Blog archive - October 2009
31 October.
New galleries uploaded
There are new galleries "RAF Fairford 2009" and "Chester Zoo" by Alan Saunders in our galleries page. |
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30 October, by Tony Redford. (Meeting and event reports)
Report on the 1st DPI competition
Our good friend Tony Pioli ARPS ABPE from Chapel Camera Club did us the honour of judging the first of this season's digitally projected image competitions. As you will see from the Competition Results page, he was confronted with a total of 82 images, upon all of which he delivered a carefully considered opinion as well as making every effort to suggest improvements which may have lifted their marks. His great experience of judging was further confirmed by his instinctive "pacing" as he arrived at his final conclusions at precisely 10.00pm. We could ask for no more than this of any judge.
Tony thoughtfully spent extra time discussing the pros and cons of the three "intermediate" images submitted by the single entrant in that category, Brian Adams. Once again the quality of these submissions confirmed the absence of any gap in quality between our "intermediate" and "advanced" categories.
In general, Tony's comments focussed on the balance and composition of the images in both categories. He emphasised that pictures are read from left to right, just as we would read a written page. He therefore preferred the focal point of a picture, such as the head of an animal, to lie close to the right-hand "third" rather than the left, an issue which led to a significant number of our pictures earning a comment that they would have looked better "the other way round". He wanted slopes to rise to the right and darker areas to form a "stopper" on the right also. A number of natural history subjects suffered because heads were turned slightly away from the viewer rather than looking slightly forwards. Distracting backgrounds were also an issue. However, "rules" are sometimes better broken as evidenced, perhaps, by Tony's final selection of potential winners. As we have discovered, there is usually a difference between a really nice picture and a competition winner.
I think we were all struck by the general high quality, and the great diversity, of the images projected throughout the evening, and few of us would have envied Tony in his task of sorting out the wheat from the chaff. Phil Riley's vote of thanks to the judge and his request for the audience to show their appreciation of a job well done met with an enthusiastic round of applause. It was well deserved, Mr Pioli.
29 October.
Jon Allanson needs more potential winning images for the L&CPU competition
We're up against the best. We need more top-quality images with impact - the "wow!" factor. Give Jon some more of them next Tuesday, 3 Novermber. (1400 x 1050, sRGB, JPEG).
- Format:
- Guidelines for digital images: "SXGA+" (1400 x 1050)
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- L&CPU digital image knock-out:
- L&CPU Digital Projected Images (PDI) Knockout, 28 November 2009
28 October, by Barry Pearson. (Members' competition results)
First Clubworker Projected Images Competition results
These are the results of the Competition judged by Tony Pioli ARPS ABPE on 27 October.
Entries 1 to 3 were judged, 82 images in all. (Entries 4 and 5 are eligible to be entered in future competitions).
27 people entered the "Advanced" class. 1 person entered the "Intermediate" class.
(There were no slides).
Competition results
"Worker of the Year"
Best image in competitionMartin Currie: Dawn Bathing in Ganges |
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27 October.
Cameras are clocks
Cameras are clocks with lenses attached, just waiting for you to take photographs so that they can stick the time in the photographs.
Have you adjusted your camera back an hour?
26 October. (Awards and acceptances)
1st Finland International Digital Circuit
This Circuit, approved by FIAP and PSA, comprises 5 salons: 1st Vantaa Salon, 1st Carelia Salon, 1st Vision Salon, 1st Imagination Salon, 1st Helsinki Salon.
AwardsMartin Currie: |
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AcceptancesMartin Currie: |
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24 October.
Urgent: some information about entering prints in the Bramhall PS Exhibition
Here is a poster for the Exhibition and a list of rules for entering the Open Print Competition. Note that Monday 26 October is the final date for registering and for providing digital images (1024 x 768) of the prints.
- Poster: Bramhall Photographic Society Annual Exhibition 2009, 28 - 30 October
- Rules: Open Print Competition, Wednesday 28 October
23 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)
See Hear !!
This was Tony Redford’s intriguing title for his presentation to the club on Tuesday 20th of October. The evening was divided into four parts, each an AV Pictures to Exe presentation based on trips he and Dorothy had made to Beijing, to Hong Kong, and to Lisbon.
In the Beijing sequence we visited Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall of China; watched people dancing or singing in the Park, and took in a variety of portraits. It was a joy to watch Jack Bamford sliding down the mountain side on his toboggan.
Hong Kong was a great contrast, with crowded tall skyscrapers, colourful trams, and illuminated signs everywhere. The very modern buildings and giant shopping Mall contrasted with the old red-sailed fishing smacks (now employed as tourist transport). The cable car to the mountain provided a grand view over Kowloon across the harbour.
