IT was a packed room in Churchill House's Hatton Gallery - enjoying a new life as a lecture theatre for Herefordshire College of Art & Design - that hung on the every word of the visiting speaker, photographer Paul Seawright, earlier this month.

Born in Belfast in 1965, this world-renowned photographer's work is characterised by conflict. He made his name reflecting sectarian murders in the early 80s.

Professor and director of the centre for photographic research at the University of Wales, Newport, he was asked to represent Wales at this year's Venice Biennale and - as if that was not enough of a recognition for his work - the Imperial War Museum commissioned him to record a vision of war-torn Afghanistan in 2002.

That work, Hidden, formed the basis for his talk, entitled Photography, art and war.

Aiming to stimulate rather than satisfy with his pictures, he made it clear that he regarded himself as an artist - not a photojournalist.

He described the challenge he faced responding to contemporary conflict, often choosing to photograph things that refer to the event, rather than the event itself.

When seconded to work with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1994, Paul would often be left in the station, taking pictures of the open lockers, while other photographers may have piled into the vans to go on patrol.

He reiterated the importance of poets, writers and photographers attending historical events, even when the "sheer otherness of the situation" could make it difficult to function.

It was mainly young photography students who filled the seats, although the monthly series is open to the public. The next lecture, being given by the winner of this year's Jerwood Prize for Painting, Shani Rhys James, is on December 10. For details call 01432 845312.

6 Paul Seawright, who lectured on Photography, art and war. Photograph by James Watkins. 034517-1