Morning All

I hope those members who watched Jerry’s talk last Wednesday enjoyed the presentation – certainly maybe not to everyone’s taste but they were some images that were certainly different! And, as Rhona says, not sure what some of our judges would say!
However, I did email him to say thank you and asked when shooting into the sun do you have a filter attached?
His reply: Shooting into the sun:
No filters. Use a smallish aperture F11 or F16 and make sure the sun is masked by the subject, or something in the frame.
I tend to use larger apertures because I don’t like the starburst flare, prefer the wider open flare, however this becomes more difficult. Also, stop worrying about blow out and flare 😀
Sums him up nicely, I think, in the nicest possible way!

Notices:

Sad news, I’m afraid:
As I mentioned on Wednesday evening, I have to report the death of a long standing member of the club, Hayden Evans.
Hayden passed away on 3^rd January, after an illness, and the funeral arrangements are Friday 30^th January, 12.30 at St. Thomas Church Hall, Garstang followed by a service in the graveyard.

It is with further sadness that Sue has just texted me to say that Lucienne (Ferguson), another long standing member of the club, has passed away; no details are available but the funeral is on 6^th February at Preston.

Message from Peter Frankish:
You may remember Peter from about a year ago. Members donated various landscape prints of the Lake District and Peter sold/auctioned them off to raise funds for St Catherine’s Hospice Care. Peter has sent me an email which is below:

Hi Mike
I hope all is well with you and the Club.
This is a very early heads up but thought you would be interested to hear that we have been invited to exhibit at the Arts Centre in July.
I’m wondering if the Club would like to donate images for us to feature alongside our wide range of other product. If it is of interest then we would need a selection from which to select for us to frame in advance.
Obviously, we could discuss subject matter so that it complements our style. The general rule of thumb is that our mainstream audience would want to put it on their wall at home! Given you are the local club we would limit other photographic content and could think of as many as say ten from yourselves.
As always, I would be happy to come and talk to your members face to face to give them a better understanding of what we are all about. Please let me know in principle and we can take it from there.
Kind regards
Peter

I have replied that, in principle, we as a club will be happy to take part.
I would like all members to, at this stage, have a think about Peter’s request and I have invited Peter to chat to us on 25^th February to expand on his idea.

An email message from Nikki Wilcock:
I was wondering if any of your members could make use of 200+ cardboard strut mounts that I no longer need after winding up my business.
They are black, 10″x8″ with a 8″x6″ aperture.
I don’t want anything for them (tried unsuccessfully to sell them on and now they are just taking up space), but the recipient would need to collect them from Out Rawcliffe.
Please let me know if anyone might be interested.
Kind Regards
Nikki Wilcock – Tel 07806 461737
If you are interested in the above, please contact Nikki directly – ta.

The Photography and video show 2026 – Saturday 14^th March – Tuesday 17^th March 2026 at the NEC Birmingham:
If you search ‘Photography Show 2026, the website appears and all details are there.
Thinking of going? Following on from last week’s email I still have 2 free tickets available. After they have gone, I can offer a 20% discount code to other members.

L&CPU: The Annual Club Print & Projected Image Competitions on 7th & 8th March 2026:
This is just a reminder, all details were in last week’s newsletter, however….
So, we need at least 5 photographers to take part.
If you are interested PLEASE email in and we will co-ordinate accordingly.
If we don’t have at least 5 photographs we won’t enter.

Next internal competition: The Humanity Cup
Description of images: People in all environments, activities and emotions. People or people-related connections must be the focal point. More than one person may be included.
Mounting prints at Fine Arts, Garstang? Deadline date is 28^th January
Last date for entry: 11.02.26
Date of competition: 11.03.26

Message from Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union (L&CPU):
I would be grateful if you would bring the following to the attention of your members.
The PAGB has offered the L&CPU a workshop aimed at club members who may want to have a go at attaining an award but are unsure if their work meets the standard for a BPAGB or CPAGB (or higher!)
The workshop, presented by Rod Wheelans, chair of the APM committee will explain the various levels with examples of the standards expected. Participants can bring 5 or so prints or pdi’s on a stick to show to the adjudicators and get an idea as to their standard.
The date is the 15th February at St Marys Parish Centre, Devonshire Road, Chorley. PR7 2BY. There is free parking next to the building. Start time 10am and it should finish by 4pm.
Tickets are £10 (including tea and coffee) and can be booked on the L&CPU portal (website-portal-services-tickets).
Any queries please email me:  pagbawardsofficer@lcpu.org.uk 
Many thanks,
James. James Hardy CPAGB LRPS AFIAP HonL&CPU
Mentoring and Awards Secretary L&CPU

Coffee duty this Wednesday:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday is Anita and Barry – many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 21^st January – Judging of our third internal competition, ‘Creatures and Plants of the World Cup.’ This competition will be judged by Sheila Giles. We have had 80 entries so a busy evening awaits!

