Morning All

Underwater photography anyone?
Having just returned from a few days in North Norfolk, I can say, with some conviction, it’s warm up here! I’ve rarely been so cold and so blown away, not metaphorically either! One high point was a visit to a new reserve, The Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve run by the Hawk and Owl Trust.
Very well set out and very helpful people running it. It’s home to 200 acres of diverse habitat that runs alongside the river Wensum. Great hides, 8 in all, and each had a bird almanack for identification.
Many very large bird feeders which, of course, attracted the usual ‘bunch’ of suspects but also included Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit and Bull Finch amongst others. Of course, I ended up with photographs of ‘birds on a stick’ but hey ho, you have to grab what you can!
If you are in the area well worth a visit.

Notices:

Garstang Arts Centre up-date:
I’ve attached an email from Madeline McLean – assistant Curator:

The Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival:
The Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival will take place on Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 6–9 PM. Photo opportunity especially for the 2026 calendar.

Christmas Tree:
Items needed! Please bring along any items you think would be appropriate as soon as poss and pass them on to Freda. Our ‘tree’ will be in position in St. Thomas’s Church for Thursday 5^th December, 10 days’ time, with the festival on the Friday 6^th & Saturday 7^th.

The Arts Centre website:
New images are needed, from members, to put on the Arts Centre website. If you look at the website there are images there but they are out of date. So please, submit up to 6 images of your own you would like to display and I’ll co-ordinate them and send them to Vanessa. Please send any images in now.

Saturday 14th December:
Coffee morning! This is the last coffee morning of the year and let’s hope it is without incident! Please bring along anything edible – it all helps to add funds to our coffers!

Wednesday 18th December:
Last reminder! Last orders! We are having a change this year; instead of a hot pot supper we are Pies, Peas and Puddings Supper at only £10 pp.
We are having Hamlets pies – a choice of either Meat & Potato Pie, Cheese and Onion Pie or Butter Pie. Served with beetroot, mushy pies and pickles; also available will be cherry tomatoes, and salad.
Puddings will be a mixture of party type desserts, for example profiteroles, mini tarts and cheesecakes.
Freda is now coordinating and is collecting names! Open to all members and their respective wives/husbands/partners etc – please support the club and there will be a quiz with prizes!
Please note: If you are coming you will need to order your pie selection when you book. Freda will need this info ASAP.
Also, we will need, please, some prizes for the raffle – any donations will be very gratefully received! Please bring in prizes from Wednesday 27^th November – ta!

From Stan:
One member asked for “anything to do with colour theory and colour balance “
So, I’ve attached, from Stan, a couple of items on the ‘colour wheel’ which may be of interest to all members – thanks Stan.

Coffee/tea duty:
Sorry, can’t remember who is on the rota for next Wednesday – but, thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 27th November: Environment Cup judging by Will Stead.

Wednesday 4th December: Paul Mitchell: Via Zoom. Woodland Walks.
Paul writes: ‘Woodland Ways’ This talk centres around some of Paul’s favourite woodland locations including Burnham Beeches, Savernake Forest and various locations throughout the UK. Paul’s talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images and prints made throughout the four seasons.

That’s all folks and see you on Wednesday.

Cheers

Mike

Morning All

Another grey week and rain this morning; looks like it’s going to brighten up though.

Notices:
Programme 2025/26
I’ve attached the results of the programme survey for you to have a look at. Many thanks to all members who managed to vote.

18th December:
It’s beginning to feel a lot like………. sorry!
I think Christmas began in Aldi on September 7^th; there is so much ‘stuff’ on the shelves that they have hardly any room for their Easter Eggs!
However, if you have been looking at the programme lately you will see that 5 weeks on Wednesday, we are having our Christmas social meeting/quiz. Oh no I hear you cry!
We are having a change this year; instead of a hot pot supper we are Pies, Peas and Puddings Supper at only £10 pp.
We are having Hamlets pies – a choice of either Meat & Potato Pie, Cheese and Onion Pie or Butter Pie. Served with beetroot, mushy pies and pickles; also available will be cherry tomatoes, and salad.
Puddings will be a mixture of party type desserts, for example profiteroles, mini tarts and cheesecakes.
Freda is now coordinating and beginning to collect names! Open to all members and their respective wives/husbands/partners etc – please support the club and there will be a quiz with prizes!
Please note: If you are coming you will need to order your pie selection when you book. Freda will need this info ASAP.
Also, we will need, please, some prizes for the raffle – any donations will be very gratefully received!

