Beyond - Exhibition Opening

‘Beyond ’ is a uniquely curated exhibition celebrating the work of five local photographers.

On show is diverse collection of work, from local landscapes and portraits, to experimental and abstract works created using alternative processes . The collection showcases the artists' individual creative approaches, interests and personal style.

Join us during the opening evening and take the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists about their creative approaches and inspiration.

About the Artists

Charles McGuigan

"I recently graduated from the University of Stirling with a first-class honours degree in photography. My passion lies in capturing landscapes and portraits, often focusing on the beautiful and historic places we’re fortunate to have close by. I love exploring the character of my local area, from sweeping natural scenes to the details that give a place its personality. Photography for me is about connection, to the land, to the people, and to the fleeting moments that make life memorable. I’m happiest with a camera in hand, chasing light, weather, and those small twists of fate that turn an ordinary shot into something special. My work celebrates the richness of our surroundings and the simple joy of seeing familiar places in new ways."

Instagram: @charles.mcguigan

You can join Charles during the Stirling Photography Festival in a talk about portraiture

Strangers in the Crowd

Friday 26th Spetember, The Barracks Conference Centre

Caitlin Jardine

Caitlin is a photography student at Glasgow Kelvin College, and a member of Stirling Photography Festival’s creative team. She enjoys experimenting with different photographic genres, which has led to a rather varied portfolio of work and experiences, including photographing The Scottish Album of the Year Awards in 2024, and documenting streetstyle fashion looks at London Fashion Week. Most recently, Caitlin has become known for her love of instant film, particularly Polaroid, and experimenting with alternative processes. She enjoys working with lo-fi equipment and alternative techniques to create thought provoking imagery.

This series of exhibited imagery by Caitlin showcases a portfolio of work created in 2024, when she first started to create Polaroid lifts. The imagery was captured on a mix of digital and 35mm formats, before being turned into Polaroid lifts, and shows a variety of places she has visited on her photographic journey so far.

Instagram: @caitlinjardine

You can join Caitlin at the following Stirling Photography Festival event:

Beyond the Polaroid

An Introduction to Creating Polaroid Lifts

Saturday 13th September, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building

Gregor Boyd

Gregor Boyd is a Central Scotland–based photographer with an interest in editorial, documentary, landscape, gig/live music, and street photography.

He has an interest in digital and analogue photography. He also regularly attends photo walks where he always brings too many cameras. He was the winner of Analogue Wonderland’s Big Film Photowalk last year, beating 1,200 other entrants with his image of a car on fire, winning himself a Pentax 17 camera and a large amount of Kodak Film.

Gregor has a BA in Digital Media from the University of Stirling and has also attended Forth Valley College, where he studied Photography.

Gregor is exhibiting six landscape images captured over the past five years.

“Shooting landscapes and also shooting on film allows me to slow down, take my time and concentrate. I put my phone away, focus on the subject in front of me and spend time honing my skills”.

Instagram: @g_boydphotographs

You can join Gregor on a Photo Walk as part of this year's Stirling Photography Festival

Stirling Photo Walk

Al Dawes

Al made his first pinhole camera 35 years ago and was instantly hooked on photography: Mesmerised by the ethereal quality of the images created by nothing more than a box with a hole in it. Since then he has been making, modifying, bodging and experimenting with photography and cameras of all kinds to make distinctive, aesthetic and often unusual images. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and introducing people to the marvels of photography and encouraging people to use photography to express themselves creatively.

Instagram: @w.t.f.stop

You can join Al at the following Stirling Photography Festival events:

Camera Obscura experience

Saturday 13th September, Stirling University

Pinhole photography workshop

Saturday 13th September, Stirling University

Analogue Workshop Day

Saturday 27th September, The Engine Shed, Stirling

David Chapman

David is a photographer and visual artist from Clackmannanshire, Scotland. His love of sport, people and their stories has influenced his work. Taking a keen interest in the hidden, less obvious details which surround us, David seeks to capture the details which we all see but seldom appreciate.

“Life isn’t always about the heroic sacred forms, more often than not, the beauty is hidden in the details which lay just beyond the reach of our consciousness”.

A recent graduate of Forth Valley College and Stirling University’s BA Art and Design programme David is currently working towards his Honours year at the University of Highlands and Islands in Perth.

A photographic study of a pirouette through shape, movement and time.

This project is far more than that though. This is a celebration of the ballerina. An acknowledgement of the years of training and personal sacrifice it has taken to stand in the spotlight. The smiles, the tears, the accolades, the injuries. The sore and damaged feet, the twisted knees and pulled muscles. The commitment from family and friends. The support and guidance of their tutors. The ballerina’s journey is tough and not one that can be taken alone.

This is not a single turn. This is the culmination of a lifelong journey.

More images from this project and others are available to view online at www.davidchapmanphotography.com/projects

About the Stirling Photography Festival

The Stirling Photography Festival is Scotland's only festival dedicated to the art of photography. Events and exhibitions run throughout August and September at venues across Stirlingshire - please see here for our full programme of events and exhibitions for 2025.

As a volunteer led community festival we aim to inspire creativity, develop skills and build community. All events are free to attend and so we rely on donations and sponsorship. Please see here how you can support the festival.

About our Hosts

The Stirling Photography Festival is delighted to embark on their first collaboration with the Weigh Ahead Gallery in Dunblane. This offers a fabulous opportunity for our creative team to exhibit their work within this wonderful community space.