Interclub Battle with Leek C.C.

It's very pleasing to report that our first inter-club competition of the season brought us our first success. The final score in the 15 x 15 battle with Leek C.C. (with each entry marked out of 20) was as follows:
North Cheshire P.S. 461 Leek C.C. 452

Our prints got us off to a flying start scoring 233 against Leek's 223, but their particularly strong slides earned them 229 points against our 228, a one point margin which left many of us feeling that Leek had been a little hard done by! As predicted, they had pulled out all the stops, and their natural history slides in particular, were quite outstanding - an indication of why they have been doing so well in major competitions.

Our own entry consisted mainly of material that had been highly praised by the judge at our first quarterly. The fact that a good number suffered something of a reversal of fortune on this occasion only served to remind us yet again that what appeals to one judge may fail to impress the next - an unpredictability that makes it so intriguing. However our considerable strength in depth stood us in good stead and it was good to see work from Roy Cheetham and Margery Hutchinson, both relative newcomers to competitions, getting their just deserts, as well as strong showings from Kath Anderson and Frank Hutchinson finishing up there amongst the Clacks, Turnbulls and Wilsons.

Judge Bob Dennis was suitably impressed by the overall standard (if not the mountboard colours! Black mounts a-plenty now expected in our Annual Exhibition). His humorous delivery was well received by both clubs and Leek, whose members were present in large numbers, were generous in defeat. However they are insisting we have a return battle at their venue with a judge of their choice next season so they obviously have sweet revenge in mind. Thanks again to all who contributed.

Full listing and marks of our entry as follows:

Prints:
Poppies in Monet's Garden, Gordon Robson - 15
Buffalo at Yellowstone, Tony Redford - 13
Oryx, Frank Hutchinson - 9
Carnarvon Castle, Roy Cheetham - 15
Lilac Breasted Roller, Dave Clack - 20
Matterhorn, Zermatt, Colin Pickles - 15
The Ceiling, Cuthbert Wells, Gerald Hallworth - 15
Gentoo Penguin, Steph Clack - 15
Impressed, Dorothy Redford - 14
Sunset Reflection, Brian Turnbull - 13
Charles de Gaulle Lounge, Gordon Robson - 15
Golden Corridor, Tony Redford - 14
Chimpanzee, Steph Clack - 19
Windswept, Brian Turnbull - 16
Spiral Stairs, Dorothy Redford - 15

Slides:
Caltha Palastris, Jon Allanson - 14
Evening Nap, Ted Wilson - 14
Municipal Display, Graham McIntosh - 12
Cross Here, Tony Redford - 15
Column Detail, George Beaumont - 16
Scooby, Gerald Hallworth - 13
Barrier Pattern, Tony Redford - 17
Stadium of Colour, Ted Wilson - 19
Step Back in Time, Margery Hutchinson -16
Italian Chapel, Orkney, Kath Anderson - 19
Woodland Spider, Alan Bromage - 15
Morning Mist, Brian Turnbull - 16
Stamens, Frank Hutchinson - 16
Kite Flyers, Brian Turnbull - 14
Cottage Impression, Dorothy Redford - 12

Tony Redford (Competition Sec)

Gerald Hallworth

Gerald phoned to say thanks to all his NCPS friends for the "missing you" card he received mid November. Gerald says it was much appreciated.

Cappadocia - John Coles

On Tuesday 30th October John Coles FRPS took us on a fascinating journey to the middle of Turkey, to Cappadocia and the Taurus Mountains. Having visited the local markets we travelled through hot dusty landscapes and climbed to over 9000 feet to snow covered mountains. We saw some fascinating rock strata and "fairytale castles" where a hard rock surface had locally left vertical cone-capped pillars amongst the general erosion. Beneath the hard cap the rock was softer and the local people had burrowed in to make habitable dwellings of several storeys. Doorways and square window cavities were apparently open to the elements but John noted that in some of the dwellings he had visited a large round rock, similar in shape to a millstone, was available on the inside to be pulled across the door opening for protection. John must have been the party's laggard since many of his images were of his 'Explore' party winding their way up the valley hundreds of yards (metres?) ahead. At the end of a day the party would arrive at a small flat area on which a few bell-tents were erected - their home for the night!. Apparently these tents would be left up for the whole season, to be used by the various 'Explore' parties. Some of John's most vivid images were reflections of orange coloured peaks and blue skies in crystal clear lakes. Other enduring memories were of great waterfalls apparently issuing from the insides of solid mountains! Thanks John for a memorable journey.