Garstang Victorian Christmas festival
The Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival will take place on Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 6–9 PM.
Cameras ready? This is a great opportunity to get out and about and hone your skills in a busy, loud and dark environment! This is exactly the type of photography that could be submitted for the 2026 calendar – if we go ahead!
Also, I thought it might be an idea to show any images on our members evening on the 11^th December; the good, bad and indifferent!

Christmas Tree:
We have been asked to set up a Christmas tree in St. Thomas’s Church for Thursday 5^th December with the festival on the Friday & Saturday and I have a wooden one about 100cm tall which Maurice has very kindly agreed to ‘spruce’ up and make presentable! Thanks Maurice.
Freda has volunteered(!) to co-ordinate this venture and we’re thinking along the lines of old camera items which were used perhaps 30/40 years ago to decorate said tree! Plus, any other items you can think of.
Please bring along any items you think would be appropriate as soon as poss then we can start to organise!

Members Evening, next Wednesday, 13^th;
various topics, including:
Images for the Arts Centre website.
Programme 2025/26 update.
Calendar 2026?

Members evening 11th December.
Christmas meeting.
Xmas tree.
Bird photographer of the year 2024.
The 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Plus, others!

4 Way Battle: Thursday 14th November:
The address is:
The Well Church Hall, 96 St Albans Road, St Annes, FY8 1UZ.
There is a small car park next to the hall (St Albans Road Car Park) or on street parking around the area. Please don’t park inside the fenced area of the hall.
It starts at 7:30 and doors will be open from about 7pm.
The judge is Colin Douglas from St Helens.
It is 19 miles and takes about 35 mins from Kirkland Memorial Hall.
If you are going and want to car-share I suggest we meet up at Kirkland Memorial Hall, Churchtown at 6.20pm to leave at 6.30pm. If you are going to meet up here, please let me know so I know who’s coming – cheers.
If you are going under your own steam, so to speak, that’s absolutely fine but please let me know ‘cos I can then give the organiser some expected numbers going from our club – many thanks.

Coffee/tea duty:
Freda and Robin are on the rota for next Wednesday – thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 13th November: Members evening. See above.

Thursday 14th November: 4 Way Battle. See above.

Wednesday 20th November: Muriel Binnie ‘Live’ with a talk titled ‘ICM and Me.’
She writes: A lifelong interest in enjoying art, design and architecture lead me back to photography and I would now describe myself as an abstract landscape photographer. I use intentional camera movement (ICM) and sometimes multiple exposures to create an impression of a scene and my response to it. But I want to leave space for the viewer to pause and make their own interpretation. Favourite subjects are seascapes and landscapes – especially mountains, though I find them a challenging subject.

Wednesday 27th November: Environment Cup judging by Will Stead.

Wednesday 4^th December: Paul Mitchell: Via Zoom. Woodland Walks.

That’s all folks, see you Wednesday

Cheers

Mike

Morning All

Still too overcast and foggy for those owls! I’ll be in touch soon, hopefully!

Notices:

Programme 2025/26
If you didn’t make last Wednesday’s meeting, I’ve attached a form listing possible genres ideas for speakers. If you have time, please complete the form. Or just send me a list in an email.

For the form please follow the instructions below:
√ tick the genres you would particularly like to see.
X the genres you aren’t keen on.
Leave blank those genres you are neither for or against.
Other comments: possible thoughts/suggestions.
Other hobbies you may have that a speaker could enhance.
Please email to: info@garstangcameraclub.co.ukas soon as possible please! Ta.

