Morning All
A huge thank you to everyone who bravely battled their way through all 83 images and cast their scores. At times it may have felt less like a photography club evening and more like sitting a GCSE exam in Advanced Picture Appreciation, but I think it proved to be a very worthwhile exercise!
The annual Fylde “Battle” is set to take place on Thursday 12th November in Poulton, but before then, Stan will reveal the 20 chosen images on Wednesday 28th October.
Many thanks also to everyone who found the time, enthusiasm, and in some cases sheer courage, to submit their SATs featuring Red and/or yellow images taken on mobile phones. The variety on show was excellent, demonstrating once again that it’s the photographer, not the phone/camera, that matters. I look forward to seeing a few more adventurous souls dipping their toes into the next challenge featuring Water. Full details lurk below.
Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to Bob for his AV presentation, ‘Garstang by Night.’ It was a splendid watch and, unlike some late-night excursions, required no waterproofs, torch, or emergency flask of tea.
For anyone who missed it, nodded off at an unfortunate moment, or simply wants to enjoy it again, I’ve included the link :https://drive.google.com/file/d/11kaKSxsVpTSDCjehlp2Oi41JXpVMoYU-/view?usp=drive_web
Notices:
Message from Robin: John Earnshaw of Sale Photographic Society says:
I’m making contact because I thought you may be interested in a free session being hosted by Sale Photographic Society, on the use of Snapseed Image Editing Software on smart phones. It will help you get the most out of your phone images.
Snapseed is a free software package which can be downloaded to your phone and used to edit photos.
It can also be downloaded to laptops and desktops.
The session is free of charge on Saturday 10th October, Coppice Avenue Library from 11.00am to 12.00pm.
Full details are on the flyer attached.
Water: Challenge 2 – Splashes into Action!
Following the overwhelming success (or at least survival) of the Red and/or Yellow Challenge, we now dive headfirst into our next photographic adventure: Water:
The brief is delightfully simple: show us photographs containing water. Oceans, puddles, raindrops, rivers, lakes, fountains, wet dogs, damp sandwiches… if water is involved, you’re probably on the right track.
There is a deeper dive in ‘thoughts’ below.
As before, there are no rules. This is a challenge, not a tax return. Use images from years ago, images taken yesterday, or images captured five minutes before the meeting while frantically spraying the garden hose at a flowerpot.
Use whatever equipment you fancy: DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera, phone, tablet, nautical telescope, or any other image-capturing contraption you happen to own.
The main aim is simply to encourage you, the members, to get out and about, enjoy taking photographs, and perhaps even remember where you left your camera since the last challenge.
So, grab your camera, iPhone, wellies if necessary, and go in search of something wet.
Remember: without water, we’d all be discussing drought photography!
Thoughts!
This challenge is WATER — that well‑known substance responsible for rain, tea, and 97% of British small talk. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and you do, because we need entries), is to produce an image that contains water in any form, state, mood, or level of chaos.
To help you along, here are some highly professional suggestions!
- Actual water — Rivers, lakes, puddles, or that suspicious drip under your kitchen sink.
- Water behaving badly — Waves crashing, taps leaking, sprinklers attacking innocent passers-by.
- Water pretending to be something else — Mist, fog, steam, or the condensation on your glasses when you walk into Booths.
- Water in domestic captivity — Kettles boiling, washing-up bubbles, or the bath plughole (for the truly avant-garde).
- Water in emotional turmoil — Tears, sweat, or the rain that arrives precisely when you’ve just set up your tripod.
- Water in unexpected places — Dew on a spiderweb, droplets on a car bonnet, or the pint you accidentally knocked over at the Royal Oak.
Please remember: You do not need to get soaked for this challenge. You do not need to submerge your camera. You do not need to recreate the Titanic. But if you do, please film it horizontally.
Plenty of time – well, at the moment! Entries to be shown on Wednesday 28th October.
Attention, cake enthusiasts and caffeine dependents!
