Page 19 - Cape-Camera-March-April-2021

Cape Camera March/April 2021

New members

It is indeed an honour and a great pleasure to welcome Francois Roux, who is the President
of the PSSA, and Evelyn Gibson, who serves on the PSSA Board as Director of Public Rela-
tions. We hope that they will find their decision to join CTPS rewarding and will enjoy be-

coming part of the ‘cradle of photography’ in South Africa – where it all started some 131
years ago. We are most appreciative that both were prepared to provide us with information
about their own photographic life and their involvement in the governing body – the Photo-
graphic Society of South Africa.

Francois Roux

MPSSA, Hon FPSSA, EPSSA (Cls), LPSSA(AV), EFIAP

Francois was elected to culture and strong points. One gets used to the images mem-
the PSSA Board as Re- bers enter at your own club. By being exposed to other people’s
gional Director for the photography, one gets new inspiration that will get you out of
Western Gauteng Region your comfort zone.
(as it was known then) in “My photographic journey began after I started working and
1999 when the regional met up with an old school friend who showed off his new cam-
director system started. era, which he had bought after the encouragement of his boss,
He was assigned the fi- who was the chairman of Vanderbijlpark Fotografiese Verenig-
nancial portfolio which ing. I had an early interest in photography and at that stage
he still holds today. He owned only a Kodak Brownie. So, the long and short is that I
was elected Second Vice- was inspired and bought myself a second-hand DSLR in 1981.
President at the Van- I also joined the Vanderbijlpark club the following year where I
derbijlpark congress in am still a member today.
2001 and served his first “I began with table top photography as I had no opportunities
two year term as presi- to travel much in those early years; and also did some school
dent from 2005 to 2007. sports because I participated in many different types of sport
He again was elected as myself. Eventually I developed a great interest in landscape
Second Vice-President in photography, which has been my main genre for quite a while
2015 and is currently in now. I do, however, believe that I am fairly versatile, as I have
his last stretch of his second term as President (2019-2021). achieved three of my honours with specialist panels in three
He has been involved in the honours judging process for quite different genres.
a number of years, first as organiser for the Gauteng area (still in “There have been many memorable experiences during my
the slide and print days) and later as part of the judging team. photographic journey. Sometimes it is in small things, a special
He is also one of the members, together with Barrie Wilkens, event, special light conditions etc. I enjoy travelling and it is al-
Jill Sneesby, Antenie Carstens and Johann van der Walt, who ways a highlight for me when I get the opportunity to visit Na-
started with the implementation of the Judging Accreditation mibia. I served in the army in Walvis Bay in 1973, and fell in love
Programme. He is still involved in the ongoing JAP process. with the sand and the dunes. Another travel highlight was my
“The reason I decided to join CTPS was because I enjoy the ex- visit to Iceland in 2018. It is just a magical place and a heaven for
posure to as many images as possible and the photographers a landscape photographer. Also, visiting India was a most mem-
making those images. It helps to keep an open mind and ex- orable experience because of its colourful culture and people.
perience a variety of styles and creativity. Each club has its own

All images above and on top of the following page by Francois Roux

Cape Town Photographic Society 18