Morning All
 
The first of September today, where does the year go, it’s now autumn and it’ll soon be C……..! Aghhhhhhhhhhhh! 
Huge thanks to John for an extremely interesting and very nostalgic talk last Wednesday – very entertaining. John has promised more but on a slightly different approach in another talk sometime in the future. 
We had a great photo-shoot at Garsdale Railway Station last Wednesday taking photographs of the Sir Nigel Gresley locomotive. Very, very wet going up the M6 but the clouds parted and the sun put its hat on just as the steam loco arrived – great day out – more to follow hopefully soon, but not necessarily the above engine – watch this space.
 
Notices:
 
Fees: 
Sorry folks but it’s that time of year! The subscriptions this year, just to remind you, are £58. Robin will be on the ‘door’ this Wednesday to begin collection!
 
Calendar: 
The Art Centre calendar is now on sale and Adrian will have some ready for you to buy, on Wednesday, at only £8.50. 
Please don’t forget the net money raised goes into the Centre’s ‘coffers’ which helps with the running costs and really benefits us, as a club, together with other societies that use the centre.
 
Events Cup: 
A quick reminder! The last date for entry is Wednesday 18th September – 17 days! And, if you are having any prints ‘mounted’ at the Fine Arts in Garstang they need to be with Sharon, if possible, by 4th September.
 
Owls: 
I’ve had an email from Steve from The Lancashire Owl Experience. 
He says: Hope you don’t mind me contacting you, just to see if any of your members would be interested in a group session to take Photographs of my small Owl collection; 7 in total. I have started doing Photographing sessions, and thought it might be of interest especially as I’m only based in Barton. 
I can do bespoke sessions to suit of an hour or 90 minutes depending on how many people etc, and would be a Static Display of the Birds set out on a large lawn at first and then if interested I could do another visit when the Birds are through moult and Flying for Photos in Flight etc. 
I am very flexible with days and times and can fit around you to organise a group session, during the week or weekends as this may suit some people? 
The price starts at £45 for an hour per person but goes down to £40 or even £35 for larger groups, also the time goes up as the groups get larger but price doesn’t go up for the extra time. 
If you are interested, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will contact Steve and get precise details and what we would what to photograph specifically. I’m thinking of owls in flight, mainly for practise, though I might get a decent image occasionally! Anyway, please let me know your thoughts – if any!

 
Paint in and around Garstang, The ‘Plein Air Competition’: 
Saturday 7th September: It starts at 9am and finishes at 4pm; Judging is at 4.30pm and prize giving at 5pm. As I have mentioned before we have been asked to take some photographs of the artists as they paint. These images could be straightforward or a little quirkier, it’s up to you! You don’t have to be there all day, just spare what time you can! It doesn’t really get going until about 10ish. 
Our images could/may be shown alongside some of the artists finished paintings in an exhibition – date to be arranged.
 
Club Exhibition: 
PLEASE bring in your winning prints on Wednesday 4th September and big thanks to those who have already! Maurice needs them in so that he can organise the display ready for the exhibition, many thanks.
 
Up and coming programme of events
 
Wednesday September 4th: Our first meeting of the season! – including our NEW ‘Opening Night Competition’, Garstang Camera Club Photographic Competition results and various projects, amongst other things!
 
Saturday 7th September: Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ We have be tasked to take photographs of the artists painting! See under ‘Notices.’
 
Wednesday September 11th: Our first ‘live’ talk: Alan and Julie Walker: ‘Getting the best photographically from your Travels’:
 
An illustrated talk about the planning and execution of successful photographic trips. How to come back with competition images rather than holiday snaps!
 
Wednesday September 18th: Justin Garner: ‘Live.’ Macro workshop; set ups include watches, flowers and others! Plus, focus stacking. This session/talk is linked to the Members Evening on 30th October – ‘Show and Tell’.
 
Wednesday 25th September: Members Evening with John Moxham, on image critiques.
 
That’s all for now folks; thunderstorms?
 
Cheers
 
Mike