Blog archive - October 2008

The Blog was created during November 2008. The September, October, and early November Blog archives were constructed retrospectively.

31 October, by Barry Pearson. (Notices and news)

Where has the Members' area gone?

It's still where it was, but it isn't called "Members' area" any more!

For the last 2 years or more, the Members' area always had links to various interesting and useful material. It was a route to the Diary, to various sections of the online version of the Focus newsletter, and to useful pages such as the Download area. And if required articles were more than 2 years old or so, it provided a link to the archives of this web site. Recently a Search feature was added.

Much of this information is of interest to non-members too, so they should be encouraged to have a look at that page when seeking news and information. For example, in addition to the items mentioned above, they might want to know what the Constitution is, what the subscriptions are, and they might want to download a membership application form. Members of other clubs might want to see the results of interclub competitions. Anyone might want to have a look at our Links page.

Therefore, this page is now being identified as "useful resources" for both members and non-members. The right hand button at the top of each (new format) page, which used to say "Members' area", now says "Resources", but invokes the same page. Bookmarks (favourites) will still work. The contents of the page should be self-explanatory, with all the familiar links.

This makes the page more important then ever. All the same sorts of material will continue to be published there in future, and more. For example, it now has an "Awards and acceptances" button to identify successes of members in external events. Keep checking that page!

31 October. (Awards and acceptances)

2nd International Photographic Salon, Mersin Photographic Society, Turkey

Acceptances

Martin Currie had these accepted: Sadhu; Coppersmith Barbet; Gannet Displaying; Wild Red Kite; Puffin with Sandeels

Martin Currie - Sadhu

Martin Currie - Wild Red Kite

Martin Currie - Coppersmith Barbet

Martin Currie - Puffin in Flight

Martin Currie - Gannet Displaying

30 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)

Projected Image Competition 1

Dave Hollows CPAGB was our judge on 28 October for this first club projected image competition. With 101 images to judge he apologized that his remarks on each image would have to be brief. Generally these remarks related to small distractions in images, but occasionally he found himself confused by an image (or part thereof) and suggested how small changes would make the image more comprehensible to the judge.

In his vote of thanks Geoff Robinson noted that Dave had been a photographer for a very long time, and a judge for almost as long. His good sense, and sense of humour, had shown through in the evening's judging and the club was grateful to him for this.

30 October, by Tony Redford. (Notices and news)

Near Misses at Bramhall

A number of NCPS members visited the Village Club in Lumb Lane for the opening event of the Bramhall P.S. Annual Exhibition on Wednesday 29th October.. As well as having the opportunity to peruse at leisure their impressive array of prints and enjoy their usual hospitality, there was a chance to win cash prizes in the invitation print competition held in the second part of the evening.

Despite a strong entry from a number of well known club photographers from a fairly wide area, the North Cheshire contingent did very well, with Colin Pickles proving to be our most successful entrant with his super quality "Sacre Coeur" print. This won Colin second prize, sandwiched between two Bramhall members who collected first and third awards. Well done Colin!

Perhaps unluckiest of all was Alan Saunders whose "Gannet in Flight" was the only print to acquire a top score of 15 from the three judges in the first run-through. Strangely, it slightly fell from favour subsequently and failed to make the top three in the end. However, all Alan's bird entries were highly praised and finished near the top.

Prints from Dorothy and Tony Redford also featured strongly with Tony's "Matching Flavours" finishing in the top six and Dorothy's "Trucking" making the final ten during the judges' whittling down process.

NCPS rarely come away from Bramhall empty handed. Colin's success with his second prize print, plus Dorothy collecting a raffle prize, meant our record was maintained. However, with such a hefty number of near misses, we felt it should have been better.

28 October, by Barry Pearson. (Members' competition results)

First Clubworker Projected Images Competition results

24 October.

New download available

24 October.

New Constitution & Rules available

24 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)

The Light of Day – Tuesday 21 October 08

Christine Widdall DPAGB BPE3* AFIAP made a welcome return to the club with a presentation of Panoramas and AV shows to a full house. Panoramas are always difficult to show, being, of their nature, mostly long and thin; but Chris was pleased that our 1400x1050 pixel Digital projector gave true colours and a reasonable size on the screen. The initial Panoramas were of places around Uppermill and Saddleworth, with Greenfields, Reservoirs and Woods providing plenty of photogenic material. Chris noted that snow scenes were good at emphasizing the contours of the hills and valleys. Some of the pictures related to Calendar Pictures produced for the Oldham Chronicle. We saw images of Salford Quays, Crail Harbour, Anstruther, the Derwent Lake and the Castlerigg Stone circle where the stitching technique was used to good effect. And not all the panoramas were linear. A notable image from a Scottish shore involved an area stitching in two dimensions.

