BRIAN ROPE

I commenced my photography learning journey in 1951 when my parents gave me a Baby Brownie. Soon after, they purchased a home developing kit and together we learned to make contact prints using the sun as the light source.

I have been a member of photography groups since 1971 and was President of the Canberra Photographic Society for eight consecutive years in the 1990s. I joined the Australian Photographic Society (APS) in 1976 and have been actively involved with it ever since. I have served two terms as APS President. From 2013 to 2021, I was a member/Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of Photo Access.

In 1987, I organised the national collection of amateurs' photographs for use in the Personal Views element of the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Exhibition. In 1988, I co-ordinated a project to document how Canberrans celebrated the Bicentennial year. About a dozen photographers, including me, covered almost every Bicentennial event that occurred in Canberra and took about 6,000 images. The events covered included the opening of the new Parliament House and a visit by the Queen, right through to very modest events.

I have had illustrated articles and portfolios published in various books, magazines, and newspapers, have lectured on photography to community and photographic groups and have participated in numerous public group exhibitions. One of my digital images was selected as a finalist from 14,000 entries in the 2010 Art of Photography Show in San Diego, USA. In 2013 I was selected as one of 100 people each exhibiting one photograph in a Centenary of Canberra exhibition and published photo book.

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From November 2019 I have reviewed and written about photography for The Canberra Times and the Canberra Critics Circle, publishing all items on my personal blog as well. I ceased writing for The Canberra Times in July 2023.

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At the end of 2022 I was advised that its Board had decided to make me a Life Member of Photo Access.