‘Photobooks ‘ by Fiona McCowan
We are pleased to welcome local award winning photographer Fiona McCowan FRPS who will give a fascinating talk about her photographic journey, and her creation of beautiful photobooks.
NB: SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR COMPETITION E MULTIPLE EXPOSURES + OPEN
Introduction to Fiona, in her own words (www.fionamccowan.com)
In 2013 I took a 6 month sabbatical to study French at Nice University fully intending to return to my corporate career. However, after 6 months enjoying having the time and energy to do the things I wanted to do, I decided not to return.
I have always had an interest in art and photography so in February 2015 I borrowed a camera and enrolled on a local beginners photography course. I was hooked! Keen to learn more I signed up for a Digital Photography course with the Open University/Royal Photographic Society. On completing the course I joined the RPS and worked towards my LRPS (Licentiate) which I was awarded in July 2017. My primary photographic interest is landscape, particularly minimalist seascapes, abstracts and intimate landscapes.
Despite living in the Cotswolds, a long way from the coast, I love being by the sea. I am at my happiest on a deserted beach with my camera and the time to appreciate the beauty of the landscape. An ideal day is spent at the coast, ideally somewhere remote and without people, followed by a hot bath, a G&T and a good meal with friends.
During lockdown in 2020, I took a brilliant one day online workshop on practical book making with Alex Hare. I love books and the idea of combining handmade books and image making really appealed. After doing another couple of online workshops with Alex and Lizzie Shepherd I knew I wanted to make a handmade book based on my 4 year photographic project ‘In the Offing’.
In October 2021 I was delighted to be awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in their new Photobook genre for my book ‘In the Offing’.
In June 2022 I was appointed to the RPS Distinctions Assessment team as a panel member for the Photobook genre.
Image copyright Fiona McCowan