Photography- Scientific and not so Scientific

What is the purpose of a 'President's evening? Is it to save the syllabus secretary extra work? Is it an appropriate inducement (punishment?) for a new president? This year's president decided that it was a vehicle for 'Getting to know the President'.

Feedback after the event ranged from "He kept them interested and attentive throughout, to "I was interested to see the word Schlieren on a slide", to "Get him to write an article explaining the talk". Under the sub-heading "My first introduction to photography" we saw a one year old President and possibly a six-month-old one. We saw the difficulties he had getting to school in 1947. We saw his first tentative photographic images from his Kodak folding Brownie. He explained his "Fakes progress", from using Agfa Record film at 3000ASA for proper photographic images, through his use of Polaroid film for increased convenience (it was disheartening to take a whole roll of film, develop it, and then discover a blank film because part of the experimental set-up was not working properly!), to his digital conversion using BBC microcomputer, Digital Frame store, and electronic CCD tube from English Electric. He explained that having spent over £2000 on Polaroid film the change to digital imaging was to save money as well as its increased convenience. Having digitised a picture it was possible to do direct measurements on the image via software. All his digital images were stored on a VHS video recorder (5 seconds per picture) since this was then the most economic method.

But what was he photographing? Why, electrical discharges in Oils of course (Pictures in Oils might have been his talk's title??).

Apparently, as a research student he was given a blurred shadow picture and asked to investigate it. The shadow appeared only intermittently. The first task was to determine its timespan. A high-speed rotating mirror camera was built and showed that the shadow event lasted for about 10 microseconds (millionth's of a second). To capture a single-shot image an exposure time of less than one microsecond was required. A spark-in-air light source was constructed which gave a one-quarter microsecond effective flash duration. One such light source system was on display. Noting that all good lectures require at least one demonstration, the President produced a short (microseconds) flash by corona-charging a sheet of mylar film at 30,000 volts, and then producing a discharge by touching the centre of the film with an earthed rod. A satisfyingly bright blue surface flash and loud thunderclap awoke the sleepers on the back row. Those who were asleep, or blinked at the wrong moment, would have missed the flash. By means of Xerox toner powder, sprinkled over the mylar sheet, the form of the discharge was made visible as black powder lines, to these folk. Surprisingly the toner image improved (sharpened) with time during the rest of the proceedings.

The second half of the talk was devoted to picture sequences showing the growth, decay, and breakdown of typical liquid insulation systems. As the speaker noted at the outset most of the slide images were black and white and the digital images were 256 by 256 pixels only - but adequate for the task in hand!. The presentation concluded with a sequence of both print and slide images in colour investigating the pixel density actually required for decent slides or prints.

Bill Chadband, Editor

A Trip to Ullswater - Sunday 4th November

19 members and partners met at the Glenridding Pier, Ullswater, for the 10.30 am Ferry to Howtown. Bill & Milly and Allan & Jackie, having stayed in the Lakes the previous night, were there to greet the NCPS minibus as it arrived (Arriva'd?). Gordon and Joyce miraculously appeared from a red car at the same time and proffered the excuse for not walking that they were going to change the laces on Gordon's walking shoes at Hawkshead. Colin was informed that three of the party wanted a two-way trip on the boat, and discovered that Jacquie's minidog needed a ticket also. Surprisingly given the cold overcast morning the boat was packed with walking groups.

