Morning All

Many thanks to all members who submitted images for the L&CPU. The competition takes place over 2 days; Saturday 4^th March and Sunday 5^th March. Good luck to all who have entered.

Notices

Please don’t forget:

2 photographic trips suggested by Michael

1. An ‘un-official’ small group onto Ainsdale Dunes; we have had the following email from Trevor, the organiser:

The optimum time for a trip to the dunes is early June for Bee Orchids and other things, or about 2 weeks later for Pyramidal Orchids etc.

       This year I will be away in Mid-June for about two weeks.

I would suggest Wed 7th June as a possible meeting; however, it all depends on the weather – wet and windy days are no good in this location. Also, the weather of previous weeks can affect the flora and fauna, either for better or worse. I can provide a running update closer to the time.

If that sounds OK, I will pencil in June 7th for a meeting. There are a couple of options for meeting but I suggest we do so about 10:30 or even earlier if you wish. Parking is on the beach and costs £10:00 per car. Alternatively, you can park on the nearby Sands Lake Pub for coin operated meter at about £4:00 per day.

Meeting on the beach we can go into the dunes and look for images: Orchids, Dune Pansy, Hounds Tongue etc plus insects and caterpillars and anything worth a picture. Gear should be a familiar camera with a macro or close-focusing lens plus a lens for landscape work if conditions are right. A telephoto for dragonflies/butterflies is also useful.  Bring a packed lunch. If conditions are right, it’s worth staying a few hours.

Numbers are not a problem if you park on the beach. We can go into the dunes but it will be “unofficial” so not covered by any insurance nor by Green Sefton. The dunes are open to the public so it’s not a problem. I will brief the group concerning any potential health concerns but it is quite a safe area. I don’t charge for my time but a small donation to Butterfly Conservation is always welcome though not compulsory.

2. Queen St Mill, Burnley; 3 hour shoot, cost (depending on numbers) roughly between £10 – £15 each.

If you are interested in either or both and you haven’t already emailed in, please let us know ‘cos we need to organise.

Up and coming programme events:

• Wednesday February 22^nd – Members evening including:

Talk by Michael on ‘Extracting Video Stills.’

Talk by Stan on ‘Exporting from Lightroom using different Colour Space settings for both DPI and DSCL Prints, Mono and Colour.’

Talk by Lewis on filters.

Update on Topaz Photo AI – lots of updates since last time we looked at it.

• Wednesday March 1^st – Talk by Adrian and Sue using ‘AV Presentation’
• Wednesday March 8^th – Judging of the ‘Humanity Competition’, arbitrated by Steve Proctor DPAGB BPE5*
• Wednesday March 15^th – ‘Live’ in the Arts Centre – Paul Dunmall with a presentation on ‘Speed and Motion’.
• NEW: Wednesday March 22^nd – Bob Sapey – ‘Live’ in the Arts Centre with a talk on Astrophotography
• Wednesday March 29^th – No Meeting – Committee meeting

Challenges

• Minimalistic Challenge – We are inviting members to send in 6 (ish) minimalist images by Tuesday April 4^th the images could be ‘one-offs’ or in a series – your choice.

I’ll put them in a PowerPoint presentation. These can then be shown in the usual way and you can either comment on them from ‘the floor’ if you like or from the front.

• Images of Garstang for the calendar: We are asking each member to submit a maximum of 4 images (DPI’s) for possible selection by Monday April 24^th. These images can be historical, of say The Children’s Festival or any other Garstang event or you can get out and about and take up to date pictures, it’s up to you!

Coffee duty on Wednesday is Stan and Freda – thanks!

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis