LIGHTNING DOES STRIKE TWICE!

IBack in the 1960's a young man was wondering how good his photography really was. Of course all his friends and family said kind things but you expect that don't you? He decided to enter what was then Amateur Photographer's monthly competition with a slide taken on holiday with an old Halina 35 mm camera(remember them?). Much to his surprise, A.P. published the picture paying a fee, deciding it was the best beginner's slide of the month, and awarding a prize of three guineas. In addition, it was named best picture of the month and won a Zorki Russian 35mm camera. Putting all the winnings together and selling the Russian camera plus the Halina, he invested in his first single lens reflex and a top of the range projector. Shortly after that, he joined his first camera club and has been hooked on photography since.

Fast forward to the 21st century and Chester Zoo are holding a photographic competition so the (by now) old man sends off an entry. Would you believe it, he gets a letter saying that his entry is the best slide and he will be awarded a digital camera! The prize will be presented at a prize winners' lunch at the Zoo together with a framed print and a trophy to keep for a year. What are the odds on that?

Frank Hutchinson

(Frank was initially loath to write about his good fortune, but the editor has a certain method for dealing with such recalcitrants, and he soon saw the error of his ways!)

The 3-Way Battle on 11th December 2001

N.C.P.S. experienced a painful reversal of fortune in the 3-way battle with Wilmslow Guild and South Manchester C.C. finishing 3rd out of three when all the marks were added up! We were able to hold our own with the prints, but our slides compared rather less favourably. The format of 10 prints and 10 slides from 20 different workers favours the larger clubs of course, but no excuses - we could not complain about the result. Our congratulations to South Manchester C.C who were clear overall winners.

On the positive side, we all enjoyed seeing an impressive selection of pictures and, as predicted, it was standing room only by the time all the stragglers had joined us. Both South Manchester and Wilmslow brought a great following of supporters which we, even as the home team, had difficulty in matching in terms of numbers. Perhaps we shall be able to turn the tables in every respect when a return match takes place - probably at South Manchester' venue next season.

Despite our defeat, we should be most grateful to judge Bob Vince for travelling over from Sandbach in foggy conditions and doing a good job with his comments and marks. If he wasn't quite his usual ebullient self, it was understandable given his recent health setbacks, not to mention a call to visit hospital again on the day after our battle - a painful prospect that would affect anyone's enthusiasm. We wish him well.

The numerical facts from the evening read as follows: -

Slides: S.M/c C.C. 171 Wilmslow Guild P.S. 152 N.C.P.S. 142
Prints: S.M/c C.C. 161 Wilmslow Guild P.S. 154 N.C.P.S. 158
Totals: S.M/c C.C. 332 Wilmslow Guild P.S. 306 N.C.P.S. 300

A full list of prints and slides plus the twenty contributors - with their individual marks - is available from Dorothy, Selection Committee Chairman, who thanks on behalf of the club, all those who submitted work for selection. No doubt those members whose work we didn't benefit from this time, will find their name in the frame for the next battle!

Tony Redford (Competition Sec.)

Christmas Dinner Thurs 20 December 2001

The annual Christmas Dinner was again held at the Poynton British Legion premises, and again the "HoneyPot" organisation did us proud. On this occasion we were in the Lounge area, a more congenial area for casual conversation around the dinner tables, but with its low sound-absorbing ceiling less good for speeches from the top table. If those at the bottom still do not know why there are no T.V sets in Afghanistan, or why Cat 1,2,3 won the cross channel race they had better see the President later (thanks to waitress Sue for both those jokes). It was gratifying to discover that many members had attempted to discover who owns the Reindeer and who drinks water. The Gripes committee were in two minds as to whether or not to share their part of the prize with Dave Clack since he entered the competition separately and won a share in his own right. We are informed that Rodney's table really won the ANThology competition, but although he apparently shouted out, being on the bottom table the sound didn't reach our deaf President, who awarded the Prize to Jill's table instead. One of the highlights of the evening was the "crowning" of the president-elect Joyce Streets. The Presidential Hat was a very good fit, to everyone's delight, and we look forward to the crowning ceremony being carried forward into the future.

