A late newsletter today ‘cos we went to RHS Bridgewater for a lazy wonder round. If you haven’t been it is definitely worth going and they seem to do so much after each visit we go on!
Notices
Please remember: No meeting this coming Wednesday, 21st ‘cos it’s a committee meeting.
Club Exhibition:
As you will know, we are having an exhibition at the Arts Centre from Saturday 21st September for a month and huge thanks here to Maurice for doing the sorting and organising; especially as he is moving house!
The exhibition is for all the print winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd plus highly commended and commended for the 2023/24 season).
I sent out, on the 4th of August, a list of the winning entries in 2 sections:
2023 – 24: Highly commended and commended entries in the 5 internal competitions.
AND, 2023 – 24: Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in the 5 internal competitions.
I’m quite happy to resend these lists if you have lost/deleted them!
Please dig out those prints ‘cos Maurice will need these prints and bring them in either Wednesday 28th August OR Wednesday 4th September. Ta!
Please don’t forget:
The Opening Night Competition; 4th September
Many thanks to those members who have already submitted their photographs.
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Sunday 1st September.
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 10 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Wednesday 25th September, image critique session by John.
The closing date for images is Saturday 14th September.
Please don’t necessarily wait until then to send them in, John needs time to organise the evening.
So, please send in up to 4 images anytime from now onwards to avoid disappointment and to also avoid over whelming the system!
Just to remind:
All images to be sent to Mike on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
ALL images will be sent to John anonymously, so no names shown!
Up and coming programme of events
Wednesday August 21st: No meeting as we are having a committee meeting.
Wednesday August 28th: Work in progress, still, sorry!
Wednesday September 4th: First meeting of the season – including projects!
Saturday 7th September: Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ We have be tasked, again, to take photographs of the artists painting! More info later.
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!
That’s all folks for now, looks like another rainy week!
Cheers
Mike
2025 Monthly News
September 2024 News
Since the last letter, we have, I think ,what is called Summer. Not wall to wall but some good short bursts of sun. In spite of being in July/August the club has been busy. We completed our Events Cup season with a visit to Skipton and Settle alongside our regular attendance at the Garstang Show which was blessed with an outstanding sunny day.
The “Getting off Auto” sessions throughout summer have been a huge success thanks in part to Stan Pearson who spoke at length on the topics along with the rest of the members for giving it their support. It has been well attended with double figures on each occasion.
Also blessed with good weather has been the Blackpool Air Show, two free days of splendid photo. Opportunities
We have also seen the introduction of the new Canon R1 and this seems to have been quietly but frequently used in Paris for the Olympic Games, this is the new Flagship for the marque, and so lottery winners take note ! By the time you read the next edition, we shall have started our new programme on September 4th. Why not turn up and see what we are about. We meet each Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Arts Centre. Come and give us a coat of looking at .
Maurice Barker
info@garstangcameraclub
Newsletter 11/08/24
Morning All
Short and sweet this morning ‘cos it’s summer today and the grandchildren are present and already in a demanding mind-set! Heyho!
A great night, last Wednesday, so, a BIG thank you to Stan for his talk, and arranging his granddaughter, Florence, to play football (and providing cake), and finally for arranging Lynn and Sarah for the tango dancing routines – a seriously good and eventful evening!
Stan has asked me to ask members to send him some images of the dancers and Florence – stanley.pearson@talktalk.net many thanks.
Notices
Please don’t forget:
The Opening Night Competition; 4th September
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Sunday 1st September.
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 10 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Wednesday 25th September, image critique session by John.
As mentioned last week John will do an image critiquing evening on the above date.
However, the closing date for images will now be Saturday 14th September.
Please don’t necessarily wait until then to send them in, John needs time to organise the evening.
So, please send in up to 4 images anytime from now onwards to avoid disappointment and to also avoid over whelming the system!
Just to remind:
All images to be sent to Mike on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
ALL images will be sent to John anonymously, so no names shown!
Up and coming programme of events
Wednesday August 14th: ‘Get Off Auto’ – last one – Talk by Mike on camera equipment and all the accessories and other things!
Wednesday August 21st: No meeting as we are having a committee meeting.
Wednesday August 28th: Work in progress, still!
Wednesday September 4th: First meeting of the season – including projects!
Saturday 7th September: Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ We have be tasked, again, to take photographs of the artists painting! More info later.