Wednesday 13th November:
We have a members evening on the above date: at the moment some things are planned but not enough to ‘fill’ the evening! Does anyone what to see/do anything specific? All suggestions considered! PLEASE let me know any ideas! – thanks.

Bispham Photographic Society:
If you remember I reported that Bispham PS had folded due to insufficient members and they had some equipment to get rid of. So, Stan and I visited Ian White, acting chair, and collected an array of gear which may be of use for any members to borrow. Many thanks here to Ian for working out how the ‘new’ lamps etc work!
Once I have listed and photographed the gear (and perhaps in a future members evening demonstrated it) I will let everyone know.

Christmas Tree:
We have been asked to set up a Christmas tree for a local church. I have a wooden one about 100cm tall. The setting up will probably be Thursday 5th of December with the festival on the Friday & Saturday. So, we’re thinking along the lines of old camera items which were used perhaps 30/40 years ago to decorate said tree! Plus, any other items you can think of. Please bring along any items you think would be appropriate as soon as poss then we can start to organise!

4 Way Battle:
Thursday 14th November:
The correct address is:
The Well Church Hall, 96 St Albans Road, St Annes, FY8 1UZ.
There is a small car park next to the hall (St Albans Road Car Park) or on street parking around the area. Please don’t park inside the fenced area of the hall.
It starts at 7:30 and doors will be open from about 7pm.
The judge is Colin Douglas from St Helens.
It is 19 miles and takes about 35 mins from Kirkland Memorial Hall.
If you are going and want to car-share I suggest we meet up at Kirkland Memorial Hall, Churchtown at 6.20pm to leave at 6.30pm. If you are going to meet up here, please let me know so I know who’s coming – cheers.
If you are going under your own steam, so to speak, that’s absolutely fine but please let me know ‘cos I can then give the organiser some expected numbers going from our club – many thanks.

Alan Cameron:
I’ve attached some images that Alan has sent for his talk next Wednesday – ‘‘Travels in Southern India.”

Coffee/tea duty:
Maurice and Sharon are on the rota for next Wednesday – thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 13th November: Members evening. See above.

Thursday 14th November: 4 Way Battle. See above.

Wednesday 20th November: Muriel Binnie ‘Live’ with a talk titled ‘ICM and Me.’

Wednesday 27th November: Environment Cup judging by Will Stead.

That’s all folks, see you Wednesday

Cheers

Mike

Morning All
Autumn colours appearing – get out with that camera!

Notices
Owls:
Stan and I visited Steve and the following is on offer:
Optimum group size per visit – 4/5
Weekdays and/or weekends visits available.
Cost £45 per person; cash is preferred but will accept cheque or pay by banker’s order.
Up to 90 mins
It will be very much last-minute.com! the weather has to play ball! Preferably no rain and little wind and fairly bright – not easy weather to forecast!
Steve has 7 owls, all of which will be sitting on posts and 3 or 4 will be flying; moulting has just about finished so should be in good nick! The Snowy Owl looked particularly splendid!
The sitting owls will be in his large back garden for us to photograph but the flying will take place in a large field adjoining his house. He will put up very realistic fences/posts and the owls will fly FREE of tassels and jesses – so no awkward photoshop editing. The background isn’t too bad and the owls tend to fly at head height or below.
Steve seems a genuine guy and will do his very best to ensure all have the images they want – well in theory!
The following members have expressed an interest – if your name is not listed below, please contact me asap so that I can organise trips. If you have changed your mind just let me know, it’s no problem. If you didn’t put your name forward but would like to please get in touch, again asap. Ta.
– Anne, Stan, Michael, Freda, Sharon, Dave, Elaine A. Sue, Adrian, Robin, Paul H. Mike.

When I firm up bookings, I will send out maps. Steve lives almost opposite Billy Bobs on the A6 – 10 mins from Garstang.