After the break a short series of portraits from China (where everyone now appears to have a mobile phone) preceded a journey around Lisbon, reliving the recent Club trip to that City. The initial rainy day slides eventually gave way to the sunny Lisbon that we also remembered and to the memorable trip to the Fairy-tale castle at Sintra.
But seeing was only half of the show; hearing was equally important, and we were impressed (and amused) by Tony’s choice of background music, when he wasn’t directly commenting on the scenes. In particular we expect him to provide us with the words of the now famous song “I Like Chinese”.
The essence of these very slick shows was the judicious use of the various transitions provided by the Pictures-to-Exe programme; and we noted that Tony made maximum use of the screen by putting similar portrait formats side by side to present them as a single Landscape format. To complete the evening, the cat made an impromptu appearance.
Brian Bower proposed a vote of thanks. He thought he discerned a lot of Dorothy’s images in the show. Brian himself had once been keen on AV presentations, in the days when transitions had to be from one film slide to another. He had been impressed by the many transitions now available and well used by Tony, and equally impressed by the selections of music to accompany the images. His wife, Valerie, had been riveted throughout, a sure sign of a good evening.
Tony thanked Brian for his comments and admitted that Dorothy and son Peter had had a hand in producing the images used.
20 October. (Awards and acceptances)
30th Northern Counties International, 2009
AwardsGeoff Robinson: |
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Phil Riley: |
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Acceptances Geoff Robinson: |
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Jon Allanson: |
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Martin Currie: |
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Phil Riley: |
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18 October. (Awards and acceptances)
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2009
Highly praisedAlan Saunders: |
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ShortlistedAlan Saunders: |
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16 October, by Barry Pearson.
Photo-opportunities - in the near future and over the next year
This website's Photo-opportunities section continues to evolve. Past events get archived, sunrise and sunset times are now provided per-week, and links for venues' 4-day weather forecasts are provided in nearly all cases.
The rate of specific events has passed its peak for the year, but there are still some listed for October & November, one or two of them added recently. Events for next year are gradually being added, (the "Events" page gives a rolling 12-month picture), but these are typically very large events such as county shows and airshows which start being scheduled well in advance. Smaller events tend to be publicised during the first few months of each year, and will be added here as they become known.
Obviously the places listed on the "Venues" page are often worth a visit without needing a specialised event, and the "Organisations" page has many links about specific topics, such as steam locomotives, traction engines, well-dressing, etc. Please tell me about other opportunities that would be of interest here!
There is currently an Autumn theme. Several arboretums are listed. The Forestry Commission have not published a full UK "autumn colour news" section like last year, but are doing one especially for the North West! They even have a hotline: 017687 78469.
The following links are also on the Diary and Syllabus pages:
15 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)
10 Images in 10 Minutes - The meeting on 13th Oct 2009
This meeting was conceived as a chance for newer members to present some of their images, without being in competition. Despite President Roger Dye’s best efforts these members were reluctant to come forward and the meeting was taken over by the old guard! Roger began with a series of shots from Poynton Show. Under the banner of “Rocking Horse” four riders performed acrobatic feats whilst riding one, two or three horses. Brian Turnbull had spent a wet week in Scotland and argued the case for monochrome images when the weather (and light) were bad. Colin Pickles used the opportunity to view some of his older images which he felt had not been appropriate for club competitions, though some thought that the blue rope holding the red ship could have done well. Joyce Streets showed that she had a good eye for an image. Her symmetrical fern, she claimed was real; and we all felt sorry for the dog up to his knees in mud. Having confused Joyce’s Marmot with Marmite Jonathan Bawden went on to show images of his own. He took time to explain, and demonstrate how images could be improved with simple manipulations. He compared his straight shot of a Canarian Pine with attempts to satisfy a judge’s comments, and wondered if there was any improvement. He also described the effort which went into his competition winning Hellibore image. Tony Redford used prints to illustrate that digital photographers with image manipulation software such as PhotoShop were no longer constrained by the simple view before them but, like all true artists, could produce stunning images using bits of previously recorded shots. So nowadays his photography had expanded to recording images which he felt could be used later to build up, or improve other images.
With no more offers on the table Roger turned to his backup, a disc of images from the RPS Digital Imaging Group 2007 Exhibition.
We saw a great range of images and in the absence of sound on our system tried to imagine what the commentary might have been, particularly in the opening sequence when a man talked directly to us before showing the images. In the event, the early tea (at 8.30, so as not to interfere with the Gilbert and Sullivan in the main hall) was no disadvantage, and only once did the full chorus from next door hit us.
Roger thanked Barry for his skill in working the projection system, and all members who had provided images. The meeting ended at 9.55pm.
14 October.
Review of onOne Plugin Suite - speak to Martin Currie
The next Digital Workshop (3 November) is presented by onOne Software, who supply plugins to ease common tasks. (Some of us will remember their presentations at Focus on Imaging).
