John Chamberlin has written the following tribute to Barry Mead.
Barry was very much a larger than life character, always fun to be with and full of countless stories and anecdotes which meant he was great company.
He had a long and distinguished secondary teaching career in the Bristol area where many of his students excelled at both art and photography. He was able to inspire children from challenging backgrounds and exhibitions of their work, curated by Barry were greatly admired.
Barry was involved in photography for over 50 years, and his outstanding teaching skills were in great demand. In the days of film, he organised countless large format workshops for the RPS and for his services was awarded the Fenton Medal by the Society. He gained his Fellowship of the Society in the early 90’s with a panel of highly distinctive multi layered prints. Barry was fond of telling the story of how the Chair of the adjudicating panel had said he disliked the prints intensely but nevertheless felt they were of Fellowship standard!
Barry became a member of the Bristol PS. in the mid 70’s and served in many roles over his lifetime. In particular, he was Chair on four separate occasions as well as External Competition Secretary, Webmaster for 12 years and editor of the society Newsletter. He also served in the honorary role of Club President from 2016 -2021. Throughout his membership he regularly supported club events and enjoyed club competitions where his original and highly creative images met with regular success.
In the wider amateur photographic world Barry was a very highly respected judge and lecturer for both the Western Counties Photographic Federation as well as the PAGB. He was awarded both an APAGB and an MPAGB. His images were exhibited all around the world and he reached the lofty heights of EFIAP/Diamond 3, gaining countless medals and awards along the way.
Barry very much embraced the digital age where his creative skills were given free rein. His highly original images were the product of a truly creative eye, always extremely accomplished technically and regularly revealing a sense of humour. Above all else he was a most accomplished printer. In addition, he enjoyed taking images of the natural world on the many journeys he made to locations around the world.
On a personal note I have lost a good friend, Bristol Photographic Society has lost a talented and devoted member, and the wider photographic world has lost a person who made an enormous contribution in so many areas.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to his wife Ann and son Ollie.
John Chamberlin
