Rules for the Natural History Section

The article from our President in the last edition has raised some issues to which we would like to add our comments. The rules we have for our competitions are capable of being changed by the members. We may have to wait for the next A.G.M. but it can be done. The fact that the P.S.A., the F.I.A.P., the I.S.F., the L.& C.P.U. and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all disagree with us is irrelevant. It is our competition for our members. So what changes would you like to see?.

We first need to decide whether the classifications into sections serves any purpose at all. Is it there to separate out those types of subjects which tend to be favoured by the majority of judges so as to give the less popular subjects a chance of winning an award in their exclusive category?. If so then problems with classification will arise as boundaries are drawn.

Would we be better off with no categories but a system, which our invited judges would have to adhere to, where points would be given in predefined sections strictly relating to photographic techniques such as composition, lighting etc. This could encourage us to use our cameras more effectively than journeying off to darkest Africa!

Let us confess that nobody was more embarrassed then Steph when her picture of a chimpanzee won in the Portrait Section. How bl**dy stupid! But it was not Natural History according to the rules because it was in captivity. This presumably arises from the idea that animals in captivity are not in their natural environment. The same philosophy presumably is stretched to also ban pets. What has this to do with photography? We thought it was about the image, the light etc.

We agree that there should be no distinction drawn because of the residency of the animal. We both feel that Zoos have served their purpose as an educational tool with the advent of television etc. but we can still support their efforts at conservation and so can tolerate their continued existence. But again what have these views to do with the image as presented.

We appreciate that it can be more difficult to take a picture of a creature in its natural habitat. Personal experience of many frustrating hours of stalking or of waiting for the winner to appear before the lens are evidence of this. But why should the Photographic Judge take that into account, either to mark it up for perseverance and/or rarity or to mark it down because of blatant envy! Many times we have heard "Oh of course this was taken on Safari" - Of course it was. So what? photographically speaking.

All of the august bodies mentioned above include pictures of fungi in their classification of Natural History. We cannot disagree on technical grounds but we can see a difference in the photographic problems in taking a "still life" where the lighting conditions can be controlled to a large extent to those encountered on Safari. Should these be taken into account by the Judge?. Or is it the final image which should determine the marks awarded?. Do you wish you could have taken it?. Are you impressed by the photographers skill or their expensive equipment?. Personally we are bored at National and International Exhibitions where the Natural History sections are filled with serried ranks of fungi slides and acres of fungi prints. But then are we not suffering from the captured lion syndrome?.

A fresh approach is needed perhaps. Let's not be hindered in this debate by what shall we do with the current sectional cups. They are in the past and we need a stimulus for the future to retain our current membership not to mention attracting new blood. Dare we dare to be different?. How can one judge and compare different subjects in a competition?. How do you compare a detailed church interior, a stunning landscape, a beautiful young lady (with or without clothes) or a wild animal doing what comes naturally?.

Easy! Forget the subject and concentrate on the how, the why and the final impression. Is your life richer by sharing the experiences of the author?. Have they succeeded in getting you to share the feelings that they had when they pressed the shutter?. Are you by their side sharing the moment when they felt the need to record the event?. If so we feel that you have just seen a good photograph.

From a personal perspective we feel that this classification into subject categories is fraught with problems but if, as a club, we want to continue with it then the changes can be made by us. We will continue to go out and about the world with our cameras taking the pictures that bring back memories to us and which we would like to share with you. If some Judge somewhere happens to like them then so be it no matter what category they fall into!

Dave & Steph Clack

P.S. We didn't mention the "D" word once!

What sex is your computer?

A language instructor was explaining to her class that in French, nouns are grammatically designated as masculine or feminine. One student asked the sex of a computer as the word wasn't in her French dictionary. For fun she split the class into two by gender and asked them to decide whether "computer" should be a masculine or feminine noun.

The men decided that computers should definitely be of the feminine gender ("la computer") because:
1) No one but their creator understands their internal logic.
2) The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
3) Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for possible later retrieval.
4) As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheque on accessories for it.

The women, however, concluded that computers should be masculine ("le computer") because:
1) In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2) They have a lot of data, but they are still clue-less.
3) They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they are the problem.
4) As soon as you commit to one, you realise that if you'd waited a little longer you could have had a better model.

(Above courtesy of Bob Jeffrey, UPP Circle 20.)

I'm sure we could add a few more gems (in the next Focus?)

Tony Redford

50th Anniversary Celebration

Having floated the idea of a celebration dinner for our 50th anniversary year in the June and September issues of Focus (to general club approval), a small committee has been formed to progress the idea. Its members are Ted Wilson, Gerald Hallworth, Gordon Robson, Frank Hutchinson and Bill Chadband. Gerald has agreed to be its secretary.