Wednesday 28^th January – Jeremy Malley-Smith, via zoom, on Scottish Wildlife.
Jeremy writes: The west coast of Scotland is rich in wildlife and over the past eleven years, I’ve enjoyed watching, studying and photographing the special wildlife in this part of the country. Birds, mammals, landscapes, flowers, insects are just some of the photos you can expect to see. I explain why some photos work/don’t work, which lens to choose and share helpful tips too.

Wednesday 4^th February – for the first half of the evening we have an AV presentation by Sue and Adrian titled ‘Photography with a difference.’
For the second half we have a talk from John showing a further assortment of his old images which he has been collecting over the years, mainly from the 50’s and 60’s.

Wednesday 11^th February – First half of the evening is a talk by John and following the coffee break Paul is giving a talk – further details to follow.

That’s all folks and see you Wednesday!

Mike

Morning All

I’ve attached 4 images, sent by Jerry Webb, next Wednesday’s speaker, showing an example of what we may expect. Further details under ‘Up and coming programme of events.’

Notices:

The Photography and video show 2026 – Saturday 14^th March – Tuesday 17^th March 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.
If you search ‘Photography Show 2026, the website appears and all details are there.
The blurb on the website says:
The Photography & Video Show is the event for anyone passionate about photography, video or content creation. Thousands of visual storytellers visit over four days to try and buy the latest camera kit and accessories, get tips and inspiration from big names, connect with each other – and enjoy a great day out!
Thinking of going? Well…..
A BIG thanks here to Frank who took the initiative!
Frank emailed as follows:
I was looking at the dates for the above at the NEC and they made no mention of any concessions for Photography Clubs/Societies, so I took the liberty of dropping them an email and they responded quiet promptly, saying that for clubs and societies they do offer a number of free tickets and they would be back in touch with me regarding the details for this.
And they replied to Frank saying in a nutshell:
Offering us, at GCC, 5 free entry tickets with a particular code.
Also, they have offered us, once those 5 free tickets have gone, a 20% discount on any other tickets, again with a particular code.
The offer above was from Hazel Soper, Group Marketing Manager – Future Publishing Events.
Well done to Frank!
So, if you fancy going, I can offer the 5 free tickets to the first 5 members who email me asking for them. After they have gone, I can offer the 20% discount code to other members.
I went a few years ago and it is a great show. Lots to see and hear – see the website.
I went by train which literally drops you off at the NEC and it is a quick walk to the centre.

L&CPU: The Annual Club Print & Projected Image Competitions on 7th & 8th March 2026
Details of this competition are attached. We, as a club, are entering PDI’s only, if you wish to enter any prints that’s up to you.
The basic rules are:
Online Entry Opens: Saturday 10 January 2026 @ 00:01
Online Entry Closes: Saturday 14 February 2026 @ 23:59
PDI: there are two categories in this section – ‘Open’ (which includes colour and monochrome) and ‘Nature.’
Entries:
a) A club may enter up to eight (8) images in categories ‘Nature’ and sixteen (16) images in ‘Open’ from not less than five (5) photographers in each section.
b) No photographer may enter more than two images in categories ‘Nature’ and four images in category ’Open.’
Please read the rules as set out on the attached so that you have a full picture.
So, we need at least 5 photographers to take part.
If you are interested PLEASE email in, to start with, and we will then co-ordinate accordingly.
If we don’t have at least 5 photographs we won’t enter.

Reminder!
Challenge, for the new year – just what you wanted and dreamed of and to test out all that new gear Santa brought you; what could possibly go wrong!
And, the challenge is – A winter’s scene!
Any image, colour or black and white, which will portray a wintery picture.
You can enter as many as you want, within reason! The deadline for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ will be Wednesday 25^th February, so that gives us all just over 5 weeks and the BBC weather predicts ideal conditions coming up! 

