Award-winning food photographer to address local club

Award-winning food photographer Harry Weir will visit Athlone Photography Club on April 5, from 7.45pm, in the Abbey Road Artists Studio in Athlone.

Harry has over 20 years of industry experience, working with a huge clientele that spans from small artisan producers to some of the biggest brands and commercial chains in the world. In 2015, he received the accolade of National Magazine Award photographer of the year.

Harry already visited in person in April last year and presented his work in food photography. He showed images from his portfolio, performed demos (using his own set up) of his techniques, revealed tips and tricks on how to take good photos of our favourite dishes.

This time around Harry will judge and assess photos from members of the club.

Every quarter, the club committee encourages its members to submit three photos, which are then judged by an external professional photographer. Some 55 photos from all categories (landscape, nature, creative, portrait and open) were collected for the Winter Challenge. On April 5, Harry will go through each of them and explain what he liked and what could be improved.

Beyond the academic score (out of 20) provided, such feedback from an external professional is invaluable for the club’s members. Often, a good photo can become a great photo, with very little advice and editing (cropping, sharpening, dodging and burning). This is the main purpose of the exercise.

After the critique, Harry will give offer a brief introduction on food cinematography or “food video” as he calls it.

While the club is close to the end of the 2022-2023 season, it is still possible for non-members to attend this event and to see what the club is about. However, people who are interested in attending are strongly encouraged to contact the club's secretaries Ciara Kinnarney and Sébastien Rolland by email to athlonephotographyclub@gmail.com to book their seat and to arrive at around 7.45pm, so the meeting can start at 8pm sharp.