Exhibition Prints:
We will be taking down the prints on this Wednesday, 16^th, so if you have had any prints on display, please bring in something to take them home – ta.

Anyone help? A message from Dianne:
I received the following email the other day.

Hello,
I’m still using film – have a Minolta dynax 500SI bought 25 years ago usually with a 28-105mm lens.I’ve had some great pix over the years.
but… just got back from a trip to Central Asia the pix were universally terrible. Was using Fuji and Kodak films, the Fuji ones were all sepia, the kodak ones were less sepia, but with a bluish / greenish tinge.
They all were in date, but had been through multiple hand luggage airport screenings, possibly occasional exposure to higher temperatures (but nothing extreme). Nothing different to how previous trips.
Any suggestions? I can’t see how this could be due to the camera – the films were developed and printed at the same time.
Dianne

If you have any thoughts/suggestions or could help please email in to me – info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk – and I will forward them on – cheers.

Battles voting:
All the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed images, from our 5 internal competitions, will be put forward automatically for selection. Any member can submit up to 3 further image(s) to be included. Many thanks to those who already have.
The deadline for this is Sunday the 13th October – that’s today, midnight!
Voting takes place next Wednesday, 16th October. This voting will be anonymous and voting slips will be provided – please bring along a pen/pencil, it will help – cheers.
The top 20 will cover the first 2 Battles and the top 30 will cover the NZ Battle.

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 submitting prints and need them mounting, the ideal deadline for Sharon, Fine Arts, Garstang is 16^th October. However, as I have said before if you are ‘behind schedule’ I’m sure she will do her best!
Last date for entry is Wednesday 30^th October.
If any member needs help/advice on anything to do with competition entries please email me on the usual address – info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk – it’s no problem, honest!

Members Evening – 30^th October:
Members showing macro and/or close-up images using techniques, if poss, from Justin’s practical macro workshop last week. Please take part showing the good, bad and the average.

Up and coming programme of events

Wednesday 16th October: Events Cup judging, ‘Live’. Our first internal competition, The Events Cup, judged by Harry Emmet. We have 44 entries in total. Plus, voting on the images submitted for the 4 Way Battles and the 2 Way Battle – see above.

Wednesday 23rd October: Bernard Rose: ‘Live.’ “1970’s and beyond”.

Wednesday 30th October: Members evening; The selected images for the 4 Way Battles and the 2 Way Battle revealed, and, show and tell your macro shots, plus other items!

Wednesday 6th November: Alan Cameron: ‘Live.’ Talk titled ‘‘Travels in Southern India.’

That’s all folks, see you Wednesday

Mike

Afternoon All
The images attached are from Steve Walker, our next speaker, to give you a flavour of his talk.

Notices:
Programme 2025 – 2026:
We have formed a sub-committee to discuss the next seasons programme to start to put together a plan.
Interested?
Meetings? Yes, there will be some, usually in Booth’s café! It will involve chatting about the content and the types and subjects of talks and presentations. It will not involve email and organising speakers, but it will give you the opportunity to voice your opinion.
If you are interested, please email in on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk thanks.

Battles:
The first (4 Way) Battle is being organised; between Lytham, North Fylde and Poulton and us. For this first Battle, our entry must consist of 20 images with no more than 3 images from any one member.

How the selection process works.
All the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed images, from our 5 internal competitions, will be put forward automatically for selection. Any member can further submit image(s) to be included.
When submitting images for the Battles please: –
1. Give the image a title
2. Do not include your competition number
3. Do not include the image number
4. Do not include any images used in previous Battles
5. 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
6. Submit a maximum of 3 images
7. Send by email to info@gcccamera8.Include your name in the email
8 .Do not send by WeTransfer
9. The deadline for this is Sunday the 13th October

If any member needs any help just get in contact via email or speak to us during next Wednesday’s meeting – it’s no problem.
On Wednesday 16th October, after the Events Cup judging, all images will be shown and all members present will have the opportunity to vote on each image – scoring between 12 – 20 marks. Voting will be anonymous. The top 20 chosen will be submitted as our entry into the Battles.
The 20 chosen selected images will be shown on Wednesday 30th October.

