Written by Our latest meeting at Dunchurch Photographic Society was a fascinating and very hands-on evening, as we welcomed Liz Peat from Lutterworth Photographic Society to give us an insight into the creative possibilities of photographic textures.
Liz’s talk, Creating and Using Photographic Textures, demonstrated how everyday household items can be used to produce interesting and often surprising textures that can then be incorporated into photographs to give them an entirely different look and feel.
What made the evening particularly interesting was just how accessible the techniques are. Rather than relying on expensive specialist equipment or materials, Liz showed how items that can be found in most kitchens and homes can be transformed into useful photographic resources. Teabags, coffee, flour and a whole host of other everyday materials can all be used to create textures with different colours, patterns and surfaces.
Liz explained how these textures can be photographed and subsequently blended with our own images to add atmosphere, character and visual interest. Used carefully, a texture can completely change the mood of a photograph, helping to create something more artistic and imaginative.
There was plenty of inspiration and food for thought throughout the evening, with Liz demonstrating different approaches and encouraging us to experiment with materials and techniques rather than being afraid to try something unconventional. It was a great reminder that creative photography isn’t always about having the latest equipment — sometimes the most interesting results can start with something as simple as a teabag or a sprinkling of flour!
The talk certainly gave members plenty of ideas to take away and experiment with, and we look forward to seeing some of the resulting creative images in future club meetings.
Many thanks to Liz for an entertaining, informative and inspiring evening.