Dubious Judging?

Following on from the comments of "William of Marple" (in the March edition of Focus - What's in a Name?), which referred to the downgrading of prints because the judges did not like or could not understand the titles given, I would like to mention other comments made by these judges on their visit to the club a week later.

One started with the flippant remark "We don't like portraits, do we?" And then later, about two other prints "There is a wealth of small detail here which was not apparent at the judging. It would probably have received more marks if we had examined it more closely"

It appears that prints are only judged now at a distance. This is very useful for judging large landscapes or to assess the artistic impact of the print but it is inadequate and unfair on small prints and record or architectural shots where small important detail can be missed resulting in a loss of credit. Likewise it seems no longer important that the technical quality of print and mounting should be considered so that spots, scratches, fingerprints or other imperfections (even gross pixels!) are of no account and may be ignored.

 By all means get an overall impression at a distance but prints should also be examined more closely for general technical quality and to ensure details are not overlooked. I feel that having several judges plus several 'top' members of the club present at the judging can lead to a bias in the way the points are awarded. I would be interested in the comments of other club members on this topic.

Lastly, as the "best portrait" award appears to have been given to a natural history print, will portraits now be acceptable in the natural history section?

My Slides Have Foot and Mouth Disease

I recently decided to have a good clear-out of my old and not-so-old slides. I might have been inspired in some curious way by the nightly scenes of the mass slaughter of our farm animals, or it might simply have been the seasonal reflex to tidy one's resources. But the truth was that hundreds of boxes of slides were cluttering up my study and when I needed to find a particular set of slides I had had real problems locating them. I decided to throw out all slides that I knew I would not want for any conceivable purpose in the future.

I was shocked to discover that so many of my efforts were not worth preserving for any reason at all!  A quite remarkable percentage of them were badly exposed, for example. Most of these were under-exposed. Could this, I thought, be due to some problem of storage; were they deteriorating in their boxes?   Sadly(!) this was not the case, for alongside them were many well-exposed examples. The only possible explanation was that was that one or more of my past cameras had faulty metering systems and I had relied too much on them. Why I had not noticed this at the time, I do not know.

Aside from this, I realised that I had taken thousands (perhaps tens of thousands?) of photographs of buildings and views and landscapes which in all honesty, were not really worth taking. So many churches and buildings whose whereabouts - mostly in France - I had now forgotten. Most of these were taken on summer holiday when, in truth, the light conditions were just not interesting enough to bother. I remember Don McCullin, in semi-retirement and doing general photography, saying that he puts his camera away in the summer.  My slide collection proves that he was right to do so!   I hate to think of all the time (of myself and my benighted family) that I have wasted obtaining a largely useless collection of coloured bits of film (but please don't tell my wife - who will not be reading this, thank goodness!)  Even more, I hate to think of the cost in terms of filthy lucre. I have promised myself that I shall, in future, be much more discriminating in my use of the itchy shutter finger.

Fat chance!  At least my current camera doesn't underexpose.

Or does it? Please tell me if it does. 

Oh, and by the way, have you ever had the same experience??

Ted Wilson

Do you know the story about the man who asked his friend what the word Apathy meant?  His friend replied "I don't know and I don't care !

When I put a bit in the newsletter last November asking for members feelings regarding the Barmouth Weekend I didn't expect anyone to be hurt in the rush to the post-box, but I did think there would be some kind of response. As it turned out there was practically none.

I have therefore concluded that the Barmouth weekend has had its day and I have written to the Wavecrest hotel and the two clubs involved informing them of the position.

On a happier note may I remind members that the Christmas dinner is booked for the Thursday 20^th December 2001 at the same venue as last year (the British Legion Club Poynton), catering once again by the Honeypot.

A good entry of 56 slides and 48 prints were presented to our judge, Alan Towse, for his opinions. However with several members on holiday the turnout for the event was relatively poor.

