Morning All
 
The weather may be stuck in this same wet and rainy dreary rut, yet the seasons are slipping by all the same. 
Midsummer has crept stealthily up and you may not believe it but next Thursday marks the summer solstice! 
It is the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation and humans have been amazed by the great power of the sun; really! These Druids had better keep their thermals and raincoats on beneath their robes!
 
‘Get Off Auto.’ Talk/presentation: 
A huge thanks to all for making last Wednesday a real success. We had 15 ‘guests’ amongst us with only 3 absentees, and they are coming next week, so another busy Wednesday coming up. There was lots of really positive feedback from the departing throng and, fingers crossed, they may appear again! 
Below is an extract from the email I sent them all: If you can please take part it may help to swell the numbers! 
A challenge for next Wednesday, 19th June. 
This is optional, if you feel in any way uncomfortable it’s no problem. 
Take about say, 6/12 images of your choice; these images should illustrate the effects of different apertures, shutter speeds and/or ISO’s. 
The images can be ‘open’ (any theme), but must include either the colour red or yellow or a combination of both red and yellow, and can be taken inside or out. 
Please bring them in on a USB ‘stick’ next week. If you are unable to be with us next week you could, if you wanted to, email them to me or send them via Wetransfer and I will show them on your behalf. 
These images will be part of the ‘show and tell’ for next Wednesday. 
A suggestion could be that you take the same image/composition, say 6 times, but use different apertures and/or different shutter speeds and/or different ISO’s. It’s absolutely your choice! 
On this coming Wednesday Stan will be presenting a short recap on last week plus a talk on taking portraits. This will be followed by a practical session, like last week, but including a male person to pose for portraits – thanks to Freda for organising.
 
Notices:
 
Events Cup – Our 3rd destination for this summer, Eycott Hill Nature Reserve, Monday 17th OR Saturday 22nd. Please don’t forget you can only pick one of the days. Distance is approx. 66 miles, just over an hour. 
Latest weather forecast? Unsurprising: for Monday, ‘light rain showers and a gentle breeze’ and for Saturday ‘light rain and a moderate breeze’ – your choice! 
For full info please visit: Eycott Hill Nature Reserve | eycott hill cumbria | Eycott Hill 
Cumbria Wildlife Trust: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk › eycott_hill 
Eycott Hill Nature Reserve is the perfect place for low level walk or wildlife adventure! A… 
Location: Near Berrier, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0XD 
Getting there by car: 
From the M6 junction 40 follow the A66 towards Keswick. After approximately 11km/7 miles turn right, signposted Hutton Roof (look out for the Sportsman’s Inn from the A66), take the next left, signposted Hutton Roof, Berrier and Whitbarrow. Follow this road for 2.5km/1.6 miles through the hamlet of Berrier, the reserve and car park are on the left hand side. 
Good luck to all!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Monday June 17th: First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th: Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday June 22nd: Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 26th: work in progress!
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in! 
Enjoy the warm rain,
 
Cheers
 
Mike