That’s all folks for now, enjoy the (very) warm weather!
Cheers
Mike
Newsletter 04/08/24
Morning All
We had a great day at Garstang Show yesterday; we had a spot at the entrance to the Horticulture Marquee, plenty of ‘footfall’ and some interest by a number of people – which may, or may not, of course, reflect in new members at the beginning of September! The proof is in the pudding, so to speak!
Big thanks to, in no particular order, Freda, Lewis, Maurice and Robin for their generous help in making sure everything run very smoothly! And, Maurice’s extra determination on getting back onto the show ground at 5pm!
Plus, Adrain and Sue who ‘sat-in’ for us as we wandered around the show.
And finally, to all those members who stopped by to say hello and chat; always pleased to see you!
Notices
New Competition!
The Opening Night Competition; 4th September
The rules are very simple!
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Sunday 1st September.
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 10 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Please take part, it’s just for a bit of fun!
Lytham St. Annes Photographic Society.
Attached is a poster advertising an exhibition of the above’s photographic work which you may be interested in visiting.
Early reminder – Exhibition, ours!
As you will know, we are having an exhibition at the Arts Centre from Saturday 21st September for a month.
Big thanks here to Maurice for doing the sorting and organising.
The exhibition is for all the print winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd plus highly commended and commended for the 2023/24 season).
So, attached is a list of winning entries in 2 sections:
2023 – 24: Highly commended and commended entries in the 5 internal competitions.
2023 – 24: Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in the 5 internal competitions.
Please read these attachments and dig out those prints ‘cos Maurice will need these prints shortly so he can begin to prepare them for our exhibition. – Cheers!
Again, an early post!
On our members evening, 25th September, John has very kindly offered to run an image critique session; based on the editing software of Lightroom and/or Photoshop. So, this is how it will be organised:
Closing date for images will be Saturday 21st September.
A maximum entry of up to 4 images. Depending on the number of members who submit images John will endeavour to critique at least one from each member.
All images to be sent to Mike on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
ALL images will be sent to John anonymously, so no names shown!
This will be a great opportunity for everyone to benefit from John’s experience so please take part – don’t forget no names!
Projects: thanks, if you have already been in touch!
As I’ve mentioned before – I’m putting together some thoughts about our first meeting on 4th September!
And, I really need to hear from any member who has had a go at their own project to let me know so that we can plan accordingly!
The whole idea was for everyone to have a go and develop ‘what you want to get out of photography,’ learn from the experience and hopefully learn from others!
So, will any member who is willing to talk about their project to please get in touch with me, as soon as. If you have any questions just email back or ring on 07340 314 408. Many thanks.
Up and coming programme of events
Tuesday August 6th: Events Cup – last possible date for the last Events Cup destination of Skipton and Settle – when its gone, its gone!
Wednesday August 7th: ‘Get Off Auto’ – talk by Stan titled ‘Get creative with shutter speed.’ Followed by a lot of practical image taking, inside and out, down by the river and in the Arts Centre – including Sarah and Lucy, Tango Dancers, who will bring laptop and speakers for music. PLUS, cake! This will be an opportunity not to be missed!
Wednesday August 14th: ‘Get Off Auto’ – last one – Talk by Mike on camera equipment and all the accessories and other things!
Wednesday August 21st: No meeting as we are having a committee meeting.
Wednesday August 28th: Work in progress!
Wednesday September 4th: First meeting of the season – including projects!
Saturday 7th September: Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ We have be tasked, again, to take photographs of the artists painting! More info later.
That’s all folks for now
Mike
Newsletter 28/07/24
Afternoon All
Sorry the newsletter is late today; Shelly and I have just returned from photographing the Lancaster Grand Prix; 70 competitors in the Men’s Open Race. Very warm and beautiful landscape – and plenty of vitamin D! Maybe some images shown on Wednesday!
Notices:
Possible outing: SPITFIRE VISITOR CENTRE, Hangar 42, Blackpool Airport. The cost would be £35 per person, minimum of 10 persons, for a 3 hour session. If you are interested, please email Mike back and register and if we get 10 members Michael will organise.
Last Call: St Catherines Hospice Care. In last weeks’ newsletter I said we had a visit, from a Peter Frankish from the care home.
He would like, free, as many prints of the Lake District (NOT mounted) that we would like to donate. They are ‘running’ a theme, to raise money, called ‘In the Frame.’ This is a collaboration between St Catherine’s and local artists and photographers.
