Potters Bar Photographic Society: Focus on Marion Dale

Marion Dale joined the Potters Bar and District Photographic Society over 25 years ago, when she was persuaded by a friend to enter a photographic competition in the local newspaper and she won a prize – free membership of the Society!

Now one of the Society’s longest serving members and still competing into her 90s, Marion said: “The Society gave me an opportunity to show and see all kinds of images and during my reign as President in 2008 witness the shift to digital cameras.

"Goodbye to colour slides and the end of my darkroom days alas, however by then I was hooked on searching out subjects for my camera.

"I love belonging to the Society and am still competing, but these days am down to a small Olympus camera having waved goodbye to the tripods and Canons!"

The Potters Bar Society has now started its 2023 programme of visits, competitions, lectures and other events. 

Anyone interested in seeing whether the Society is for them is welcome to attend up to three meetings at the Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, most Monday evenings from 7.30pm before joining.

Further details can be found at pottersbarphotosoc.org.uk or on Facebook. A potential member may visit for up to three meetings to see if it is for them.

Here is a selection of Marion Dale's favourite photographs in her own words.

Dogs in The Pub –

Dogs in The Pub by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

Was taken as a snapshot at the Fox and Hounds pub in South Godstone. It was a just a happy scene – a slice of British Country life.

Harvest Mouse  –

Harvest Mouse photographed by Marion Dale (Image: Marion Dale)

This was taken at a workshop where the mice are bred for release into protected sites and are photographed out in the natural environment.

The mice were very quick and were actually quite difficult to capture and this was my favourite from the shoot as I love the symmetry of the image.

Sea and Sky, Seaford Head and Old Nets –

Sea and Sky photographed by Marion Dale (Image: Marion Dale)

These were taken down in Sussex in an area I grew up in and know so well.

Seaford Head photographed by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

'Sea and Sky' and 'Seaford Head' are recent shots from a week spent down there an - incredible mackerel sky and steely colour of the sea and the subtle colours of the chalk cliffs with a recent rock fall.

'The Old Nets' appealed simply because of the colours and textures.

Old Nets photographed by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale.)

Big Cats –

Snow Leopard by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

I was lucky enough to visit the Cat Sanctuary at Welwyn a couple of years ago and had the opportunity to get up close to and photograph the big cats there.

My photographs represent the emotions I felt seeing these beautiful animals but captive behind bars, the portrait shot of the snow leopard and the puma that I titled “The Prisoner”.

A picture of a puma entitled 'The Prisoner' by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

Gerbera Seeds –

Gerbera Seeds by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

Was an afternoon of tabletop photography at home.

Boa Burger –

Boa Burger photo by Marion Dale. (Image: Marion Dale)

This was taken at a reptile workshop that provided frogs, lizards and snakes and flash set ups for a small group of photographers.

The workshop gave me the chance to use equipment I didn’t have at home and get up close to these interesting animals that I am unlikely to find in the back garden!