Onlooker 2

UpDate by Brian Bower 8th Jan 2002

Brian opened the New Year with an "update" presentation on the films he now uses. Kodachrome 25 had been his staple film but now he had to get accustomed to new film. He had settled on Fuji Velvia and Provia 100F as good possibilities and used his presentation to compare results from these two film types in many, varied situations. Brian thought his Leica lenses were the ideal ones to use in making such comparisons. Sometimes differences in the films, particularly the vivid greens of the Velvia film stock were clear to all, but more often the differences were too subtle for much of the audience. Likewise, when Brian commented that the grain was visible in some situations, not all of the audience could see any grainy effect.

It was particularly pleasing to this commentator that all of the images were from this country, many of them very local. We were left with the pleasant feeling that we too could have taken this, or that image (and who knows, may do so in the future to see how our image (and film type) compare with Brian's).

The presentation was packed with interesting information, with a large, attentive congregation (well we were in a Methodist church hall!) hanging onto every word. Thanks Brian for an excellent launch into the year 2002.

Bill Chadband

Divertimento with David and Anna Drackley

On Tuesday 15th January David and Anna treated us to six contrasting and fascinating AV sequences. A mixture of music and expert commentary held the slide sequences together. It is an important aspect of the presenter's art to choose the appropriate music and to time the changes to the mood of the music. The professional musical background of our presenters came across clearly. The occasional use of "Sprites" enhanced the sequences and it was maddening to "know" but to just be unable to place the many local images in the "evolution" (of places, buildings, bridges etc) sequence.

The William Wallace presentation was a historical tour de force, both entertaining and educational. We marvelled at the dedication of a man who would rather dislocate his shoulder and break two or three ribs, rather than allow his camera to be damaged in a fall on the Galapodos islands. A most relaxed, yet professional evening enjoyed by all present.

Bill Chadband

Committee Meeting Wed 16th January

The meeting had a full Agenda with several imminent events.

Gordon Robson talked us through the arrangements for the Annual Exhibition. Judging would take place at Hazel Grove Bowling Club on Sunday 20th January. All club members had been invited to express a wish to be present, but no takers had emerged. Joyce and Dorothy agreed to do the refreshments for the day; Gerald Hallworth, Brian Turnbull and Bill Chadband would turn up to assist Gordon and the Judges. It was noted that we could only fit 147 of the 163 prints entered onto the stands and so we agreed that a maximum of 8 prints per member would be hung (though all would be judged!). For record purposes all entries would be listed in the catalogue. Additionally, a record number of slide entries meant that the catalogue would run to 12 A5 pages. Though costing more to produce some of the extra space good be used to tempt sponsors to advertize with us. Agreed that the catalogues would sell for 20p and tea/coffee and biscuits would sell for 30p. Alan Bromage was presently constructing an improved back-projection unit for the Exhibition. Gordon confirmed that Barrie Thomas would judge the digital print competition (on Wednesday) and Peter Gennard would judge the inter-club slide competition on the Thursday. Peter Redford had agreed to again provide his time and computer expertize in organising the results, and in providing titles to accompany the automated slide presentation. Rodney Simpson had produced the three-day tickets (only £4.50 for the three days). Otherwise people would pay on the door (£1.50 for the Wednesday and Thursday evenings £3.00 for Geoff Simpson's "Wild Britain" slide presentation on the Friday evening. A discussion on keeping the exhibition open on the Saturday (the Hall hire cost would be nearly £100), and on attracting more members of the public to view the exhibition was deferred to future meetings. (The thoughts of club members are sought!). The large amount of work undertaken by Gordon in getting the Exhibition launched became apparent, and, as a committee, we all expressed our thanks (and admiration) to Gordon.

