Following her photographic studies and becoming the first person to gain a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in black and white printing, Ruthie Morris formed the MonoGroup in 1996 to share her love for the monochrome image with like-minded photographers.

In running the Group she was joined by Richard Keeler who was awarded his ARPS distinction in printing. He has built up a large collection of prints in black and white from his trips to Canyonlands USA, Namibia and extensive trekking in remote parts of the Himalaya. The Group has been supported and advised by Keith Wynn of Photocraft, Hampstead from the outset.

The monthly informal meetings of the new group who meet at Ruthie's home in NW London soon expanded into a larger group with well known speakers invited to give talks and demonstrations. They have included distinguished photographers in the fields of travel, portraiture and photojournalism, authors, curators and technical experts in areas such as darkroom printing and toning. Recently, leading suppliers of inkjet media have demonstrated the new digital methods of printing. The members themselves are asked from time to time to present work-in-hand and finished projects so that their fellow members can offer encouragement and criticism!

The monthly meetings have also featured "homework" when members are invited to bring images in various preset subjects. In many cases the invited speaker has commented and advised on the work submitted. There is time for socialising, refreshments and chat about the tools of photography, a very important part of the agenda.

In 1999 the MonoGroup put on a successful photographic exhibition "First Exposure" in the Gallery Bar of the Grosvenor House Hotel. The 24 photographers of the Group at that time presented over 100 monochrome images, on a variety of subjects. Many of the Group members have since had their own exhibitions and have published books.

The MonoGroup now has some thirty members many of whom have gone or are going digital. A healthy banter between the traditional "wet" photographers and the "digitals" has evolved.

For information or to join please email info@themonogroup.co.uk