30th October – members evening:
Members showing macro and/or close-up images using techniques, if poss, from Justin’s practical macro workshop last week. Please take part showing the good, bad and the average.

Coffee/tea duty:
Michael and John G. are on the rota for next Wednesday – thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 9^th October: Steve Walker: ‘Live.’ My personal account and experiences of paid photoshoots. It covers a number of genres including nature, portraiture, steam trains, dance, architecture and others.

Wednesday 16^th October: Events Cup judging, ‘Live’. Our first internal competition, The Events Cup, judged by Harry Emmet. We have 44 entries in total. Plus, voting on the images submitted for the 4 Way Battles and the 2 Way Battle.

Wednesday 23^rd October: Bernard Rose: ‘Live.’ “1970’s and beyond”.

Wednesday 30^th October: Members evening; The selected images for the 4 Way Battle revealed, show and tell that is your macro shots, plus other items!

That’s all folks, see you Wednesday

Cheers

Mike

Afternoon All

Coffee morning – what happened!
Well, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know! I assumed, naively, that because we had our print exhibition up and running and we were running the coffee morning that the main room was ours – not so, not so fast, we should have booked it!
And, unknown to me, until Thursday, there was a craft fair running which meant we couldn’t even show our slideshow! Then, Saturday morning Elaine and I turned up at 9am to run the coffee morning and somebody else was there running it! Double booked!
The upshot is that Elaine (thanks Elaine!), managed to WhatsApp everyone and I managed to phone others.
The main disappointing and very frustrating outcome is that the club missed out on swelling our coffers to help with our finance and a lot of members had put time and effort into making some excellent edible products.
So, a big thanks to all who baked/cooked and a positive outcome is that we will have cake for the next few Wednesday meetings!
The future of our coffee mornings is now under discussion!

Notices:
Critiquing:
Huge thanks to John for last Wednesday’s critiquing session and all the time and effort you put in which made for a very successful evening, I’m sure we all learnt something. And, thanks to all members for sending in their images, without which the evening wouldn’t have happened!

Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Society (LACPU).
Please find attached rules for the above competition. It’s The Annual Club Knockout Competition. Would anyone like to organise?

Programme 2025/26:
Believe it or not we are now at the beginning of the process of compiling next year’s programme. We need to start now to ensure we get the speakers, either ‘live’ of via Zoom, that we want.
So, if any members wish to contribute any ideas for content, PLEASE get in touch as soon as possible on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk  Don’t forget this is your club and talks/speakers represent about 50% of the programme and if you would like a particular topic/theme/subject NOW is the time to voice your opinion!
If you would like a particular topic/theme/subject NOW is the time to voice your opinion! Everything considered!

30th October – members evening:
Members showing macro and/or close-up images using techniques, if poss, from Justin’s practical macro workshop last week. Please take part showing the good, bad and the average.

Coffee/tea duty:
Paul C. and Elaine A. are on the rota for next Wednesday – thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 2nd October: Eddie Leach: ‘Live.’ The talk is titled “If you do it differently don’t ever change”. The first half is composites and portraits and the second half is sport.

Wednesday 9th October: Steve Walker: ‘Live.’ My personal account and experiences of paid photoshoots. It covers a number of genres including nature, portraiture, steam trains, dance, architecture and others.
I appreciate that not everyone is willing to pay for such opportunities and it is only something I might do two or three times a year. I will look at the pros and cons and give my view on how to make the most of these opportunities.

Wednesday 16th October: Events Cup judging, ‘Live’. Our first internal competition, The Events Cup, judged by Harry Emmet. We have 44 entries in total.