In his introductory remarks Alan noted that he had only recently been on a panel of two dozen people judging about fifteen hundred images for "A-level" awards. Inevitably personal preferences came into play, but if fifteen or so of the panel supported an image then it would get the award under consideration. With an even split of opinion the candidate was given the benefit of the doubt, but the chairman could always have the casting vote. In a club situation, with him as the only judge, personal preference was bound to colour his decisions. As a general comment Alan thought that the slides were of better standard than the prints. He was critical of presentational imperfections which could spoil an over-all effect and were within the author's ability to easily correct. Bubbles under the print or uneven or non-parallel lines around an image were particular examples. So were scratches on print or slide, though he recognised that these could have occurred after they left the author. Other notable "Alan comments" were that  "'Life' attracts attention, albeit a small bird or distant person" and that he preferred to see people walking toward you in a picture rather than walking away. If you could see the face then you could read emotion into the picture. He also felt that with slides the author should attempt to fill the frame with the intended picture, and not select the picture by masking afterwards. With portraits he looked for a rapport between the image and the viewer.

Results Table......

Bill Chadband

This Competition, organised by Altrincham & Hale P.S. and held at the library in Altrincham on Friday last (23^rd March), was attended by half a dozen N.C.P.S.members who witnessed a clear South Manchester C.C. victory over 28 competing clubs. North Cheshire finished with the third highest mark, coming equal 5^th with the host club (Altrincham & Hale), Bury P.S. and South Liverpool P.S.  Because of the high number of entrants, only four of the submitted slides were used from each club, despite which it was a long, hard session for the judge, Denis Thorpe.

For North Cheshire, Steph Clack’s “Night Heron” and Bill Chadband’s “Winter Tree” went in the earlier rounds, with Brian Turnbull’s “Morning Mist” and Ted Wilson’s “Stadium of Light” reaching the later stages. The full results table will appear on the clubs notice board over the next few weeks - and on our web site, of course!

Tony Redford

The Digital Print Competition at Southport

Seven NCPS members travelled to Southport on Wednesday, 28^th March for an invitation battle against three other top clubs in the digital imaging field, and witnessed our very significant victory over the Southport, St Helens and South Liverpool photographic societies.

Each club was represented by 16 prints, with a maximum 3 from any one member. The entry was marked out of 20 by perhaps the best-known digital guru in the country, Barrie Thomas FRPS MFIAP FBIP FMPA,  who commented on the impressive standard of the work submitted and gave an excellent commentary on each of the 64 prints.

The final score was:- NCPS              222

                                    South Liverpool      218

                                    Southport         204

                                    St Helens          192

Three prints were awarded maximum marks, one of which was Brian Turnbull’s “Tango Dancers” which did so well in our own annual exhibition. Our other contributors were Jon Allanson, Sheila Edwards, Bill Chadband and Tony & Dorothy Redford, all scoring well and helping to lift us into top spot. We have been asked to host a similar competition at

Poynton next year, and such is the growing popularity of Digital Imaging that other groups are already asking to be included – so watch this space.

We have, of course, hosted the major inter-club Digital Print competition at Poynton for the last three years, as part of our exhibition week, with some 20 clubs competing. This will also, no doubt, go from strength to strength. In fact, Barrie Thomas will be along to judge that mighty battle in 2002!  So get cracking with those great ideas and make sure we have another winning set for next season’s competitions.

Dorothy Redford (Selection Committee Chair)

Photographer of the Year Table 2000/20001

Click Here

The Trip to Paris (Fri 20^th to Mon 23^rd April 2001)

Members were invited to submit accounts of the trip from their own perspective. By the editorial deadline only two had responded, as below!

The morning coffee and croissants set us up for the day, after which we all went on a boat trip down (up?) the Seine. The weather may have been freezing but the views were fascinating and journeying on the Metro to get there (in the rush hour) was an experience to savour.

I observed a dearth of "les femmes toilettes" but a surplus of "les femmes des toutes nationalities" wanting to use them. The loos in the Loovre were eloosive whilst the one under the Champs D'Elysee cost 2.70f to use. Omelettes and Fritz (who he? Ed) kept us going during the day together with coffee at £2 a cup. "Why do eenglish folk always want it "au lait"?

