On Friday, 17 October 2025, Doncaster photographer Martin Litchfield gave a very well-received talk to Ilkley Camera Club.
Martin reminded members how important it is to enjoy our photography — not to get too caught up in the world of competitions, but to keep that sense of fun and personal satisfaction at the heart of what we do.
It was lovely to hear how committed he is to photographing the world on his own doorstep. As he pointed out, many such images become valuable memories — especially when the buildings or people we’ve captured are no longer there. For example, he presented some photos featuring actor Richard Todd and wartime veterans, which could become important contributions to local archives.
Martin managed to capture not just places, but also the stories and memories that belong to them. It was clear that the social side of photography matters deeply to him — his reflections on friends and moments shared while out with the camera were particularly touching.
His passion for black-and-white photography really shines through, especially in those extraordinary infrared shots which he described as “black and white on steroids” — a perfect phrase!
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative evening, full of great ideas for locations and plenty of inspiration.
