I’ve been involved with photography for 30 years now. My interest in photography began in 1979 when my wife and I emigrated to New Zealand and lived in a rented bungalow in Palmerston North.

Being in a new country was an ideal opportunity to buy a decent camera - a Canon TX with a standard lens. At first I was like kid with a new toy - snapping away at everything and learning a lot about photography through all the mistakes I was making! Most of my pictures were shot in Black and White, which was a great deal cheaper than shooting colour. I found photography fascinating and very addictive - something I could relate to. Being in a new country I always wanted my camera with me - not wanting to miss any opportunity for a great photo. It was whilst visiting the east coast town of Napier that I saw two roller skaters practicing a form of dancing on roller skates! Low evening sunlight had cast shadows from the surrounding railings, which complemented the shadows of the skaters. I decided the next day to submit the photo to a magazine called `ZOOM` and was lucky to get it published!
We stayed in New Zealand for nearly two years and I took many photos’ learning all about photography and this beautiful country. Returning to the UK in 1981, I decided to take an ICS course in photography. Over the years I experimented a lot and targeted the editorial market with my work - just to build up a portfolio. In the near future I would like to have my own website and hopefully, have a book published! Photography has come a long way from when I started with the arrival of digital cameras`. At first I was reluctant about switching to digital cameras, but now I’m very happy that I made the change. The quality of the pictures` you can get with a digital camera is excellent and the convenience of checking pictures in-camera is an asset. Downloading pictures onto a laptop saves so much time. I can remember how frustrated I felt when I had to wait between 7- 10 days for my Kodachrome slides to come back from the processors!
I like nothing better than heading off to the south coast with my camera. From Boscombe to Bournemouth and as far as Weymouth I have managed to capture the essence of these popular seaside resorts. In my work I try to capture something different to what you normally see in magazines or postcards.
I feel that I am constantly challenging myself to produce work, which satisfies me on all levels. Being my own severest critic keeps me in check - knowing there are many first-rate photographers` out there helps to keep me motivated! There is nothing I like better than capturing a beautiful scene and hearing the sound of the Nikon shutter in making it happen.

I have been involved in the Media Workshop since 1984 when I had assistance in producing an exhibition highlighting the local Chinese Community.

I am pleased to have seen the Workshop grow from strength to strength over the years to what has become an excellent resource and support centre for various forms of visual media.

I enjoy working in black and white, which allows emphasis of texture, light and shadows.

Open Access at the Media Workshop gives me the opportunity to pursue this hobby and to meet other photographers. I have also benefited greatly from the advice and encouragement of the staff.

I went to Mount Pleasant Middle School and remember using the Media Workshop with my family.

Since then I’ve completed an MA at the University of Sussex. I’ve spent a year working in Indonesia coordinating various projects with is where I have taken most of my recent photographs.

I usually take digital photographs. I have chosen to put three abstract photos on the gallery website. My photos range from old clay pots, Winchester, to lichen covered rocks in Arisaig, Scotland.

I frame my shots through the camera viewfinder and don’t usually crop later, using the macro (close up) and take photos of anything that catches my eye. It’s all down to your way of looking…

As taking photographs is largely a solitary activity using the Open Access workshop gives me the opportunity to meet with people like myself, who enjoy taking photographs. The atmosphere is friendly and help is available from a team of knowledgeable workers, leaving you free to pursue your personal projects. Whether it be landscape, portraiture, documentary or abstract photographs. With positive interaction between Media Workshop users as well as constructive criticism, personal growth can be achieved.

What do I get from the Media Workshop? I can continue with traditional black and white photography so I don’t have to buy a lot of new, expensive, digital equipment, and don’t have to sell my old stuff, in a friendly local environment. Which is great.

Ari Ashley’s photographs are snap shots of a quintessentially British way of life. 



Reminiscent of Lartigue, Ashley’s playful photographs were not made with an audience in mind but for her own personal pleasure, evoking a family album of family, friends, pets, parties and holidays all captured with a sense of joie de vivre and affection for her subjects.

Although all of the photographs were taken in recent years, they seem to belong to an idyllic belle époque long gone: a naked man galloping on a black horse across the moors, a self-portrait of the artist and her friend in costume only rooted in the near present by the modern camera in the frame, a nursery rhyme figure leaping across a large rock, and a dog dressed up as a sheep!

A self-taught photographer, Ashley’s career began shooting for catalogues and progressed to editorial work for Tatler, Harper’s & Queen and House & Garden magazines.

www.ariashley.co.uk

Since I first saw a print magically appear in a darkroom dish I have been in love with photography.

I choose to use film, making black and white silver prints just because I enjoy it.

Coming to the Media Workshop [Open Access sessions] gives me access to a great darkroom enabling me to continue my hobby and importantly continue to use film. The coffee is good as well!

I became an open access member couple of years ago. I was very excited about the idea of using a darkroom and printing facilities, and the overall experience has been and still is a positive one. It is great to be able to explore my photographic skills in such a friendly environment.

My work speaks of people I have always been fascinated by the human face and I use it as the main subject of my research both in my paintings and photographs.

Eyes that never look at the viewers, but still communicate to the most hidden and provocative side of us.

Angela is a 35-year-old parent, teacher, and photographer from Winchester, who has been talking pictures for about three years. She loves portraiture, and documenting the ancient and beautiful landscapes around her hometown. She wants to be Gary Winogrand when she grows up.

Angela mainly shoots in either digital or medium format. Her weapons of choice are her Hasselblad or her Holga. She loves these cameras more than is healthy.

Angela takes pictures because it’s the easiest way to communicate important things without opening your mouth.