Morning All

Thanks to all who managed to spare the time to visit the Arts Centre for our coffee morning on Saturday; we had a fairly busy time and raised nearly £100 for the club coffers!

So, many thanks to Rhona, Sue and Robin for giving up their time and for the hard work in helping to make the morning a success.  

Notices

Fylde 4 Way Battle: Last reminder!

• Give the image a title
• Do not include your competition number
• Do not include the image number
• Images to be jpeg, in sRGB colour space with a maximum image size of 1600 pixels (wide) x 1200 pixels (high), maximum file size 2 MB
• Submit a maximum of 6 images
• Send to Stan by email stanley.pearson@talktalk.net
• Include your name in the email
• Do not send by WeTransfer

Stan and his team will then review all images submitted and choose the 20 to be entered.

Images for consideration need to be to Stan by Wednesday 4th October.

Image Critiquing

Image critiquing for the members evening on 25th October.

Stan will look, present and comment.

Theme = ‘Open;’ any image taken recently if poss.

3 ish images per member.

All images submitted and shown will be anonymous.

Deadline date: Images in by Wednesday 18th October.

If the images have been edited, if possible, please send in the original unedited image – no problems if you cannot.”

Please send your images to the usual email address: info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and the subject – Image Feedback.

Or if the images exceed the email limit, please send them via Wetransfer.

Website – Members Galleries

As mentioned in a previous newsletter all the images have been deleted and we are now asking members to submit up to 6 images of their own that they wish to be shown under the ‘members galleries’.

You can submit up to 6 images and please send them directly to Tim at timflesher@btinternet.com

All images to be jpeg, in sRGB colour space with a maximum image size of 1600 pixels (wide) x 1200 pixels (high), maximum file size 2 MB; no more than 2MB as this will help keep website storage down. Thanks.

New Project

We have given considerable thought, over the last few weeks, for this ‘seasons’ project – this is to carry on from the success of 12 – in – 12 from last season.

The idea is for each member to develop a photographic ‘theme’ over the next 11 months and present their ‘findings’ – good, bad or ugly (what went right and what didn’t!), – at the first meeting in 2024 which will be on September 4th.

Now, we fully appreciate that not everyone likes to present from the front and chat about their topic so you would be more than welcome to put everything on a USB stick and chat from the ‘floor’ so to speak!

Ok, so what theme? Well, that’s completely up to you! A few ideas below 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.
• Flowers/Forest/Woodland – perhaps, woodland scenes (Bluebells) and detailed shots.
• Water and reflective photography – canals, rivers, sea, puddles!
• Food
• Landscapes and seascapes – possibly to include sun rises and sets
• Weather, storms, clouds, rainbows
• Travel
• Macro
• Monochrome
• Cityscapes/Urban life
• Architecture
• Sports
• Nature and wildlife
• Minimalistic
• Mobile only images

These are just a few ideas; you may, of course, develop you own theme or combine some together, your choice!

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!

Please have a chat with us over the next couple of meetings and ask any questions. Please don’t forget this is your club to experiment, learn and most importantly have FUN!

We hope you will join in and, don’t forget, if everything goes pear-shaped – that’s learning!

Up and coming programme of events

• October 4th – Harry Emmett – Towards CPAGB (The Credit award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) – Prints.
• October 11th – Garry Cook – ‘Street Photography and a project in Israel.
• October 18th – Events Cup Competition, judged by Nicki Greenwood
• October 25th – Members Evening – Image feedback from Stan – see above – plus Stan will present the 20 images chosen for the 4 Way Battle.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

The print exhibition is up and running!

Massive thanks to Maurice for his organisation and planning which seamlessly helped us hang 66 prints in total.

Lewis and I would also like to offer our thanks to Sue and Adrian for their sterling efforts!

Sad news. You may remember that the club, via Michael, tried to organise a trip to Southport Dunes last spring with Trevor Davenport, but it didn’t go ahead because of the very dry weather at the time. Michael also booked him to give us a talk, in January, on Insects and nature photography.

Michael has received an email from him saying he is facing a very uncertain few months having been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer requiring extensive treatment and he wanted to express his disappointment at probably not being able to present to our members. I know, probably, that none of us knew Trevor, but very gloomy news nevertheless.

Notices

Doug Allan: Doug looks back over his successes and setbacks during 35 years of natural history filmmaking. Part retrospective, the show is also Doug’s perspective on climate change and its impacts on the world’s wild places. What change of emphasis and direction should we now be incorporating in wildlife films?

