Nothing negative about St Andrews' first photo festival

Participants in the Abstract Photography Workshop at St Andrews Harbour, one of the events in the inaugural St Andrews Photography Festival.

BID St Andrews has worked with the University of St Andrews and local businesses to create the new annual festival of photography to celebrate the role and importance of the town in the origins of the art and showcase the Scottish photography which has become part of the legacy of the pioneers who were based in St Andrews.

The festival, which runs until September 11, has seen 13 local businesses, including cafés and restaurants, join more conventional venues in hosting exhibitions of work by a range of photographers whose lives and work is connected with the town and Scotland.

The final exhibition, Scotland Through The Lens: 175 years of documentary photography, featuring prints from University of St Andrews Library’s Special Collections archive, opened last night (Thursday) at the Gateway Galleries and runs till December 20.

The festival’s events have ranged from talks on or by individual photographers to workshops allowing people to try historic photographic processes, have their photos taken with them as well as improve their own photography and a chance to find out about the history of old family photos. They have been well attended and received.

But it’s far from over! The exhibitions remain open and tomorrow sees local photographer Carolyn Scott give teenagers tips on becoming a better storyteller with their photos in a workshop at the Gateway Galleries, where their resulting images will be displayed.

On Sunday, Festival Organiser Rachel Nordstrom will be on hand in a Doors Open Day event at Martyrs Kirk to discuss the historical importance of St Andrews in the early days of photography while putting on show some of the photographic treasures from the University Library Special Collections Division.

BID St Andrews Manager, Rhonda McCrimmon, said: “We’re pleased and greatly encouraged by the reception this inaugural event has had so far.

“The first year is always challenging for any new festival and we would appreciate feedback via our online survey at Survey Monkey. Participants will be entered into a prize draw for a Photography Festival hamper.

“We would love to expand the festival next year and would welcome local businesses.”

Details of all the remaining events can be found on the festival Facebook page.