Bits and Pixels

Our speaker on 14th November 2000 was Norman Piper from Bury. Norman was after an interchange of ideas rather than a straight talk. Starting in the way he meant to continue he queried the title "Bits and Bytes" used by Frank in his introduction. Norman's presentation was exhilarating to all the digital workers in the room.

Digital photography had given him a new lease of life following his enforced retirement at the young age of 60, the onset of eczema on his hands from past darkroom work, and a general weariness with photography having accumulated thousands of slides and negatives over the years. Digital photography had allowed him to undertake projects that he would never have bothered attempting in the darkroom due to the extensive time and effort it would have required and with the uncertain results that were obtainable even by the best darkroom worker. Norman showed us his early digital work and went on to show prints that had done well in his DPAGB panel. He had written extensively for several photographic magazines but commented that the pay was poor for the amount of time and effort involved in his technical articles. He noted how quickly the printer dye inks faded (particularly the black inks!) and commented upon the improvements obtained with Lysonic and Photonic inks. For monochrome prints the quad black ink set (Lysonic?) was a big advantage. He showed the difference (when printing in black and white) between setting the printer to RGB and setting it to Monochrome (black and white). The monochrome setting gave more graduation (though often judges preferred the "blockier" images resulting from the RGB setting!).

Norman described in detail how to get good slide pictures from photographing his 19" colour monitor screen. This allowed him to 'tidy up' images that would otherwise have failed as straight slides. Answering queries as to the quality of such slide pictures (Can't you clearly see the pixels?) he noted that the screen dot resolution was the appropriate factor here. The camera he now used most was his Nikon 950 (2.2 megapixels). With it he was able to produce prints up to A3 size. Yes you could see the pixels if you looked hard enough, but you expected to view an image from a distance of about one and a half times the image diagonal and at this distance there was not a problem. On a recent trip he had taken about 7000 images. What would this have cost him for film and developing? But his Nikon memory card was re-usable. He regularly downloaded his images to a laptop computer hard disc (5Gbyte size) to free his camera memory. Pictures stored as "fine" jpeg images typically required 100kB of memory. Thus his laptop could store up to 50,000 images, which was adequate for his purpose.

Early on the question of digital manipulation (and implied cheating) was raised. Norman responded that the resultant image produced (by whatever means) was the only criterion to be considered. The latent image existed first in the mind, was first created in the mind, and the photographer then used whatever technical means at his disposal to reproduce this 'minds eye' image. He was always happy to tell interested parties how the final image had been reproduced. Would he photograph an original oil painting and pass it off as a picture? As a record shot, yes, it was a valid picture. He had always had problems judging photographs of stained glass windows. All the artistry and originality had been provided by the artisan who made the window. The photography was a more simple technical process, to be judged, probably, only as a record shot. Norman barely had a chance to drink his tea during the interval, and stayed on long after the talk answering questions. The meeting was an undoubted success.

Bill Chadband

2nd Quarterly Competition

David Coan of Chorley judged our 2nd quarterly club competition. Besides being prominent on the L & CPU circuit David is now famous for his England, Wales and Scotland circuit. Having retired in 1991 after 31 years as a computer specialist David bought a second-hand motor scooter for local journeys and to enable him the more easily to pursue his photographic hobby. He conceived of the trip around Britain for the fun of it and to help St Catherine's Hospice in Central Lancashire with much needed funds. The NCPS committee first heard of the attempt when the competition secretary presented them with the leaflet and sponsorship form at a committee meeting. Though taken unawares the committee responded generously and £28 sponsorship money was sent from NCPS to a delighted David. David returned the compliment by a thoroughly professional evening of judging our Slides and Prints.

When the competition secretary arrived he noted that only the judge and Kathleen Anderson were present, and that Kath had put out all the chairs and tables and was busy entertaining the judge. She suggested that, for a change he might like to consider the slides first and David readily assented. The competition results are given below.

Beginners Section

Roy Cheetham was the only print entrant with "Port of Amlwch". Margery Hutchinson entered 5 slides under two headings. Her "Lowry reflections" was judged the best of the two slides in the Pictorial section, whilst "Lion in the shade" was judged the best of the three Applied slides. "Samburu Lion" was given a Commendation.