The urgent first task was to set a date for members' and guests' diaries, but this required identifying a suitable (available) venue. Most venues investigated offered meals in the £17 to £20 range, with an additional room fee of £150 to £200. It was agreed that a Sunday lunch-time meal was the most likely to attract the greatest club backing. We have therefore booked the Hunting Lodge at Adlington Hall for the date of Sunday March 3rd. There is no separate room charge and the meal prices quoted are competitive. Adlington Hall is separate from the Hunting lodge, so original thoughts that members could combine the luncheon with a stroll around the Hall grounds were quickly forgotten. (If such a visit were possible it would require separate arrangements).

The general form proposed for the celebration meal is:

Arrival at 12.30pm for a 1.00pm meal. A cash bar will be open for pre-lunch drinks, when bottles of wine may also be individually ordered to go with the meal. The 3-course lunch (a choice of two main menus) will be followed by coffee. Participants will be provided with a glass of wine to drink the Toasts (to the NCPS and L&CPU). The event will conclude with the taking of Group photographs.

Besides being an enjoyable event, marking a significant milestone in the Society's progress we hope to use it as valuable publicity. The L&CPU will be represented by the present President and two past presidents, and we hope to contact many past members to invite them to join us for the occasion (maybe some of them will be interested in re-joining us?). A write-up of the event (with pictures) will surely be included in local newspapers!!

It was necessary to make basic arrangements (date and venue) before the new season began. Nevertheless, members' comments and ideas to improve the event are welcomed. Please talk to one of the sub-committee members. It is suggested that, at a later stage, we circulate sheets containing the menus, to members proposing to attend, for them to choose their menu, and return, enclosing the appropriate meal cost.

Bill Chadband

West Cumbria Group Launch New Session

Jack Bamford, Bob Jeffrey, Tony Potter and John Thorpe gave the new session a big-bang start with their presentation "a Contrast in Styles". Using a mixture of hilarity and high quality photography they treated us to a photographic Tour de Force.

With Jack we visited Madeira, Majorca, Granada, Lindesfarne, Alcatraz, Skye and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We learned that Jack is keen on poppies but were shocked to find he had introduced some swirl into a poppy picture. Jack spends some of his free time looking after the old folk.

One of these old folk, John Thorpe, was keen on Abbeys and Trees. Sad to say he had liquified the trees on one of his prints. John had some fine shots of Ayres Rock, Australia, and commented on the many colours contained in the rock and visible as the sunlight changed. By concentrating on digital printing he had forfeited his darkroom to a shower room. He was concerned that two of the group kept taking the other two to cemetries - for photography they said - but he wasn't so sure. Prints did not have to be big. (" Its not the size that matters - its what you do with it ") and to prove his point he demonstrated how suitable masks and surrounds could enhance a small print.

Bob Jeffrey proudly brandished his new Digital camera and showed us some stunning flower images taken with it - all from his garden. "You have to get to the Poppies before the bees do" he remarked. "If you don't have the flower you want, in your garden, go to the local Garden Centre. They have them conveniently in pots for you to examine and photograph"

As Tony Potter was surely thinking, the best comes last! His theme of Big is Beautiful tested Brian Turnbull's new print display box to the limit. The big landscape prints just fitted on the rest, but the portrait prints had to be dispensed with. Besides these blockbuster prints Tony showed a range of great people (children) images, shot on location in Tibet. Apparently the only true darkroom worker of the quartet, Tony saddened us by confessing that once his stock of 3600 colour print sheets was used up he might consider digital printing.
The Quartet having driven down from Cumbria during the day, we endeavoured to finish the meeting before 10pm in order to allow them to drive back home the same evening.

Bill Chadband

Just Prints

On 18th September Geoff Robinson illustrated his mastery of the wet print with his presentation of prints covering all styles from Portrait and Landscapes, through Pattern pictures and Building interiors, to a range of Pictorial prints. In the process, he revealed that The Torrs was a great background for portraits; that his 500mm Tamron mirror lens gave him some very sharp pictures; that Ilfacolour paper had given him some very satisfactory saturated colour prints and that he had made good use of Fuji 1600 speed film (e.g to photograph Masks in windows in Venice).

Surprisingly, we learned that Geoff had sold up his Darkroom equipment and had turned to digital printing (though he thought that in prtrait photography skin tones obtainable with the ink-jet process we still not up to the quality one could obtain with the wet process. He had started his digital education a year ago and was still experimenting with the wonderful saturated colours he could get, and reworking some of his old negatives to remove perceived imperfections. In particular he was able to change the colour of some of his images to match the excessive amount of Pink mounting paper that he still had to use up!!! He showed us examples of his approach and invited comment. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the audience became quite animated in their opinions and advice concerning the digital process.