At 11.10 the boat reached Howtown and the walking began. Did you know that Ullswater is 13km (8miles) long, 1km wide at its widest point, and 60 metres deep at its deepest? Our walk back, along the Steamer link path was a reputed 7.5 miles.

Initially we played the game of spotting the sunlit parts of the mountains across the lake. Each time anoraks were removed a short sharp shower forced them back on again. Several times a rainbow blinked on and off, but Ted, wielding his mighty 80-200mm zoom failed to focus in time. After the walk's half-way mark the showers ceased and the day got progressively brighter. The several groups who had travelled together on the boat took turns in overtaking one another, and Frank only got us lost on one initial occasion before realising that he could ignore the map and follow the others. After an exhilarating walk we arrived back at the pier at 3.15pm. Some of us bought tea at the pier shop before setting off back home. A great day out, and our grateful thanks to Colin Pickles for his organisation, and his driving.

Question: How many members spotted the Ullswater Gnome?

Bill Chadband

Digital Imaging - NormanPiper

On Tuesday 13th November Norman Piper gave a presentation of some basic Photoshop techniques to a packed room of Club members and visitors. We were pleased to welcome strong contingents of visitors from Bramhall and Chapel clubs. Norman had his own video projector, laptop computer with sound system, and Wacom pad. He had been asked to aim the first half of the talk at relative beginners in the club, and so began with a video slide show. The projector was impressive giving a bright display of over 1000 by 750 pixels on the screen. From later questions we learnt that the cost of such a system is equally impressive at between £2000 and £3000. (We expect to see Norman on the road for many years yet as he seeks to recoup such a large outlay!) Norman used Photoshop 6 (the latest incarnation of the Photoshop software) but pointed out that Photoshop Elements, the cut-down version with all of the important elements of Photoshop would suit most people just as well, and at under £100 was much better value. Norman demonstrated to our beginners how one would go about assembling a photo-montage; and during this demonstration (with the lights out, and his Wacom pen upside down) illustrated how one should not always blame the computer, or the software, for apparent malfunctions. (Our detective, Dorothy, was quickest to read the signs and spot Norman's little trick!) Norman illustrated how to insert reflections and how to put images appropriately behind other images. He demonstrated in some detail the use of the sharpen and unsharp filters, and discussed at length the many ways of making a good black and white image from an initial coloured one. The presentation was at the right level for our mixed audience, allowing our digital experts to interject their superior knowledge whilst leaving our absolute digital beginners in awe (else in a rage at the ease with which this digital cheating can be accomplished) As Norman noted, very few people get to understand even half of the power of photoshop, accomplishing all they wish to do usually with less than 25% of its range.

Digital photography has opened up a new era in imaging technology. It is being seized upon by many to explore new avenues in computer art and in due course will undoubtedly be the norm for photography. In the meantime, during the transition period, clubs have to decide how best the old and the new can fairly co-exist.

Thank you Norman for an excellent evening, and the relaxed way you managed to put over some photoshop essentials to such a diverse audience.

Bill Chadband

The Committee Meeting held Thurs 15th November 2001

Aspects of the 50th Anniversary Celebration were discussed. It was agreed that all attendees would receive a group photograph of those attending the event. A translucent sheet accompanying the photograph would identify by name all on the photograph. This would prove useful to future generations of members. Although Adlington Caterers usually add 75p per person to lunches where a choice of meal is provided, on this occasion they would waive this charge.
Colin was thanked for his efforts over the successful Lakes trip on 4th November. He had more good news regarding the Bruges Trip. A deposit of only £80 was now required. The bad news was that he needed this deposit urgently to secure the bookings. He would be contacting all 20 names on his list for this deposit. It was agreed that, to maximize our time there, the 6.25 am flight from Manchester should be taken.

Tony reviewed our recent successes in inter-club competitions (see reports elsewhere) and highlighted arrangements for those in the offing. (The away match with Chapel, and the triangular match vs Wilmslow Guild and South Manchester clubs at Poynton on 11th December). He reported a good entry to the 2nd Quarterly with over 50 prints and 50 slides from 17 entrants. He was particularly pleased that our newer members were entering.

