Laois photographers tease upcoming 'Shutterbugs' exhibition

An exhibition from Laois photographers is returning to Mountmellick library this October.

This is the second exhibition held by the 'Shutterbugs', a group of independent photographers from Laois and surrounding areas.

Founder of the Shutterbugs, Liam Healion said that he originally founded the group with the intention of photographers to explore their creativity, outside of the constrictions within a camera club. 

"We're a small group of excellent photographers, with most of us having no affiliation with camera clubs," explained Mr Healion.

"What's great about the exhibition is that there's no theme or specific subject, photographers are free to exhibit a range of works that explore their own styles.

"When you join clubs, they can have rules and regulations and don't necessarily encourage photographers to develop their own style.

"That's really the idea behind the Shutterbugs, we want photographers young and old to explore their own creativity," explained Mr Healion.

"The aim is to accommodate individuality, even beginners who are shy about showing their talent, we're about encouraging photographers young and old, free from constrictions."

"This year's exhibition may have some portraits, some still lifes, there will be a wide mix," explained Mr Healion.

"There will be some local scenes from around the county, and some from abroad. We would love to encourage people to come up and see what we have to showcase," he said.

Shutterbug members are expected to showcase five to six photos each, with around forty photographs expected to be on display.

"We will also be displaying four beautiful pieces from Portuguese photographer Diogo Silva," Mr Healion explained. 

"They're beautiful black and white pieces taken during the winter time, early in the morning in Lisbon," he said.

Mr Healion originally chose the name 'Shutterbugs' as it aptly describes the personality of the group.

The group often travel abroad to take photographs, in locations such as Lisbon, Istanbul and Bratislava.

"We organise the exhibition during the summer and once it's over, we fly away until we reappear the summer after for next year's exhibition!" Mr Healion said.

To take a good photograph, Mr Healion explained that it's more than just pointing and clicking a camera.

"People have to develop the understanding between the relationship between aperture, shiutterspeed and the iso, the sensitivity of the sensor in the camera," he explained.

"A photo is all about light. People think the camera just can see and capture things. But the camera doesn't, its all about light," he said.

"When taking a photo of a person or an animal- anything with an eye, focus on the eye," Mr Healion advised.

To see some of the amazing photos from the Shutterbugs, join Mr Healion and his fellow photographers at Mountmellick library on Tuesday October 1 at 6:30pm.

At half past seven, the group invite all to join them at Notions coffee shop, where coffee and cake will be provided by the Shutterbugs.