Fermoy Camera Club remembers the late Frank Morgan
FOR the late Frank Morgan photography was as much about enjoying his art and profession as it was about capturing that perfect image, memory and moment in time.
It was therefore fitting that last year the Fermoy Camera Club (FCC), which he played such a key role in establishing, should enshrine his memory in a competition showcasing the best images taken by its members during the year.
Club PRO Helen Arnold said it was testament to his memory that the second annual Frank Morgan Memorial Cup should have attracted such a large number of entries.
Helen said that in addition to being an extremely talented photographer, Mr Morgan was a “wonderful asset” to the club, serving time on the early committees as well as working with the outings group for many years.
“Through his business Frank Morgan Photographic Studios, which his wife Breeda Kiely and sister-in-law Helen still run, Frank freely and happily gave his time to club members who brought in their photos to be printed. He would gladly look over them, offer advice, help and, most importantly, encouragement,” said Helen.
“Through his mentoring, the standard of photography being produced by members certainly rose and the club has so much to be thankful to Frank for,” she added.
She said the annual competition for the Memorial Cup, sponsored by Breeda and Helen, was “very much what Frank was all about”, with members invited to enter what they considered to be the favourite photo they had taken over the past 12-months.
“As with last year, the standard of entry was very high and we thank our colleagues from Cobh Camera Club, for taking on the almost unenviable task of having to pick the winners and for their detailed critique of all the photos,” said Helen.
First place went to Finbar O’Hanlon for his stunning image of a pair of airborne belligerent Gold Finches taken during the snow earlier this year.
Mark Heffernan came second with his picture of an event equestrian galloping through water, with Conor McCarthy’s colourful night-time shot taken in Cologne taking third spot.
Helen said that they were delighted to welcome Frank Morgan’s long-time friend, Andy Kelly, to the presentation night where he showed some of the photos he has been collected since he was a young boy.
“Andy’s love of photos and photographic equipment was sparked by a chance find on a building site in Dungarvan in 1964 when he rescued a collection of old photos that had been destined for the dump. His collection dates back to the 1850’s and he had many wonderful stories to accompany the images he showed us,” said Helen.
“It was a night of mixed emotions as members reminisced about Frank, telling stories and recalling incidents during the many great years we shared with him. The one common thread that came through all of the stories was the theme of ‘Fun With Photography’, something that everyone shared in Frank’s company,” she added.