buntings, winter migrants, which settle for only short periods. I was determined to catch them.”
Sheila explained that photographing wildflowers on the other hand involved a lot of time spent on hands and knees, moving around to get the right angle, clearing away bits of grass and twigs, waiting for the right light and often being asked if she was okay or needed help!
She described the many peaceful summer afternoons spent sitting with her dogs by the ponds in the Gearachoille, Skelbo and Rosehall woods waiting for the dragonflies and damselflies to settle near her.
Like most photographers, she uses post-processing software like Photoshop but with natural history images only tiny blemishes or artefacts may be removed.
This is one reason why she spends so much time getting the shot just right before she takes it. She commented that she has had to delete hundreds of images along the way, usually because they were poorly focused or exposed, which was exasperating when you knew you may not have a second chance.
Sheila said: “I am honoured to have been awarded the distinction Associate Specialist of the Royal Photographic Society.
“As a retiree I have had the time and opportunity to take up this hobby. I have made great friends and had the best fun. And I notice more.”
