On December 17th 2019 the children from Shutter Hire Photography Club held their first exhibition in the Pier Pavilion to showcase what they had been working on all year.

They also held a competition that was free for all children in Cardiff and the Vale to enter with medals and trophies to be won.

Among the contestants', students from Evenlode Primary, Coed Glas Primary, St.Teilo's High, Willowbrook Primary, St.Richard Gwyn, Pen y Garth took part.

This will now become an annual occurrence and the hope is that the next event more schools and local children will get involved.

The competition was split into 4-year group sections: Year 1 and 2 - Year 3 and 4 - Year 5 and 6 - Year 7 and 8

There were 4 categories in each section: Reflection, Animals, Friendship and Nature.

The competition was judged impartially by Chris Williamson of Penarth (Photography Enthusiast) and a Professional Photographer for the Guardian.

There were also four trophies up for grabs for the overall winner of that age group that was judged fairly by public vote.

THE WINNERS WERE:

Year 1 and 2:

• Friendship - Alistair Roat

• Animals - Oliver Dimech

• Public Vote - Ivy Davies

• Animals - Ivy Davies

• Friendship - Mylo Kitchiner

Year 5 and 6:

• Nature - Lorelai Morgan

• Reflection - Leen Kablan

• Public Vote - Ivy Deans

• Nature - Eve Conway/Hollie Carr

• Friendship - Haneen Kablan/Lacey Harris

Katrina Dimech who runs the photography club and competition is an industry-standard photographer specialising in newborn, family and wedding photography.

She said: ''Coming from someone who struggled to concentrate in certain subjects at school I understand the importance of expressing yourself through creative arts, it is particularly therapeutic for those children who don't necessarily thrive academically.

''After being made aware that local young children didn't have the opportunity to learn photographic skills I set up a photography club to teach camera skills, composition, lighting, and photography history to those who have an interest.

''The club was started in December 2018. Parent's of the children attending often comment that they have seen a huge difference in their confidence, sense of independence and are pleased that they are making new friends.

''The age range I teach spans from age 6 to age 13 and the club is ever-growing in numbers.

''The children are taught a mixture of theoretical and practical skills and they are all now able to use their DSLR cameras in manual settings.

''I'm a firm believer in outdoor teaching. We have taken trips to the Photography Show in Birmingham and visited Bristol Zoo. We regularly photograph local sites such as Cosmeston, Penarth Sea Front and Dinas Powys Mill Fields.

''We have been lucky to get funding to buy surplus camera equipment from local people such as Brett Mason from Masons Removals, Dinas Powys Community Council and The Barry Round Table.

''We have purchased 6 cameras so that our club is available to those who aren't in a position to provide their own cameras.''

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