Advanced Section:

52 prints and 52 slides were entered for the advanced section:

SLIDES

APPLIED:

Commended:

On the Edge Gordon Robson

Bridge Limit Sign Brian Turnbull

The Provost Bill Chadband

Highly Commended:

Cheetah, Masi Mara Frank Hutchinson

Common Zebra Frank Hutchinson

V.H. Commended:

Moorhen on Nest Jon Allanson

Top View Tony Redford

Best in Section:

Elderly Dancers Brian Turnbull

PORTRAIT

Commended:

Youth 2000 Graham McIntosh

Mai Ling Gordon Robson

Best in Section:

Green Face Jon Allanson

PICTORIAL

Commended:

Ambosilli Trio Frank Hutchinson

Bronze Chrysanth Graham McIntosh

Boy in Dinghy Brian Turnbull

Morning Calm Kath Anderson

Ten Ten precisely Tony Redford

St Martin's Cross, Iona Colin Pickles

Chinese Water Garden Gordon Robson

Highly Commended:

Lowry Bridge Gordon Robson

She Went That way Bill Chadband

Loch Coruisk Colin Pickles

The Last Gleam Bill Chadband

V.H. Commended:

Matterhorn Reflection Jon Allanson

The Great Wall of China Gordon Robson

Best in Section:

Early Morning, Disley Brian Turnbull

PRINTS

APPLIED

Commended:

Inside the Roundhouse Colin Pickles

Mind Your Head Stuart Forbes

Pueblo Art Deco Tile Brian Turnbull

The Disappeared Brian Turnbull

Highly Commended:

Wing of Bluebottle Gerald Hallworth

London Artist Dorothy Redford

Grevey's Zebra Frank Hutchinson

V.H. Commended:

The Eccentric Mrs Hoover Tony Redford

Best In Section:

Sharp Right Tony Redford

PORTRAIT

Commended:

Stephanie Stuart Forbes

Old Soldiers never die Gordon Robson

Highly Commended:

Cousins Joyce Robson

Carnival Girl Sheila Edwards

V.H. Commended:

Musician Jon Allanson

Best in Section:

More Tourists Coming? Jon Allanson

PICTORIAL

Commended:

Lakeland Rapids Graham McIntosh

After the Mine Closed Jon Allanson

Matterhorn Colin Pickles

Cranes in the Haugesund Gerald Hallworth

Azorian Balcony Stuart Forbes

Caernafon CastleGordon Robson

Herons Roost Brian Turnbull

Ghostly Guardian Tony Redford

Croxden Abbey Graham McIntosh

Yacht with Green sails Brian Turnbull

Highly Commended:

Kite Flyer, Calais Plage Brian Turnbull

Venice Vision Dorothy Redford

Chapel, Cwm Orthin Jon Allanson

Summer Bloom Dorothy Redford

V.H. Commended:

Texture and Colour Tony Redford

Audi at Clumber Park Tony Redford

Best in Section:

Impression of Venice Gordon Robson

L&CPU Slide Knockout Competition

Saturday 25th November saw N.C.P.S. host the 2000 Annual L.& C.P.U. Slide Knockout competition with a judge from the Midlands Counties Region. 31 Clubs entered and each club entered 4 slides and so battle commenced with over 120 slides.

Our slides were "Scholars" by Tony Redford, "Night Heron" by Steph Clack, "Winter Tree" by Bill Chadband and "Rainbow in the Dales" by Ted Wilson.

The judge was not very ruthless but gradually he eventually got the selection down to about ten slides and then pronounced his top three. To our delight, Ted's slide was declared the best and so with a total of 18 points we were not disgraced as the winner got only 21. South Manchester turned out to be the winners with Heswall second and Wigan 10 coming third.

The L & C.P.U. President also presented Gerald with his DPAGB Certificate.

We had a good turn out and made a nice profit on the raffle and refreshments so many thanks to all who helped and so kindly donated raffle prizes. We also sold four of Rosalind Bramley's books so it was a good evening despite the awful weather.

