Intrepid explorer and photographer Boyd Harris was guest speaker at the recent meeting of Northwich Photographic Society. He shared his trek into the Andes, trekking higher than the summit of Mont Blanc. Boyd had entertained the society last year following his trekking in Nepal and returned to bring them a mixture of geography, photography and his personal philosophy. Tips on trekking, and especially how to get the best out of it photographically, poured in.

‘Always ask for permission to take a photograph of a person’ resulted for Boyd in a few refusals and requests for money. His portraits captured their attention, interest and envy as photographers. Always taking his lightweight tripod gives him a wonderful opportunity to take intriguing and surreal landscapes as well as lifelike portraits.

Getting to the summit is optional but getting down is compulsory. Climbing down is harder than climbing up and sleeping with your bottle of water saves having to thaw it the next morning.

Further details of the society and a gallery of photographs are available on the website www.northwichphotographicsociety.co.uk.

Meetings are held on Thursday evenings at the Castle Community Church, Beeston Street, Castle, 8pm to 10pm. Visitors and potential members are welcome.