BETTER known for her role as publican and event organiser in the past, Tamworth’s Joan Douglas has found another avenue on which to focus – photography.
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That newfound interest has earned the modest “just point and shoot” shutterbug a blue ribbon in the photography section of this year’s Tamworth Show.
The winning entry depicted a motorcyclist at a recent Harley Davidson Rally in Tamworth.
“I just panned him riding past. I didn’t think it anything special but someone obviously liked it. I won the B grade at camera club with it, now I’ve gone up to A grade,” she quipped.
Mrs Douglas has unwound somewhat from her involvement with The Pub Group and her tag as events organiser, and is now in the “background with family”, particularly with her mum Jean Pannan who will turn 100 shortly.
“I got the photography bug a couple of years ago when my sister-in-law, Marg Pannan, moved back to Tamworth, Mrs Douglas said.
“I’d always been a keen point-and-shoot type who always seemed to be the one taking happy snaps at family events, but I knew absolutely nothing about the technical side of photography.
“Marg suggested I join the local camera club. After some hesitation, I agreed, and am so glad I did. They’re a wonderful bunch of people, a diverse group who all share a common interest.
“But I knew nothing, they were amazed at my first question ‘what is an F stop?’ “I’m probably not much better now, but I love it.
“I won my first B grade competition after only two months in the club.”
Mrs Douglas said she’s “inspired” by club members, particularly local professional Digby Brown, whom she considers ‘my mentor from day one’.
“I’d love to improve on my portraits, but at the moment, I really like taking unusual things – more creative things. I still haven’t found my niche, but I’m surrounded by some wonderful members who give me plenty of inspiration.”
Tamworth Show Photography Results
Open Section -Black and White
1st – JenelleGermon
2nd – Leah Meyer
HC – Nicki Hayes
Black and White Land- Waterscape
1st – Di Hall
2nd – Sue Jaggar
HC – Tony Green
Black and White – Action
1st – Joan Douglas
2nd – Di Hall
HC – Leah Meyer
Black and White – Architecture
1st – Sharon Gosson
2nd – Sue Jagger
Black and White – Animals
1st and Special Award – Sue Jaggar
2nd – Jenelle Germon
HC – Lyn Stevenson
Black and White – Any Other Subject
1st – Ruth Penfold
2nd – Carmel Metcalf
HC – Sharon Gosson
HC – Tony Green
Open Section – Colour Portrait
1st – Sue Jagger
2nd – Leah Meyer
Colour – Landscape/Waterscape
1st – Allara Bamforth
2nd – Di Hall
HC – Sharon Gosson
HC – Joan Douglas
Colour – Action
1st – Sue Jaggar
2nd – Allara Bamforth
HC – Alex Phelps
HC – Chris Plevey
Colour – Architecture
1st – Tony Green
2nd – Lyn Stevenson
Colour – Flora
1st – Neville Ritchie
2nd – Vicki Hayes
HC – Sue Jaggar
HC – Cathy Mitchell
Colour – Animals
1st – Helen Pollock
2nd – Alex Phelps
HC – Alana Johnson
HC – Sue Jaggar
Colour – Sunset, Sunrise or Clouds
1st – Tony Green
2nd – Tony Green
HC – Sue Jaggar
Colour – Rural Scene
1st – Tony Green
2nd – Tony Green
HC – Di Hall
Colour – Any other subject
1st – Sue Jaggar
2nd – Joan Douglas
Reserve Champion Open –
Helen Pollock
Champion Open – Joan Douglas
Junior – Fun Photos
1st – Lauren Gillan
2nd – Anya Pilcher
3rd – Lindsay Burns
HC – Amanda Penfold
Junior – Animals
1st – Georgia Staniland
2nd – Cathy Mitchell
3rd – Amanda Penfold
HC – Annaliese Collins
Junior – People
1st – Lauren Gillan
2nd – Amanda Penfold
3rd – Cameron Ware
Junior – Sunrise, Sunset or Clouds
1st – Lauren Gillan
2nd – Sarah McIlveen
Junior – Any Other Subject
1st – Ella Power
2nd – Amanda Penfold
3rd – Annaliese Collins
HC – Georgia Douglas
Junior Reserve Champion – Ella Power
Junior Champion – Georgia Staniland