Just a reminder that this talk is on at The Platform in Morecambe on Tuesday 3^rd October at £20 – £23 pp. If anyone wants a lift just email in.

Fylde 4 way battle: this is a camera club competition between us, Poulton Photographic Society, North Fylde Photographic Society and Lytham St Annes Photographic Society. (It should have included Bispham PS, but due to issues with declining membership, they have decided to withdraw from the comp this year).

Event Details

Start time 7.30 pm on Wednesday 15th November at the Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Poulton-le-Fylde. (Free parking available opposite.)

Judge: Steve Proctor DPAGB BPE5* PPSA

Competition Rules: One Open category only.

20 PDIs (Projected Digital Images) per club with a maximum of THREE per author. Anonymised with image title only. Jpeg in sRGB colour space with a maximum image size of 1600 pixels (wide) x 1200 pixels (high), using filler if necessary. Maximum file size 2 MB.

All elements in an image must be the work of its author.

Stan (and his team) have very kindly offered to organise our entry to this year’s competition.

So, message from Stan below:

• Give the image a title
• Do not include your competition number
• Do not include the image number
• Images to be jpeg, in sRGB colour space with a maximum image size of 1600 pixels (wide) x 1200 pixels (high), maximum file size 2 MB
• Submit a maximum of 6 images
• Send to Stan by email stanley.pearson@talktalk.net
• Include your name in the email
• Do not send by WeTransfer

If my maths is correct: we need to enter 20 PDI’s with a maximum of 3 per member so we will need at least 7 members to partake! So PLEASE have a go – you don’t need to enter 6 any number less that that will be ok.

Stan and his team will then review all images submitted and chose the 20 to be entered.

Images for consideration need to be to Stan by Wednesday 4^th October.

Any questions? Email in on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk or chat to us at the next meeting.

Bob Robinson Trophy: If you wish to attend this ‘live’ competition and listen to the judges it is on Sunday 8th October, at Elm Bank Conference Centre, Eccles. Starts 10.30am, no cost.

Image Critiquing: On our next October members evening, Wednesday October 25^th this will be our second critiquing of members images. Stan has very kindly offered to look and comment on the images this time.

How to send them in:

Reminder: The idea is for any club member to submit a maximum of 3 (ish) images for a constructive critique by Stan and he will guarantee that at least 1, if not 2 images, from each member, will be critiqued.

Theme = ‘Open;’ any image taken recently if poss.

All images submitted and shown will be anonymous.

How to send them in:

• In an ideal world please send the images in the form of a DNG file
• OR, send them in as a TIFF file
• OR if you are struggling send in as a JPEG file, that will be fine.

If members are using Lightroom then in the Export Panel, under File Settings, the image format can be changed to DNG or Tiff.

Deadline date: Images in by Wednesday 18^th October.

JPEG Images can be sent to the usual email address: info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and the subject – Image Feedback.

DNG and TIFF files must be sent in via Wetransfer.

If you are struggling then please ask during next week’s meeting or phone Mike on 07340 314408.

Visit to Morecambe CC (Thursday September 28^th) to review images taken on our visit in late August: If you wish to attend in person, no problems, the address is Heysham Library, 396 Heysham Road, Heysham, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA3 2BJ.

There is a small car park to the right of the building and plenty of on-street parking, both on Heysham Road and round the corner on Knowlys Road.

If you wish to ‘attend’ via Zoom the invite is Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85040377165?pwd=aEU1dnZyu0PYCZhWreychZna5RjKfr.1 The meeting will start at 7.30pm.

Up and coming programme of events

• Wednesday September 27th – Members Evening; image critiques by John, images from Morecambe CC outing, images from the themed outing in Garstang and other things!
• Thursday September 28th – Visit to Morecambe CC; see above.
• Saturday September 30th – Coffee mornings (we ‘do’ 4 in total), hosted by us – anything edible please to sell! The coffee mornings we ‘host’ are used to raise funds for the club, so, please, pop in and see us!
• Wednesday October 4th – Harry Emmett – Towards CPAGB (The Credit award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) – Prints.
• Wednesday October 11th – Garry Cook – ‘Street Photography and a project in Israel.
• Wednesday October 18th – Events Cup Competition, judged by Nicki Greenwood.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Evening All

Very short and very early newsletter this week ‘cos Lewis and I are both away over the weekend!

