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

Morning All

Rain, rain go away, come again another day! I don’t think I’ve ever seen our garden such a deep green in mid-July! Anyone else noticed such a scarcity of butterflies? Bees ok and wasps appearing, but butterflies? I’ve seen a few Red Admirals and Commas and 1 Peacock; climate change, eh?

Message from Stan

I have some analogue videos on VHS tape. Does any club member know how I could convert this it digital and put it on a DVD or memory stick?

Project

If you can cask your minds back to last August/September, 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 6^th 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.

Reminder

As we are sure you are aware we will have our usual ‘stand’ at Garstang Show on Saturday 5th August. If any member would like us to display their prints please bring them to the Arts Centre on Wednesday 26th July – 2 or 3 per member would be great – cheers!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 26th July: Presentation and images from Stan and Mike about an outing planned on Thursday 13th July at Southport Hillside Golf Club plus images from the Lancaster Grand Prix and also a presentation about The Environmental Photographer of the Year 2023, winners and shortlisted images. Some crackers here and all with a back-story!

Also, don’t forget, if you went to Brockholes and would like to show some/any images please bring them along to ‘show and tell.’ Same applies to last Wednesday’s Scorton visit, again ‘show and tell.’ We have had a few of these ‘show and tell’ presentations lately and they are proving very successful, entertaining and valuable for members.

Wednesday 2nd August: Details to follow.

Saturday 5th August – 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.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Afternoon All

Late today ‘cos Dave and I have been out photographing the Lancaster Cycling Grand Prix in rural Lancashire – sunny and warm it wasn’t! best described as autumnal, we nearly had to wear gloves. Of course, this afternoon, since we left, the sun has come out and it is almost warm! Hey ho!

Message from Stan

A friend of a neighbour is selling a Leica camera.

He’s called Russ and his number is 07788866634 and he’s looking for £240.

I do not know Russ and hence I cannot vouch for him or the camera.

See attached images. If you are interested, please contact Russ directly – cheers.

Bowgreave Care Home

If you remember, we asked members to submit images which the care home may like. Lewis sent 51 images to Sheron (Hall, Service Officer). Sheron replied saying ‘What a great response from the camera club.’ She will make the photograph decisions and let us know – thanks to all.

Message from Ian Mulroy (Exhibition Coordinator, Lytham St Annes Photographic Society).

Photoshow 2023

The Lytham St Annes Photographic Society is celebrating its 75th year of which the annual Photoshow is an integral part.

Photoshow is one of, if not ‘the’, largest photographic exhibitions in the Northwest of England and features 300 large prints and a continuous projection of 328 digital images.

Entrance is FREE and there’s plenty of FREE parking around the church hall and in neighbouring streets.

Opening times are Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm; Saturdays 10am to 5pm; Closed on Sundays.

Photoshow opens on Saturday 5th August and closes on Saturday 19th August at 2pm.

The venue is the Drive Methodist Church Hall which is situated at the junction of Clifton Drive South and East Bank Road, St Annes. FY8 1ND.

It’s a 5 minute walk to St Annes Square and a 1 minute walk to the Promenade from the exhibition.

We look forward to seeing you. See attached flyer.

Message from Sarah Keast

Lewis, I blame you! Oh, and what lenses do you have please, struggling to decide.

I am seriously looking into selling my Canon set up, 7D mk2, 100-400, 24-105, 180 macro, 11-20ish wide, tubes n extender, etc etc. Drop me a line if interested; sarah-keast@hotmail.com

Looking at the Olympus OM DE1 mk3, think I got the letters right, still pondering lenses. So many options! Anyone got any recommendations or input?

Or other recommendations for lighter weight, not too expensive kit?

If interested please contact Sarah directly – cheers.

Message from Si

Soap Box Derby – Longridge. Sunday 17th September, Start Time 10am

Anyone going or thinking of going? If so, Si would like to come along and join in. Please email in and let me know and we will see what we can organise – cheers.

Garstang Show

As we are sure you are all aware we will have our usual ‘stand’ at Garstang Show on Saturday 5th August. If any member would like us to display their prints please bring them to the Arts Centre on Wednesday 26th July – 2 or 3 per member would be great – cheers!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 19th July: Club outing to Scorton; Park in Scorton and meet outside the Priory Café at 7.30pm. Plenty to ‘take’ in and around plus later possible light trial photography from the M6 bridge – long exposure photography – sun sets at 9.30pm.

