Don Bennett DPAGB

Don Bennett was born at Bishop in 1939. He embarked on a career at sea at the age of sixteen. By the time he was nineteen he was a ship’s Third Officer. For nearly eight years he navigated oil tankers around the World before becoming a policeman with Durham Constabulary, where he served for thirty years, rising to the rank of Superintendent.  Don and Jean have been married for forty-eight years and have two daughters and three grand-daughters and live at Newton Hall, Durham.

In November 2009, in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the Durham Photographic Society and the wider photography world, Don was made Honorary Life Vice President.

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

I developed my first black and white film over 60 years ago. At sea I always had a ‘Polymin’ developing tank, ‘Johnson’s Universal Developer’ (which could be used for both film and prints), a packet of hypo, printing paper and a printing frame. I did try using an enlarger but with the vibrations and movement of the ship it became nearly impossible.

 In 1958, I saw conflict in Borneo during the Indonesian Civil War. I took photographs of bombings which I sold to the Straits Times in Singapore and hit the front page of newspapers throughout the world. Being completely naïve about what they would be worth I only received £120!  

These days, I tend to photograph anything that I feel can make a picture but my leaning is towards the landscape and its changing moods.

THE  BIGGEST INFLUENCE                

 I’ve been influenced by many members past and present such as John Watson, Walter Baxter, Ted Mansell, Des Kelly, Harry Holder, Tom Peel, Robin Wallace, Arthur Attle and Colin Armitstead.

MY FIRST CAMERA

The first camera I had as a schoolboy was a Kodak Box Camera which was bought at a jumble sale for sixpence but after my first trip to sea I acquired, for the great sum of £18, a Balda Super Baldix folding camera with a f2.8 lens. I still have it. I also acquired over time Yashica, Olympus and Mamiya film cameras. During my early police career I used a Kodak 2 Specialist half plate camera, a brute to carry around, to photograph scenes of crime. How things have changed!

MY FAVOURITE CURRENT KIT

For some time now, I have been totally overwhelmed with the magic of digital photography, using a Nikon D70 and a Nikon D300.

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER

I have been inspired by many photographers particularly the naturalistic ones such as Alferd Steiglitz, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand, and the producer of great monochrome landscapes, Ansel Adams. I am also a great fan of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe of Whitby.

ME AND THE DPS

During the past forty years I have been President, Programme Secretary, Committee Member and Exhibition Co-ordinator of Durham Photographic Society as well as Committee Member and Member of the Judges Sub-Committee of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation. Over the past thirty years I have judged Club Competitions, Inter-Club Competitions and International Exhibitions, as well as giving talks.

THE THINGS I ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DPS

It’s the comradeship and the opportunity for people with the same interest to come together and exchange ideas. For me as well, the talks, exhibitions, outings and competitions have been invaluable and hugely enjoyable.

THE PEARL (Advice to budding photographers)

Get to know your equipment and understand its capabilities. Watch, listen and learn from the experience of others and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take note of what Judges have to say about your work and then use your own discretion. Enjoy what you like doing and set yourself high standards.