Photography at DAGFAS 2025
At our May DAGFAS committee meeting, following the AGM, we agreed in principle to accept creative photography as a genre which will be incorporated in our future plans and events. The subject will be introduced over the next year through a series of talks and workshops, all leading to eventual full incorporation of creative photography into our programme of events and exhibitions.
So what is Creative Photography?
Photography has been described as ‘drawing with light’. As such, it has long been recognised as a creative process, an art form which enables the photographer to capture and interpret what they see through the lens using artistic vision and technical skill to create a unique visual narrative.
The first of our events was a talk by successful photographer, Kim Ayres, who gave an illustrated talk on 24 June at Gracefield Arts Centre , where his enthusiastic approach and attention to detail was enjoyed by all who attended. The talk, entitled ‘Beyond Point and Shoot’ explored the processes of producing a high quality image such as ‘The Nail Factory ‘ illustrated here . A whole team of helpers and models, props, costumes and lighting adjustments plus many weeks, even months, of meticulous editing makes each of his photographs into much more than a moment in time. These are astounding images that are complex, convey mood, movement and subtlety; they push all the boundaries .
Kim is celebrated as a narrative and portrait photographer based in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, with a love for theatrical and cinematic visual storytelling.
Kim Ayre’s father was a landscape artist and his mother a musician. He has been married to abstract artist, Maggie Ayres, for 30 years. He has a deep understanding of artistic practices which he calls upon in his own photography. Referencing historic art, theatre, and a variety of cinematic genres, Kim’s approach to photography is a far cry from the limited idea that it is just a technical exercise. He very much sees the camera as a tool to explore and communicate stories and emotions as valid and powerful as any painter’s brush or sculptor’s chisel.
Embracing photography as part of our accepted creative genres has taken time, but to those of you who have visited some of the photographic exhibitions at Gracefield and in the National Galleries – highlights here, or wherever quality photography and wider digital processes are demonstrated will be aware of creative potential . That is why we have taken this decision, prompted by support from our members. You can see a selection of some of our members’ digital and photographic work as part of the DAGFAS summer exhibition in Gracefield , on show on the walls of the Café space in the new building.
You can also see more of Kim’s work on his Flickr site: flickr.com/photos/kimayres/albums/
and he has a fascinating you-tube presence with regular tutorials: youtube.com/@kimayres
And it is worth checking his website too on kimayres.co.uk
One Day Course coming up :
A one day course is being set up later this year under the expert guidance of photographer member Alastair Hamilton at his studio in Kirkcudbright. Look out for further details.