2 main notices:

• If you remember on August 9th some members went around Garstang photographing different themes from a ‘hat’ and the idea was you go around Garstang and take photographs that mirror your theme.

We would like everyone, who was ‘out and about’ to show some images on Wednesday 27th, the members evening. Please could you send them to Mike via the usual email address – info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk or bring them in on a stick. Cheers.

• Feedback on an image – Please send in a maximum of 3 images for John to critique; usual email – info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk – by next Wednesday 20^th Don’t forget all images submitted and shown will be anonymous.

How to send them in:

• In an ideal world please send the images in the form of a DNG file
• OR, send them in as a TIFF file
• OR if you are struggling send in as a JPEG file, that will be fine.

If members are using Lightroom then in the Export Panel, under File Settings, the image format can be changed to DNG or Tiff.

JPEG Images can be sent to the usual email address: and the subject – Image Feedback.

DNG and TIFF files must be sent in via Wetransfer.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

This weekend’s newsletter is being sent early so that you can all read it first before the BIG final – The Lionesses v Spain!

Who’s going to win? I haven’t a clue, having, perhaps to my shame, not watched any of the games so far, let alone Spanish ladies! And, I have no Union Jack flying proudly outside the house; though I do hope they win! If you believe the BBC, it’s their ‘destiny;’ Eh, oh, ¡vamos – Hey Ho in Spanish!

I can remember watching the 1966 world cup final with my late father and being extremely excited and I had no doubt that we would win. Some goals will forever remain controversial. England were on the right side of one such dubious effort in this final against West Germany, as I’m sure many of you will remember. A certain Tofiq Bahramov was the infamous linesman and there was no way he was going to disallow the third goal – to German fans, Bahramov was the villain, who had fought against them in World War II; and to the world, a linesman who effectively decided the outcome of a World Cup final. All I can say it’s a good job there was no VAR!

Anyway, back to photography!

Oaklands

Today we are at Oaklands Care Home, Dimples Lane – it’s their open day. We have a stand in the gardens promoting the camera club, weather permitting, if it’s raining, we will be inside, so fingers crossed! It is open from 1.30pm – 5pm. Please join us if you can and come and say hello. There is usually a lot going on plus music – all in a good cause.

Sheron Hall

If you cast your minds back a few weeks Lewis asked members to send in some images for a Sheron Hall from Bowgreave Care Home. Lewis sent a great selection and Sheron replied:

“Hi Lewis, thank you for the selection of photos on the USB stick. We think they are a fabulous selection and will work very well in the home.

Both our residents and staff team have so enjoyed selecting their favourites. I think originally, we were looking at 6 prints, but there are 21 that have been chosen!”

Lewis and I think it’s so good we can be of help and it can only be great publicity for us. Thanks Lewis.

Bob Sapey

Sometime back Bob gave a great presentation, to the club, about astrophotography and took some of us to Pilling Sands for a crack at it. Well, Bob has emailed in and the message is below:

“I’ve been checking conditions for Milky Way photography and my Nightshift App forecasts the first 3 weeks of September as good, starting about 10pm and gradually getting a bit later.

However, it also depends on the weather.

We will be aiming to take photos with a wide angle lens (16-24 FF) with a 20-30 second exposure at an ISO of about 3200, so tripod is essential.

We talked about going to Ribblehead Viaduct so I guess we’d be leaving Garstang about 9pm.

I’ll start to keep an eye on conditions and in contact with you.”

Thanks Bob.

So, if you’re still interested in trying some Milky Way photography – let us know and we will keep you on a circulation list. Don’t forget it will probably mean a bit ‘last minute dot com’!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday August 23rd – No meeting as there is a committee meeting at 7pm.

Wednesday August 30th – No meeting.

Thursday August 31st – Trip to Heysham and area with Morecambe Camera Club (MCC), 7.30 – 9pm. If you remember MCC ‘visited’ us, in Garstang, back in May and this is a return get-together.

We will split into groups of 2/3 and MCC will show us around Heysham and area for the best photographic vistas! Results will be shown and discussed on Thursday 28th September at their club-house.

Please email in to us so that we can begin to arrange car sharing, if required, and let MCC know numbers.

Saturday September 2nd – ‘Paint Garstang’. This is the 2nd ‘Plein Air’ open Art Competition organised by the Arts Centre. ‘Painting’ begins at 9am until 4pm and the judging and presentation of prizes is 4pm – 5pm.