Gordon reviewed the arrangements for the Annual Exhibition. Geoff Simpson had provided an impressive A3 sized specimen Advert. It was agreed that we charge £3 entrance fee for the talk on the Friday, and £1.50 for each of the other nights. A Season ticket of £4.50 might encourage visitors to attend all three nights.

Sheila reported an excellent response to her invitation (with stamped addressed envelopes) to members to say what they wanted and what they had to offer re next year's syllabus. One particular aspect was requests for more introductory digital/photoshop presentations. It was agreed that on an evening one could only take in a limited amount of information, so regular "dribbles" were required. Discussion centred on possibly using some of the "small room" monthly meetings for this, on the possible numbers of interested members, and on the mechanics of the process. It was agreed that a club "digital projector plus computer" were ideally required, and methods of acquiring such apparatus were considered. One approach was to open these monthly meetings to the general public (noting that one-day photoshop courses at £200 were beyond the purses of many people). On this basis an application for grant-aid to purchase the equipment was feasible. Club members with digital aspirations could take it in turn to do short presentations (half hour?) on specified aspects of digital work. This might also be our best publicity and new (young?) member attraction.

The format for the Christmas Party was considered and it was agreed that, along with eats and drinks, members be invited to bring humourous/seasonal prints and slides for display/discussion. Joyce introduced the discussion on the L&CPU Questionnaire Feedback and agreed to do a "Focus" write-up of essential points relevant to NCPS.

Next Committee meeting Wednesday 16th January 2002 at Gordon's House.

Bramhall's Annual Exhibition

Bramhall's Annual Exhibition at the beginning of November proved to be a rich hunting ground this year for a number of our members. Firstly, congratulations to Gordon Robson, George Beaumont and Stuart Forbes - who are members of both North Cheshire and Bramhall - for their exhibition entry successes in the Bramhall Exhibition. Several trophies were shared between them.

Secondly, we can congratulate ourselves on winning the inter-club Print Panel Competition and collecting the trophy that we have narrowly missed on a number of previous occasions. We came 4th = in the inter-club Slide Competition.

Thirdly, well done to our digital printers who entered the individual print competition, of which our own Jon Allenson was one of three judges. Out of an entry of over 50 prints from contributors throughout the region, Tony Redford picked up the first prize of a £100 voucher - with a picture taken from the Arc de Triomph on our recent club trip. He also had a second picture in the final eight, as did Dorothy, the previous year's winner! Brian Turnbull was also in the running up to the final few.
Finally, to round off a successful week, Frank Hutchinson walked off with a raffle prize (an alcoholic beverage - what else) following a most enjoyable presentation by the Natural History photographer, Tony Wharton. Well done Bramhall - and well done N.C.P.S!

"Onlooker"

L&CPU Slide Knockout Competition

On Sat 17th November, Tony, Dorothy & Bill arrived at Bromborough Civic Hall to represent NCPS in the annual Slide knockout competition. Last year NCPS were the hosts. This year was the turn of Bebbington PS. John Cartlidge of the Midland Counties Federation was the judge and 29 clubs had entered. John Doughty, LCPU President welcomed the gathering and held aloft the new Glass trophy (donated by David Coan) to be awarded to the author of the best slide.

After the initial run-through of all the slides (during which we observed that only the first four of the entered five slides were to be used) Round 1 began. Oh dear! The judge felt he must lose "Three of a kind" (Gordon Robson) straight away. Our selection committee had thought that it would grow on the judge as time went on. Sadly time didn't go on for this slide. 17 slides were lost in this round. Another 42 slides were lost in round 2 our other three slides sailed through In round 3 the plug was pulled on the Stadium of Light (Ted Wilson). The judge could not discern enough detail in the (almost silhouette) figure. Red stamens (Frank Hutchinson) also wilted at this stage (something to do with contrasts at the edges, though the judges remarks were not clear). The Thames Barrier (Tony Redford) was strong enough to reach round 5 at which point only 6 slides were left. At this point the judge ran through the 6 again and declared a South Manchester slide (author Adam Knight) the winner. But a three way tie between South Manchester, Southport and Wigan 10 clubs was announced. Therefore the fifth slides of these three clubs was shown and Wigan 10 emerged the winner with an ethereal vision of a (Wigan?) pier.

