Creative Flower and Plant Photography, with Stan Farrow.

About the talk

Stan taught Biology before he did anything else, and this talk is a return to it. It grew out of his work for Plant Heritage in Scotland and it begins where a biologist would begin, with how to photograph a botanical specimen properly.

Then it leaves that behind entirely!

The rest of the evening is about turning plants and flowers into photo art, using techniques that are far simpler than the results suggest. Double exposures. Textures and overlays. Creative use of backgrounds, which anyone who came to his backdrop workshop will recognise. And what Stan calls poor man's ICM, which is exactly what it sounds like and produces some of the loveliest images in his collection.

Stan holds degrees in Biological Sciences and has exhibited three times at Dundee Botanic Garden. This is home ground for him.

He also puts the appeal of his own work better than I can. Much of it, he says, is simple to create at home with few digital skills whatsoever.

What Stan will cover

• Photographing botanical specimens. The proper, careful, biologist's approach and why it is worth knowing before you start breaking the rules.

• Double exposures. In camera and afterwards.

• Textures and overlays. Building an image up in layers rather than capturing it whole.

• Creative backgrounds. Stan makes his own, and he will take us through the process.

• Poor man's ICM. Camera movement without the kit or the fuss.

What you'll need

An editor that works in layers. Stan works in Photoshop, but Affinity Photo, Photoshop Elements or anything similar will do the same job. The techniques matter far more than the software.

You will not need advanced skills. As Stan says himself, much of his work is simple to create at home with few digital skills whatsoever. But double exposures, textures and overlays all rely on layers, so it is worth having something open that can handle them.

Who this is for

Anyone who likes flowers and would like to do something more with them than a straight portrait of a bloom. You do not need advanced editing skills, you do not need a studio, and you do not need anything you cannot already lay your hands on at home. If you have looked at photo art and assumed there was a technical wall in the way, Stan spends the evening dismantling it.

About Stan

Stan Farrow FRPS DPAGB EFIAP is a creative digital photographer based in North-East Fife. He gained his Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, the Society's highest distinction, in 2012 with a panel of twenty prints.

He holds degrees in Biological Sciences and taught Biology in Scottish schools before returning to the University of St Andrews, where he worked as Associate Director of Admissions and Director of the Access Centre. He took early retirement in 2005 and spent three years studying Art History, which is where his interest in the ground between photography and art comes from.

He has exhibited since 2005, including three shows at Dundee Botanic Garden and a joint exhibition with Neil Scott FRPS at Discovery Point in Dundee. Stan judges club competitions, and he has been photographing since he was given his first camera at about eight years old.

See more of Stan's work: stanfarrowphotography.co.uk

Stan's fee goes to the MS Society

Stan does not take a fee. He asks instead that it goes to the MS Society and he has done that for every talk he has given since 2021, to camera clubs the length and breadth of the country. His page has raised over £7,300.

I am very proud that £2,065 of that has come from Camversation over the last two years.

From Mark

Stan is a true stalwart of this community, a talented artist, and a great friend. He has presented for us several times and every one has been a pleasure.

What I like about his teaching is how little he hides. There is no mystique with Stan. He shows you the technique, tells you it is easier than it looks, and is usually right.

He also holds about as many photographic distinctions as it is possible to hold, and would still rather make something lovely than win with it. That tells you most of what you need to know about him. So does the fact that he gives his fee away every single time.

Tickets

Standard — £6

Pay what you want — £6 or more

Same ticket, same evening. If you would like to put something more towards the MS Society, this lets you do it at the same time. Entirely optional, and only if you are able.