TO say that Roger Skinner loves photography would be an understatement.
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And, the Muswellbrook artist will be sharing his passion for the craft with Upper Hunter residents in Scone.
On Friday, December 4, from 6.30pm, Mr Skinner’s book will be launched at Scone Arts and Crafts Hall, Kingdon Street, Scone.
A Life in Light – Fifty Years of Photography, his book containing more than 300 photos, will be available to buy at the event.
He began compiling his photos in November 2012, and hopes locals will attend the launch.
Landscapes, people, and monuments – it’s all in the pages of A Life in Light.
Mr Skinner said he enjoys talking to people and conversing with them as he captures them on film.
“It’s a two way street,” he said of the photography process.
“It’s an interesting challenge – it’s just fun.”
These days most people have cameras within metres of them constantly but the local photographer said photography is more than just clicking a button.
“That’s the big one because everyone got a camera,” Mr Skinner said.
“There are 10 million Facebook photographers out there now.
“It’s really about the vision you have.”
Mr Skinner has travelled a lot but not in the usual tourist capacity.
His adventures have produced a range of scenes from places like the Cook Islands, Western Samoa, Tahiti, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Croatia.
In 2013, he journeyed across the United States of America and Canada, and was amazed with what he saw.
“You’ve got to just do what you want to do,” he said.
Photography for Mr Skinner isn’t just about his artwork though.
He also shares his skills with other budding photographers and shows them techniques and tips.
And, a recent workshop with disability support service integratedliving proved to be a learning experience for the teacher too. He saw the creativity of the participants and was blown away with the results.
“It was a real smack over the back of the head,” he said.
“It’s great when you get out there with those guys and see they know what they are doing.”
Mr Skinner said when he first delved into the world of photography he was trying to emulate other photographers.
Eventually he realised why he wasn’t producing the work of the others – he was capturing a lot of “Roger Skinners”.
He said taking photos required the artist to follow themselves and take their own path.
To Mr Skinner, the art of photography is both rewarding and challenging.
He said Brett Whiteley summed up photography well when he called it a difficult pleasure.