Fine Art Printing with Andreas Reimenschneider
Our April meeting welcomed back former Solas Photography Club member and good friend Andreas Reimenschneider for an inspiring and highly practical evening on photography and fine art printing.
Andreas, who runs Doorus Photography, is a well-known local professional photographer specialising in weddings, events and portraiture. Alongside his photographic work, he has developed an outstanding reputation for artwork reproduction and museum-quality fine art printing, making him the ideal person to guide members through the often-overlooked final stage of the photographic process.
During his presentation, Andreas showcased a carefully curated selection of his beautiful images, explaining the creative and technical decisions behind each one. He also brought an impressive range of fine art prints produced on different premium paper stocks, allowing members to compare textures, finishes and tonal reproduction firsthand. Seeing the same image printed on matte, lustre and fine art cotton papers demonstrated just how dramatically paper choice can influence the final presentation of a photograph.
A particularly valuable part of the evening focused on colour management. Andreas clearly explained the differences between the major colour spaces sRGB, Adobe RGB and ProPhoto RGB and when each should be used for screen display, commercial printing and high-end fine art output. He demystified what can often seem a complex subject, giving members practical guidance on maintaining accurate colours throughout their editing and printing workflow.
To finish, Andreas shared a series of essential tips for preparing photographs for print, including image resolution, sharpening specifically for print, soft-proofing, monitor calibration and exporting files with the correct colour profiles. The session was packed with useful advice that members could immediately apply to improve the quality and consistency of their own printed photographs.
It was an engaging and informative evening that reminded us that a truly great photograph is not only captured and edited well it is also printed with care.
Light & Shadow Photography Workshop
April’s hands-on Light & Shadow Photography Workshop was one of our most creative evenings of the season, hosted by Joe Silke in the Blue Room.
The workshop explored how light and shadow can transform ordinary objects into striking photographic subjects. Using simple indoor lighting setups, members experimented with still life arrangements, household objects, flowers and everyday items, discovering how the direction, quality and shape of light can dramatically alter mood and composition.
A range of techniques was demonstrated, including creating dramatic high-contrast images, projecting patterned shadows, and using continuous lighting to produce bold monochrome photographs. Members were encouraged to experiment freely, resulting in an evening filled with imaginative images and plenty of shared ideas.
The session proved that compelling photography doesn’t require elaborate equipment just an understanding of light, a willingness to experiment, and a creative eye. It was an enjoyable and inspiring workshop that left everyone seeing familiar subjects in a completely new way.
Exploring the Burren
On 25 April, Solas Photography Club headed to The Burren for a full day of outdoor photography, enjoying one of Ireland’s most remarkable landscapes under favourable spring conditions.
Our itinerary took members to some of the Burren’s most iconic locations, including Poulnabrone Dolmen, the limestone pavements of Burren National Park, the dramatic Atlantic coastline at Fanore Beach, the famous Lone Tree, and the historic Kilmacduagh Round Tower. Along the way, members had opportunities to capture sweeping landscapes, delicate spring wildflowers, ancient monuments and coastal seascapes.
The trip catered for photographers of all experience levels, with plenty of opportunities to share ideas, exchange techniques and receive informal guidance throughout the day. Many members also experimented with macro photography, taking advantage of the Burren’s unique flora in peak bloom.
As always, the day was about more than photography it was a wonderful opportunity for members to enjoy the outdoors, strengthen friendships within the club, and return home with a diverse collection of images from one of Galway and Clare’s most inspiring locations.