Coffee duty this Wednesday:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday is Freda and Elaine – many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 14^th January – Jerry Webb, via zoom, on ‘Urban and Street photography.’
As a photographer Jerry is self-taught and often at odds with conventional perceptions, interpreting what he sees using his own individual methods and distinctive style. His photographs include people, portrait, event, street and project photography and he has been published many times. He has had exhibitions in London and Sussex where he now lives and works.
Although he works largely in monochrome Jerry is an accomplished colour photographer and processor. His work is a combination of self-initiated projects and commissioned photographs.

Wednesday 21^st January – Judging of our third internal competition, ‘Creatures and Plants of the World Cup.’ This competition will be judged by Sheila Giles. We have had 80 entries so a busy evening!

Wednesday 28^th January – Jeremy Malley-Smith, via zoom, on Scottish Wildlife.
Jeremy writes: The west coast of Scotland is rich in wildlife and over the past eleven years, I’ve enjoyed watching, studying and photographing the special wildlife in this part of the country. Birds, mammals, landscapes, flowers, insects are just some of the photos you can expect to see. I explain why some photos work/don’t work, which lens to choose and share helpful tips too.

Wednesday 4^th February – for the first half of the evening we have an AV presentation by Sue and Adrian titled ‘Photography with a difference.’
For the second half we have a talk from John showing a further assortment of his old images which he has been collecting over the years, mainly from the 50’s and 60’s.

That’s all folks and see you Wednesday!

Mike

Morning All

With one eye on the rear-view mirror, 2025 is disappearing fast, already a bit soft-focused and fading into bokeh; motion-blurred, slightly noisy, a bit wonky and impossible to rescue in post; best left unedited!
Fortunately, ahead, 2026 is perfectly framed, coming into focus, lining up nicely in the viewfinder with clean sensors, good light and full of promise.
Optimism is set to auto, beautifully exposed and begging us to press the shutter. So new year, with fresh batteries and absolutely no excuses for camera shake, tripods are at the ready… click and we’re off!
Happy New Year!

Notices:

Calendar 2026
As already mentioned, and to repeat! We have been tasked, again, to produce images for the 2027 calendar!
Boundaries: Focused where possible on Garstang and immediate surroundings; however, any images considered between Lancaster in the north, Preston in the south, Blackpool in the west and Abbeystead/Bleasdale in the east. This should give us plenty of opportunity, so please start thinking and snapping!
So, this means that the scope has now widened! Please get out and about, in the fullness of time, so that we can offer a great selection to the Arts Centre committee. All images submitted will be shown and voted upon on Wednesday 13^th May and the selected top 36 will be sent to the Arts Centre committee for their final selection of 12/14 for the calendar.

Challenge, for the new year – just what you wanted and dreamed of and to test out all that new gear Santa brought you; what could possibly go wrong!
And, the challenge is – A winter’s scene!
Any image, colour or black and white, which will portray a wintery picture.
You can enter as many as you want, within reason! The deadline for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ will be Wednesday 25^th February, so that gives us all just over 6 weeks and the BBC weather predicts ideal conditions coming up! Certainly cold and crisp and even this morning!

Coffee duty this Wednesday:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday is Shelly and Lewis – may thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 7^th January – Neil Protheroe via zoom on landscapes.
Neil writes: I thought perhaps to devote the first half of the talk to my “journey” in the world of photography, what I do and my approach to landscape photography; and the second half to a photographic tour of New Zealand’s scenic highlights.
Also, for the last three years I have also been closely involved in photographing the white horses of the Camargue in the South of France, and I would like to refer to that photography as well.

Wednesday 14^th January – Jerry Webb, via zoom on ‘Urban and Street photography.’

Wednesday 21^st January – Judging of our third internal competition, ‘Creatures and Plants of the World Cup.’ This competition will be judged by Sheila Giles.

Wednesday 28^th January – Jeremy Malley-Smith, via zoom, on Scottish Wildlife.
Jeremy writes: The west coast of Scotland is rich in wildlife and over the past eleven years, I’ve enjoyed watching, studying and photographing the special wildlife in this part of the country. Birds, mammals, landscapes, flowers, insects are just some of the photos you can expect to see. I explain why some photos work/don’t work, which lens to choose and share helpful tips too.

That’s all folks and see you Wednesday!

Mike