AN EXHIBITION showcasing the work of two photographers has opened in Lyme Regis.

Beyond the Obvious will feature work by Tricia Scott and Lois Wakeman at the Town Mill Gallery, and will run from today (3) until Wednesday, September 16.

Tricia and Lois both ended up in east Devon and discovered on meeting that they shared an eerily similar interest in photographic subjects and techniques.

The title of the exhibition comes from their fascination in not just seeing a pretty scene, but rather in finding inspiration in intricacy, pattern, texture, shadow, reflection, symmetry, geometry, ripples, spots and dapples. Scientific principles like chaos theory, turbulent flow, fractals and the Fibonacci sequence may help to explain why these components attract their attention - but it takes dedication to find beauty in places that others might overlook.

Both photographers live near the sea, and the coast is a major source of material – whether natural rocks, sand, seaweed, shells and waves or man-made rusty iron, hulls, sheds, ropes and fishing paraphernalia. A sailor and avid traveller, Tricia finds more far-flung locations to inspire her, but Lois spends nearly all her time near home and is constantly looking for new angles on familiar subjects, whether by the sea or in the beautiful hinterland of the Jurassic Coast.

VBisitors can expect to see peeling paint, rust, lobster pots, corrugated iron, as well as more conventional subjects like shorelines, shadows, waves and reflections. Both figurative and abstract images will be featured. The exhibition will be hung in sets of related images by both photographers, together with a small selection of earthenware pottery by Lois.

All are welcome to attend a special ‘meet the photographers’ evening on Friday (4) from 6pm until 8pm. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am until 4.30pm. Entry is free and further details can be found online at townmillartsguild.com.