A group of talented mature students have captured the visual beauty of Flintshire in a stunning photographic exhibition.
Their work has earned rave reviews after going on show at the Holywell Art and Craft Mill.
The pictures are the culmination of an artistic collaboration between Coleg Harlech Workers’ Educational Association and Holywell Communities First.
The students got to grips with a fully accredited beginners’ course in digital photographer and editing at the Art and Craft Mill.
Coleg Harlech course tutor Keith Stanley was extremely proud after casting his critical eye over their work.
Mr Stanley said: “It has been a pleasure to lead a wonderful group of highly talented students. We set them the task of taking pictures on the theme of Flintshire Scenes for this exhibition of their work.
“They haven’t disappointed. They have achieved some stunning shots and used what they have learnt throughout the course to produce fantastic and stunning digital images.
“The course has seen students of all abilities working together to learn the basic rules of photography from how to hold a camera, composition and what to do with their digital image once they have it on their camera.
“They have learnt how important the process is and how much work is involved once their image is downloaded to a computer. It isn’t easy knowing how to crop an image and how to enhance and manipulate an image.”
“It’s a fully accredited course run by Coleg Harlech.We work hard to make sure they fully understand all aspects of basic digital photography and digital editing.
“Coleg Harlech will continue working with Holywell Communities First and a new Digital Photography for Beginners Course begins in the New Year.”
Holywell Communities First development worker Julie Daley was equally delighted with the outcome.
She said: “The Coleg Harlech photography course has given local people the opportunity to promote and celebrate culture in Flintshire through the creative experience of digital photography.
“The students, supported by Coleg Harlech tutor, Keith Stanley, have worked towards improving their skills and gaining accreditation through their course. The wonderful exhibition of their photographic images of Flintshire is the culmination of all their hard work.”
Student Beverely Kelleher, , said: “I have learned huge amounts and have been encouraged to carry on and learn so much more.
“I am really interested in macro photography and digital editing. I never realised just how much you can enhance a photograph once it’s on your computer.
“I am very grateful to both Coleg Harlech and Holywell Communities First for putting the course together, it has been a wonderful experience and I really do intend to carry on learning.”
Retired Maintenance Engineer Eldon Hughes, of Holywell has always been interested in photography but never knew how to do it properly until he enrolled on the course.
He said: “It has been really good to learn how to compose and enhance and edit pictures on a computer. Our Coleg Harlech tutor, Keith Stanley, has been an inspiration and has explained everything so clearly.
“I have also enjoyed getting out with my camera and the two pictures I have exhibited where taken at very different places. The first, A Walk in the Woods, I took at Loggerheads Country Park while the second, Last Resting Place, is a shot of an old derelict boat in Conwy harbour.”
Fellow student Veronica Turner, of Holywell, wanted to be able to use her camera more confidently so enrolled on the course.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the course and am very grateful to Coleg Harlech and Communities First for putting the course together.
“The problem is it seems that the more you learn the more there is to learn! I have really enjoyed learning about composition and digital editing.
“I am thrilled to have been awarded my certificate and fully intend to carry on learning and moving onto the next level.”
Retired council worker, John Shill, says the Coleg Harlech photography course was the first one he had ever undertaken.
He said: “I have really enjoyed it and have really learnt a lot, especially about how to compose a picture and what to do with it once you get it on your computer.
“I have done the beginners course and will now progress to the intermediate course. I think its great that Coleg Harlech and Communities First have worked together to give students a chance to learn more about photography.”
A new Coleg Harlech and Communities First free 10 week Digital Photography for Beginners Course, run by tutor Keith Stanley, starts on Wednesday, January 11th 2012 at Holywell Arts and Craft Mill. For details on how to enrol call 01352 712483.
