An evening with Ralph Duckett

An evening with Ralph Duckett

An Evening with Ralph Duckett: A Master of Photography

Last evening, we had the absolute pleasure of spending time with Ralph Duckett, a brilliant photographer and a long-standing member of the Burton on Trent Photographic Society. It was an evening filled with inspiration, as Ralph shared not only his stunning photography but also the stories behind his images.

Ralph has spent his entire life in the Burton on Trent area in Staffordshire, England. His love for photography began at a young age, and over the years, his passion has only grown. He has been a member of his local camera club for more than 40 years, a remarkable achievement in itself. When Ralph first joined, he was advised to master the craft of darkroom printing—a skill that has undoubtedly shaped his career. Seeing how he has grown from that initial advice to where he stands today is truly impressive.

During his presentation, Ralph shared a selection of his work, ranging from breathtaking landscapes to intimate portraits of people and animals. What made his collection even more special was that these were physical prints. In today’s world of digital images, there is something uniquely powerful about holding a printed photograph. Each photo seemed to have its own soul, enhanced by Ralph’s expert use of black-and-white imagery. I was particularly drawn to his black-and-white photos—something I admire deeply in photography. The tonal range, the contrast, the simplicity of it all—it was mesmerizing.

One of the most enlightening parts of the evening was when Ralph discussed how the type of paper used for printing affects the final image. He showed us the same photograph printed on different types of paper—matte and baryta paper—and it was fascinating to see how the texture and finish of the paper altered the feel of the photo. The richness and depth that baryta paper added to some of his black-and-white prints were truly remarkable. It’s something that inspired me to experiment more with printing my own work.

Ralph’s passion for photography was evident in every frame he presented. The smile on his face as he shared his images reflected the satisfaction he finds in his craft, and it was clear we were all equally delighted by the beauty of his work.

In addition to Ralph’s presentation, we were excited to welcome three new members to our club. It’s always wonderful to see fresh faces, and I hope they decide to stay and become part of our vibrant community of photographers. The more, the merrier!

If you’d like to explore more of Ralph’s incredible work, you can visit his website at duckettlighting.co.uk.

It was an unforgettable evening, full of learning, inspiration, and, most importantly, a shared appreciation for the art of photography. I can’t wait to see what future meetings will bring!