The first AV was a Walk Around Saddleworth. Although it has been part of Oldham, and thus Lancashire for some time now, apparently, there are those resident there who still think of themselves as Yorkshire. The AV started in the mists and ended with rain – apparently they get a lot of rain up there.

A Memory of Trees followed. Chris noted the chagrin most of us feel when hearing our own voice in a commentary for the first time. The AV about the Seashore was centred on Dorset, where giant Ammonite fossils are still to be seen, revealed by continued coastal erosion.

Venice refused to co-operate before the tea interval so Chris finished the 1st half with an AV about La Defense. This was of great interest to many of us who had been on the Club visit to Paris a few years ago and well remembered many of the images portrayed.

After tea, Venice worked, to great musical accompaniment. And Chris showed how a good AV show should be made. General views (one has to approach Venice by Gondola) contrasted with intimate detail; and occasionally insets came and went within the general view. Diffuse images gradually changed into sharp images, and an informative script kept the show alive.

A fascinating AV presentation detailed the attempts of Chris and Mike Lawrence to obtain their DPAGB awards. The sequence showed the original image, and what each author had done to it to improve it before presenting it to the panel. Each of the 15 images presented needs to average above 20 marks for the Award to be made, and the AV well illustrated the nail-biting progress as the image sequences were judged. Eventually both Mike with 323 marks and Christine with 326 marks comfortably exceeded the 300 mark hurdle. The AV was received with rapturous applause by the audience.

The final AV about the Morris Dancers at the Saddleworth Rush Cart procession was an attempt by Christine to use background sounds recorded at the same time as the photographic images. The Music included Drums, Melodians, Bells, Whistles and the sound of Clogs on the paved surface. The Rushes were originally gathered to be put down on the Church floors to deaden the sound of footsteps, and insulate the building. When the old rushes were thrown out much of the accumulated dirt would be automatically removed at the same time. Bill was saddened to see that he was not in the AV. Clearly this recent AV was taken long after Manchester Morris Men had visited Saddleworth.

Chris discussed the methods of stitching several images together, and the problems which might arise with copyright Music or Images. In general one should always assume that permission was needed.

In his vote of thanks Frank Hutchinson applauded Christine’s choice of Music in the AVs and noted that she was clearly an excellent photographer and a good judge of the appropriate image to use. The audience gave a resounding affirmation of Frank’s sentiments. If not before, the Club hopes to welcome Christine back, in two years time, as L&CPU President invited to open our Annual Exhibition.

23 October.

New download available

20 October. (Notices and news)

NCPS invited to enter Southport's Champions competition next January

Keep this date free in case we enter this competition, as we have in previous years. (Entry is for invited clubs, not for individuals). It is a PDI (Projected Digital Images) competition.

Monday 19 January 2009: ‘WHO are the CHAMPIONS?’

Judge: ROD WHEELANS, FRPS, MPAGB, APAGB, EFIAP (SPF)

Further details, including confirmation of whether we will entering, and details of selection dates, will be announced later.

19 October. (Notices and news)

34th Smethwick International Exhibition - by 20 November

Individuals rather than clubs enter. Prints and PDIs (Projected Digital Images) are permitted. PSA, FIAP, RPS and Smethwick Photographic Society medals will be awarded in each section as shown below. A total 95 awards will be made, including 12 FIAP, 18 PSA and 12 RPS ribbons.

The 6 sections are:

Up to 4 items per section, £6.00 for first section and £3.00 for subsequent sections. (Plus return postage for prints).

Entry Details for the 34th Smethwick International Exhibition of Photography 2009.

18 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)

10 Images in 10 Minutes - 14th October 08

By common consent this was a good meeting, with plenty of audience participation. One of its aims was to give newer members a chance to show their skills and images but the list of participants was mostly the “old Guard” list. Roger Dye set a high standard with his images of the Flying Motorcycles and Riders. Of particular interest were his images showing how the feat was accomplished. Joyce Streets took a quick trip around the world I n ten images. Richard Scaife concentrated on Girls and Ships, and Girls.