The Camera Club is running a coffee morning at the Arts Centre on Saturday 3rd October, perfectly aligned with our print exhibition and possibly some Plein Air pictures.
We expect a crowd, so we need cakes, traybakes, biscuits, or anything that doesn’t require a risk assessment. Cakes of all shapes, sizes, and levels of structural integrity considered.
Please let Mike know what you’re bringing so he can pretend he’s in control of the situation.
Cheers. Ta muchly!
Message from Stan: Image Critiquing – 28th October
This is a little reminder/push to all members to take part in the critique of members’ photos by our one and only, Stan.
All images will be shown anonymously, so no one will know who submitted what – except Mike; each member may submit up to 3 images and send them, to Mike, using info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and Stan guarantees he’ll critique at least one, and probably/maybe two!
If you’re struggling, confused, panicking, or simply allergic to file‑handling, ask at the next meeting or phone Mike on 07340 314408. He will help, honest!
Message from Kate Simkins: GCAM: Garstang Community Arts Magazine:
We’re putting together our first issue, Made in Garstang, and I’d love to involve members of the Camera Club.
We’re particularly interested in photographs of arts and cultural events happening in and around Garstang, creative people at work, performances, exhibitions, workshops, community groups and strong images of the town itself.
We’d also love to hear from members who might occasionally enjoy photographing a local event or feature for the magazine, as well as anyone with existing work they think would suit GCAM.
There’s absolutely no expectation that anyone has to take on assignments. The idea is simply to create a pool of local photographers who might like to contribute when something catches their interest.
If you are interested in the above from Kate, please email her directly on hello@storykeepers.org.uk
Early reminder about our 2nd internal competition: The Environment Cup:
Description of images: Landscapes, architecture, dereliction, sculptures, street art, environmental issues and transport.
People and animals must show scale or add to; not focal point.
If you are thinking of submitting prints they need to be ‘mounted.’ And, if you are using ‘Fine Arts’ in Garstang for this, Sharon has requested that your prints are passed to her by 7th October.
Last date for competition entries is Wednesday 28th October.
Coffee duty:
Coffee/tea duty for Wednesday 30th September is Frank and Mike – thank you gentlemen, in advance!
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 30th September – A talk by Jonny Gios on Landscape Photography, centred on the Lake District.
Jonny writes: My talk, ‘Landscapes, centred on the Lake District’, is a personal look at the landscapes that have inspired me as a photographer, from the iconic mountains and lakes to the quieter, more intimate details that can easily be overlooked. I’ll share images, stories and a few thoughts on light, weather, composition and what makes a landscape photograph really connect with the viewer.
Wednesday 7th October – This evening speaker is Susie Freeman and the topic is ‘The Magic of Colour.’
Susie writes:
“The Magic of Colour: A lively exploration of the science of colour and how colour influences our perception of photographic images. Through discussion and examples the aim of this talk is to help to: – Increase your awareness of colour. – Help you to see potential shots in a slightly different way. And, most importantly, attempt to assist in the quest to capture that perfect image… ”
Wednesday 14th October – Our first internal club competition ‘The Events Cup.’ This will be judged by Carol Watson.
Wednesday 21st October – Our speaker this evening is Phil Durkin and his talk is titled ‘A few seconds makes all the difference’ – long exposure. A Few Seconds Makes All the Difference
Phil writes: My seascape presentation, “A Few Seconds Makes All the Difference,” explores the art of seeing the world through the lens of long and extreme long exposure photography. The collection journeys mainly across the UK – from the North West Coast, along the East Coast and Humberside, to the wild beauty of the North West of Scotland and the tranquility of the Inner and Outer Hebrides before reaching into Europe with a small selection of overseas images.
The presentation includes elements of minimalist photography and through this approach fleeting moments are transformed into images of stillness and surrealism. It features both colour and monochrome pictures.
Phil Dukin | DPAGB | BPE4
Well, that’s all folks and see you Wednesday!
Mike