Wednesday 23^rd October: Bernard Rose: ‘Live.’ “1970s & beyond”

That’s all for now folks, see you Wednesday

Cheers

Mike

Morning All

Great news: if you remember a few weeks ago we sent, to Peter Frankish, 19 Lake District images, taken by some of our members, for him to mount and frame and sell on to raise money for the St Catherines Hospice Care.
Well, Peter has very recently, sent me 2 emails, see below. Well done to Stan and Lewis!

Email 1 – You will be pleased to know we enjoyed early success yesterday at the Ladies Friendship group in Garstang.
We held a raffle for the winner to be able to pick any picture on display. The winner chose Stan’s Ashness Jetty, from about 50 options to choose from. The raffle raised £67 but the winner then donated a further £5. So effectively our records show a contribution of £72 from Stan’s kind donation. Please let him know and thank him from the team.

Email 2 – You may remember I was at Calder Vale WI on Thursday. A lovely little lady thought she wanted a Lakes photo but wasn’t sure about size for her wall. So, I went round to see her today and she has just bought Lewis’s Blea Tarn. It is hanging beautifully above her fireplace and a photo of her late husband.

Both images are attached for you – who says you can’t make money from photography!

Notices:

Plein Air Competition:
Many thanks to members who managed to get out and about with their cameras. We selected 24 images which are now at the printers and will be delivered to Sheila next week and these will then be shown, together with the actual paintings, in the Arts Centre in due course.

Coffee morning:
The camera club is hosting a coffee morning, in the Arts Centre, on Saturday 28th September. This will coincide with our print exhibition, the ‘The Garstang Photographic Competition,’ a slide show of our latest digital images and the ‘Plein Air Competition’ (see above). So, lots going on!
As usual, we are looking for cakes etc to sell on the morning, it’s going to be busy, so, please contribute something edible and let Mike know so we can organise accordingly – ta!

Message from John G.
As he mentioned at the last meeting, if anyone has an old 8mm cine projector capable of playing films with sound, I would be very keen to borrow it to digitise a film I am currently working on. If you have or you know someone who has please contact Mike on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I’ll pass the message on or speak to John next time you see him – thanks for any help.

Owls:
I’ve been in touch with Steve (Owls), again, and said the consensus of the members is to photograph the owls in flight, not just on a perch. He has replied that maybe in 3 or 4 weeks’ time, 2 maybe be ready and he will be back in touch to give us an update.

Badgers:
The link, below, looks good (plenty of info) re Badger photography from hide in Haweswater for small groups run by RSPB – https://events.rspb.org.uk/browse?filter[schedule]=3160
Looks like this will be next year – April? So, if you are interested just register that with me – cheers.

Calendar:
The Art Centre calendar is now on sale and Adrian will have some ready for you to buy, on Wednesday, at only £8.50.

Events Cup:
A reminder! The last date for entry is Wednesday 18th September – 3 days! Please bring in any prints and your digital image on a USB ‘stick’ this Wednesday.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday September 18th: Justin Garner: ‘Live.’ Macro workshop; set ups include watches, flowers and others! Plus, focus stacking. This session/talk is linked to the Members Evening on 30th October – ‘Show and Tell’. I’ve been in touch with Justin and it looks like an exciting evening, not too be missed!

Wednesday 25th September: Members Evening with John Moxham, on image critiques. Many thanks to all members who have sent some images in.

Saturday 28th September: Camera Club coffee morning – see above!

Wednesday 2^nd October: Eddie Leach: ‘Live.’ I do portraits, sports and composites. My talks are generally a mix of all three or on the creative side of my photography.

