PAT EVANS BPE2*,CPAGB (Published Mar 1998)
The catalyst for Pat's interest in photography was her Father. He was the first Chairman of Workington C.C. in 1959. Pat recalls him demonstrating how to do contact prints by holding them up to the kitchen light. Later he spent hours in the little bedroom which had become his darkroom. Pat was not interested in photography at that time, but it no doubt sowed the seeds that would germinate later in life. In 1963 she joined Workington Camera Club, following her friend Sheila who was very enthusiastic and the interest grew from then on. In 1966 she began entering competitions and also became club Secretary, through which she got to know a lot of friends in photography.
Pat has remained a member of Workington club throughout her years in photography and has been on the committee continuously since 1976. Amongst her years on the committee she has held the posts of Secretary (total of 8 years) and Competition Secretary (total of 7 years) and is currently General Secretary. She has also been involved with Copeland (Whitehaven) club for the last two years.
When asked about how her photography has developed over the years Pat says "It hasn't", though anyone who has seen her images would disagree with that statement. She says "I enjoy taking pictures (or wasting film!) and seeing the results. Sometimes I hope to get 35 masterpieces out of 36 images! (hasn't happened yet)". {There's still time so don't give up hope; editor.}
A "candid" lens provides great fun. It is often used at the local shows to try and get natural and relaxed outdoor "candids". However it is difficult working through a mirror and by the time everything is ready the subject has generally moved or someone gets in the way. Pat has always preferred slides, but over the last few years has been taking prints and having them commercially processed. She learnt a bit about black and white printing during a course which unfortunately only lasted a year. Landscape photography is Pat's prime interest but local agricultural shows, with their sheep judging, shearing, fell running and hound trails are also enjoyed. The one subject that Pat can not really get interested in is studio portraiture.
Pat enjoys all competitions from the monthly Club comps to the Federation Annual comps and also National and International Exhibitions. She finds the judges comments are generally instructive and helpful, whilst the external competitions provide a comparison of your own standard with that of others. The most satisfying result came in 1988 with the first win in an external competition for "Best of Cumbria". Another memorable moment was when she won one of the top prizes in British Nuclear Fuels National Competition, which resulted in the publication of their book "West Cumbrian Views". The most satisfying non competition moments are provided by seeing the continual change of light in the Western Lakes, particularly in Autumn and Winter.
Pat uses her pictures to illustrate articles which she writes for a magazine. She enjoys gardening and used to do some flower arranging but this seems to have been taken over by more interest and work in photography. Pat puts a great deal of effort in behalf of other photographers. Not only does she work hard for her own club, but she is also very active in the Western Area and is one of the people who have played a major part in raising the profile of the area in recent years. She also works very hard for the Federation as Competition Secretary (Slides). With all this work it is surprising that there is any time left for photography, but fortunately for us she still manages to turn out some beautiful images for us to enjoy viewing. Pat does not really have any long term objectives in photography, she just wants to continue pottering around the Lakes and fells and taking pictures. I am sure we all wish her many years of enjoyment in her wonderful part of the country, she deserves it after all the time and effort she has given for others.
Pat Porrett LRPS