A PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition by adult education students is running at Salisbury Library or the rest of this month.

The work, by students of creative photography at Wiltshire College displays a wide variety of subjects from landscapes and portraits to still life and intimate environmental studies.

The photographers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences but there is no doubting the quality of the work on display.

One, Tim Markey, a retired GP, was recently awarded his Licentiate Distinction (LRPS) by the Royal Photographic Society, one of the most prestigious photographic societies in the world with head offices in Bath.

Five photographs are self portrait studies by 54-year-old Sarah Dow, who knows a thing or two about survival.

Having successfully come through treatment and surgery for her fourth cancer in 2013, she came to Wiltshire at the end of the following year.

Sarah said: "Last September I signed up to three terms of Creative Photography study at Wiltshire College Salisbury, part of their adult education curriculum. The photographers I met there are amazing people and I am grateful for their patience, advice, ideas, humour and friendship during our weekly evening sessions.

"I had started taking photographs of myself when a third cancer and other traumatic issues turned my world on its head - I'm sure partly as a way of processing the changes to my body and in my life.

"Over time, though, it became clear that I wanted to make portraits that were more visceral, that reached for the person inside, whoever she might be that day. I wanted to show emotional healing, acceptance, and peace, not just scars.

"Survivors of trauma, whether it be war, disease, abuse, loss, are often portrayed as proud and scarred warriors. And we are. But we live in the real world where life goes on along with The Archers and the school run. Everyone weathers dark storms in life, and we're rarely the same after. But if we are lucky, we find a place of calm in the aftermath".

The exhibition is in The Lounge and Gallery 4 on the first floor at Salisbury Library until September 30.