Citation for Graham Hodgkiss DPAGB

 

Graham first became interested in photography during his early twenties eventually joining Erdington & District Society in 1966. He soon got involved in club activities, firstly by entering club competitions, supporting social events, and then being elected onto the committee as a Librarian in 1967. Graham continued on the committee for the next four years and was elected President in 1971. Graham played an instrumental role in the merger with Aston and Erdington Photographic Society in 1972 and became one of the founder members serving on the committee from 1973 until was elected President from 1982 until 1984. He then continued to serve on the committee and was awarded honorary life membership in 1991 for his services rendered to the club over the previous nineteen years. He was elected President in 1993 until 1995. Graham continued on the committee and was elected President and served in office from 2000 until 2002. He became the MCPF delegate in 2003, apposition held until 2007. During his 35 years as a member of Aston and Erdington Graham has served the club in many roles and has always worked tirelessly on behalf of members.

 

In 1980 Graham joined Solihull Photographic Society and by 1981 had become a member of the organising committee for the Open Exhibition of British Photographic. Whilst at Solihull he joined forces with seven other members to form “Midland Dimension” an exhibition of photography of the highest standards that was displayed at numerous locations within the United Kingdom including the Royal Photographic Society in 1982, although he is no longer a member of the RPS.

 

I first met Graham in 1980 when he became a member of Solihull PS and during the past twenty-seven years I have had a long association with him through our mutual interests in photography and supporting Midland exhibitions.

 

In 1982 Graham was elected to the council of the Midland Counties Photographic Federation and held various positions over eight years including; member of the judges committee, Midphot Liaison Officer and latterly Portfolio Chairman.

 

In 1982 Graham became a member of the Midland Salon, becoming the chairman from 1986 until 1987. He stepped down from the committee in 1989. He presented a trophy in celebration of the Midland Salon reaching its “Fifty Year” which was to be awarded for the best overall MCPF worker in Monochrome Prints.

 

Graham took on the role of regional organiser for the largest event the world had ever seen; when on August 13 1987 photographs taken y people of Britain were submitted to a distinguished panel of judges. A total of 350 images were selected to be used in a book entitled “One Day For Life” that was eventually successfully sold in aid of Cancer charities.

 

Graham’s involvement in producing photographic books continued in 1999, he was the driving force behind a book entitled “portraits of Aston and Erdington 2000.” This was a visual record of life in Birmingham’s suburbs, photographed by members of Aston and Erdington PS and sold in aid of the Stroke Association.

 

Graham has been on the MCPF list of judges and lecturers for many years being first elected in 1983. He has over the last twenty-four years not only judged many club, inter-club, national and inter-national exhibitions but given a great deal of pleasure to many members with his entertaining print lectures.

 

In 2004 Graham relocated to the Cotswolds where he joined Cheltenham Camera Club and soon became an active member always willing to help with lots of the photographic activities at the club although he still maintains an interest in A&E.

 

In 2005 Graham was invited to present a trophy to be awarded to the entrant with the best landscape slide or projected image at the Midphot Exhibition.

 

In 2007Graham was elected to the Midland Counties Photographic Federation Roll of Honour for his outstanding service to the MCPF for some forty years.

 

In 2007 Graham was elected as a council member for the Midland Counties Photographic Federation Council to serve as the PAGB Inter-Federation Print and Slide competition organiser for the Midland Federation annual competition entry.

 

During the Past forty-one years Graham has not only shown a life time of personal involvement in photography but he has also supported many of his fellow photographers by his willingness to share his vast knowledge and experience through his various lecturing and judging visits to local Midland clubs for some 24 years.

 

David Moore PhD., EFIAP., MPAGB., BPE5*

MCPF Vice President and Referee.

 

 

David Moore PhD., EFIAP., MPAGB., BPE5*

MCPF Vice President and Referee.