Keith Launchbury FRPS died in January.
After finishing University Keith began a career in local Government, first in Birmingham and later as a Senior Economic Development Officer for Preston City Council. Here he was responsible for regeneration, helping small businesses and tourism in the town. In this role he met the Prince of Wales (now HM King Charles III) and was presented with a medal for 25 years’ service shortly before he retired.
Keith's abiding love and passion was for photography. In 1981 he visited Base Camp at Everest on a photography expedition with the renowned explorer and photographer Alfred Gregory. He also planned a trip to Machu Picchu but decided he would get married instead.
Beginning with a box brownie and graduating to Leica camera equipment he meticulously researched dark room techniques and developed a portfolio on the Ancient Standing Stones to present to the RPS. He soon qualified as a Fellow and was highly regarded by his peers in his field using monochrome film, producing stunning black and white images in his darkroom.
Keith was an enthusiastic and active member of Preston Photographic Society and chaired numerous meetings as their president. He founded a new forum in 1996 called Lancashire Monochrome and was its president for many years. He also helped set up the RPS Contemporary North-West group.
Keith supported many people on their distinctions journey. He was firmly of the opinion that creating an effective Statement of Intent should be an early part of the project process and helped many people with this as they strived for Associateship and Fellowship.
He achieved his second FRPS in Contemporary Photography with a study of the Cumbrian Coast, concentrating on the non-touristy side of the county and particularly the Solway Coast. Keith had an amazing eye for an image and thought deeply about the “Why” of capturing that precise moment. He never left home without a camera, even when going shopping.
It was with great sadness that I learnt of Keith’s sudden death in January, and our condolences and memories of a fine photographer and gentle, thoughtful person go to his wife Jane and all who knew him.
Read a little more about Keith in the latest edition of our newsletter, Concept.