Afternoon All
 
The first newsletter for 2024!
 
Well, the wet weather appears to be behind us, at least for a while, and looking at the news the North-West seems to have come off lightly.
 
Anyway, sunny and dry days ahead, but with frosts; photo opportunities?
 
A really cracking talk last Wednesday from Justin Mimms, (thanks Michael), with some stunning landscape photographs – particularly the ‘Diamond Beach in Iceland; the glittering icebergs scattered across its shore like a field of diamonds.
 
Notices
 
Projects
 
Just a gentle reminder about the 2 projects we are currently running:
 
Images of Garstang needed for the 2025 calendar – the camera club has been tasked to provide the images to be on the calendar: Images to be in colour, sRGB, within or maximum of 1600 x 1200, ratio of roughly 3:2, and landscape; Deadline around late April.
We appreciate it may feel a long way away, but time flies! If there is a wintery feel about Garstang over the next few days, this may provide an opportunity for photographs!
 
Each member to develop a photographic ‘theme’ over the next few months and present their ‘findings’ – good, bad or ugly (what went right and what didn’t!), – at the first meeting in 2024 which will be on September 4th.
 
One thought could be that you team up with another member and work together and produce a joint project – only an idea.
 
 
Possible themes/ideas/suggestions – usage of a tripod and/or handheld:
 
Getting to grips with your camera; shooting on automatic, then aperture priority, then shutter speed priority, then even on manual, collecting examples as you go along. Experimenting with depth of field, focus and exposure compensation.
Flowers/Forest/Woodland – perhaps, woodland scenes (Bluebells) and detailed shots.
Water and reflective photography – canals, rivers, sea, puddles!
Food
Landscapes and seascapes – possibly to include sun rises and sets
Weather, storms, clouds, rainbows
Travel
Macro
Monochrome
Cityscapes/Urban life
Architecture
Sports
Nature and wildlife
Minimalistic
Mobile only images
These are just a few ideas; you may, of course, develop you own theme or combine some together, your choice!
 
Events Cup
 
We are beginning to think about the Events Cup destinations – where does the time go?
 
Last year we had 5 destinations – one for each of the following months – April, May, June, July and August; they were – Kendal, Cleveleys, Gresgarth Gardens, Brockholes and Garstang Show.
 
So, if anyone has any suggestions on where we could go this year, please email in or chat to us at the next meeting; that would be most appreciated!
 
Programme 24/25
 
The camera club programme for 2024/2025 is coming along nicely. We have some really interesting speakers already ‘lined-up’ and, so far, 2 projects highlighted for all members!
 
However, we would like to invite any member to do a presentation on the ‘members evenings,’ which we still, at the moment, have empty: either full length (that’s a whole meeting), half a meeting (approx. 45/50 minutes), or a ‘cameo’ talk, say of 15 mins. All these talks on a topic of your choice. It could be a travel log or images that you are experimenting on or a set of photographs that you are very pleased with or whatever – your choice.
 
If you need help, setting it up, just ask ‘cos I’m sure we can help plan it and help produce it.
 
 
Up and coming programme of events.
 
January 10th – 3 way ‘Battle’ between Garstang, Morecambe and J36; Judge: Erica Oram CPAGB AFIAP BPE3, delivered via Zoom.
January 17th – Andrew Stewart, ‘live’ in the Arts Centre; Wildlife Presentation.
January 24th – Environment Competition judged ‘live’ in the Arts Centre by Lee Metcalf.
January 31st – Richard Davis, ‘live’ in the Arts Centre; A variety of topics in mostly Monochrome style.

As you can see the 3 way battle, next Wednesday, is via zoom; as this is a social evening, as well as a competition, we would like as many to attend a possible. However, if anyone can’t join us in person, please email in for the zoom link details.
 
That’s all folks
 
Mike and Lewis