Wednesday 26th July: Presentation and images from Stan and Mike about an outing on Thursday 13th July at Southport Hillside Golf Club plus other items scheduled; Also, if you went to Brockholes and would like to show some/any images please bring them along to ‘show and tell.’ Same applies to next Wednesday’s Scorton visit, again ‘show and tell.’ We have had a few of these ‘show and tell’ presentations lately and they are proving very successful, entertaining and valuable for members. Don’t be shy, have a go!

Wednesday 2nd August: Details to follow.

Saturday 5th August – 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. More details will follow later.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

Petrichor! What?

Petrichor – describes the unique, earthy scent associated with rain on dry soil. It is caused by the water from the rain, along with certain compounds like ozone, geosmin, and plant oils.

Educational newsletter this week; good word for a crossword or pub quiz answer!

What’s this got to do with photography? Absolutely nothing!

Cherry picker arrived Thursday so now ‘back-on;’ didn’t realise how much we missed the internet!

Message from Si

I have one of the crystal balls uses for photography which i no longer use. If anyone would want it all they need to do is collect it.

Message from Lewis: Just in case you missed it:

You may recall that a few months ago we were approached about the possibility of supplying photographs to be displayed in the new residential/care home being built in Bowgreave. Things may have seemed to go very quiet but there has been intermittent contact with Sheron Hall, the Lancashire County council coordinator for this.

They have decided to ask for 5 xA3 photographs to be displayed one in each lounge. We have agreed to send digital copies of photographs to Sheron. They will decide on the final five and then we will arrange to have them printed, or collect the printed version if you have one.

The remit is fairly loose- photographs taken in or around Garstang including, for example, the local area of the Fylde coast, Bleasdale, Forest of Bowland etc. They need to be suitable for display in this environment. We guess that content and subject will be deemed more important than technical excellence. If you have any photos, you think would be suitable and would like to offer for this worthwhile venture, please email them to the club email by Saturday July 8^th.

Many thanks to those members who have already sent their images in.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 21^st June, camera club meeting:

• A short presentation by Stan on titled ‘Preston Pretty Muddy’
• Images from Gresgarth Gardens; if you managed to get to this Events Cup destination, please ‘show and tell’ about any images you may wish to share. Please bring them along on a USB ‘stick’ or send them to me and I will add them to the PowerPoint presentation.
• Images from Morecambe trip with Lee Metcalf; again, same as above for some ‘show and tell’ images.
• A selection of images from ‘The Food photos of the year’ – more than what you may think! With background/backstory commentary.

Wednesday 12^th July: Early notice – Events Cup, 4^th destination, is Brockholes; further info later.

Sunday 16^th July: British Cycling ‘Lancaster GP’

• Men’s event will start at 9:00am from Williamson Park and be 10 laps of a 14.5Km circuit making a total distance of 152Km. There will be a total of 2800m of climbing during the race.
• Women’s event will start at 2:45apm from Williamson Park and be 6 laps of a 14.5Km circuit making a total distance of 94Km. There will be a total of 1700m of climbing during the race.

You may be interested in the above and attached is the route and elevation. I usually go and know where to stand for a good view/photos; good practice for panning; plus, nearby parking, free!

If you want further info just email in.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Afternoon All

Wonderful weather, Butterflies emerging and rain on the way; thunder storms – images? And, Boris gone and Trump in trouble – who would want to be a politician?

Message from Stan

Stan says – “I would like to buy a Canon EF 100mm – 400mm f/4.5 – 5.6L IS USM Lens. Please ask our members if anyone has one they wish to sell.”

Stan’s contact details are:

Tel: 01772 864120

Email: stanley.pearson@talktalk.net

Message from Michael:

Exhibition

Please check out: Lancashire Photography Festival Exhibition in Preston from this June. The UK’s biggest outdoor photography festival launches in Preston this June displaying major projects from several internationally-acclaimed photographers.

All info on line – looks very good!