Basically, any prints donated, they mount and sell on; any image(s) will need a title and your name will appear on a card alongside the image.
If you have some Lake District images but in digital format only and still want to donate them, just send them to me and I’ll collate them and send of for printing in a ‘batch’ thus saving on money.
Any questions just get back in touch; I would really like to help as it will go to a very good cause.
Don’t forget! Show and tell for 31st July: any image you wish to share, preferably taken this year and no limit on numbers, within reason! You could send them to me and I’ll put them on the presentation or bring them in on a stick. Have a go – the more the merrier!
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday July 31st: Presentation by Sarah – ‘My Morocco Adventure.’ Plus, a ‘show and tell’ (see above), any images, preferably taken this year, you wish to share.
Sunday August 4th: Events Cup – one of two possible dates for the last Events Cup destination of Skipton and Settle.
Tuesday August 6th: Events Cup – one of two possible dates for the last Events Cup destination of Skipton and Settle.
Wednesday August 7th: Get Off Auto – talk by Stan titled ‘Get creative with shutter speed.’ Followed by a lot of practical image taking, inside and out down by the river; this will be an experience, I promise!
Wednesday August 14th: ‘Get Off Auto’ – last one – Talk by Mike on camera equipment and all the accessories and other things!
Wednesday August 21st: No meeting as we are having a committee meeting.
Wednesday August 28th: Work in progress!
That’s all for now folks,
Cheers,
Mike
Newsletter 21/07/24
Morning All
Well, it’s not coming home – see last week’s newsletter! Oh dear, World Cup in 2 years? In my ‘umble opinion, since Gareth Southgate is departing, the new manager should be Jürgen Klopp – answers on a postcard!
A decent bit of summer has emerged from the rain clouds and, of course, a bit of warmth – how long, who knows! Anyone else noticed such a scarcity of butterflies? Bees ok and wasps appearing, but butterflies? I’ve seen 4 Red Admirals and that’s about it! Climate change, eh?
Many thanks to EVERYONE who helped out last Wednesday for our ongoing ‘Get Off Auto.’ We had 25 at the club; a mixture of members and ‘guests’ – and I’ve had some really positive feedback – so thanks again and it shows what a great social camera club we are!
Notices:
Cycling: Lancaster Grand Prix: Photographic opportunity: Sunday 28th July
This is an annual event that I go to; it’s really local, (5 mins from Galgate), 10 – 15 minutes in the car and I know where to park and walk a short distance to cover it. If anyone is interested just get in touch and we can organise the trip. I’m usually in position by 9.30 and leave about 2ish.
Lancaster GP the Route: The cycling race starts in Williamson Park Lancaster travelling out on Wyresdale Road to Grab Lane and completes laps of Quernmore Road, Postern Gate Road, past St Peter’s Church, Quernmore, Bay Horse Road, Proctor Moss Road (closed Road), Little Fell Lane, Langthwaite Road, and Grab Lane.
Garstang Show: Saturday 3rd August. Prints needed please. Please don’t forget we will have a stand at the show and we need some prints to display on our boards!
We will need about 30 in total; we have some but would be great if we had some from 2024. Please bring in next Wednesday 24th July or 31st July. We would like to keep them for our stand at the Leonard Cheshire Home for sometime in August. Many thanks.
St Catherines Hospice Care: We had a visit, last Wednesday evening, earlier on, from a Peter Frankish from the care home.
He would like, free, as many prints of the Lake District (NOT mounted) that we would like to donate. They are ‘running’ a theme, to raise money, called ‘In the Frame.’ This is a collaboration between St Catherine’s and local artists and photographers.
Basically, any prints donated, they mount and sell on; any image(s) will need a title and your name will appear on a card alongside the image.
If you have some Lake District images but in digital format only and still want to donate them, just send them to me and I’ll collate them and send of for printing in a ‘batch’ thus saving on money.
Any questions just get back ion touch; I would really like to help as it will go to a very good cause.
Show and tell: for 31st July: any image you wish to share, preferably taken this year and no limit on numbers, within reason! You could send them to me and I’ll put them on the presentation or bring them in on a stick. Have a go – the more the merrier!
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday July 24th: Get Off Auto – Talk and practical demonstration on editing software using images from the previous week, and others, hopefully!
