Aerial camera drones were ‘top gift for Christmas’ - Society

The local group, who are currently preparing for their annual exhibition, noted the devices are becoming increasingly popular as interest in aerial photography grows.

The development is linked to an overall shift in the way images are captured, explained Joan Wilson from CPG.

Speaking to the Times last week, Joan said: “Digital photography is a technology that is readily available and at variety of affordable costs. There are cameras on mobile phones, iPads and many more devices. Images are available instantly and the use of programs like Photoshop mean that the author can enhance or adjust an image if desired.

“Photographs taken on film may now seem a little more unwieldy and the process to see the final result more time consuming, but there will still be photographers, professional and amateur, who will use this means as their preferred choice.

“Digital will have surpassed the film, but that is the way of the modern era. Electronic ‘spy-in-the-sky’ drones are being tipped as this year’s must have Christmas gift.”

The history of photographic technology, meanwhile, was outlined to members by recent guest speaker Ivan Strahan. “Ivan’s topic was photography in the Victorian age; the audience were taken from 1837 when photography came into being,” said Joan. “Prior to this time, the only means by which people saw their images was in paintings, so photography was a wonderful breakthrough.”

Other past speakers included Stanley Matchett, whose famous subjects included Queen Elizabeth II, and Dr Steve Lowry, who gave an insight into photomicrography.

Formed in 2010, Carrickfergus Photographic Society meets every Tuesday at 8pm in Carrick Cricket Club.

The group is inviting local people to visit their free exhibition, opening for two weeks at Carrick Civic Centre from January 12. A variety of prints from landscapes, portraits, and many more will be on display.

The group is always open to new members; for more information, visit www.cpsphoto.org.uk