Gallery looking for photographic talent

You may remember the CNN article last year about the grand opening of Tyneside Gallery F Stop, linked to family owned business Digitalab run by Northumbria graduate Jill Roe.

Jill graduated from Northumbria University 12 years ago with a 2:1 Business Degree and immediately started working in the family business, which has been established 60 years this month and specialises in printing the highest quality photographic images and exhibition stands. This professional photo lab based in the Ouseburn Valley area of Newcastle and they offer a professional, personal service. The business has just recently invested in the latest state of the art High Definition printer to allow them to give their customers the best quality prints available, whether you are shooting digitally or on film.

As the popularity of the gallery at Digitalab has grown, another Northumbria graduate has joined the team. Lauren Holloway, who graduated in 2005 with a BA (Hons) in Photographic Practice, has taken up the position of Gallery Manager and hopes to exhibit some exciting contemporary photography and help showcase the wide range of photographic talent within the North East and beyond.

In its first year the gallery has already played host to a diverse range of exhibitors, all with very different themes and styles, ranging from black and white images, sepia toned radiographs and iconic North East landscapes.  

One of the photographers to have already used F Stop to exhibit his work is Steve Mayes (link to website), a Newcastle based Architectural & Landscape photographer. Steve was showing his work the last time the Alumni Association visited the gallery, when he sold 13 pictures from one show. When speaking of his experience of using the gallery he said, “I'd really recommend the gallery to other photographers looking for a contemporary space to exhibit their work, and also Digitalab's excellent printing facilities.”

Now as F Stop fast approaches its first birthday, Digitalab has reached the grand old age of 60. To celebrate Digitalab’s 60th year of service F Stop are giving photographers the chance to win up to £1200 in photographic prints and framing and exclusive use of the F Stop gallery for one month to exhibit their work!  Lauren explained, “Entrants can submit up to 5 of their best images through our upload service on the website. 12 images will then be selected to go into the final which will be voted on by Award Winning Landscape Photographer Joe Cornish.”

The F Stop gallery and Digitalab are proud to be associated with Joe Cornish (link to website) and have been printing his images for the last 6 years. Joe explained what he wants from the winning entry, “I will be looking for technical excellence, creative ability, imagination and personal vision in the winning entrant.”

The theme of the competition is – “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!”
First prize is one month’s exclusive use of the F Stop Gallery plus up to £1200 in prints and framing. Second prize is a unique, signed Joe Cornish print and third prize is a framed hand printed image of one of your photographs (value £120)

So if you think you’ve got what it takes and would like to enter the competition, and to find out more details please see the website:www.digitalab.co.uk   www.fstopgallery.co.uk

All up and coming exhibitions will be revealed on the F-Stop website as well as Facebook, Twitter and regular blogs.

Also as a special benefit for students and graduates of Northumbria University, if you use the services on offer at Digitalab you will receive 10% off your purchase. A full list of the services they provide is available on the Digitalab website.