Wednesday July 31st: Presentation by Sarah – ‘My Morocco Adventure.’ Plus, a ‘show and tell’ (see above), any images, preferably taken this year, you wish to share.
Sunday August 4th: Events Cup – one of two possible dates for the last Events Cup destination of Skipton and Settle.
Tuesday August 6th: Events Cup – one of two possible dates for the last Events Cup destination of Skipton and Settle.
Wednesday August 7th: Get Off Auto – talk by Stan titled ‘Get creative with shutter speed.’ Followed by a lot of practical image taking, inside and out down by the river; this will be an experience, I promise!
Wednesday August 14th: ‘Get Off Auto’ – last one – Talk by Mike on camera equipment and all the accessories and other things!
Wednesday August 21st: No meeting as we are having a committee meeting.
Wednesday August 28th: Work in progress!
That’s all for now folks,
Cheers,
Mike
August 2024 News
Here we are in what should be the middle of summer, certainly the climate change seems to be with us. Camera manufacturers ought to be paying more attention to making all cameras, and not just the more expensive ones more waterproof to combat the ever increasing deluges we seem to be getting more of.
By the time you take delivery of the next magazine we will nearly be at the start of our next season of meetings which kick off with first on Wednesday September 4th at 7.30 in the Arts Centre. This will be a mixture of a welcome and various activities. If you are interested in joining us, then come and see who we are and what we do. You will be made very welcome, of that I can assure you,
Two reminders. One is the last of our meetings for newcomers to photography entitled Getting off Auto ( sometimes known as the Green Square ) and takes place on August 7th 7.30 in the Arts Centre. . Also the open competition for anyone (other than professionals and members of other camera clubs ) closes on Sunday August 11th. Rules digital images only along with title, any theme or subject e mailed to stanley.pearson@talktalk.net
A few members of the club recently visited Chester Zoo as part of the Events Cup Challenge . Well worth a visit with all the animals having been bred there over many years. Best to visit before the end of school term to avoid large school parties.
Finally, the last of our summer outings takes place on Sunday August 4th, or Tuesday August 6th. The venue is Skipton and Settle.
That’s all folks, enjoy the summer if we get one !
Maurice Barker
info@garstangcameraclub
Newsletter 14/07/24
Morning All
It’s coming home, it’s coming home …. sorry, couldn’t resist! 8pm tonight.
Notices:
Show and tell: for 31st July: any image you wish to share, preferably taken this year and no limit on numbers, within reason! You could send them to me and I’ll put them on the presentation or bring them in on a stick. Have a go – the more the merrier!
As you can also see from below the next 2 Wednesdays are ‘Get Off Auto’ sessions. If poss it would be great if as many members turn up to help our ‘guests!’ cheers.
Project: A reminder!
I’m putting together some thoughts about our first meeting on 4th September!
And, if you can remember we asked each member, back in October last year, to develop a photographic ‘theme’ over the year and present their ‘findings’ – good, bad or ugly, (what went right and what didn’t!), – at the first meeting in 2024.
We added the following:
Ok, so what theme? Well, that’s completely up to you! A few ideas were given at the time to get you thinking and maybe spark an idea! The idea is to pick a theme and experiment from there!
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.
- Plus, many others that were detailed at the time
The whole idea is for everyone to have a go and develop ‘what you want to get out of photography,’ learn from the experience and hopefully learn from others!
We hope you will join in and, don’t forget, if everything goes pear-shaped – that’s learning!
So, will any member who is willing to talk about their project to please get in touch with me, as soon as, ‘cos I need to plan the first week. If you have any questions just email back or ring on 07340 314 408. Many thanks.
September Exhibition: another reminder!
This is the clubs’ exhibition, held in the Arts Centre, for all 1st, 2nd and third print winners PLUS any print that received a commended or highly commended award in last season’s internal competitions.
Maurice is organising this exhibition (many thanks, as always, Maurice), and he would like all prints to be handed in soon! So please get them ready and I’ll email the date in a later newsletter.
Please make the effort to bring these in as it is a great ‘show-case’ for the club and the exhibition lasts for 4 weeks in September – October.
PLEASE – on the back of each print, label it with the title, your name, which competition and the award. This is a great help to Maurice!
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday July 17th: Get Off Auto – Presentation on composition, by Stan, and then a practical session outside the Arts Centre and/or down by the river and/or sports field and/or in Garstang.
