Last Week

The Covid-19 virus continues to impact on our programme, but on Thursday we had the 4th Bi-monthly which was shared using Zoom, and judged by Chris Whiting. It was a great success, with over 40 images being shown and judged. Chris is an experienced judge, who has been to the club many times. There were some superb images and those scoring 10 are reproduced at the end of the newsletter.

This being the last of the bi-monthly competitions we have a clear winner, so congratulations to Gavin who came top.

Next Week

On Thursday 9 April we have booked John Gravett to present to us, via Zoom, in lieu of Prints versus Paintings. John runs Lakeland Photographic Holidays, with his wife and has been an inspirational workshop leader, and author. His work can be seen on a number of sites such as https://www.johngravett.com/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/johngravett/.

Coming Soon

We are exploring options for the rest of the season. There are a couple of speakers under consideration and we plan to hold some informal competitions. Please do your best to support the club by entering the competitions and taking part in any activities that we programme.

The first of these is Portrait: this can be a self-portrait, a human portrait or an animal portrait. The only stipulations are that it must have been taken since the lockdown, and it must not have been entered into a bi-monthly competition. Each member may enter up to 3 images. John Randall will judge the images, and will award 1st, 2nd, 3rd places and a few Highly Commended. The images can then be entered in future bi-monthly competitions. There is a change to the way we will organise these informal competitions. For the portrait competition please submit your entries to the following dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/request/pAyayF2QQSvuVAhCwitZ

When asked for your name, please enter your full name (If everyone just enters their first name, it gets complicated sorting out which Steve is matched to which image). The image filename, must be just the image name, do not include your name. Images must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 12 April. Which gives you a whole week to get some images.

On 23 April, we are planning to have a Timed Exposure session. We will call for bids for slots in advance. This activity is an opportunity to share some of your images, perhaps a small number which you want to talk about, or as an AV. Alternatively, you can simply talk to the club about any aspect of photography that you want to share – a technique, some locations, recommendations for YouTube presenters that you find useful, or a talk on a photographer that you admire. When it is your turn to give your input, Will will make you a co-presenter. So please put your thinking caps on and contribute to the evening.

Yet to be programmed, but we intend to have another informal competition, later in the season to capture Flowers/Plants/Gardens. Again, the images must have been captured after the lockdown started.

Technique Tip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_O6pbT7Ovw Slanted Lens 5 Basic Lighting setups for Portraits

Photos Scoring 10 During Thursday’s 4th Bi-Monthly Competition

	Coffee Shop Candid by Chris Talbot
	New Forest Pony by Gavin Fisher
	Old Man’s Beard by Mike Tozeree
	Resting by Linda Gates
	Thistlegorm Stern by Will Delves
	In-Flight Broad Bodied Chaser by Steve Govan

Final results from the Bi-Monthly Competitions

Members’ Images

Thank you Steve Fox for your sharing your stunning water droplet images.

Last Week

On Thursday Will Delves delivered his presentation “From 110 to Landscape Photography”, using an online meeting programme called Zoom. Once a technical issue had been resolved the software worked very well indeed and the 20 plus remote viewers enjoyed the talk very much indeed. Some images from Will’s talk are at the end of the newsletter. It does bode well for the rest of the season, in that we should be able to run the competitions.

Will’s talk was recorded and we plan to make it available for members to watch at their leisure.

Next Week

On Thursday we are running the 4th bi-monthly competition as a PDI only competition. We will use the Zoom programme and you should be able to join the meeting and hear the judge’s comments and see the images. As at 18.00 hours we had received 36 entries.

I mentioned that we are also looking into running weekly themed photographic competitions which would involve subjects that can be done indoors. I asked for members to let me know if they were interested and whether they would prefer to use Facebook or Flickr. I received only one more response and have had to conclude that there is not sufficient support for it to be worthwhile. Shame, it might have been fun.

Coming Soon

We have booked John Gravett to present to us, via Zoom, on Thursday 9 April, in lieu of Prints versus Paintings. John runs Lakeland Photographic Holidays, with his wife and has been an inspirational workshop leader, and author. His work can be seen on a number of sites such as https://www.johngravett.com/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/johngravett/.

Technique Tip

How to remove white or black fringes using photoshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wcNYeK_Feg

Covid 19

It is not my intention to flood you with more Covid 19 information on a weekly basis, but if you want a clear, well-illustrated explanation of what is meant by flattening the curve, have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQztKXR6k0&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0_CHPEuwHUxjsQigole9V4LGVLu_MBmXUteECZLjoZRZBILPkLgLVxYy0

Photos From Thursday’s Talk by Will Delves

Starting with some diving photos. Here is an anemone fish (more commonly known as clown fish, or now ‘Nemos’). This was taken in the Lembeh Straights in Indonesia back in 2010).