Colin Pickles talking about his prints

Brian Turnbull took visits to Exhibitions as his theme. He was particularly taken with people looking at exhibits. The Redfords reminded us of Bryce Canyon in the ice and Snow. Apparently it gets so cold that one’s tyres contract!! Bill Chadband seized the opportunity to see a diverse range of his images on the Big Screen, and to introduce us to Mill Owner Brian Adams, one of our new members. Two members stuck to Slides. Graham Johnston showed us some of his early experiments with multiple exposures and expressed bewilderment of the fact that every time he got his images accepted for an external Salon exhibition, the Salon subsequently ceased to function. Phil Riley also remains a Slide Man , with images of wildlife and the peaceful countryside, especially if close to Rudyard Lake.

Roy Cheetham giving a digital image show

Colin Pickles arrived in time for Tea, bringing with him a set of Prints. Colin is obviously a Train and Steam Buff but is still not sure if his images should be in Colour or Monochrome.

Only one member, Roy Cheetham, added sound to his images. He had visited a re-enactment of the American Civil War at Tatton Park. It was nearly a silent presentation as our trusty sound system remained silent; until our back-up powered speakers were employed. Ten images miraculously increased threefold, but Roy insists, he stayed within the 10 minute rule.

15 October.

New Constitution & Rules available

15 October, by Tony Redford. (Notices and news)

URGENT - rooms available for Keswick weekend, 7 & 8 November

From Tony Redford:

Further to my announcements at the last few meetings, I can report that we now have a couple of "doubles" (or "singles") available at the Derwentwater Hotel for 7th & 8th November.

We would like to fill these with members of our group and would be delighted to hear from any latecomers who find they can make it. Please contact me as soon as possible as, of course, they will go on a first-come-first-served basis.

9 October, by Bill Chadband. (Committee reports)

Committee Meeting Wed 1 October 08

President Roger Dye welcomed the new committee to the meeting in Poynton Methodist Church. He reported that Alan Bromage had repaired the Bernard Sellars Trophy.

The Membership Secretary reported that 44 members had paid to date.

Colin Pickles reported difficulties re a possible Paris trip using Riviera Travel. It was suggested that next year we consider a club trip in the UK instead. Edinburgh and London were suggested as possibilities.

The modified syllabus for the Digital series would be put on the WEB and leaflets circulated.

The new look WEB site was applauded. Barry is keen to hear from members about possible improvements.

9 October.

New gallery uploaded

There is a new gallery "Mixed Panel" by Gordon Robson in our galleries page.

Gordon Robson - Budapest Afternoon Nap

 

9 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)

1st Digital Meeting of the Session 7th October 08

Norman Piper DPAGB, AFIAP, was our guest speaker to begin the new session of Digital evenings. Norman’s brief was to assume nothing and set the scene for the future evenings so that new people in the audience would not be put off. This was a difficult thing to ask but Norman rose to the occasion. He considered briefly the History of photography, the film process and the advent of the electronic sensor. He listed the advantages and disadvantages of the digital camera, and noted the rapid turnover of new models, each one claiming to do more than the previous one. This was not surprising in an industry barely 22 years old, but he warned about un-necessarily changing to the latest model. The photographer had to consider what he/she really needed from a camera, and ignore the latest gizmo’s. Once set up with Camera, computer, and suitable software, digital photography became relatively cheap.

Starting with how the eye perceived a coloured scene, Norman moved on to how the electronic sensor used filters to mimic the effect. He explained the difference between Additive colour mixing (the eye & the sensor) and Subtractive Mixing (the ink-jet printer). He briefly discussed bits and bytes (usually 8 bits) and how the binary system worked. Jpeg images were typically 8 bits (256 levels) for each primary colour giving over 16 million possibilities. He illustrated the (zoning) effect of reducing the number of bits in a colour.

Memory cards (eg Compact flash cards) had increased exponentially in capacity from 16 or 64 Mb to 16 Gb so there was, nowadays, no problem with storage of images. He noted in passing that whereas film had typically a few % efficiency in converting light to an image, the electronic sensor was more like 70% efficient; and that very high effective speeds (ISO nos) were now possible.

