STAN BEWICK AFIAP (Published Mar 1997)
Stan has had an interest in photography for most of his life. He started with a Box Brownie taking mainly landscape. From the start he did his own developing and printing, initially with help from his Father. A home made enlarger was used for the printing. A VPK camera followed the Brownie and then whilst in Egypt a 2¼" square camera was purchased. In 1967 a Pentax was obtained and brand loyalty to this manufacturer continues to the present time.
Club life started in 1957 when Stan joined Tynemouth Photographic Society in order to further his interest in photography. He is still an active member of the society. During the early years with the club he found that his work, in Banking outside of the local area, meant that he could not attend as often as desired. However in 1963 a transfer of employment to Gateshead enabled a more active club life to begin, including entering the competitions. Around this time he also started working with colour materials.
In 1967 Stan was elected onto the Tynemouth committee as Assistant Competition Secretary. Two years later he took over from Jane Black as the society's Secretary. A job he held for five years before becoming President. After his term as President and then Past President he moved into the post of Syllabus Secretary and is still in charge of this office. Therefore, this year Stan completes thirty years of committee service at Tynemouth.
The first real connection that Stan had with the N.C.P.F. was when he attended the 1968 A.G.M. prior to becoming Tynemouth's Secretary. In 1971 he was elected to the Executive as a member from the floor. He attended the Federation's first course held at Beamish Hall in May 1972. It was at this event that the President, Tom Fearn, suggested that Stan might like to edit the proposed Federation Newsletter. Stan accepted the challenge of getting the new venture off the ground and continued the task for four years, producing eight issues. This was followed by a five year term as Federation Secretary then one year elected from the floor before becoming Vice President. In 1984 Stan became President of the N.C.P.F.
After his Presidential years Stan did not disappear into the background, but maintained an active Federation presence. He served for about 10 years on the Social Sub-Committee and a similar period on the Judges Sub-Committee. He is still involved on the International and also the Clubs Championship Sub-Committees. Additionally he is the Federation Archivist maintaining a comprehensive record of Federation activities, which incidentally contain many fascinating items especially when contrasted with current times. Stan is also Chairman of the Centenary Committee, working hard to try and ensure that the Federation's centenary celebrations are both memorable and also worthy of the occasion.
Stan regards colour printing as his main photographic interest, though he enjoys all aspects of the hobby. Likewise when it comes to subject matter he is an all rounder, though Landscape is still probably his favourite. However, recently there has been an increasing interest in nature, primarily in the field of Flora in natural habitat. Readers will surely remember Stan's excellent Alpine Crocus pictures which have had considerable success in the International and the Annual Competitions in recent years.
Amongst his photographic achievements Stan still derives pleasure from his first Federation award when, as an Intermediate Section competitor in his club he had a monochrome print accepted for the portfolio. As he says "There is something special about your first award". In his early competition days he was happy to accept the challenge of trying to match and surpass the work of people with very much superior printing equipment. Never daunted or discouraged he strived until he reached his goal. His most successful period as far as competition results are concerned was during the 1970's. During the 80's illness in the form of a stroke intervened, though with his usual determination Stan fought back and refused to let it stop his photography. Quite a large part of his photography is done on holiday and he has had to cut down on the amount of equipment he carries. As a consequence he has stopped taking his Mamiya which used to alternate between colour negative and monochrome film stock. Now he concentrates on colour slides and obtains his prints from these via reversal paper. For some time now Stan has been a prolific entrant in International Exhibitions around the world. He has had numerous acceptances and awards. These enabled him to achieve another goal he had set himself, that of gaining the award of A.F.I.A.P.
Although photography plays a major part in Stan's life it is not his only interest. Gardening also holds much interest for him. Anyone who has worked at the International selection weekend will probably have tasted Stan's home grown tomatoes, one of the highlights of the weekend!. Here we have a man who knows what he wants to achieve and will work to achieve it. If he had been paid for all the hours he has put in on behalf of the Federation members then he would be a millionaire. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Stan, and his like, for the work they do to help our hobby.
Alan Porrett