Thanks Geoff for a most enjoyable evening.

Bill Chadband

The Committee Meeting held 26th September 2001

It was established that Frank, Tony, Bill, David, Stuart, Jill and Gordon all have a key to the NCPS cupboard.

The 50th Anniversary Luncheon arrange-ments were reviewed. It was agreed that the cost should be £17.50 to include wine (or soft drink) to drink the toasts. The club would make up the shortfall. The Guests, L&CPU President John Dougherty, and past presidents Ian Stewart and Bob Dennis (plus their partners) had been invited. It was agreed that no Top Table was necessary, rather the guests and NCPS committee should be spread over three tables. For administrative convenience these places would need to be marked with cards. Otherwise people could sit at will. It was noted that the round tables seated eight people. It was also agreed that past NCPS president Frank Hutchinson should act as toast master to facilitate the easy flow of the event. All members past and present, insofar as their addresses are known, will receive a personal letter inviting them to attend, choose menu, and pay treasurer. Clearly there are problems regarding the present whereabouts and state of health of all but the immediate past members. Tony Redford has agreed to co-ordinate our researches involving past members. Please communicate any useful information to Tony. Consideration was also given to the possibility of producing an Anniversary plate or Mug to mark the occasion Members thoughts or information regarding such a venture are welcomed.

Since, for our 8th January 2002 meeting (speaker Brian Bower), the Council Chamber was not available the Methodist Hall (across the Civic car park) had been booked. Tony noted that Chapel-en-le-Frith club had challenged us to a battle (a return match) on Wednesday 7th November at the Squirrel's hotel. Another day trip to the Lakes had been proposed. It was agreed that we should visit Ullswater. Sunday 4th November was proposed as the most suitable date. It was suggested that we should attempt an early (minibus) start. Colin Pickles agreed to organise the event. Members could cross the Lake by boat and either continue, by boat, to the top of the Lake and back or walk the several miles back around the Lake.

Following on from the successful Paris trip this year, it is proposed that we consider a trip to Bruges. The weekend of 12, 13, 14, 15 April 2002 appears to be the most favoured, else the last weekend of April. Colin will look into likely costs (for a 3 star hotel) and report back.

The committee considered a paper from Gerald concerning the format of the Rosalind Bramley Trophy competition. It was agreed that the competition should be judged by the whole membership at a regular club meeting. For the present session, this would be the April 16th 2002 meeting. Various possible entry formats were considered, but eventually it was agreed that to stipulate Pictorial Monochrome prints (without further restraint or conditions) would best encourage a large entry. Forms would be produced to facilitate members' adjudication on the night, and the result would be announced at a later date.

Bill Chadband

"Success breeds more success"

Thanks, on behalf of the Selection Committee, to all the contributors to the 1st Quarterly Competition who were prepared to leave with us their entry for consideration for the forthcoming battles and external competitions. As we've said before, the bigger and better the material we have available at our Selection Committee meetings, the better will be our chances of victory - and we want to win!

Please remember to pass on to me, or any committee member, any prints and/or slides which you consider could be competition material - and don't be modest. They will be looked after and returned with thanks to their authors whether chosen or not.

A Selection Committee meeting will be arranged shortly with a view to earmarking a set of pictures ready for the several imminent competitions, notably:

15 x 15 battle vs Leek CC at home on Tues 16th Oct - Judge: Bob Dennis CPAGB.
10 x 10 battle vs Chapel CC away on Wed 7th Nov - Judge: Peter Holt FRPS **
Bramhall Exhibition Inter Club Print Panel competition Thurs 8th Nov
Bramhall Inter Club Slide Knock-Out competition, also Thurs 8th Nov

** Note - the battle with Chapel en le Frith will be at The Squirrels Hotel, Chinley - a friendly venue where we hope to have a large contingency of home supporters. We were able to defeat Chapel at Poynton last year so they will be seeking revenge. They have done us the honour of securing the services of a very good judge who is travelling over from Ilkeston for the occasion. With a great night in prospect please make a note on your syllabus or in your diary - WED 7th NOV.

Dorothy Redford (Selection Committee Chairman)

The Club Christmas Dinner on Thursday 20th Dec

Gerald has produced the menu for the Christmas Dinner, copies being available on the club notice board. It would be helpful to us all if members would indicate their intention of attending by choosing their preferred option, giving Gerald written notice of their choice, and paying David, our treasurer, the amount due.

Don't forget that this year we have the innovation of watching members try out the slow circle dance "Clwyd", whilst those with bad knees, bad backs, or just bad nerves can try to discover "Who Owns the Zebra", or else win a prize with a paper and pencil Game.