After the refreshment break Norman considered several of the basic image manipulation tools a photographer was likely to use in PhotoShop He suggested that changes should always be made via the adjustment layer, so that they could be undone and the initial data of the image retained. The LEVELS adjustment allowed the full tonal range to be achieved. The Contrast could be varied using the centre slider, and the centre picker used to choose the grey point and thus alter the colour balance. He demonstrated the use of the HIGH PASS FILTER to effectively sharpen an image. Selecting parts of an image allowed those parts to be lightened or darkened to maximise the overall clarity of an image. Norman used a variety of examples to illustrate these various points, and the way changes could be progressively undone via the HISTORY tab.

In his vote of thanks Bill Chadband thanked Norman for his wide-ranging introduction to digital photography. Norman had successfully set the scene for the future talks which could now explore topics in greater depth.

Bill recalled Norman’s visit to the club in the year 2000 when Norman had explained how digital photography had given his photography a new lease of life. A worry, then, had been how one could produce a slide for competitions from a digital record and Norman had explained how photographing his 19inch Monitor had worked well. Another point which had stuck in Bill’s mind was Norman’s assertion that he could get perfectly good A3 prints from a 2 or 3 Mp camera and that one need not forever seek higher pixel numbers. Bill had verified the truth of this assertion for himself.

Whilst President Roger Dye did a brief presentation to the audience on producing the correct (1400x1050pixels; sRGB) image for digital projection on our Projector, Bill and Norman retired to the bar.

7 October.

New download available

5 & 6 October, by Barry Pearson. (Notices and news)

Last chance to upgrade from Photoshop 7

This is for anyone using Photoshop 7 who wants to change to a later version at the upgrade price rather than the full-product price.

From John Nack of Adobe:

With the CS3 product cycle, Adobe instituted a "3 versions back" policy on upgrades. That is, you can upgrade to the current version of Adobe tools from any version up to three versions back. In the case of CS3 that meant Photoshop 7, CS, and CS2. With CS4 it's of course CS through CS3.

The upshot is that if you want to upgrade from Photoshop 7, the window is closing, and you've got until October 15 to do so.

Update:

Good news: by buying the CS3 upgrade now you can get a free bump to CS4 by contacting Customer Service.

3 October.

New galleries uploaded

There are 3 new galleries by Barry Pearson in our galleries page: "Crich 40s Day", "Mixed Panel", and "Playful Panel".

Barry Pearson - Oops!

Barry Pearson - Friends

Barry Pearson - The Chaperone

3 October.

New galleries uploaded

There are 2 new galleries of our submissions to interclub competitions in our galleries page:

Gordon Robson - Curbar Edge Mist & Tree

Phil Riley - Owd Pals

2 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)

Tony Pioli – Nature on your Doorstep - 30 Sept 08

Tony Pioli

Tony is well known in the photographic world for his photography, particularly for his interest in the natural world around him. He began his serious photography after leaving school, and it was his bird watching activities which really started him off trying to record the natural world. Although he has traveled all over the world with his camera, his presentation on Tuesday was all related to the Peak District.

We began with fascinating shots of the Robin, the Blue Tit, the Cuckoo, the Blackbird, the Nuthatch, the Coot, and Moorhens (to list just a few!) We had a close up of Oak Galls and the damage (or patterns!) produced by these mites. We looked at Toads and Frogs, Grass snakes, Newts, and Lizards; before moving on to the flowers of the Peak district. The Orchid and where to find it in its various forms (common, Marsh, Bee, etc ) figured strongly in this section. A look at the variety of Fungi to be found finished off the 1st half of the presentation.

Audience

After tea/coffee Spiders and Dragonflies made an appearance. We looked at the life cycle of the Leaf Beatle, then on to caterpillars, Moths and Butterflies, before a final general section of images of Deer, Pole Cat Ferrets, Shield Bugs, and stink Horn Fungus left us gasping.

Phil Riley proposed the Vote of Thanks. We had witnessed a first class presentation: a Tour de Force of Nature locally: and Phil was impressed with how our speaker had been abreast of the names of all these creatures.

The images had been on slides throughout, though Tony confessed to having in his possession a Digital Camera.

  News and blog archives September 2008