Wednesday July 24th: Get Off Auto – Presentation and practical demonstration on editing software using images from the previous week.
Wednesday July 31st: Presentation by Sarah – My Morocco Adventure. Plus, a ‘show and tell’ any images, preferably taken this year, you wish to share, see above.
That’s all for now folks
Cheers
Mike
PS Come on England!!!
Newsletter 04/07/24
Afternoon All
Very early newsletter as I’m off to London for the weekend visiting family but also going to Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, so not back ‘til Sunday evening.
Notices:
Events Cup – Chester Zoo; Our 4th destination for this summer. Either Wednesday 10th July OR Saturday 13th July. Please don’t forget you can only pick one of the days.
Distance is approximately 69 miles – 1 hour 25 mins.
Open 10am – 5pm; Cost, on-line: without a donation, £29.99; with donation £33.
Car sharing: I’m going on Wednesday 10th so I will park at Kirkland Memorial Hall at 8.20am, sort out which cars are going with whom and then leave at 8.30 ish. Return to Garstang about 4.00 ish.
If you need any help or clarity, just email in or ring me on 07340 314 408.
Wednesday 10th July. As you can see below there is no meeting next week because of the Events Cup at Chester Zoo. However, if any member wants to organise something, for the evening, I’m quite willing to hand over the keys so that the Arts Centre is available – just get in touch.
The Amateur Photographer is a British photography magazine, published weekly and they promote various competitions one of which involves Camera Clubs in the UK.
The competition has 10 rounds, each with a different theme. The themes for the 2024 competition are: Black & White, Animal Kingdom, City Life, Action, Landscapes, People, Macro, Dusk to Dawn, Travel and Open (Anything goes!)
The red themes above have already been judged and the blue theme, City Life, is now closed. This is why I’m thinking of next year, 2025.
How does it work? Put simply over the ten rounds we can accumulate points for our camera club.
Each of our members’ best-placed images in each round of the main Amateur Photographer of the year (APOY) contest will count towards our club’s score.
With no limit on how many of our members can enter – they’ll all count.
After all of the ten rounds are complete, the club with the most points will win this year’s title, and the accompanying prizes.
Cost? The cost is based on the number of images we want to enter; the more images we enter the individual cost of each image decreases.
I thought the above might be a good idea, well in theory, for next year, 2025! Unfortunately, I haven’t the time to ‘run’ it but I’m quite willing to help, where I can, if any member would like to ‘pick up the mantle’ so to speak and control and manage this competition.
If you are initially interested but want to have a chat, without committing yourself, please get in touch with me and we can go from there. There is no pressure, if you decide against, that’s no problem.
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday July 10th: no meeting; Possible ‘Events Cup’ 4th destination at Chester Zoo.
Saturday 13th July: Possible ‘Events Cup’ 4th destination at Chester Zoo.
Wednesday July 17th: Get Off Auto – Presentation on composition, by Stan, and then a practical session outside the Arts Centre and/or down by the river and/or sports field and/or in Garstang.
Wednesday July 24th: Get Off Auto – Presentation and practical demonstration on software editing using images form the previous week.
Wednesday July 31st: Presentation by Sarah – My Morocco Adventure. Plus, a ‘show and tell’ any images, taken this year, you wish to share.
That’s all for now folks
Cheers
Mike
July 2024 News
Hello to everyone and welcome to Summer, or so I’m told.
The club is in what I would term the dormant period in years past, but not now. We had a very successful evening with our first offering of a free course for non members which attracted double figures of interested parties.
The next two will be held on Wed, July 17th. and Wed. August 7th. both start at 7.30. in the Arts Centre. We invite you to give it a try no matter how little or how much you know, just come along, all you need to accompany you is your camera. I can assure you that you will be made most welcome. If you would like to join us, please e mail our Chairman at info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk or phone on 07340 314408. Nothing ventured….nothing gained.
We are also running a FREE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION open to anyone who is resident in the Garstang area
It’s an open competition on any theme or subject. Only one digital image along with it’s title can be entered and should be e mailed to stanley.pearson@talktalk.net
The closing date is Sunday August 11th. 2024. Prizes will be awarded for !st. 2cnd. 3rd. Highly Commended and Commended. Winners will be put on display in our September Exhibition .
Please, no professional photographers or photographers from other photographic clubs, thank you.
Maurice Barker.
info@garstangcameraclub
Garstang Camera Club 