Tony Redford took us through progress on the 50th Anniversary Luncheon. Together with Gerald Hallworth he had assembled a list of names and known addresses of past presidents and committee members. Members had been asked for other names to add to the list. All on the list would receive invitations to the Luncheon. Similarly, the club's present members would receive personal invitations. All letters would include the menu choice and the request to enclose payment by cheque with responses. It was emphasised that we needed to give final numbers to the Caterers in advance and that a deadline for responses would be included. The Committee confirmed that the choice of menus should be from the A & B menus of the Caterers.

Frank Hutchinson has arranged for us to have space on the SilkFM web site and a link to our own site. He had informed the local RSPB group of the Geoff Simpson talk. For the Queen's Golden Jubilee Poynton were organising a Gala day on 31st May and a Party in the Park on Sunday 2nd June. A large Marquee would house exhibits from various Societies and it was agreed that we would provide an exhibition of Prints for the occasion.

Noting that the Christmas Party and Christmas Dinner had been very close last year it was agreed that we should set Tuesday 17th December as the date for the Dinner in 2002. We then had the option of a party-type meeting on 10th, or else a normal meeting. We were happy with the HoneyPot's catering, but felt the Lounge, though pleasant, was cramped and the other room preferred.

Colin noted that 18 people had signed up for the Bruges trip.

Tony noted that David Graham and J Alfred Brown had agreed to judge the 3rd and 4th Quarterly competitions. John Smith would judge our battle on 26th March with the winners of the North Cheshire Challenge Trophy, and Tony Pioli had agreed to judge the interclub digital competition to be held on 23rd April, when competing clubs will be Liverpool, Southport, St Helens, SLIC and NCPS.

The date of the next committee meeting is Wednesday 20th February 2002 at the house of Brian Turnbull.

Bill Chadband

'STATE OF THE UNION QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY'

Some time ago a questionnaire was sent out by L&CPU asking for feedback on various issues. This resulted in a number of changes being introduced in the way L&CPU provide services to clubs. (See FOCAL POINTS) The L&CU has also produced a document giving helpful advice to clubs on everyday activities - the advice which I felt

NCPS might benefit from is as follows:-

'Be welcoming to new members and beginners'
This suggests that new members are introduced at the start of their first meeting so that at least those members attending on the night are aware of who they are and what their name is. (I also feel it would be a good idea to introduce a mentor for them so that any questions they have can be answered quickly, rather than them having to spend weeks working them out). It also goes on to say a profile should be published in the club's newsletter. I'm not quite sure about this - what do you think?

'Organise a varied programme of events'
From this I picked up the point 'workshops are run where everyone has the chance to get involved'. NCPS used to do this when we met in the small room (such things as how to make mounts etc) Should we start to do this again? - the club has many experienced members who I'm sure would be willing to share their expertise.

'Exhibitions'
Involve visitors in the exhibition - ask them to vote for their favourite work. What a good idea. It might bring in new members. In this piece it also notes that one Greater Manchester newspaper gives their local clubs a full page spread of pictures from the exhibition each year. Which NEWSPAPER? - one for the publicity sec to find out?

'Applying for grants'
The document gives information on at least 6 grant bodies, which could provide funding for equipment; grants that can be used to involve the community. This section was particularly interesting to committee members as they could think of a number of ways we could use money (for example to buy a computer and the equipment which projects onto a screen rather than a small monitor). This could be used to instruct anyone who is interested in learning about digital photography and that includes the public. It lists some observations on grant applications for Lottery Funds.

'Setting up a young photographers group'
I felt this was an activity that some of our members might like to become involved in. Various ways are suggested, one being a monthly competition (competitors from local schools, brownie/scout groups, are asked to take photos, of different set themes, they come together once a month) a member of NCPS judges them and issues certificates. The club can then present the winning youngster and their print to the local newspapers that will hopefully take it upon themselves to publish. Good publicity for the youngsters and the club. There is also the possibility that parents may choose to become members of NCPS.

'A Judges' Charter'
This information looks good and I'm sure our competition sec uses it. I'm not sure the judges take much notice - but then I'm biased.

If you would like a copy of this document please ask me.

Joyce Streets