To show how amazing the diving off the UK can be, here is one from the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast. At the right time of year the seals can be very playful, earning them the nickname the dogs of the sea.

By the end of my time diving (which I had to give up for health reasons), I had finally got to the point where I was taking images of wrecks I was happy with. Here is the final image from the first half of the presentation. It is the Stern of the Thistlegorm which went down in 1941 while at anchor in the Gulf of Suez.

This was taken on the workshop I did with Bruce Percy (https://www.brucepercy.co.uk/) in Harris back in 2012. He taught me a lot about composition and the simplification of images. This image was taken on the beach at Scarasta late in the evening. Before this I had never thought about using small lines in the sand as leading lines.

Taken in the Lakes a couple of years ago. It was a wonderful misty start to the day and I had made my way to Hawes End Jetty on the West side of Derwentwater. It was one of the most amazing photography couple of hours I’ve ever had, as the light slowly changes from soft blue in the early mist through to a glorious golden diffused light with a pale sun shining through. It was made even better a lone kayak gliding through the flat calm water, with the small wake creating a link between them and Otterbield Island.

And finally, on from coast just North of the Lake District looking out to the Solway Firth and Scotland in the background. I can spend hours taking coastal pictures, creating compositions using the streams of water emptying from the beach to provide leading lines.

Last Week

On Monday we competed for the W Fry trophy against Oakley and Farnborough (who have won the trophy most years). This time we were successful, winning by a single point. The panel was taken to the club on Thursday and those present were able to see it. It is the same panel being entered for the SCPF Championship later in the month. An image of the panel can be seen on the club website, under News.

On Wednesday, Linda achieved the LRPS distinction, so congratulations to her. Linda has agreed to bring her successful panel in to the club on Thursday.

On Thursday we had the AV competition which featured presentations from Andover to the United States, via Iceland and France. It was very enjoyable and closely contested. In the end four photographers came joint 3rd, Chaz with Marders Yard, Mike Tozer with Champions, Steve Amey with Fire and Light and Gavin with Iceland. Will was 2nd with Parks of The American West and Steve Govan was 1st with Oradour. John was the judge and as always had some good points to put across.

Next Week

Monday 9 March we have the next committee meeting.

Thursday 12 March, I will give a presentation featuring some of the images I have taken over the years. The presentation will be a blend of travel photos and documentary images. There will be images from Africa, Hong Kong and the far east, particularly Thailand.

Coming Soon

Thursday 19 March we have Andrew Mills giving a presentation “My Version of Street Photography and Shots Taken in Japan”. Andrew Mills gave us a fantastic talk last season entitled “What Makes a perfect Photograph”. We have invited him back to give us his version of Street Photography together with a glimpse from his visit to Japan. Note: Andrew is judging the mono competition on 10th October. (http://www.photomills.co.uk/)

Bring a guest

Technique Tip

In Lightroom, when using the crop overlay tool you are normally presented with the “Rule of Thirds” grid overlaying your image. Very useful, but if you want to see other overlays as an aid to composition pressing the (letter) ‘o’ key will cycle through others such as the Golden Ratio, Triangles, Diagonals and the Golden Spiral.

Thanks to Steve Davis for this one. Club members who remember Sandy Wilson, a long standing and much respected friend of ours who died a couple of years ago, will remember Sandy’s regard for the Canadian photographer and teacher Freeman Patterson. On several club nights across several years Sandy – in showing his own images – paid tribute to the influence of Patterson on his own creativity. A first and brief dip into Patterson’s work will have us think of him as simply a “nature photographer”. However, a longer linger in one of the many web sites out there about him and by him will discover that Patterson is as much interested in creativity and the spirit that shapes a photographer’s vision and style, in ways of looking and seeing the world, as he is in the techniques and technologies that transform ideas into photographs.

A google search will link us to a myriad of sites, but try out these three, the first and second of which are “old-school” in their manner but none the poorer for that:

• https://www.kruger-2-kalahari.com/freeman-patterson.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HDWkCAsgb8
• http://bermangraphics.com/press/patterson.htm

Please also note that there are a number of essays written by Sandy now available on the club website under the heading ‘About the Club’, and a link is provided under the News.  Or here.

Non-APC Photo Opportunities

(Covid-19 permitting) The Photography Show will be held in the NEC 14-17 March. These shows provide great opportunities to see new equipment and to attend talks and demos given by some of the best (including Sebastao Salgado). If you have not bought your ticket yet there are many sources of discount codes, but please consider using the code “PAGBTPS20” which will give a discount of 20%.

