RECENT NEWS
The very best of India from David Bathard
Panels inspire the members !
14/11/2025
One of our more recent members, David Bathard, is a very accomplished photographer, with a background in the darkroom and a true talent for black and white images. This week he gave a presentation of “The very best of India”, a destination to which he and his wife have often travelled. Crafted around a series of panels of images within the overall theme, the evening was both entertaining and informative, and included a wide variety of subject matter that expertly illustrated David’s passion for excellence in modern imagery.
Whilst familiar images of the Ganges, the temples, castles and palaces of Gujarat and Bangalore were in abundance, it is the daily life of the people, their occupations and the challenges they face that fascinate David, and to which his lens is draw. These, together with the stark differences between the ancient, in the shape of religions and beliefs, and the high tech nature of the modern world held our attention. There were stunning images of women emerging from the arid desert regions laden with water carriers, traditional dancers and workers amidst the tea plantations, as well as simple people selling their wares or crafting their silverware by the roadside or in the villages.
Through David’s lens we saw the parades in Jaisalmer, the castles and lakes on the edge of the deserts and marvelled at the intricacies of the carvings as we descended the Step Wells near the temples where Surya, or sun worship, was prevalent. Never a proclaimed wildlife photographer, David also braved the safaris of the Kabini national Park to capture monkeys, tigers, ospreys and elephants, using the same skills as in his human portraiture.
The beauty of the women in their colourful saris, decked with flowers and fruit, together with the equally colourful, bindi daubed faces, of the bearded and turbaned men, were all well captured in a series of portraits for which David is perhaps best known. Indeed, the final part of the presentation featured the same images rendered in mono and arranged in an inspirational panel that he used to encourage us to have a go at a panel approach.
The evening featured the usual excellent cakes and refreshments, social exchanges and general camaraderie for which our club is becoming renowned. David Bathard’s presentation has raised our awareness of the possibilities that exist for us, even if we do not venture quite so far afield as often as he does!
Jenny Short
14. 11.2025
Whilst familiar images of the Ganges, the temples, castles and palaces of Gujarat and Bangalore were in abundance, it is the daily life of the people, their occupations and the challenges they face that fascinate David, and to which his lens is draw. These, together with the stark differences between the ancient, in the shape of religions and beliefs, and the high tech nature of the modern world held our attention. There were stunning images of women emerging from the arid desert regions laden with water carriers, traditional dancers and workers amidst the tea plantations, as well as simple people selling their wares or crafting their silverware by the roadside or in the villages.
Through David’s lens we saw the parades in Jaisalmer, the castles and lakes on the edge of the deserts and marvelled at the intricacies of the carvings as we descended the Step Wells near the temples where Surya, or sun worship, was prevalent. Never a proclaimed wildlife photographer, David also braved the safaris of the Kabini national Park to capture monkeys, tigers, ospreys and elephants, using the same skills as in his human portraiture.
The beauty of the women in their colourful saris, decked with flowers and fruit, together with the equally colourful, bindi daubed faces, of the bearded and turbaned men, were all well captured in a series of portraits for which David is perhaps best known. Indeed, the final part of the presentation featured the same images rendered in mono and arranged in an inspirational panel that he used to encourage us to have a go at a panel approach.
The evening featured the usual excellent cakes and refreshments, social exchanges and general camaraderie for which our club is becoming renowned. David Bathard’s presentation has raised our awareness of the possibilities that exist for us, even if we do not venture quite so far afield as often as he does!
Jenny Short
14. 11.2025