Personal Profile _ Alan Porrett

      Alan has had an interest in photography since an early age. As a schoolboy he used to be given his Father's camera, an Agfa Super Sillette, to take Family holiday shots. He got his first camera for Christmas in 1961. It was an Agfa Flexillette, a twin lens reflex 35mm camera. The reason for getting a camera at that time was in preparation for a school trip to Austria in the Spring of 1962. The trip was led by one of Alan's teachers, Frank Grey, with whom he would subsequently be re-united in the photographic movement. In the early days photography was mainly used for recording other interests, though attention was always paid to framing the picture. Alan's interests were quite varied, ranging from visiting gardens through to his passion for motor sport. Both these interests have continued to the present time. Engineering has played a large part in his life, both as a job and as the basis of hobbies. In the 1960's he was very active in model car racing. This kept him busy in his workshop most evenings building and developing cars. The racing took him all over the country with some good results in British Championship rounds and a win in a 24 hour race where he was the team leader. In the 70's his interest moved to radio control powerboat racing. Again many hours were spent in the workshop and many miles covered travelling to race meetings. His successes included second place in the British GP. It was during this period that photography became more important to him. In 1971 Alan obtained a Practica SLR and so for the first time the possibilities of the telephoto lens became available to him. This was a particular help with his motor sport interests.

      In 1977 a colleague at work thought that Alan might enjoy a photographic club and suggested that he go along with him to the Whitley Bay club. That was it! Alan was hooked. In 1978 the club provided two significant events for him. At a club meeting in April he met his future wife and then at the AGM he was elected as Competition Secretary, a post he has held ever since, except for the five year period when he was Vice-President, President and then Immediate Past President. During his time as Competition Secretary the number of competitions both internal and external have almost doubled, but computerisation of the paperwork has helped him cope.

      It was not long before Alan became involved with the N.C.P.F.'s North Tyne Area Committee having been introduced to it by fellow Whitley Bay member, Eric Rickaby. By 1981 Alan had become the North Tyne Area Deputy Representative and had also joined the Federation Lecturers List. Two years later he became Area Representative and was therefore regularly attending Federation Executive meetings. In 1985 Alan attended a Judges course thinking that the knowledge gained would be helpful with Club Selection Committee work. He had no thoughts of becoming a judge, but that is what he became after some persuasion. Judging has given him a few headaches but also a great deal of pleasure. He enjoys most types of competition and was especially pleased when he first became an International Exhibition selector. Alan sees judging as a means of hopefully passing on some of his experience to other photographers and of expressing his appreciation of their images. It is a learning process where not only can others learn from him, but also he can learn from seeing their work.

      Alan's main area of photography was, and still is, landscape. He enjoys getting out walking in the countryside, especially in changeable weather when there is often interesting lighting conditions. Early morning is a favourite time for making images. Alan also enjoys going out in bad weather to try and capture storm or blizzard conditions. Some would describe it as mad be he says it's "creative". Motor sport also plays an important part in his photography. He reckons it is an easy way to fill the bin with film, but very satisfying when you get it right. One of his most successful pictures was taken on the Scottish Rally in dusty conditions with back lighting adding to the drama. The British Touring Car Championship is the main motoring subject these days, with circuit visits carefully planned with photographic locations in mind. Olympus equipment was used for many years, but when it wore out a switch was made to Nikon. A 17mm lens is a particular favourite and a 200-400mm zoom proves very useful for motor sport. A macro lens is used quite often and gets a great deal of work at the North East Alpine Plant Shows were Alan is the official photographer. A mini studio is set up and prize plants transported to it from the show benches for photographing. About 150 slides is the normal output from a show. These include a set for the local Alpine Group and selections of slides for the two National bodies. These go into their slide libraries and are sometimes used in their magazines.

      In 1992 Alan decided to try for an LRPS. A set of slides was entered and proved successful though he was unable to be present to see the adjudication. In 1995 he achieved his ARPS with a panel of Cibachrome prints based on landscape work. This time he was present for the adjudication and spent a nail biting morning as panel after panel failed with only an occasional successful one. However when his panel eventually came up it was accepted without any problem and his heart rate could return to normal. Not content with that ordeal he decided to try for a DPAGB. In 1997 another nerve racking day was spent, this time at York, but the result was a success.

      Alan had continued his involvement with the Federation and had become Social Secretary in 1994. The following year a vacancy arose for Editor of Northern Focus and Alan decided he would fancy giving it a try. He was elected to the post and commenced work trying to live up to the standard set by Anne Swearman, his predecessor. The magazine worked well and gained several accolades from the Photographic Society of America in their annual Bulletin competition. In his last three years as Editor the magazine gained a third place and two second places. He really enjoyed producing Northern Focus and was quite sad when the time came to hand the job on as a result of his appointment as N.C.P.F. Vice-President. This year he became President and has the task of taking the Federation into it's centenary year in 2001.

      Alan enjoys most types of photography and is always willing to try something new. Therefore when digital imaging started to appear on the scene he tried his hand at it and found it enjoyable. Although the computer he had at the time was not really up to the task he did manage to produce some images and gained an international exhibition acceptance with one of them. An upgraded computer made quite a difference and several Exhibition acceptances were achieved last year, including Austria and USA. He uses the digital medium both for derivative work and straight prints.

      Apart from his Presidential duties Alan is also kept busy lecturing and judging. He enjoys seeing other peoples work whether in competitions or exhibitions. Although he takes his photography seriously he does not let it become overpowering. He maintains that "photography should be fun, after all it is a hobby intended for relaxation after work".

Editor