As a participant in several of these photowalks, our regular reviewer David Simper has three pieces in this exhibition himself. Nevertheless, it was with some anticipation that he caught the service 61 bus down to the Tea Amantes gallery to see what else was on offer. Thirty strong images and good company awaited.
Photography might seem like somewhat of a lonely pursuit, and indeed it can be, but it’s always good to take pictures in a group. Photography can also be a social thing, with like minded people – there’s strength in numbers. Monthly photowalks have been working out of the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery for the last year and this exhibition is a collection from the work that these have produced.
I have participated in several of these walks and they are always such fun. Generally I use a film camera loaded with black and white stock. The twin lens reflex provides twelve shots from a 120 format roll of film and this is a good number for this kind of work. As an introvert, I’m always amazed as the extrovert group members pounce on people for pictures.
Over time, the group’s work is building into a valuable social record of Blackpool.
The group has been convened and led by experienced street photographers Stan, Kenny and Lee, in partnership with Tea Amantes. Participants have honed their skills, had a lot of laughs and drunk a lot of caffeinated beverages, in the pursuit of photographic art. This has now enabled this fine exhibition, which also captures the ongoing spirit of Blackpool. As you can see, the event was well attended, the gang was all there.
I spoke to Kenny McRae, a founder of the Blackpool group.
What is the concept behind the photowalks?
This was partly to pay back Tea Amantes for supporting the original StreetSnappers exhibition, and it’s morphed into a Tea Amantes photowalk. The group’s core is here tonight – usually about 10 to 15 will turn up throughout the year. Twelve were counted on a single photowalk.
How had these particular images been selected?
Eleven photographers submitted two or three images to make 30 in total. I collated all the photographs and made digital contact sheet for each photographer, shared them with Lee (Cobbs) and we both picked our favourites and then selected from where the lists matched. Lee tended to pick two the same and then choose another, making a short list of four. Then I used PowerPoint to curate the pictures, how I thought they would fit within the gallery, which pictures would be compatible hung together.
We had five that were square (including my three, taken with my 6×6 twin lens reflex camera), so they went together, three black and white and two colour. It was fun putting it together.
Was there a back stop position – something that definitely wouldn’t be put in to the exhibition?
No not really, it was sort of ok. From the ones that were submitted, all were ok – if there had been something that wouldn’t work, we would have taken a view. There were a few that might not have printed.
So what’s the future for the group?
The future is to keep doing the photowalks, the next is on the 29th March, and the plan is to also do an exhibition next year, which we’re currently trying to arrange with the gallery – hopefully it will be round-a-bout the same time. We can try and improve it. At the moment it’s more social, which everyone seems to prefer, but we also plan to start giving advice as requested by fellow photographers: helping people think about the shot, rather than just taking a snap shot.
Stan gives out an individual challenge to people, so we’ll continue with that. We’ll ask the regulars if they have any suggestions. We’ll keep it going and see how things develop.
Thanks to Kenny for his insights and hard work in putting this display together.
The Blackpool group is friendly and inclusive. If you are a veteran or a newbie photographer, you will be welcome. If you need advice, it will be there for you. If you are expert, you can assist others. Blackpool always offers a wealth of shots to gab – use film or digital, it doesn’t matter. Probably select a camera that’s slick to use, as the group will keep moving on. In the group you will be able to take shots you might shirk if working solo, although watch out for group members walking in front of you, intent on their own vision. At the end of this, there are caffeinated beverages and cake to be had.
The exhibition continues until 6th April 2025.
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