Barry Armitage

Barry Armitage was born in Leeds in 1940. He started work in 1955 as a coach and bus builder and repairer.  After 10 years he changed direction and worked with various solicitors. For the final 10 years of his working life he was a regional manager for a national charity

Barry moved to Brough with St Giles near Richmond, N. Yorkshire in 2000. On retiring in 2005, he and his wife Marjorie decided to sell up and buy a chalet at Finchale Abbey

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

I first became interested in photography during my late teens as a member of a cycling club where everyone seemed to carry a camera, so landscape photography was then and has always remained my great love, I did in the film days try portraits but not very successfully.  During the 60s I earned extra money doing some work for my then employers photographing all the new models of bus and coach that we manufactured (as well as my normal daytime job).  I also ventured into the wedding market for a few years. In the 80,s I lost my way with photography and did not use a camera for about 20years, finally buying one of these new fangled digital camera (Canon 300D) when I retired

THE  BIGGEST INFLUENCE                

No one has been an influence with my photography; I have always been my own person

MY FIRST CAMERA

It was an Agfa Silette Vario with a 3 speed shutter followed by an old Leica, a Yashicamat twin lens reflex, and, best of all, a Pentax ME super which was a very robust camera.

MY FAVOURITE CURRENT KIT

I now use a Canon 40D with Sigma 10-20,  Sigma 18-200 and Canon 70 300 lenses,  with which I am very happy.  I also use a Epson R2880 printer with Permajet  Ecoflo system.

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHERS

I admire Derry Brabbs and Joe Cornish for their landscapes and Andy Rouse for his wildlife.

ME AND THE DPS

I joined the Society in May 2008 and won the Leazes bowl in 2009, ironically for the best portrait. Since I have won a number of 1sts, 2nds and 3rds in the Progress competitions..

THE THINGS I ENJOY MOST BEING A MEMBER OF THE DPS

The companionship with fellow members, and the way my photography has improved since joining simply by listening to people and if in doubt ,asking  questions.

AN AMBITION

I would like to go on a Safari and take some great shots of the wild life and landscape

THE PEARL (Advice to budding photographers)

Enjoy your photography, and do not be put off if a judge doesn’t rate your work. After all it’s only his or her opinion