That’s all for now folks,
Cheers

Mike

Afternoon All
 A huge thank you to Stan for organising, running and giving a short talk and presentation to the winners of the ‘The Garstang Photographic Competition;’ it was very well received and we had the top 5 winners at last Wednesday’s meeting – so thanks again Stan! 
Also, thanks to the 19 members who managed to enter the inaugural ‘Opening Night Competition’; the votes have been counted and the average scores calculated and the winner, with image, will be announced during next Wednesday’s meeting. 
Finally, many thanks to those members who managed a few minutes/hours photographing the ‘Plein Air Competition;’ there were 24 artists dotted around Garstang, and the weather was warm bordering on hot, that’s nice change, though one or two of the artists complained their paint was drying too quick, can’t please everyone! 
Images? Well, I’m collating them all and then first of all they will then get sent to Adrian, who, together with Sue, is producing an Audio Video (AV) production for the Arts Centre. 
Secondly, following a chat with Shiela, who is the main organiser, I may select, say, 20 images, get them printed and mounted and these will then be shown in an exhibition, together with the artist’s work, from 21st September in the Arts Centre café. Our contribution has yet to be confirmed.
 
Notices
 
From Adrian 
If anyone has a ‘sunrise-over-the canal’ image, not necessarily a competition winner, could they please send it to him on adrianwhitaker@btinternet.com he needs it for the AV, thanks.
 
From Peter Frankish
 This is the chap who organised ‘In the Frame,’ the collection of Lake District images we sent to him for him to mount and frame and sell on behalf of St Catherines Hospice Care. He has been in touch and is very happy with the images we sent. He is asking if anyone would like to help next Thursday, 12th September at Calder Vale WI. If you are interested, please email him on peter.frankish@outlook.com for further details.
 
Advance notice! 
The camera club is hosting a coffee morning, in the Arts Centre, on Saturday 28th September. This will coincide with our print exhibition, the ‘The Garstang Photographic Competition,’ a slide show of our latest digital images and the ‘Plein Air Competition’ (see above). So, lots going on! 
As usual, we are looking for cakes etc to sell on the morning, it’s going to be busy, so, please contribute something edible and let Mike know so we can organise accordingly – ta! 
Also, if anyone would like to help out, please contact Mike, we could do with 1 or 2 members to help serve – it’s really easy – honest!
 
Owls 
I’ve been in touch with Steve (Owls) and said the consensus of the members is to photograph the owls in flight, not just on a perch. I’m awaiting a reply but I think this will probably be in a few months’ time – I’ll keep everyone updated.
 
Badgers, from Dave 
The link, below, looks good (plenty of info) re Badger photography from hide in Haweswater for small groups run by RSPB – https://events.rspb.org.uk/browse?filter%5Bschedule%5D=3160 
I would definitely be interested. The only dates left for this year are Thursday 12th and Wednesday 13th September and in October 22nd and 24th. 
Event scheduled to run between 18.00 and 2300 but says in info generally active after sunset which I have found is 19.30 in September and 17.56 in October. 
Doesn’t run November through to March but hopefully will restart in April as they have in previous years if this is all too short notice. 
They let you know best time to arrive when you book and I think it would make a good group outing. 
I appreciate people may think badger on some grass is a bit like bird on a stick so may not be many if any takers but I certainly fancy going as I think Badgers are beautiful creatures and have never seen a real one in the wild. 
Thanks, Dave, for this info and I think, maybe, in October but April sounds promising. If anyone is interested get in touch with me on our usual address, info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I’ll start a list!
 
Club Exhibition: 
I think Maurice has all the prints, so thanks to all members for bringing them in.

 
Calendar: 
The Art Centre calendar is now on sale and Adrian will have some ready for you to buy, on Wednesday, at only £8.50.
 
Events Cup: 
A reminder! The last date for entry is Wednesday 18th September – 10 days!
 
Wednesday 25th September, image critique session by John. 
Again, thanks to members who have already sent images in but don’t forget the closing date for images is Saturday 14th September. 
So, please send in up to 4 images, one or two would be ok, anytime from now onwards to avoid disappointment. 
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 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!

 
Wednesday September 18th: Justin Garner: ‘Live.’ Macro workshop; set ups include watches, flowers and others! Plus, focus stacking. This session/talk is linked to the Members Evening on 30th October – ‘Show and Tell’. 
I’ve been in touch with Justin and it looks like an exciting evening, not too be missed!
 
Wednesday 25th September: Members Evening with John Moxham, on image critiques.
 
