Towards the end of September, 2013, one of RBBG’s members, Hans, received a phone call. At the other end of the line was the voice of Amy (Tuhill), a co-ordinator working at KAB.
Amy explained that she was leading a project to raise the profile of the KAB and some of its service users. She asked if Hans would like to take part in the project by having his photograph taken. He agreed to take part, which would involve dropping into Maidstone’s Sight Centre. Unfortunately, on the date for the shoot, Hans would not be able to attend, as he would be involved with RBBG, in a bowls match, at Mote Park, Maidstone. He asked if there might be another date for a sitting, to which Amy replied that there was, but it would be in Canterbury. This would be fine, as long as another person could accompany him…
So it was that, on a miserable, wet, cold Friday, in early December, Hans joined up with fellow RBBG member, Norman, as they both travelled to Canterbury. A cup of coffee, on their arrival, warmed them up and put them into the right frame (picture … frame … never mind), to proceed.
The two travel-weary friends were soon introduced to Amy, who led the way to a room set up for the task ahead, where Rebecca, the photographer, was waiting.
Amy took notes from every subject – especially, a few words about the importance of an object each had brought along. It must be admitted that both she and Rebecca found it difficult to concentrate on the job in hand, due to the joking, laughing and giggles (who was having the most fun was difficult to judge) but, eventually, Amy had a pen picture of both gents and Rebecca was satisfied with the images she had gathered.
The weather was still not conducive to sight-seeing, so the two friends caught the train and returned to their respective homes. Then, early in the New Year, both Hans and Norman received invitations to attend an exhibition, at Maidstone’s Sessions House.
Knowing that your portrait is hanging at an exhibition, whether you are expecting a masterpiece or a horror show, you are drawn to examine the representation. So it was that Norman and Hans were quick to seek out their portraits. Both were pleasantly surprised with what they found – rather, they were extremely pleased. Not only were the chosen photographs kind to the eye, but their size, of enormous proportions made them truly impressive. To enhance the display, each of the portraits was mounted in a splendid frame, adding poise and stature to the whole show.
There were also postcard-sized prints of each person that took part (did anyone take a full set?) and everyone was treated to the usual glass of wine, fruit juice and canapés.
Many of the subject models had made their way to the occasion and all were pleased to read, or have read to them, the accompanying paragraphs.
The exhibition will tour the county, enabling people to enjoy it in Medway and Canterbury, but before that,
it will be at:
Bromley Central Library,
High Street
Bromley
BR1 1EX
From June 5th - June 18th
Amy - Congratulations on a superb project, from start to finish.
In the sitting, she must have taken more than thirty shots or the two subjects - but the question is: did she capture their best side? (Judge for yourself, below)
Hans, (far right) is holding a monocular, a device he finds invaluable for seeing woods or jack in the game of bowls.
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