Committee

President - Ted French
My interest in photography started many years ago. I initially embarked on a six-year intensive black and white course at Missenden Abbey to hone my skills. Since then with my wife, we have been on several photographic workshop holidays enjoying the social aspect together with the spectacular venues.
My preference is black and white photography and for the last 10 years I have concentrated on infrared images, having had a main camera converted to take only infrared I am a firm believer in taking images that satisfy me. I rarely, if at all, manipulate images as I like to get it right in camera. I exhibit my work at various venues and on occasions visit other local camera clubs to show my work.
My interest in photography started many years ago. I initially embarked on a six-year intensive black and white course at Missenden Abbey to hone my skills. Since then with my wife, we have been on several photographic workshop holidays enjoying the social aspect together with the spectacular venues.
My preference is black and white photography and for the last 10 years I have concentrated on infrared images, having had a main camera converted to take only infrared I am a firm believer in taking images that satisfy me. I rarely, if at all, manipulate images as I like to get it right in camera. I exhibit my work at various venues and on occasions visit other local camera clubs to show my work.

Chairman & Publicity Secretary - Steve Collins
A member of The Guild of Photographers and RPS, I’ve enjoyed taking photographs my whole life, and love all styles and genres, especially street photography and macro.
A member of The Guild of Photographers and RPS, I’ve enjoyed taking photographs my whole life, and love all styles and genres, especially street photography and macro.

Vice Chairman & Internal Competitions Secretary - Paul Johnson
My interest in taking pictures began when I was given a 35mm camera for my 21st birthday and I remember being amazed by the quality of the images it produced. Since joining HPS in 2008 I have developed an interest in a broad range of photographic subjects and particularly enjoy the continuous learning experience.
My interest in taking pictures began when I was given a 35mm camera for my 21st birthday and I remember being amazed by the quality of the images it produced. Since joining HPS in 2008 I have developed an interest in a broad range of photographic subjects and particularly enjoy the continuous learning experience.

Treasurer - Andrew Hartley
Resident in Harpenden for over 25 years, taken a keener interest in photography recently, and an avid holiday photographer over the years to fascinating destinations.
Resident in Harpenden for over 25 years, taken a keener interest in photography recently, and an avid holiday photographer over the years to fascinating destinations.

External Competitions Secretary - Ali Asplin
When I started to go on specific wildlife photographic holidays six years ago I realised I needed to understand how my camera worked better and use my camera on a regular basis, not just on holiday. Both of these things have really helped my photography! I have been a member of HPS for two years and I have loved every minute and learnt such a lot. Although a wildlife (and landscape to a lesser extent) photographer at heart, it has made me explore other types of photography and I have particularly enjoyed the macro and abstract challenges. I am never too far away from either taking photographs, processing them (still lots to learn) or trying to improve my images by entering images in to competitions such as BPE and The Guild.
When I started to go on specific wildlife photographic holidays six years ago I realised I needed to understand how my camera worked better and use my camera on a regular basis, not just on holiday. Both of these things have really helped my photography! I have been a member of HPS for two years and I have loved every minute and learnt such a lot. Although a wildlife (and landscape to a lesser extent) photographer at heart, it has made me explore other types of photography and I have particularly enjoyed the macro and abstract challenges. I am never too far away from either taking photographs, processing them (still lots to learn) or trying to improve my images by entering images in to competitions such as BPE and The Guild.

Programme Secretary - Tim Tate
I joined Harpenden Photographic Society in 2021 with the aim of challenging myself to improve my skills, and I have learnt a lot already! Like many others, I had done some 35mm photography as a teenager and also took early digital camera shots. After years snapping away on my phone I rediscovered my interest in photography and love of the camera during a trip to Costa Rica. I enjoy various genres and styles, especially Urban and Street, and value the opportunity to learn new skills, methods, ways of thinking, and the feedback from fellow club members, and our competition judges.
I joined Harpenden Photographic Society in 2021 with the aim of challenging myself to improve my skills, and I have learnt a lot already! Like many others, I had done some 35mm photography as a teenager and also took early digital camera shots. After years snapping away on my phone I rediscovered my interest in photography and love of the camera during a trip to Costa Rica. I enjoy various genres and styles, especially Urban and Street, and value the opportunity to learn new skills, methods, ways of thinking, and the feedback from fellow club members, and our competition judges.

Technical Secretary - Richard Greenaway
During my working life my photography was limited in the main to snapshots of family, travel, dogs, and daughters competing on horses. Upon retirement, equipped with an array of new camera kit I set off to parts of Africa and Asia where I reignited my love of photography and the challenge of capturing wildlife images. As a keen painter in watercolour, I have a particular interest in landscape and townscape photography but, having joined the HPS three years ago, I have enjoyed broadening my knowledge and interest, joining a number of the Society's excellent and informative specialist groups.
During my working life my photography was limited in the main to snapshots of family, travel, dogs, and daughters competing on horses. Upon retirement, equipped with an array of new camera kit I set off to parts of Africa and Asia where I reignited my love of photography and the challenge of capturing wildlife images. As a keen painter in watercolour, I have a particular interest in landscape and townscape photography but, having joined the HPS three years ago, I have enjoyed broadening my knowledge and interest, joining a number of the Society's excellent and informative specialist groups.

Membership Secretary - Liz Thompson
During lockdown I took a beginner’s course in digital photography and committed to taking one ‘good’ image every day for a year. Throughout this challenge I learned more about my camera’s manual settings and became totally pre-occupied with photography - constantly redefining my perception of ‘good’! I joined the club in September 2021 to progress my photographic journey and can’t quite believe how much I’ve learned and absorbed: from other members, feedback in competitions, experts’ presentations, and members evenings’ practical workshops. I currently focus on fine art flower photography but am very keen to practise wildlife and landscape, whilst working on building up enough confidence to try out street photography!
During lockdown I took a beginner’s course in digital photography and committed to taking one ‘good’ image every day for a year. Throughout this challenge I learned more about my camera’s manual settings and became totally pre-occupied with photography - constantly redefining my perception of ‘good’! I joined the club in September 2021 to progress my photographic journey and can’t quite believe how much I’ve learned and absorbed: from other members, feedback in competitions, experts’ presentations, and members evenings’ practical workshops. I currently focus on fine art flower photography but am very keen to practise wildlife and landscape, whilst working on building up enough confidence to try out street photography!

Webmaster - Bethan Grinham
I grew up alongside keen photographers in my family and I've always enjoyed being behind the camera. I've been a member of the club for five years and have enjoyed learning new tricks and tips to improve my photography. With a busy day job, I just need to find some more time to take photographs!
I grew up alongside keen photographers in my family and I've always enjoyed being behind the camera. I've been a member of the club for five years and have enjoyed learning new tricks and tips to improve my photography. With a busy day job, I just need to find some more time to take photographs!

Social Secretary - Alice Gilhooly
I have studied photography for seven years. I have gained a BA(Hons). I am a Fine Art Photographer who likes to explore "what happens if...", deconstructing and reworking into photographs, manipulating my work by hand. Exploring that there is more to paper than just a printing surface...
I have studied photography for seven years. I have gained a BA(Hons). I am a Fine Art Photographer who likes to explore "what happens if...", deconstructing and reworking into photographs, manipulating my work by hand. Exploring that there is more to paper than just a printing surface...