It was a good evening. Thanks to both the L&CPU and Bebbington Club. NCPS came out undisgraced at 6th = with two other clubs.

Bill Chadband

How to Become Photograper of the Year

On Tuesday 20th November the crowds gathered in eager expectation of learning the secret to becoming Club Photographer of the Year. It is a penance for reaching this exalted position that the winner gives a presentation to the club, the following year. In recent years Gordon Robson has achieved this distinction several times, and he must surely by now be running out of new material to present.

But no, Gordon took us all on a trip to Canada, from Vancouver, by Camper Van (all 30 feet of it) through the Canadian Rockies to National Parks around Banff and Jasper. But it wasn't all plain sailing (plane flying?). The original departure date of 13th September was put back to 23rd due to the flight disruptions occasioned by the Twin Towers disaster. Three days were lost from the planned three-week trip in the process.

We enjoyed a delightful mix of slides showing stages of the journey, airport lounges, camping sites, and the magnificent countryside. Gordon showed his considerable skill at recording scenes from the moving van as they drove past excellent views but were unable to stop and park the van for more leisurely photography. We saw Lake Louise in the Banff National Park, fed by the Victoria Glacier, and Gordon's crowning glory, Mount Robson, so high that the clouds never left the top (a suitable metaphor for a photographer of the year?). All in all, a most enjoyable presentation -- but how do I become photographer of the year? Sadly, he never told us !!!

Bill Chadband

The Battle with Chapel en le Frith Club

Eight members of NCPS assembled at what we remembered was the Squirrels hotel for the Print and Slide Battle against Chapel club on Wednesday 21st November. (It is now under new management, with a new name; what's it now called?) We were welcomed by their chairman, Peter Alsop, who introduced the judge David Graham of the Leek Camera Club.

In the prints contest NCPS gained 158 points to Chapel's 152, helped by Tony's Red Boots image coming top (20 points). Thus the interval was a jovial time for us. In the Slides contest Chapel forged ahead gaining 165 points to our 152, and giving them the overall Winning position. We were most warmly received by our hosts, and enjoyed a subsequent drink in the bar downstairs before leaving.

However, Chapel club may have to find a new meeting place next year. The new owner wishes to turn the upstairs room they presently use into bedrooms. They have been offered the downstairs function room as an alternative (rent-free, as was the upper room) but are worried that with a thin partition between that and the bar, the noise may be too great. Whatever happens we look forward to reversing the score at a future battle with them.

NCPS scores: n/20
Prints
Black Rock Cottage 14, Windswept 17
Red Boots 20, Elephant Seals 16
Swirling Daisy 15, Oryx 15
Industry in the Rockies 16, Place De Gaulle 15
Adelei Penguins 15, Kids from Oliver 16

Slides
Monet's Garden Impr 13, Masai Woman and Child 17
Winter Scene 14, Stadium of Colour 15
Stamens 15, Sculpture and Spray 14
Kite Flyers 16, Italian Chapel Orkney 16
Barrier Pattern 15, Spring Blossom 14

2nd Quarterly Competition 27th November

The club's 2nd quarterly competition attracted 17 contributors who submitted a total of 70 slides and 62 prints for our judge, Mr David Hempstock of Bramhall, to grapple with!

The breakdown between sections was as follows:- Intermediate 3 Prints
Advanced Slides: 35 Pictorial, 28 Applied and 7 Portrait.
Advanced Prints: 30 Pictorial, 20 Applied and 9 Portrait.

David did a thorough job in commenting on every entry and was generous in his awards, resulting in a flurry of "Clubman of the Year" points.

2nd Quarterly Results table

Worker of the Year table

Tony Redford