BEHIND The Lens today focuses on Dennis Hunt, 71, who lives in Shoreham with his wife Patricia. They have a daughter and two grandsons. Brighton-born Dennis was an air conditioning design and applications manager but is now retired.
When and why did you get into photography?
I started at senior school. I had a newspaper delivery job (The Argus of course) and the shop owner was also a professional photographer and he started the interest. I started with film cameras. I had a compact Kodak and a Minolta X700, plus an Exacta but didn’t do any processing and with little or no knowledge of how to do things correctly gradually lost interest due to poor results. A few years after digital became more commonplace I bought my first dslr, a Canon 400D. My biggest progression was when I joined a camera club some 20 years ago. In 2015 I joined the Royal Photographic Association and in September of that year made my submission for my LRPS, which is their first level of distinction. You submit a harmonising panel of ten images which are judged by a silent panel of four, very nerve racking. I was fortunate to pass the board at my first attempt. In 2014, with a few others, I founded Adur Photographic Society. Our philosophy is to provide a knowledge base on the fundamentals and how to apply them in practice. Unlike most clubs we do not have the added stress of competitions. We have had to adapt from an indoor meeting to an online club.
What do you love about taking photographs?
There is no simple answer but, to summarise, it allows me to visit many great locations to seek out subjects and capture a fleeting moment in time or a location or weather condition which can never be repeated. I enjoy the creative elements that can be achieved by use of filters to give long exposures and love trying new techniques to vary the style, whether it works out or not.
Where is your favourite place to take pictures?
I have been fortunate to have been to many places with my camera... New York, Bermuda, South Korea, Spain, Italy... but possibly my favourite would be Iceland. It has something around every turn be it mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, isolated churches, icebergs on the beach and with ever-changing weather every shot will be unique.
I have a photo buddy and we have been going away for a week of pure photography for years. We have stayed in the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia, Northumberland and will be going to the Isle of Skye this year.
What equipment do you use?
My digital equipment from the start was Canon but about six years ago I developed tennis elbow in both arms and couldn’t handle grip the bulky and heavy body. I changed my equipment and now use Olympus and I have the EM1 Mk11 plus a range of pro spec lenses. I also use Nisi filters extensively whether for light balancing or to enable ultra-long exposures. I very much enjoy post processing and use Lightroom and Photoshop.
Why did you join the Argus Camera Club?
I have always taken The Argus and was probably one of the earliest members. I enjoy sharing my photography with the wider public otherwise my thousands of images would largely stay unseen on my computer.
Through the feedback received it seemed that people like my images and this prompted me to start exhibiting and selling my photographs. For many years now I have had a one-man exhibition at the Holmbush Centre twice a year. I’m fairly certain I will be back there this November.
Any tips for others?
Given the amount of time I have wasted in the distant past, I think a thorough understanding of your camera and its functions is essential to be able to fully benefit from how these can be used creatively and get out of full auto where you are letting the camera decide on so many functions. With the basics known and appreciated then it’s a case of practice, practice and yet more practice.
There are hundreds of videos and tutorials online but nothing beats having someone you can directly ask for assistance or guidance. Being part of a club where there are people of the same skill level and where more experienced members are happy to give their time is, and has been, invaluable.
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