Personal Profile _ Helen Herbert

      Helen's interest in photography commenced in 1979 when her husband presented her with a Canon A1 for Christmas. This transpired because she had threatened to throw out an old Gnome Enlarger, which was cluttering up much needed storage space. (Bill had himself as a young man been interested in photography but did not pursue it.)

      Not being a technically minded person and because her camera the A1 being perhaps the equivalent of today's latest technology, she joined Maryport Camera Club, mainly to learn how to use the camera. Image making never entered her head as she thought happy snaps were the result of using a camera.

      Very gradually Helen mastered the programmes and started entering Club Competitions. Initially starting with slides, then, in the knowledge there was an enlarger lying around, she attempted Black and White. At the outset this proved difficult, and Helen had to go to great lengths to blackout a large kitchen window, tape up doors, and threaten her children not to enter once this was done. Nowadays, Helen works in the attic, which is says Helen, like a furnace in the summer, or a freezer in the winter!.

      Over the time her interest grew, and another body was acquired (mechanical of course!) to enable Helen to take both colour and Black and White. However she soon became confused taking slides which were meant to be monochrome and vice versa. Eventually, as she got more involved in darkroom work, and more interested in monochrome she concentrated wholly on that medium.

      The more involved Helen became, she also became more critical of print quality, which led her to purchase a second-hand Bronica ETRS. With encouragement from other photographers Helen applied for and gained a Licentiate with the RPS in 1985, then an Associate in 1986. She then obtained a Fellowship in 1992 from a project entitled "The Seventh Age of Man" for which she had previously received a grant from Northern Arts.

      Initially Helen's main photographic subjects were geared around her family and their friends, all of whom were willing "models". To date, portraiture, in one form or another, plays a large part in her vast photographic repertoire. Landscape however has always been a major interest. A keen walker, Helen was able to combine both hobbies and take the camera out for a "hike" and record Lake District landscapes, which are fortunately in quite close proximity to her home.

      Although every success gives Helen great pleasure, she feels the biggest and most thrilling achievement was winning the Photographer of the Year Award in 1987 for the then SLR Photography Magazine. This entailed being presented with a Hasselblad Camera, 80 and 150 lens and a Metz Flashgun at the Dorchester Hotel in London. This is the camera she still uses today.

      Helen also uses a 5 x 4 Monorail Camera which was obtained under what is now, but not then, amusing circumstances. Whilst visiting Fishwicks Photo Supplies with her husband, a young chap at the counter was selling a Cambo 5 x 4. Whilst the assistant had gone to work out a price for him, the lad asked if she would be interested, in buying the camera. Helen's first reaction was "no thank you" but her husband's was "let's have a look". The trio retired to the porch to examine the camera. In the meantime the assistant returned with a price and could not find his client. He eventually found them in the porch seemingly "doing a deal" on their premises, and consequently ushered the group out of their building! Helen ended up purchasing the camera from the boot of the lad's car and spent the journey home wondering why she had been so stupid!! However, she has derived much enjoyment, great pleasure and a lot of frustration from using it.

      Helen has been a member of Maryport Camera Club for over 20 years, during which time she has held the post of Treasurer for a while. For a number of years she was a member of the UPP in Circle 11. Helen is now also a member of Cumbria Photo Group, their aim is to enter International Exhibitions and put on local displays. Helen now attempts to bring photography to Students with Learning Disabilities, and each year tries to get them to produce a photographic project in Black and White.

      Helen feels that one of the greatest pleasures she has derived from photography is being fortunate to meet so many nice people and enjoy the camaraderie and friendship. Indeed she counts on photographers as being very close friends. Nowadays, for Helen, time spent photographing seems more limited as she has acquired four grandchildren and is often called upon periodically to do her "grandmother task in looking after the youngsters". In the past few years she has taken up golf, but her camera is still always at the ready!!