Community & Business
29 June, 2026
APG “Behind the Fence”
The topic for the Allora Photography Group members had us scratching our heads –“Behind the Fence” and our images must show at least part of the fence. How do we take a photo showing a fence without it ‘blocking’ the viewer out of the image.
Fences can be problematical for photographers as we want the viewer to travel or be drawn into the image and explore what has been captured. Unfortunately, what the eye may be drawn to first is a fence and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do – stop you from entering, even visually.
Our PSQ Judge this time was Gerard Saide. We haven’t had the pleasure of hosting Gerard before, and we were very much looking forward to meeting him. Gerard joined the Toowoomba Photographic Society in 1982 and is now a life member. He also served as the President of the Photographic Society of Queensland (PSQ) for three years; however it was at the Toowoomba Photographic Society that he met the iconic Graham Burstow, who became Gerard's mentor and showed Gerard a different way of looking into a photograph. There is more than just the technical aspects and the aesthetics. There is a story and there is emotion. A whole new language and way of communicating – we need to “Listen With Our Eyes”
Gerard has travelled extensively as a presenter, judge and lecturer and his talks such as “The Worlds Ten Greatest Photographs and What They Tell Us About Humanity” have been very powerful, thought provoking and highly acclaimed.
We had a very enlightened evening with Gerard, viewing our photographs with a whole new set of eyes – and ears.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 7th July at 7pm at Bluecare, Allora Building, corner Forde and Warwick Streets, Allora. There is no charge to attend but a $2 donation for a cuppa and cake would be greatly appreciated. - Glenda Guy Club Member