Wednesday 14^th June

Regrettably, I will have to scrub this coming Wednesdays’ meeting (14^th June), due to the Ainsdale Dunes trip being cancelled, for the reasons detailed below.

We were going to discuss this trip and show images, also I was going to put together some other items I have on my list, but fate has intervened! I have no internet connection; (I’m typing this at my son’s house); it’s a long story but the nub is we are waiting for a cherry picker to fix the wire from our house to across the road to the ‘connection-box’ and I have been told they will hope to do this by next Friday!

So, I haven’t been able to do research on the topics I was going to show! So, no preparation!

However, I’m sure we will be able to meet the following Wednesday 21^st June. Normal service will be resumed.

So, we have the 3^rd Events Cup destination (Gresgarth Gardens) and Lee Metcalf’s trip to Morecambe so if anyone would like to show any images, taken on these 2 outings, on the 21^st that would be great; either bring them in on a stick or send them to me but after next Friday, the 16^th June!

Unfortunately, the Ainsdale Dunes trip was cancelled due to very poor conditions; email below from Trevor explaining the reason why:

Hello Michael,

I trust you got my email earlier this week; as mentioned I expected the drought to be a problem but the following explains the situation I have found:

On Wednesday this week I did a full recce of the area to the north of the Ainsdale entrance to the beach. This is an area known as the “Green Beaches”. This area had several thousand Marsh Orchids last year and many bee orchids too. This year I found just a few stunted specimens. The area is also good for both Northern Dune Tiger Beetles and a number of rare plants and insects. Sadly, I found no NDTB and very little else. This morning I have spent hours in the dunes and slacks to the south of the beach entrance, and again the area is completely droughted. The dunes are usually good for a number of orchid species at this time but I found nothing.

I can usually find hundreds of bee orchids – sometimes thousands, and a lot of Southern Marsh and other orchids. They aren’t there at the moment. Even Dune specialists such as Hound’s Tongue are stunted.

We had just one day with recorded rain in May, and April was poor for rain here too. I can usually find any number of caterpillars and butterflies but both recce’s yielded almost nothing.

Under these circumstances I am going to recommend that your group should not travel; there is little of interest to photograph I’m afraid and I would hate for you to see this lovely area in this condition.

We have had a succession of spring droughts here in recent years. They are having a very serious effect on many of the wildlife species that live here. The Natterjacks Toads have failed as a breeding species for the past two to three years. Even the butterflies all seem small this year due to lack of food plant.

I am sorry to disappoint you since this has been looked forward to for a long time. I was scheduled to take my own Southport P.S. into the slacks on Monday and have had to cancel that for the above reasons.

Whilst holiday-makers and sun worshippers love these long dry periods, they really play havoc with wildlife, and I know our local farmers are almost desperate for rain.

Climate change, eh?

Up and coming programme of events:

• Sunday 11th June – Events Cup 3rd destination to Gresgarth Gardens. 11am – 5pm.
• Wednesday 14th June – No meeting
• Wednesday 21^st June – Various images perhaps from Gresgarth Gardens, Morecambe or other images taken by members during the last month. Please bring them in on a ‘stick’ or email them in – I’ll also bring my computer to use Lightroom/Photoshop.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

Short and sweet today – grandchildren staying!

Events Cup

• Third Events destination
• Gresgarth Gardens
• Sunday 11^th June; Garden open to the general public, 11-5pm.
• Entrance: £12.00 pp

Address:

Gresgarth Hall, Caton, Lancaster, LA2 9NB

Directions:

Take the M6 to junction 34, then A683 to Caton (2 miles), turn right towards Quernmore, along the Quernmore Road and after half a mile you reach the entrance on your left on the sharp bend. There are, of course, other ways of getting there!

Telephone enquiries: 01524 771 838

Up and coming programme of events:

• Wednesday 7th June – trip to Ainsdale Dunes. So, no actual meeting in the Arts Centre – the ‘trip’ is the meeting. There are still places available if you want to come along – please email in now if you are interested.
• Sunday 11th June – Events Cup 3rd destination to Gresgarth Gardens. See above.
• Wednesday 14th June – review of trip to Ainsdale Dunes and review/presentation of images; use of Lightroom and/or Photoshop on the images.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis