I REFER to Martin Urmson’s column in the Journal (From the Art, January 15) and could not let his rather elitist comments that “much photography today strikes me as being “tricksy, shallow and vulgar” pass without a reply.

I gather the impression that he would prefer to see the gallery wall with half a dozen “high art” photographs rather than the current display and I think this indicates he has missed the point of the work shown by Southern Counties Photographic Federation. Their aim is to illustrate the amazing variety of subjects and treatments that your average club photographer is able to produce.

Although there is a competitive element to the exhibition I know of one club which does not show work from their advanced class but from up and coming beginners. Their theory is that for them to see their own creation hanging on a wall in a public gallery is just the encouragement they need to do improve.

Having been a former organiser of this event I know that this approach is greatly appreciated by the general public and Peter Riley, of Salisbury Library Galleries, is to be complimented on permitting this exhibition to be shown and clearly illustrates they are there to cater for every taste.

Whilst I admit the advances in digital photography has made some photographers lazier than when they had to limit their output by the number of images on a film, it has introduced many to this hobby which they would not have contemplated in the days of darkrooms and smelly chemicals.

The majority of photographers still try to “get it right” in the camera at the moment of taking.

However the fact that the image can subsequently be altered by computer software packages has brought a whole new creative wave of members to the one thousand camera clubs who are affiliated to The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. Many of these newcomers are ladies who are, frequently, more creative and would never have considered photography as a pastime before.

I can assure Martin that there are very many photographers in clubs who are producing “fine art” prints which, in my eyes, are far better than some of the inane daubes on canvas which I see on exhibition walls and for sale in art galleries at extortionate prices.

With the advent of cameras built into mobile telephones, iPads etc far more people will begin to realise the potential of photography as a medium to express themselves – perhaps not to the level that Martin would wish – but let us not take from them the thrill of capturing a moment in time which is what we all strive to achieve and then seeing their work displayed for others to enjoy.

Leo Rich

President

PS If you are going along to the library to see what all the fuss is about do not forget Salisbury Camera Club is also running an exhibition of their work in the Guildhall.