A small group of us followed Tony around much of the time and thanks to his prowess with the map saw much of Paris. We walked down all the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, up all the stairs of the Arc de Triomphe and up the long flight to the Sacre Cour. The nearest we got to the red light district was the bureau de change next to a sex-shop. (Was this good or bad evidence of Tony's map reading skills? Should I have followed Bill?)

The evenings were pleasantly spent with the Group wining and dining and trying out various different restaurants. All very sociable, followed by the inevitable indigestion and the many steps up to bed.

 I learned several new tricks on this trip; perhaps the most useless of which was how to cock your leg up (John Cleese style) to ensure an aisle seat from the flight check-in lady. Paris is such an amazing place. A special Thank-you to Colin for organising everything for us.

Sheila Edwards

Version 2!

Twenty eight NCPS members plus relatives (mostly wives!) took Paris by storm on Friday 20^th April. The storm in question was an electrical one, first apparent as a loud bang and a blue flash visible to those who sat near the front. Unfortunately no cameras were at the ready to record this event so the first great photo opportunity was lost. The air stewards seemed remarkably unconcerned and it was only near the end of the flight that the French captain commented upon the lightning strike to the plane.

We followed the lady advertizing Pickles to reach the waiting bus and were quickly aboard. Colin began to count heads but was over-ruled by the Pickles lady who turned out to also be the bus driver. She walked down the bus checking numbers, walked back, and we set off. Colin used his excellent French to ascertain from the lady that we were all aboard.  But his confidence deserted him and he began to call out names. It was then we discovered that the Wild's were missing. This time Colin was more masterful and the bus driver did a second circuit of the Airport to look for Alan. Apparently Alan's face on seeing us return was a picture but again, sad to say, no cameras were ready and the second great photo-opportunity was lost. It became clear also that the promised bus tour of Paris had reduced to the second tour of the Airport!

 The Hotel de Londres et d'Anvers, despite being on the main road to the Hospital and having plastic "keys", was a comfortable, friendly place. Philip and his Mum were given a 2^nd floor room, but Philip objected to sharing a double bed with his mum and so obtained a twin room on the 6^th floor. It was unfortunate that the lift only went as far as the 5^th floor and so Philip and Christine got more exercise than most of us.

Our holiday payment included a trip on the Seine with "Bateau Mouches" on the Saturday morning. The Seine was well above normal with side paths and trees all under water. Passengers were not allowed on the upper deck least they banged their heads on the bridges. The local photographer lady did her best to coax NCPS members to have their pictures taken but being an NCPS member apparently makes one  photo-shy.  Nevertheless at least one member got a candid shot of the lady in action and this image may well feature in a future evening. This may well count as the first unexpected photo-opportunity taken. We shall see!

Members mostly went their own way during the day (in pairs or foursomes) with the whole party gathering in the hotel at 8.00pm before all setting off for a local dinner. Colin did his best to get a consensus of where we should take dinner. After the first venue (meals not hot enough said some), and the second venue (insufficient choice said some) Colin booked an Italian restaurant, only to discover that three members preferred the omelettes of the local corner shop. It is reported that these three were rewarded with a first class view of a Parisian traffic jam and three bus-loads of Gendarmerie in action (but again apparently no photographic confirmation!).

The Eiffel tower, Trocadero, Place de la Concorde [with Paris's own little Eye (the Roue de Paris)], Les Halles, MontMartre , jardin de Tuillieries and Pompidou Centre were all visited by most members, who also took time to visit La Defense in an effort to improve upon Brian Turnbull's images (the ones he had presented at his recent NCPS talk). In choosing to walk back to the hotel from the centre of Paris, Brian claims not to have known that the Rue St Denis was a Parisian red light district. Brian had wife Hilary with him on the walk and so didn't get any offers. Another (male) NCPS member claims to have had an offer every twenty yards over a half mile stretch of road, though some were turned off by this patent bragging. And why, we ask, does he not have the photographic evidence to prove it?