I was not aware of PAGB enews but it is a showcase for some of the best photographs in the organisation. It can be seen at: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/sites/default/files/newsletters/en248%2014%20Feb%2020_0.pdf

The Willis Museum in Basingstoke has an exhibition of micro photography. I have yet to see it, but plan to do so before it closes in April. Details at:
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/event/microsculpture

Last Week

On Monday we had the Focus group met and we shared different interpretations of Will’s images. Really interesting and a good learning opportunity. On Thursday 27 February we hosted the SCPF Print League, it was a good evening and the judge had some interesting points. Despite a pretty good result on the night, we have propped up the league, coming last in the league. We are better than that and must do better next season.

Next Week

On Monday we have an away match at Oakley. These are always enjoyable to attend and it is another opportunity to see other clubs work and hear what an independent judge thinks of them, and our own images. Should you be able to attend, it is worth getting there early as parking is difficult there.

On 5 March we have the AV competition. It would help if you could let me know if you are planning to enter, although this is not essential. The more entries the merrier. So far we have not had many entries, so each member can enter 2 AVI’s. Please either load them to the Dropbox (details issued by Will), or bring them on a memory stick or SD card, (ideally nothing else on the stick/card to make it easy to identify. Will has put out further guidance.

Coming Soon

Monday 9 March we have the next committee meeting. If there is any issue that you think the committee should address, please let me know.

Thursday 12 March, I will give a presentation featuring some of the images I have taken over the years. The presentation will be a blend of travel photos and documentary images. There will be images from Africa, the Falkland Islands, Hong Kong the far east.

SCPF PDI League

7 of the 8 league matches have taken place. The good news is that we are still in the lead, albeit by only 1 point. A quick look at the results shows some interesting points, we have not won a single round, but are still in the lead. The table can be seen at https://southerncountiespf.org.uk/league/pdi-league/#toggle-id-6

Technique Tip

I think that we all understand the importance of emotion in art, including photography, we want our images to create a response in those viewing them. A response beyond ‘that’s nice’ or worse ‘I see what the author is trying to do…’.This clip discusses light and emotion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8czWZTqtmM

Non-APC Photo Opportunities

The Photography Show will be held in the NEC 14-17 March. These shows provide great opportunities to see new equipment and to attend talks and demos given by some of the best (including Sebastao Salgado). If you have not bought your ticket yet there are many sources of discount codes, but please consider using the code “PAGBTPS20” which will give a discount of 20%.

I was not aware of PAGB enews but it is a showcase for some of the best photographs in the organisation. It can be seen at: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/sites/default/files/newsletters/en248%2014%20Feb%2020_0.pdf

The Willis Museum in Basingstoke has an exhibition of micro photography. I have yet to see it, but plan to do so before it closes in April. Details at:
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/event/microsculpture

Last Week

On Thursday we had an outstanding talk by Matthew Emmett on our Forgotten Heritage.  The photography was truly exceptional, the information useful and some of the anecdotes very amusing. Matt has another presentation, so we may get him back in the future.

Next Week

On Monday we have a Focus Group meeting in the backroom at the club. Will has put out a separate email on the subject. Have a go at the photos he has provided, and bring along any image or issue that you would like to get some help with.

On Thursday 27 February we are hosting the SCPF Print League. A good opportunity to see how we get on in the print league. The judge is Chris Hutchinson, (https://www.flickr.com/photos/8669165@N08/).

Coming Soon

5 March we have the AV competition. It would help if you could let me know if you are planning to enter. The more the merrier.

SCPF PDI League

7 of the 8 league matches have taken place. The good news is that we are still in the lead, albeit by only 1 point. A quick look at the results shows some interesting points, we have not won a single round, but are still in the lead. The table can be seen at https://southerncountiespf.org.uk/league/pdi-league/#toggle-id-6

Technique Tip

Another portrait tutorial by Gavin Hoey, this time on a winter theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7xsAQqV5JU (Gavin Hoey indoor winter portrait)

Non-APC Photo Opportunities

The Photography Show will be held in the NEC 14-17 March. These shows provide great opportunities to see new equipment and to attend talks and demos given by some of the best (including Sebastao Salgado). If you have not bought your ticket yet there are many sources of discount codes, but please consider using the code “PAGBTPS20” which will give a discount of 20%.

I was not aware of PAGB enews but it is a showcase for some of the best photographs in the organisation. It can be seen at: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/sites/default/files/newsletters/en248%2014%20Feb%2020_0.pdf

Last Week

Monday’s Focus Group meeting had to be cancelled because Will was unable to make it back to Andover due to a traffic incident on the A34. On Thursday we had an exceptionally good, creative team competition which produced some very odd images and revealed some mild S&M tendencies amongst our number. Scoring was done by voting between two images until finally a winner was chosen. The final 4 images are reproduced at the end of the newsletter.