(The Bar will be open to help steady those nerves!)

Bill Chadband

Forthcoming Competitions

You may wish to note the names of those judging the forthcoming competitions at Poynton. Up to the end of the current year 2001 they are as follows:

25th September 1st Quarterly Brian Lomas from Oldham
16th October 15 x 15 Battle. Bob Dennis from the Wirral
27th November 2nd Quarterly David Hempstock from Bramhall
11th December 3-way Battle Robert Vince from Sandbach

Tony Redford (Competition Secretary)

1st Quarterly Competition

The club's competitive season got off to a flying start with the 1st quarterly competition attracting over 100 entries from 15 of our members. A total of 56 slides included 5 Beginners/Intermediate, 24 advanced pictorial, 20 advanced applied and 7 advanced portrait. The 51 advanced prints included 25 pictorial, 19 applied and 7 portrait.

Brian Lomas from North Manchester, only very recently returned from holiday, and with a busy work schedule to catch up on, had willingly accepted the task of judging. Brian had clearly spent a great deal of time and effort on our behalf assessing our work and gave each entry a carefully considered and constructive comment on the night.

Of course, no one ever agrees 100% with a judge's verdict! The ever-increasing difficulties of the job, with the advent of digital work, was made apparent when Brian expressed a conviction that a certain print containing a brown bear was a combination of two images - and got it wrong! But we can have absolutely no complaints about that. In the final analysis, every picture was judged fairly on its own merits, in the eyes of the judge. And we don't need reminding that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" - hence the guarantee that some of us will rate certain pictures differently to the judge on the night. It's on this understanding that judges take on an otherwise thankless task in the first place. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Results:

Intermediate/Beginners Slides

Beynac Mellow Tones, Margery Hutchinson - C
River Bridge, Les Eyzise, Margery Hutchinson - HC

Advanced Pictorial Slides

The Man at the Gate, Kath Anderson - C
Sweet Pea, Graham McIntosh - C
Spring Blossom, Herald Hallworth - C
Waterside Walk, Gordon Robson - HC
Stamens, Frank Hutchinson - HC
Evening Nap, Ted Wilson - HC
The Red Barn, George Beaumont - VHC
Stadium of Colour, Ted Wilson - BEST

Advanced Applied Slides

Tree Fern (Dickensonia Antarctica), Stuart Forbes - C
Municipal Display, Gerald Hallworth - C
Caltha Palastris,Jon Allenson - C
Wild Rabbit, Dorothy Redford - HC
Libellula Dragonfly, Ted Wilson - VHC
Cross Here, Tony Redford - VHC
Moose, Dorothy Redford - VHC
Heron by the Sea, Gordon Robson - VHC
Column Detail, Rufford Hall, George Beaumont - BEST

Advanced Portrait Slides

Charlie Chaplin, Gordon Robson - C
Scooby, Gerald Hallworth - VHC
Plantation Worker, George Beaumont - BEST

Advanced Pictorial Prints

La Defense, Paris, Gordon Robson - C
Parasols, George Beaumont - C
Starting up the Bank, Jon Allenson - HC
Country Blossom, Dorothy Redford - HC
Poppies in Monet's Garden, Gordon Robson - VHC
Buffalo at Yellowstone, Tony Redford - VHC
Spiral Staircase, Dorothy Redford - VHC
Golden Corridor, Tony Redford - BEST

Advanced Applied Prints

Intoxication, Stuart Forbes - C
Monument Detail, Belton, Lincs, Gerald Hallworth - C
Golden Crucifixion, George Beaumont - C
Reticulated Giraffe, George Beaumont - HC
Oryx, Frank Hutchinson - HC
I Got Rhythm, Dorothy Redford - VHC
Zebra, Masai Mara, Gordon Robson - VHC
Detail from Notre Dame Façade, Tony Redford - BEST

Advanced Portrait Prints

Birthday Boy, Gordon Robson - C
Portrait of a Successful Breeder, Stuart Forbes - HC
Poseur, Dorothy Redford - BEST

Results Table.....

Tony Redford (Competition Secretary)

NCPS Christmas Dinner 20th December 2001
At the British Legion, Poynton

Menu to choose from

Carrot & Coriander Soup
Avocado & Melon with Stilton Cheese
Freshly squeezed Orange Juice

*****
Breast of Chicken with a Port,Mushroom & Chestnut Sauce
Rib Steak slowly cooked with Garlic, Red wine, Bacon & Tomatoes
Salmon with a Raspberry & Wine Cream Sauce

*****
Christmas Pudding & Custard
Chocolate Torte covered with Baby Meringues
Crème Brulee with Raspberries
Cheese & Biscuits

*****
Coffee/Tea
Mints
*****