King’s Lynn & District Camera Club

Geoffrey Lea ARPS & Siriol Lea LRPS

Lynn Couple Gain Royal Distinction

Above: Geoff and Sirol - Photograph by John Barrett LRPS (see Lynn News P29 - 16.04.10)

Lynn husband and wife team have both gained distinctions from the Royal Photographic Society, last week Geoff Lea (68) gained his ARPS, and in November last year Siriol Lea (65) gained the LRPS. The pair have been working hard for many months to achieve their distinctions.

The couple moved to King's Lynn 8 years ago from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, as a retirement bonus to themselves, and they love it here.

Geoff was introduced to photography by his father when he was 8 years old, he used to help his father with contact printing in the darkroom. Both Geoff and Siriol became members of the Royal Photographic Society 4 years ago.

Geoff was Managing Director of SEP Presstech, manufacturing parts for the automotive industry - specifically Jaguar, and Siriol was Children's Nursery Manager at the University of Central England before they retired.

Both have been very active members of our local camera clubs that include:- Hunstanton, Brancaster, King's Lynn & District Camera Club and Norfolk Photography Group at Mundesley.

Geoff uses a Canon 5D Mk I and Siriol uses a Lumix bridge camera.

Other interests include birding, caravanning and trips to France where they spend several months each year.

Both Geoff and Siriol Lea praised the enormous help and support from Joy Hancock FRPS,MPAGB and husband Mike Hancock, DPAGB LRPS, who were their main mentors throughout. Joy is also the Regional Organiser for the Royal Photographic Society.

The Licentiateship (LRPS) is awarded for competence in practical photography. 10 images have to be submitted to a panel of Judges.

The Associateship, (ARPS) is a more specialised distinction. It is awarded for a high degree of proficiency and the demonstration of a high technical and visual competence in particular categories, 15 images have to be submitted to a panel of judges.

The Royal Photographic Society's Distinctions are recognised as measures of achievement throughout the world.