They have asked us, at the camera club, to capture the day’s events as part of the occasion. We would really appreciate members to take part, even if only for a couple of hours! Considering the current weather conditions, it may give a whole new meaning to the term ‘Water’ colours!’

If you are willing to partake in this venture, please just let us know – cheers!

Wednesday September 6th – First meeting of the new ‘season.’ We have several ideas/thoughts for our first meeting, however, if anyone has any ideas that they think should be incorporated into the meeting please email in – any suggestions considered! Last call!

That’s all folks, and enjoy THE match, if you can!

Mike and Lewis

Good morning all,

Just a couple of things to mention this week.

Firstly a message from Stan.

Derian House have charity Skydiving events at Black Knights, Cockerham on Friday morning 18^th August and all day Sunday 20^th August.

Would any of our members like to photograph the event? If so they can contact me on 01772 864120 or stanley.pearson@talktalk.net

Secondly we have a trip to Rheged on Wednesday to view the Wildlife Photographer of the year competition. If anyone else is interested in joining please let us know by tonight, by email or by phoning Lewis, so that he can sort out how many cars we will need. We have plenty of people willing to drive so no problems with numbers.

Otherwise there are no changes to the upcoming events from last week’s newsletter.

Best wishes,

Lewis and Mike

Morning All

Garstang Show? Well….!

It was wet, cool and muddy! However, despite the weather conditions and although numbers were obviously down, we thought we had a good day.

We would like to thank Freda, Maurice, and Robin for their unwavering support and to Adrain for dropping in, keeping us company and holding the ‘fort’ whilst we went out and about trying to get some ‘Event Cup’ shoots. Cheers all!

Was it worth the effort? Well, who knows; overall we had 9 possible individuals inquiring about the club and, of course, we gave them all our prepared leaflets. They are all possible/probably/maybe’s – the proof of the pudding will be on Wednesday September 6^th at our first meeting. But, hey-ho, largely, an enjoyable day despite the adverse conditions.

Last, but certainly not least, we had great success in the photography competitions. Maurice and Robin won some sections but Lewis won the main cup – for most points collected in all his images – well done Lewis, another cup to polish!

Calendar

The 2024 calendar is now on sale featuring the camera club photographs we submitted back in the spring and it all looks very professional and eye-catching. If you pop into the Arts Centre, you can purchase one there; price is £8.50.

Reminder from Lewis

Wednesday August 16th day trip.

An exhibition of 100 of the winning entries from the wildlife photographer of the year competition is being shown at Rheged near Penrith. We plan to organise a trip to visit this.

Journey time is about 1 hour so we aim to leave at 9.00 am. Entry fee is £5 plus a contribution for fuel costs to the driver.

If time and weather allow, we can spend the afternoon doing some landscape photography so bring your cameras.

Rheged does have a cafe and also picnic tables so you can bring your own food or buy it there.

Please let us know if you would like to come along so that we can organise who will be driving.

Thanks to those who have contacted us, but….

This is the last chance – PLEASE email in if you are interested

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday August 9^th – Meet in the Arts Centre. PLEASE bring your cameras and whatever accessories you may need. We will draw different themes from a ‘hat’ and the idea is you go around Garstang and take photographs that mirror your theme. Then back to the Arts Centre for a brew and possible showing or discussion! Plus, some more images to show!

Wednesday August 16^th – Rheged near Penrith. See above for details from Lewis.

Sunday August 20th – Oaklands Care Home, Dimples Lane – open day. We have a stand in the gardens promoting the camera club, weather permitting! If it’s raining, we will be inside, so fingers crossed! It is open from 1pm – 5pm; please join us if you can and come and say hello. There is usually a lot going on plus music – all in a good cause.

Wednesday August 23^rd – No meeting as there is a committee meeting at 7pm.

Tuesday August 29^th – Ride the Lights – see last weeks newsletter.

Wednesday August 30^th – No meeting.

Thursday August 31^st – Trip to Heysham and area with Morecambe Camera Club (MCC), 7.30 – 9pm. If you remember MCC ‘visited’ us, in Garstang, back in May and this is a return get-together. We will split into groups of 2/3 and MCC will show us around Heysham and area for the best photographic vistas! We can arrange possible car-sharing nearer the time. Results will be shown and discussed on Thursday 28th September at their club-house. We do hope that as many members will take part as possible; we need a good turnout please!

