Photography by Helen Drinkwater Of Christchurch

About Us

The latest art exhibition at the Regent in Christchurch, will feature work of local Christchurch amateur photographer, Helen Drinkwater from Sunday 15 – Friday 27 July.

Helen, who was born and bred in Christchurch, began her love affair with the camera at the age of 11, beginning with landscape photography.  She then moved into macro photography for a while, specializing in close-up pictures of small objects and insects.

 In 2001 she met the late Dennis Booth (ARPS), while taking photos in the Priory Church. Dennis became Helen’s unofficial mentor, teaching her so much about photography from the basics such as framing subjects to using natural light to enhance the scene whenever possible.

A few years ago Helen became interested in wildlife photography, taking shots of ponies in the New Forest and roaming the local nature reserve for the Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Swans and Starlings that frequent the local waterways. Wildlife photography has now become Helen’s passion.

Today, Helen’s photography concentrates mainly on local landscapes and seascapes together with the abundant wildlife of the area. She can often be found hanging from branches or perching on clifftops trying to get that perfect shot!

Helen had never seriously considered showing her work in an exhibition as she was content with her photography being a hobby that she loved and sharing the results with close friends and family.  Then in the summer of 2015, Helen was offered the chance to join Hand-blown glass artist, Deb Edlund and Myra Barter of Myra Ann Unique Handbags, in an exhibition to be held the following May (2016) in the Hayloft Gallery in Christchurch, Dorset. It was a big step to take for Helen but a thoroughly enjoyable one, thanks to the support of her fellow CADArts (Christchurch and District Arts) artists.  Helen’s Exhibition at the Regent is from Sunday 15 – Friday 27 July.