 The trip was enjoyed by everyone present. Frank proposed a vote of thanks to Colin for his organisational efforts and skills, and queried when and where would be the next trip. Loud applause followed these remarks.

1) Was the lady in Rue St Denis, with the 4 inch long skirt and the handcuffs on her belt, really an under-cover policewomen?

2) Which NCPS members got into the lift, pressed a few buttons, commented upon the smooth drive, got out of the lift and didn't realize they were still on the same floor?

3) Which member let on that he had broken his femur in five places whilst skiing and watching his wife instead of watching where he was going?

4) Why are there not more quiz questions from members who went to Paris??

The On-line Gallery

Thank you to those members who have contributed pictures so far.

I hope you agree that they look good on the recently redesigned website (www.ncps.org.uk).

In addition to offering members the opportunity to exhibit a full panel of their work we propose adding a monochrome and a creative section to the gallery. Talk to Tony Redford about the formats we can accept. The number of visits to the website is improving steadily with 85 hits in April. Any suggestions for improvements would be welcome.

Peter Redford

Note: These are not the official minutes but merely the observations of one committee member present at the meeting.

Brian Turnbull was given the go-ahead to produce an improved light box for Print display based on D65 tubes. Treasurer Dave Sharp reported attempts to reduce the £21+ rent per meeting we pay for the use of the Council chamber. The £700+ rent plus expenses to judges and guest speakers well exceeds our subscription income. We thus rely on profits from extraneous events to keep the club solvent. During discussion on subscription levels for next session members felt our system was unnecessarily complicated and particularly the discounts for retired members or couples was too generous. Agreed that at the AGM the treasurer should propose that the single subscription should stay the same; that the discount for couples should be reduced by £2; the discount for single retired should be reduced by £4 and the discount for retired couples should be reduced by £5.

Jill reported on the Poynton Show. NCPS members provide the official photographers for the day. Six people are needed to cover the event over the full day (free breakfasts and lunch are provided). If we cannot provide such cover next time Jill needs to report this well in advance. Additionally NCPS provides £20 for photographic competition prizes and provides the judge. Jon Allanson informed the committee that he did not wish to be judge next time. Frank agreed to raise these issues at the next club meeting.

Gordon Robson reported on the next Annual Exhibition (6^th-8^th Feb 2002). Judging would take place on 20^th January 2002. The three exhibition judges would be Ian Stewart, Bob Dennis and John Dougherty.

Colin Pickles reported on the Paris trip. Members who had been were happy with the arrangements and agreed we should start to consider a similar venture next year (Suggestions to Colin). Other venues mooted for the summer period were

I) an away-day to the Bradford photo Museum [plus Saltaire] (perhaps for the 2^nd half of July);

II) a visit to the Stockport Hat museum

IV) an evening's gathering for a pub drink/meal

Colin needs to know if any of these will command support from members so please talk to him about them. The Barmouth week-end had been previously discussed. For many years it had been a very successful week-end but some members thought it was time to find a new venue, with new photographic vistas to continue members' interest in the event. Originally it was thought that we should try to retain the competition with the two Welsh clubs, but since one was based above Barmouth and one below it seemed a difficult task. No alternatives had, to date, emerged.

Tony Redford reported that L&CPU felt it was time for NCPS to provide a taped commentary on a Portfolio. Since members always had critical remarks about other commentaries (such as turn it off!) we could hardly turn down the chance to improve upon them. It was agreed that we should do one.

A last item was proposals for the AGM re: committee for next year. Although the AGM would decide it was incumbent upon the present committee to ensure that we had nominations for the various posts. This did not preclude members making alternative nominations.

President                            Bill Chadband

Treasurer                            David Sharpe

Secretary                            Joyce Street

Exhibition Secretary            Gordon Robson

Competition Secretary         Tony Redford

Publicity Secretary              Frank Hutchinson

Social Secretary                  Colin Pickles

Selection Committee Chair  Dorothy Redford

Newsletter Editor                Bill Chadband

Syllabus Secretary              No nomination !!

Equipment Officer              No nomination !!