Frank Hutchinson

The Three-way Battle with Wilmslow Guild and Liverpool

On Wednesday 29th November twelve members of NCPS arrived at the Guild to witness the print and slide battle with Wilmslow and Liverpool photographic societies. The rule was that each member could contribute only one image (slide or print). This ensured a wide club representation and thus helped to ensure that the strength of the entry more fairly indicated the strength of the club. In introducing the battle the Wilmslow President hoped that this would be the first of many involving the southern part of L&CPU. Norman Piper was the judge. Norman noted that in the first instance he expected the image to grab his attention. Since he expected that many of the images would so do he would then go on to consider composition and other technical matters in order to discriminate between images. Since he knew that he would be overwhelmed with good images he would mark quite harshly; images which would get 7's or 8's to in club competitions could expect to receive only 5 or 6 in this battle. For those keeping the scores the battle was quite nail-biting. After the print battle the scores stood at Wilmslow 83.5; NCPS 82.5 and Liverpool 77.5 In the slide battle, following tea, the scores were Wilmslow 84; NCPS 86.5 and Liverpool 82.5, making NCPS the narrow overall winners with a total of 169 to Wilmslow's 167.5 and Liverpool's 160. The NCPS individual scores are given below. Those scoring 10 points were given a special round of applause at the battle; including Dorothy Redford's print and Joyce Streets' slide.

PRINTS

Monsal dale in Winter, Sheila Edwards - 6

Lines and Textures,Colin Pickles - 8.5

Zebras, Masai Mara, Gordon Robson - 8

Ruthin in Winter, Bill Chadband - 6

Lilac Breasted Roller, Dave Clack -9.5

St Xavier Mission, Brian Turnbull - 9

Lioness Masai Mara, Joyce Robson - 8

Peeping Tom, Dorothy Redford - 10

Elephant Seals, Steph Clack - 8.5

The Ceiling, St Cuthbert Wells, Gerald Hallworth - 9

SLIDES

The Lacemaker, Alan Wild - 8.5

The Lowry Centre, Margery Hutchinson - 8.5

Brother and Sister, Jon Allanson - 8.5

Zante Cathedral, Joyce Streets - 10

Woodland, Alan Bromage - 8.5

Scholars, Tony Redford - 8.5

Rainbow in the Dales, Ted Wilson - 8.5

Alter, Italian Chapel, Orkney, Kath Anderson - 9

Futurescope, Don Stafford - 8.5

Into the Sunset, Frank Hutchinson -8

Re: Drug Abuse & Digital Abuse

Producing good images for other folk to enjoy is surely the aim of enthusiastic photographers. Whether these images are produced from a traditional darkroom or from a computer is of interest only to technicians. A good image is a good image. There still remains the "decisive moment". To produce a masterpiece from a poor slide or negative using the computer does not work - I know, I've tried it! The fewer the rules the better if we are to continue to enjoy our hobby.

Sheila Edwards

Tuesday Night is Poynton Night

We approach the end of the year 2000 but the show goes on. Thanks for supporting the syllabus so far - attendances have maintained a satisfactory level - and note the continuing quality of speakers and competitions from this point on.

We are delighted to welcome back Millie Chadband and Fred Edwards for the "Party Night" in the knowledge that they will round off the year in fine and festive style with a combination of live music and lively chat - followed by a tuck-in to the fayre which members so generously provide on the night.

The new year starts with an informal evening when you are encouraged to bring your new prints/slides for discussion and appraisal. Come and have your say.

January sees a surfeit of real "home-grown" talent, as well as a visit from a group of inimitable Cumbrians keen to provoke us into debating new trends.

February is, of course, Exhibition month - a most important time in our calendar, rounded off by a battle against South Manchester, outright winners of the recent L & CPU inter-club knock-out slide competition - a club in the ascendancy and keen to maintain their winning form. Just another challenge for NCPS.

So maintain that Tuesday Night is Poynton Night habit and you'll miss nothing.

Tony Redford (Syllabus Sec)

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Sheila Edwards

The Committee meeting Thursday 30th November 2000

The meeting devoted much of its time to the updated rules for the Annual Exhibition. A full copy of the Annual Exhibition rules will be printed in the next issue of Focus.

Colin Pickles reported on the Paris trip. It was an independent booking, not a package. We would travel with French Airways and stay at Hotel Londres et D'Anvers.

A club member had asked that the club projector be tested re overheating of slides. This had been done. A test slide had reported no problems after a 20 minute continuous insertion in the machine.

The Treasurer in a written report noted that The Extravaganza with Michael Leach had earned the club a net profit of over £200 and that the selling of refreshments and raffle at the L&CPU slide competition had earned a club profit of £95. A fuller report will appear in the next Focus.

Bill Chadband