RAF Wittering News

Making light work was the aim of a special workshop at Wittering this week as Station photographers shared skills and experience with their RAF colleagues.

The workshop was the idea of Senior Aircraftman Kimberley Waterson. Originally from Consett in County Durham, Kimberley (37) has been a qualified photographer for 17 years and has a degree from Derby University in Fine Art Photography.

She said: “Being creative with lighting is a big passion of mine and I sometimes feel that we, as creators, can get stuck in our ways using the same lighting set-up for each portrait we do. Bringing us together means that we can share ideas and keep things fresh.”

RAF Photographers play a varied range of roles, capturing everything from aerial reconnaissance images to public relations portraits. They can also gather photographic evidence for engineering, security and accident investigations, and shoot video training films.

The workshop started in RAF Wittering’s Embry Room, named for the Station’s most famous commander, Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Edward Embry. The ten visiting photographers began the day by using their favourite lighting set-ups, and then worked with variations of colours and brightness to create different artistic effects.

SAC Waterson took a ten-year career break, working as a freelance photographer before returning as an RAF Regular. She is in no doubt about the quality of her RAF training, and also values her time working in the private sector.

Kim said: “RAF Photographers are really well trained, and we have great support from our branch. My ten-year break gave me a chance to learn new skills and ways of working with light, hopefully I can share that experience with my colleagues and we can learn from each other too.”

For one photographer, the workshop meant a return to the Station where her RAF career began. Katrina Knox joined 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron as a reservist, before becoming a regular. SAC Knox is now a photographer with the Red Arrows.

Katrina said: “I was brought up in Wittering and my RAF career has taken me further afield, but its always nice to come back. Working with my fellow photographers is always a pleasure, especially if I’ve not worked with them before.”

Wing Commander Maggie Boyle is the Deputy Station Commander at RAF Wittering, he said: “Any Station would be proud to have a photographic section like ours. They consistently produce eye-catching and powerful images which enable this Station to tell its story, and I am very proud that they have chosen to share their expertise and skills in this way.”