Yesterday Martin held up a copy of Digital Photo which has a 3-page review of onOne's Plug-In Suite 4.5. Martin suggests that, rather than buying an issue of Digital Photo, people who want to prepare for the Digital Workshop (in case there is an opportunity to buy software) could borrow his copy.
There are some other reviews of their software around. Google for "review of onOne software".
13 October, by Tony Redford. (Meeting and event reports) (Interclub competition results)
NCPS at the Chapel Camera Club 25th Anniversary Exhibition
A number of NCPS members were in evidence at Buxton's famous "Dome" on Friday 9th October and were able to view, in those very impressive surroundings, a total of 452 exhibition prints submitted by members of Chapel Camera Club. The prints made an inspiring display as you would expect from a thriving club of Chapel's stature, who are celebrating their 25th year in grand style at this prestigious venue.
The main event of the evening was the inter-club DPI competition, a first for Chapel C.C. It attracted 18 clubs from a wide area, including North Cheshire of course. As organisers Chapel C.C had decided not to enter. Each club had submitted 5 images which were projected via a Canon Xceed 60 onto a large screen and commented on, in random order, by judge for the night John Cartlidge from Cannock.
Our members will recall John's fine wit and perceptiveness from his judging at our own exhibitions in the recent past and he was very much on form at Buxton. All images enjoyed constructive criticism before being awarded a mark following a break for refreshments part way through the evening. The operation went smoothly throughout with a score sheet appearing promptly for each club. The organisers, and the judge, deserved the fulsome praise proffered by Ed Roper of winning club Wigan 10 as he collected the £200 prize on their behalf as the evening drew to a close – at approx 10.30pm.
Despite our selection committee having been caught on the hop which meant having to decide upon our entry in a hurry, North Cheshire finished in 8th position out of 18 clubs – and would have been equal 4th had a deserved 3 more marks been awarded to our stronger images! However we could have no complaints whatsoever, having been up against top quality competition from an array of very strong clubs.
9 October.
Give digital images to Jon Allanson on 20 October for interclub competitions
(There is also a reminder in the Diary. There are no excuses!)
Jon is collecting digital images for selection for a number of projected digital images interclub competitions in the near future, beginning later in October. These include: L&CPU digital image knock-out, Bramhall digital image knock-out at their exhibition, and the PAGB Great British Cup which this year also features a Natural History section.
Jon already has all the images submitted for the recent SMCC interclub competition on file; not just the ones actually used. He will also select from images entered in the Clubworker 1 PDI competition.
Images are to be supplied on a USB drive (stick) on Tuesday 20 October evening, so that Jon can download them on the spot. The format is 1400x1050 sRGB JPEG.
- Format:
- Guidelines for digital images: "SXGA+" (1400 x 1050)
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- Bramhall digital image knock-out:
- Bramhall Photographic Society, Programme 2009-2010, 29 October 2009
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- L&CPU digital image knock-out:
- L&CPU Digital Projected Images (PDI) Knockout, 28 November 2009
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- Great British Cup:
- L&CPU External Exhibitions
- PDF: PAGB Newsletter 12a - details of rules including new natural history section
8 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)
Exposure and Noise – 1st digital meeting 6th Oct 2009
President Roger Dye welcomed Barry Pearson as the speaker for this opening digital session of the 2009/2010 season. Roger noted that a speaker’s basic problem now was getting the balance right between being too simple and too advanced for the audience.
Barry stated that his talk was really a “back to basics” one. Photographers through the ages have had the problem of choosing the correct exposure for a scene. Given their particular film with its stated sensitivity (in terms of “Film speed”) the problem was to choose the correct aperture and shutter speed which would allow the correct amount of light onto the sensitive film. With the advent of the digital electronic sensor the photographer had a range of “film speeds” which could be set, thereby introducing a new variable to the process.
The aperture determined the “depth of field” of the process. The shutter speed either “froze the motion” or introduced the desired amount of blurring (for instance to suggest “motion” within the image). In the past there was a trade-off between the desirable settings of these two parameters. Barry suggested that with advent of digital SLR cameras one could more easily choose the optimum aperture (f-number) and optimum shutter speed, and vary the film speed (defined by the ISO number) to accommodate the resultant light input. This was a great freedom offered by the digital sensor. Barry often set his default ISO value at 800 as a starting point in his photography. This was a revelation to many in his audience who tended to stick to lower values, and who thought it daring to set a 400 ISO value.