Next Week

On Thursday 20 February we have Matthew Emmett as a guest speaker. He is a very accomplished photographer who has published a book “Forgotten Heritage Photography” which looks great.  His website is http://www.forgottenheritage.co.uk/.

If you are thinking of not attending, take a look at the links provided below and I think you will see that this is going to be very special.

A link to the book on Amazon is https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Heritage-Jonglez-Publishing/dp/2361951622/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488538950&sr=8-1&keywords=forgotten+heritage you can see some images from the book.

He also had an interview published by my Modern Met with several images: https://mymodernmet.com/matt-emmett-abandoned-places-photos/

He won the first Historic Photographer of the Year Award 2017.

He won Architectural Photographer of the Year 2016:  https://www.dezeen.com/2016/11/21/matt-emmett-arcaid-images-architectural-photography-awards-2016-brick-reservoir-finsbury-park-london/

You are very welcome to bring a guest free of charge

Coming Soon

On 27 February we are hosting the SCPF Print League. If you plan to enter the AV competition later in the season, please do not leave it until the last minute to start work on it. AV presentations are time consuming to put together, but very rewarding.

SCPF Championship

Thanks to all the members who have offered up images for the Championship.

Technique Tip

Slawek Staszczuk is a UK based landscape and cityscape photographer who has captured some wonderful images. The article linked below explains why he uses the settings he does and it provides several images and details of the settings he used. I do not do much landscape photography and found his article very interesting and informative, I hope you do too.

https://www.photoss.net/what-camera-settings-should-i-use-for-landscape-photography/

Non-APC Photo Opportunities

The Willis Museum in Basingstoke has an exhibition of micro photography.

FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF OXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The startling photography of Levon Biss reveals the astonishing and stunning detailed form of insects with breathtaking clarity. The images, created in collaboration with Oxford University Museum of Natural History, present insect specimens as never before, using large-format photographic prints to expose their beauty at microscopic levels. Combining art with science, visitors can view the images up close and discover more about these fascinating creatures through their shape, colour and sculptural forms.

Top 4 Images from Last Thursday

(Click on the image for a larger version)

Last Week

On Thursday we hosted our round of the SCPF PDI league competition. We came third on the night. This was unfortunate as we were leading until the judge awarded one of our images only 4 out of 10. This was underserved, but the judge simply did not get the image. However, the good news is that after 4 rounds, we are now leading the league.

Next Week

On Monday there will be a Focus Group meeting. The first half of the evening will be an opportunity for participants to show what they did with the images made available by Will.  The second half will be a digital surgery, any member can bring in an image that they want help with developing.

On Thursday we have one of the informal, fun competitions. Participants will be take part as teams and there will be stands with items to photograph. Please bring your camera.

Coming Soon

On Thursday 20 February we have Matt Emmett delivering the talk which he was unable to give earlier in the season.

If you plan to enter the AV competition later in the season, please do not leave it until the last minute to start work on it. AV presentations are time consuming to put together, but very rewarding.

SCPF Championship

For the first time in years we plan to enter the SCPF Championship. To do so we need 15 high quality PDIs and 15 High Quality prints. We need to upload our entries by the end of the month, and I do not want to leave it until the last minute. A small panel of committee members will select the images from those entered on 13 February. Any PDI scoring 10 so far this season will automatically be entered. If you have other PDI images that you would like to be considered, please send them to the PDI secretary in the normal way, in the normal format by 10 February. Please remember that the PDIs must be a maximum of 1600 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high. For example, 1600w x 1200h is obviously fine, but so is either 1600w x 993h or 993w x 1200h.The required filename format is [Title]_[Author].jpg.

If you have prints that you would like to be considered please deliver them to John or me by 13 February. It would be best if they were already mounted in a 400x500mm mount, however if you have suitable images, but have not mounted them correctly or at all, you can still have them considered. Later we will also need a digital image of each print selected for the championship, formatted as if a PDI entry. Please do not forward them unless requested. Each member may submit up to 3 prints and 3 DPIs.

The images must not have been entered in previous years. Full rules can be found at https://southerncountiespf.org.uk/championships/championship-rules/

Technique Tip

Two clips from Gavin Hoey on film noir portraits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx7b4eqCgM0 Gavin Hoey Film Noir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9o1Pc6uDRU Gavin Hoey Film Noir

Non-APC Photo Opportunities

The Hawk Conservancy Trust opens again on 8 February.