Saturday September 2^nd – ‘Paint Garstang’. This is the 2nd ‘Plein Air’ open Art Competition organised by the Arts Centre. ‘Painting’ begins at 9am until 4pm and the judging and presentation of prizes is 4pm – 5pm. They have asked us, at the camera club, to capture the day’s events as part of the occasion. We would really appreciate members to take part, even if only for a couple of hours! Considering the current weather conditions, it may give a whole new meaning to the term ‘Water’ colours!’ If you are willing to partake in this venture, please just let us know – cheers!

Wednesday September 6^th – First meeting of the new ‘season.’ We have several ideas/thoughts for our first meeting, however, if anyone has any ideas that they think should be incorporated into the meeting please email in – any suggestions considered!

That’s all folks, and enjoy the improving weather!

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

Short and sweet this morning – visiting grandchildren is the cause!

Message from Lewis

Wednesday August 19th day trip.

An exhibition of 100 of the winning entries from the wildlife photographer of the year competition is being shown at Rheged near Penrith. We plan to organise a trip to visit this.

Journey time is about 1 hour so we aim to leave at 9.00 am. Entry fee is £5 plus a contribution for fuel costs to the driver.

If time and weather allow, we can spend the afternoon doing some landscape photography so bring your cameras.

Rheged does have a cafe and also picnic tables so you can bring your own food or buy it there.

Please let us know if you would like to come along so that we can organise who will be driving.

Message from Si

Blackpool Illuminations: Ride the Lights on 29 August 2023

As Si says: it’s a great night. Slow light trails all night.

Enjoy the Lights and promenade from Starr Gate to Bispham – while it’s closed to traffic for one night only. Come along on your push bike or on foot for an evening of fun in the Lights!

Literally tens of thousands of people turn up, dressed in all kinds of trimmings, lights, costumes and fancy dress (or maybe not!) for an evening of great family fun on the sea front. Further details: Blackpool Illuminations website.

Project

If you can cask your minds back to last August, we set up a 12 month project to members (thanks Rhona!), to photograph a subject once a month (if possible) over the 12 month period. This period was from September 2022 to August 2023 inclusive. Now, we are planning our first meeting – Wednesday 6th September – so, could all members who are participating in this project please email in (just to let us know) so that we can plan the timing of our first meeting – cheers.

Thanks to all who have responded to the above – anyone else?

Up and coming programme of events:

• August 2nd – No meeting
• August 5^th – Saturday. Garstang Show: Please don’t forget we will have a stand at the show and we look forward to welcoming you all throughout the day! AND, The Garstang Show is the FINAL Events Cup Destination.
• August 9^th – Meet in the Arts Centre. PLEASE bring your cameras and whatever accessories you may need. We will draw different themes from a ‘hat’ and the idea is you go around Garstang and take photographs that mirror your theme. Then back to the Arts Centre for a brew and possible showing or discussion!
• August 16th – Rheged near Penrith. See above for details from Lewis.
• August 23rd – No meeting as there is a committee meeting at 7pm.
• August 29^th (Tuesday) – Ride the Lights – see above from Si.
• August 30th – No meeting.
• August 31^st (Thursday) – Trip to Heysham and area with Morecambe Camera Club (MCC), 7.30 – 9pm. If you remember MCC ‘visited’ us, in Garstang, back in May and this is a return get-together. We will split into groups of 2/3 and MCC will show us around Heysham and area for the best photographic vistas! We can arrange possible car-sharing nearer the time. Results will be shown and discussed on Thursday 28^th September at their club-house. We do hope that as many members will take part as possible; we need a good turnout please!
• September 2^nd (Saturday) – ‘Paint Garstang’. This is the 2nd ‘Plein Air’ open Art Competition organised by the Arts Centre. ‘Painting’ begins at 9am until 4pm and the judging and presentation of prizes is 4pm – 5pm. They have asked us, at the camera club, to capture the day’s events as part of the occasion. We would really appreciate members to take part, even if only for a couple of hours! Considering the current weather conditions, it may give a whole new meaning to the term ‘Water’ colours!’ If you are willing to partake in this venture, please just let us know – cheers!
• September 6th – First meeting of the new ‘season.’ We have several ideas/thoughts for our first meeting, however, if anyone has any ideas that they think should be incorporated into the meeting please email in – any suggestions considered!

That’s all folks, and try and enjoy the weather!

Mike and Lewis