Saturday 28th September: Camera Club coffee morning – see above!
 
Phew, that’s all for now folks,
 
Cheers
 
Mike

Morning All
 
The first of September today, where does the year go, it’s now autumn and it’ll soon be C……..! Aghhhhhhhhhhhh! 
Huge thanks to John for an extremely interesting and very nostalgic talk last Wednesday – very entertaining. John has promised more but on a slightly different approach in another talk sometime in the future. 
We had a great photo-shoot at Garsdale Railway Station last Wednesday taking photographs of the Sir Nigel Gresley locomotive. Very, very wet going up the M6 but the clouds parted and the sun put its hat on just as the steam loco arrived – great day out – more to follow hopefully soon, but not necessarily the above engine – watch this space.
 
Notices:
 
Fees: 
Sorry folks but it’s that time of year! The subscriptions this year, just to remind you, are £58. Robin will be on the ‘door’ this Wednesday to begin collection!
 
Calendar: 
The Art Centre calendar is now on sale and Adrian will have some ready for you to buy, on Wednesday, at only £8.50. 
Please don’t forget the net money raised goes into the Centre’s ‘coffers’ which helps with the running costs and really benefits us, as a club, together with other societies that use the centre.
 
Events Cup: 
A quick reminder! The last date for entry is Wednesday 18th September – 17 days! And, if you are having any prints ‘mounted’ at the Fine Arts in Garstang they need to be with Sharon, if possible, by 4th September.
 
Owls: 
I’ve had an email from Steve from The Lancashire Owl Experience. 
He says: Hope you don’t mind me contacting you, just to see if any of your members would be interested in a group session to take Photographs of my small Owl collection; 7 in total. I have started doing Photographing sessions, and thought it might be of interest especially as I’m only based in Barton. 
I can do bespoke sessions to suit of an hour or 90 minutes depending on how many people etc, and would be a Static Display of the Birds set out on a large lawn at first and then if interested I could do another visit when the Birds are through moult and Flying for Photos in Flight etc. 
I am very flexible with days and times and can fit around you to organise a group session, during the week or weekends as this may suit some people? 
The price starts at £45 for an hour per person but goes down to £40 or even £35 for larger groups, also the time goes up as the groups get larger but price doesn’t go up for the extra time. 
If you are interested, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will contact Steve and get precise details and what we would what to photograph specifically. I’m thinking of owls in flight, mainly for practise, though I might get a decent image occasionally! Anyway, please let me know your thoughts – if any!

 
Paint in and around Garstang, The ‘Plein Air Competition’: 
Saturday 7th September: It starts at 9am and finishes at 4pm; Judging is at 4.30pm and prize giving at 5pm. As I have mentioned before we have been asked to take some photographs of the artists as they paint. These images could be straightforward or a little quirkier, it’s up to you! You don’t have to be there all day, just spare what time you can! It doesn’t really get going until about 10ish. 
Our images could/may be shown alongside some of the artists finished paintings in an exhibition – date to be arranged.
 
Club Exhibition: 
PLEASE bring in your winning prints on Wednesday 4th September and big thanks to those who have already! Maurice needs them in so that he can organise the display ready for the exhibition, many thanks.
 
Up and coming programme of events
 
Wednesday September 4th: Our first meeting of the season! – including our NEW ‘Opening Night Competition’, Garstang Camera Club Photographic Competition results and various projects, amongst other things!
 
Saturday 7th September: Paint Garstang ‘Plein Air Competition’ We have be tasked to take photographs of the artists painting! See under ‘Notices.’
 
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!
 
Wednesday September 18th: Justin Garner: ‘Live.’ Macro workshop; set ups include watches, flowers and others! Plus, focus stacking. This session/talk is linked to the Members Evening on 30th October – ‘Show and Tell’.
 
Wednesday 25th September: Members Evening with John Moxham, on image critiques.
 
That’s all for now folks; thunderstorms?
 
Cheers
 
Mike