Hi All,
If you read nothing else, we are back at our normal venue in the main hall at Avoncroft Arts Centre this coming Tuesday. See you there.
Few bits and pieces going on, let’s start with last week which was our first monthly print competition. I thought the quality of work was excellent and it seems as if you have raised the bar, whether it was because we all put our very best work in for the first competition or was it some excellent work from new entrants in both Pictorial and Nature prints. A difficult job for the judge which is why I think we had more than the normal number of commended results. I should point out that arguing or questioning the judge is generally considered out of order and that if you are not happy with anything it is best to bring it up either before or after the judging but not in mid flow. Hopefully that’s enough said.
The early session with Tony Gervis also went well and although aimed at novice members I certainly learned a lot and have already been using some of the tips on composition to improve some images that have been hanging around and not too sure what to do with them, it’s been flipping fun! Tony’s recommended camera app for Smartphone’s, ‘Camera FV-5’ gives far more control in most cases than a phone’s own controls, well worth the free download.
Whilst mentioning the early session Tony is back this Tuesday at The Avoncroft ART CENTRE with his 2nd presentation “Getting the BASICS RIGHT”. For those who missed last week’s talk which was well received by everybody there, he will give a brief rundown (5 mins) on the points he covered. Then continuing by concentrating on what you need to do, and, what the camera needs to know before you press the button. It promises to be another fun yet educational meeting. If you’re in any doubt, just come along for the 7.00-7.45 pm (prompt) start.
The main event (8.00 pm) for this week is by professional photographer, Christopher Bradbury, Fellow of the Master Photographers of America. We have had Christopher a couple of times in the past on portraiture and studio lighting, always very entertaining and informative. This presentation is on Advances in Digital Editing, a subject he is well versed in. Please see one of his flyers attached to give you an idea of just how good this guy is.
The following week we have a first time event in the form of a Knock-Out Print Competition. We start with 64 prints and we put up two images side by side and the audience (you) choose which you prefer. Those prints that are saved are put back into the next round, this time 32 images and so it goes on until we have a winner. This has nothing to do with our normal competitions so there are no points but I will make sure there is a prize at the end. Normal competition rules don’t apply so it doesn’t matter if the print has been shown before or not, whether it’s mono, colour, nature, open or novice. It is a fun competition and audience participation is encouraged, yes you can cheer on your own image (if you feel you must). We need no more than 2 prints per member ideally handing in this Tuesday but there is a bit of flexibility and might even be able to collect (you are so spoilt!). Thank you to those people who took me up on the offer of getting their images printed, I just hope they will be as pleased as I am when I see my images in print, so much more satisfying than just seeing them on a screen.
It’s getting close (6th November) to our Bill Chambers Memorial Lecture which is being held in the Lecture Theatre at Bromsgrove School (very posh). This year it’s on a normal Tuesday Club Night so it is free entry to members, and it doesn’t stop there, it’s also free refreshments (tea and biscuits) laid on by the school’s hospitality staff. Why not bring a friend or partner, it will be a great evening of some amazing photography from Adrian Almond an acclaimed northern photographer based on the edges of the Lake district. It’s just £6 for guests including refreshments. Details (poster) attached. If you haven’t already done so please confirm that you intend to attend and if you are bringing guests by filling in the list located at the signing-in desk on Tuesday. We need to know numbers as we have to order the refreshments in advance. Thank you.
Finally we will be getting involved with a bit of a Christmas/Community Project which I am hoping we can all be involved in. More details to come shortly but we will be looking for photos of Stoke Prior or Bromsgove and its surrounds. In fact the weather is supposed to be good this weekend so why not take your camera out as you travel around Bromsgrove as its dressed in autumn colours.
This was only supposed to be a short missive and I already know I’ve forgotten something which I will remember as soon as the ‘send’ button is pressed, O well!
Hope to see you Tuesday.
Roger L