But nothing is perfect, and Barry noted that electrical noise is always present in electrical systems, including cameras. If small apertures and fast shutter speeds are used, then the amount of light falling on the sensor pixels is small, and setting a high ISO value is basically increasing the gain of the amplifier which has to measure the amount of light. Increasing the gain magnifies the noise in the total signal recorded. Thus, as the light signal gets smaller, (but the noise component doesn’t) eventually the signal is lost in the noise. However way before this situation is reached there comes a stage when the noise component is unacceptable in the image. There are several programs available to reduce this noise effect and Barry had purchased Noise Ninja which he is pleased with. Most images are improved by a degree of sharpening, but sharpening can emphasize the noise, unless the noise reduction is attempted first.
Barry used a variety of images to emphasize the various points he was making and promised to put them and his notes on the NCPS web site for later perusal.
In proposing a vote of thanks Bill Chadband thanked Barry for a most enjoyable evening. He noted that Barry was always enthusiastic and also very thorough in his research before making his pronouncements. And tonight he had also been humorous and carried his audience with him as he explored the various aspects of exposure, noise and ISO numbers. He had pitched the level just right for his audience.
7 October, by Barry Pearson.
New downloads available for Digital Workshop "Exposure & noise" of 6 October
These supersede the draft combined notes published before the workshop. The PowerPoint slides have been turned into a PDF (4 slides per page), and the notes about the photographs used for illustration have been expanded a little and turned into a separate PDF. They are also available on the Downloads page.
- Photograph notes for Digital Workshop "Exposure & noise" October 2009 (2009-10-07; PDF by Barry Pearson)
- Slides for Digital Workshop "Exposure & noise" October 2009 (2009-10-07; PDF by Barry Pearson)
5 October, by Barry Pearson.
New download available - ready for Digital Workshop of 6 October
I will be giving lots of information at the digital workshop. To avoid any need to take notes, I am publishing a 6-page PDF of notes, including details for the photographs I will be using for illustration. But you don't have to have read these before the workshop!
First, I have now published draft notes in case anyone wants to have them ready at the workshop. Then I will revise them and re-publish them after the workshop. (There will then be another blog item to announce the new version). Enjoy!
- Notes for 6 October 2009 Digital Workshop "Exposure & noise" (2009-10-05; PDF by Barry Pearson)
- Also available on the Downloads page.
3 October, by Bill Chadband. (Committee reports)
Committee Meeting Wed 30 Sept 2009
President Roger Dye welcomed members to Hazel Grove Bowling and Tennis Club and announced that a “remote Mouse” had been purchased for the Shuttle computer, to allow speakers to control digital slides from “front of house”. Richard Scaife reported on 6 CD’s of images from the recent Poynton Show. Bill Chadband noted that judges Tony Pioli (Annual Exhibition); John Cartledge (Inter-club prints) and Tony Dudley (Interclub PDI) had been appointed. Possible performers for the Friday Night Music night had been approached but no response as yet.
Jill Hargreaves reported a total of 58 (members plus life members), and noted that some apparent members had still not paid. Agreed that as non-members these folk would have to pay visitors subs on the night until they joined as members, and could not enter competitions until they were paid-up members. Bill Chadband noted that another Focus was imminent. 28 members had indicated they didn’t need the paper Focus; 13 members did want it; 2 members preferred an emailed version. Colin Pickles noted that 20 members had signed up for Venice, but no Hotel prices were yet available. Agreed that next Session would begin on 14th September 2010 and that we would meet on 21st December 2010. This met Graham Johnston’s concerns re the syllabus.
2 October, by Bill Chadband.
The October Focus is available as a PDF file, for viewing online or downloading.
1 October, by Bill Chadband. (Meeting and event reports)
Interclub Competition with South Manchester CC
On Tuesday 29 September 2009 NCPS hosted a new form of Projected Digital Image competition with South Manchester Club whereby members of each club were allowed to provide no more than two images to the 30 images per side. The Judge for this occasion was Adrian Lines from Wigan. Adrian introduced himself as a recent photographer who began photography in the Digital age. He told of his almost accidental introduction to judging through having attended an L&CPU judging seminar, one that he very nearly missed! He refused both the £5 sweetener from S M/Cr club and the counter offer of £10 from NCPS. Adrian proved to be a level headed and thoughtful judge who had both sides commending him at the end of the close contest. The standard of images was very high and Adrian commented that, inevitably, a judge’s preferences would be crucial here. There were no great technical issues to be raised over the images, so small things like hair covering a subject’s eye would be deciders. He kept back 13 of the 60 images for later consideration, giving marks from 14 to 17 for the others. Eventually four images were selected for 20 marks each, and when pressed to produce a best image Adrian plumped for “Gannet in Flight” by Alan Saunders. When the marks were totaled the final score was NC PS: 499 ; South Manchester CC: 502. Given the known uncertainties in marking NCPS considered this an honorable draw.
Ray Grover from the Manchester Club proposed two votes of thanks; one to NCPS for proposing and organizing the competition; and one to the judge for doing a superb job, with measured comments and with humour
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