Eaton Hall exhibition to showcase Chester photographers’ work

Mar 6 2009 by Mark Dowling, Chester Chronicle

Eaton Hall exhibition to showcase Chester photographers’ work

TWO Chester photographers are to see their efforts showcased in an exhibition arranged by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.

Nick Hastings-Winch, of Broxton, and Phil Mann, of Helsby, were commissioned to take pictures of the Duke and Duchess’s estates over a year, capturing them throughout the four seasons.

A selection of their photos, chosen by the Duchess, will be put on display in an exhibition in Eaton Hall, Eaton, on Easter Sunday.

Nick told of how the commission came about.

He said: “I have always been a keen photographer, I started when I was very young, and was particularly interested in nature and outdoor photography.

“The Duke and Duchess of Westminster sent out an advert to universities looking for someone to take part in this project.

“I replied, got put on a shortlist of five, and was invited to Eaton Hall to take part in the final selection. Both Phil and I were then picked to do the commission.”

Phil said: “We each had a short interview before we were let loose around the grounds on a photographic test, which lasted an hour.

“I think I was very lucky to be shortlisted, and even luckier to get the commission.

“There was only going to be one photographer to be picked initially, but me and Nick are based in different fields of photography. I focus on landscapes, and Nick on flowers and fauna.”

The duo then embarked on the project, spending time at the estates in Cheshire, Lancashire, Scotland and Spain for 16 weeks over the course of a year.

The long-term project was potentially difficult for Phil, who has a full-time job working for a bank.

But he said: “I had some holiday entitlement left, but it wasn’t enough to cover the 16 weeks.

“Thankfully, the manager was very accommodating, and was very aware it was something it was desperate to do.

“The aim of the project was to try and convey the life story of the estate, and the photos have to fulfil the requirement of that.”

Nick added: “I built a giant library from the project, with some great images in the portfolio.”

The pick of the duo’s portfolios will be placed on boards with captions at the exhibition, with a VIP preview from 12.30pm.