The amazing legacy of one of the most important photographers of the 20th century is to be featured in an exhibition at Shrewsbury's new museum and art gallery.
And I can't wait to see it!
Some people nowadays believe anybody can now take great pictures because camera technology is so much better than it was. Some think it's possible to take great pictures just using your mobile phone.
And of course there are elements of truth in all of this.
It's certainly easier now than it's ever been to take good quality photographs because decent cameras do so much of the work for you.
But there's a difference between good quality photographs and great photographs.
For evidence of this look no further than the work of the extraordinary Terence Spencer whose work will be the subject of an exhibition in our county town in mid-July.
My own interest in this exhibition, with me being such a massive Beatles fan (have I mentioned this before at all?), is the wealth of marvellous pictures of the Fab Four taken by Spencer. He followed the band around in 1963 and his pictures of John, Paul, George and Ringo will form the heart of this exhibition.
Yes, of course, these pictures often have much to do with being in the right place at the right time, but that's surely part of the genius of a great photographer - making sure you are in the right place at the right time.
Then there's having the 'eye' to make sure you get the best angle, the best mood, the best composition, and not settling for second best.
Technical skill plus opportunity plus style plus knowing the difference between an okay picture and a great picture.
Spencer was an outstanding Life magazine photographer who covered showbusiness and world events from the 1960s onwards.
An odd mix - showbusiness and world events.
The world events would take in the unrest and violence that came with the coming of apartheid in South Africa, including the Sharpville massacre. Spencer was there to graphically illustrate what was going on during those dark times. He went on to report and photograph the Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya.
The Congo conflict, explained Spencer, was "far and away the worst war" he had to cover, with a total breakdown in law and order, with power-crazed, drunken soldiers and a nation reverting to near-tribal savagery.
Terence Spencer went on to provide extensive cover of the Vietnam War.
All of this brutality and bloodshed on the one hand, and then, on the other, the breath-taking beauty of Elizabeth Taylor in her prime, or James Bond actor Roger Moore captured, cigar in hand, sifting through his paperwork, and of course The Beatles – conquering the world with their scouse wit and infectious pop.
For Spencer, what kind of a crazy career was that?
But to know Terence Spencer the photographer is to know only part of the man.
Spencer had also been a Second World War fighter pilot specialising in very low-level strafing raids across occupied Europe.
He had been posted to a squadron flying American P51 Mustangs, the fastest fighters in the world at that time.
Flying in pairs, low over the water to avoid German radar, the Mustangs flew deep into France and other occupied countries, attacking trains, boats and army convoys.
Suffice to say, Terence Spencer lived a most incredible life.
And I'm greatly looking forward to seeing this exhibition.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week. Entry is £4 for adults, £3.50 for senior citizens, and £2 for children over four. Season tickets and group rates are available, and entry to the Roman Gallery is free. For further information, visitwww.shrewsburymuseum.org.uk
