A year ago, I didn't know what aperture, shutter speed or ISO meant. At 62, I had just been given my first bridge camera and was excited to start taking photographs. That excitement quickly turned to confusion when I realised how little I understood about the camera's manual controls. I had enjoyed taking pictures on automatic cameras in the past, but I was now effectively starting from scratch. Fortunately, I'd already discovered AUB Academy.
I'd often been tempted by the Academy's course programme, particularly because I strongly believe in the importance of lifelong learning. A couple of years previously, I’d written a book called Happy Silver People, which explores ways to make life happier, healthier and easier as we grow older. One of its key messages is that we should continue to challenge ourselves, learn new skills, and step outside our comfort zones.
To put my own advice into practice, I signed up for AUB Academy's Acting course – because it was one of the most terrifying things I could imagine doing. Yet, under the encouragement of Charmaine K Parkin and alongside an incredibly supportive group, I found myself looking forward to every session. I loved the freedom of becoming someone else for an evening and I still smile when I think about performing as a contemporary Lady Macbeth in a blood-red dress.
While not as scary, to me, the world of photography still felt quite daunting, so looking to the AUB Academy again for guidance seemed like the natural next step.
I enrolled on an introductory Photography course with Pete McKinley, who guided us through the fundamentals of how a camera works and challenged us with practical assignments. For the first time, I began to understand how creative decisions around light, exposure and composition could completely transform an image. Just as importantly, sharing my work with the group and receiving constructive feedback gave me the confidence to carry on experimenting.
That led me to the Level 2 Photography qualification, which I studied with Jason Bascombe from October through to June. I'll admit that it was more demanding than I had anticipated, but I absolutely loved it. The course was structured around portraiture, still life and landscape photography, before culminating in a self-directed final project. What surprised me most was how much of the photography process happens before you even pick up a camera. Each unit began with research, exploring the work of established photographers and artists. I hadn't expected to enjoy this aspect so much, but I found it endlessly inspiring. Whenever I felt creatively stuck, returning to the work of other photographers often reignited my own ideas and helped me see possibilities I'd previously overlooked.
The practical sessions were equally valuable. Practice days in Bournemouth, Swanage and Portland encouraged us to push beyond our usual habits and experiment with new techniques. For me, that meant taking black-and-white photographs for the first time, challenging myself to work in a square format, and trying intentional camera movement (ICM) to create more abstract, painterly images. One week I could be looking for strong lines, contrasting textures and dramatic shadows; the next I could be experimenting with colour, movement and light to create photographs that looked more like paintings.
I also developed technical skills that had previously felt intimidating. Studio sessions helped me understand lighting and portrait techniques, while post-production workshops introduced me to Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Gradually, editing became less about "fixing" photographs and more about shaping the story I wanted an image to tell.
My final project, When I'm (Almost) 64, was inspired by my interest in positive ageing. For it, I created a collection of 63 partial self-portraits, exploring the changing landscape of the body at 63 years old in an honest, reflective way. The project gave me enormous creative freedom. Because there were so many images, I could experiment with different lighting styles, compositions and approaches. Looking back, it represented not only what I had learned technically, but also the confidence I had gained in expressing an idea through photography.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the course was the learning environment itself. Our group included people with different levels of experience, different interests and very different photographic styles. Seeing how others approached the same brief often sparked new ideas, while the constructive feedback we shared helped all of us improve.
Completing the Level 2 qualification was also personally significant. More than forty years ago, I failed my Art O-Level and quietly concluded that I simply wasn't a creative person. For decades afterwards, I carried that belief with me; completing this course challenged that completely. The qualification was rewarding, but even more important was realising that creativity isn't something you're either born with or without. It's something that can be developed, nurtured and expressed at any age.
Since finishing the course, I've found the confidence to share my photography on social media. Four of my images have been selected for an AUB Academy pop-up exhibition at Arts by the Sea, which is something I could never have imagined when I first picked up that bridge camera. I've joined a local photography club, started entering competitions, and am already considering another AUB Academy course in storytelling and photojournalism, which would allow me to combine my writing with photography.
My advice to anyone considering an AUB Academy course is simple: don't wait until you feel ready. I certainly wasn't. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to develop existing skills, you'll find expert teaching, encouragement and a supportive community. Be prepared to experiment, make mistakes and occasionally step outside your comfort zone. That's where the real learning happens.
Most importantly, don't assume it's too late. My experience with AUB Academy has shown me that new passions, new skills and new creative identities can emerge at any stage of life. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to sign up for the first class.
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