Life through a lens goes on display (From Stroud News and Journal)

Life through a lens goes on display

AN EXHIBITION by three photographers comes to Stroud's Mills Caf this week, in a display that will be extolling the virtues of black and white photography.

The three are Sylvain Guenot, John Daniell and SNJ photographer Cyril Laffort.

Sylvain is a Stroud-based Frenchman who has lived in England for 13 years "teaching French most of the time".

"I have been making photographs since I was a teenager," said Sylvain, "but my passion for it increased dramatically when I discovered medium-format cameras eight years ago.

"I concentrate on black and white silver photography, doing my own developing and printing."

Sylvain had a successful first solo exhibition at Mills Caf early last year followed by another one in Bristol in May this year. He is currently working towards becoming a professional portrait photographer.

He is joined by Cyril Laffort, another French-born photographer, who moved to England 13 years ago.

"I believe that to produce an arresting image and convey an attraction of seemingly mundane things, the photographer has to be in constant observation of the details surrounding him and responsive to the moment," said Cyril.

Also exhibiting is John Daniell, who has been taking photographs since the 1960s and worked in photography, theatre set design and lighting throughout the 70s and 80s in London.

John's current photographic interest is in monochrome landscape. At present he uses both 35mm and medium format cameras, scanning the negatives to produce digital prints. He is also developing an interest in stereo photography.

The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday at Mills Caf during normal caf hours. Entry is free, though the purchase of a coffee would deeply appreciated. It runs until January 8.