Our first speaker in 2022 was the very entertaining Chris Floyd who gave us an insight into ‘Celebrity Portraits’. Chris’s passion for photography began as a teenager at school, loving the darkroom processes, using a Pentax inherited from his father. David Bailey portraits, black and white shots of Michael Caine and The Beatles fuelled that desire to pursue a career in photography. Beginning as an assistant learning his craft, Chris’s first solo job was in Manchester meeting a Mr Noel Gallagher. The subsequent image of the ‘new band’ Oasis outside Main Road was printed in ‘Select’ magazine. The anecdotes behind all the images were so interesting. Chris has travelled the world photographing entertainers, actors, politicians and artists and it would be easier to list those people who have not been in front of his lens. However, preferring to photograph the world 100 metre record holder, Asafa Powell he passed on meeting and photographing the upcoming sprinter Usain Bolt. The one that got away, I think.
Chris is most pedantic about the light in his images, and he gave us details and tips to achieve those effects. Many of his portraits have a theme of blue and red, colours that are a signature for him. Do look at Chris’s website www.chrisfloyd.com to see a wealth of stunning images. My favourite images are David Hockney and David Attenborough.
The topic ‘People’ produced a range of images of close-up portraiture as well as a few reportage shots. These will be on the website shortly, so do take a look if you missed the meeting.
Anne Hunsley
www.addphoto.co.uk