Morning All

Many thanks to Stan for his time and trouble in putting together a cracking image critiquing presentation. We’re sure everyone got something from it.

Notices

Website and Facebook – many thanks to Tim and Rhona, respectively, for keeping these sites updated with the winning images from the Events Cup.

4 way battle: attached is the scoring sheet for our images that we have sent in.

The first column is the image title, followed by the author’s name. The third column represents the average committee score for each image and the next column represents the average score from the club ‘judging’ from Wednesday evening.

We’ve left the final column for the score from the actual judge on the night. It will be very interesting to compare the scores.  

Unfortunately, it’s been confirmed that the competition will not be zoomed so therefore we’ll need to chat about who’s going and car sharing; we can discuss this over our next couple of meetings. So, there will be no actual meeting in the Arts Centre on that Wednesday, 15^th November.

Extracts from the Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of Garstang & District Arts Society held on Tuesday 17th October 2023

• The Plein Air painting competition will be held on Saturday 7th September 2024.

• The Calendars are selling well and the remaining stock should go during the Craft fair. Provisionally, it was decided to repeat the exercise next year and Muriel was hopeful that many of this year’s sponsors would be happy to do so again. We need to contact the Camera club. (That’s us!). It was agreed to keep the photographs within the Garstang area as there were plenty of sales outlets in the town.
• Victorian Evenings. It was decided to open on both evenings and to  only serve mulled wine and mince pies.

Christmas

Just a gentle reminder that our Christmas get-together is on Wednesday 13^th December – all details yet to be finalised but Freda is now coordinating and beginning to collect names! Open to all members and their respective wives/husbands/partners etc!

Creatures and Plants of the World Competition

• Last date for entry is Wednesday 1st November, prints and digital images.

Up and coming programme of events

• November 1^st – Boyd Harris – ‘Failure & success in the Himalayas.’
• November 8^th – Justin Garner – ‘The lighting behind the image.’
• November 15^th – 4 Way Battle – 7.30pm start; venue – Methodist Church Hall on Queensway, Poulton FY6 7ST. So, no meeting scheduled in the Arts Centre.
• November 22^nd – Gordon Watson – ‘Iceland in winter’.
• November 29^th – Creatures and Plants of the World Competition – judged by Sheila Giles DPAGB AV-AFIAP

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Afternoon All

Events Cup: we thought the judge, Nicki Greenwood, provided lots of very good constructive criticisms of the images submitted and many encouraging comments so, all in all, lots of very good decisions. Congratulations to those who were in the top echelons and we hope that the overall process has given inspiration to everyone.

Notices

Alteration to the programme

January 31st 2024 – we did have Trevor Davenport (Ainsdale Sand Dunes) on ‘Insects & Nature Photography’ booked for that date, however and very sadly Trevor has cancer so Michael has booked Richard Davis for that spot and he will be covering a variety of topics in mostly Mono style.

Website

Don’t forget, to submit your images 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

4 Way Battle

The 4 Way Battle (between us, North Fylde Photographic Society, Lytham St. Annes PS and Poulton PS) is on Wednesday 15^th November starting at 7.30pm. The venue is the Methodist Church Hall on Queensway in Poulton.

This is obviously a ‘club’ night so we originally asked if it will be available via zoom, then we could watch the battle from the Arts Centre. However, they are now saying “doubt if we will have the technical capability to support a Zoom broadcast” but we still await a definitive answer!

So, plan B! – this will be car-sharing; we will let you all know the proposal if and when it becomes a necessity.

If we don’t have a zoom connection and travel there by car then there will be no meeting at the Arts Centre that evening.

Creatures and Plants of the World Competition

Last date for entry is Wednesday 1^st November, prints and digital images.

Up and coming programme of events

• October 25th – Members Evening – Image feedback from Stan and also, he will present the 20 images chosen for the 4 Way Battle; plus, other images!
• November 1st – Boyd Harris – ‘Failure & success in the Himalayas.
• November 8th – Justin Garner – ‘The lighting behind the image’.
• November 15^th – 4 Way Battle – see above.

That’s all folks

Mike and Lewis

Evening All

Very early newsletter this week as both Lewis and I are away.

Scams

We’re sure everyone is very alert to scams but a couple of members have chatted to us about receiving emails from other members asking them to open an attachment which, it is claimed, is important. It is very likely that if you open the attachment, you will have, in all likelihood, been hacked.

We don’t supply members emails to anyone unless we are specially asked to. So, please, just delete unless you are absolutely sure.

If you are unsure and want any assistance, email in to us at our usual address and we will try to help out.

Notices

Website – Members Galleries

Don’t forget, 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

New Project

Don’t forget to give some thought to ‘your’ project for the next 11 months!

Up and coming programme of events

• October 18th – Events Cup Competition, judged by Nicki Greenwood
• October 25th – Members Evening – Image feedback from Stan and also Stan will present the 20 images chosen for the 4 Way Battle; plus, other images!
• November 1st – Boyd Harris – ‘Failure & success in the Himalayas.
• November 1st – Creatures and Plants of the World Competition – last date for entry.
• November 8th – Justin Garner – ‘The lighting behind the image’.

That’s all folks for this week!

Mike and Lewis

Morning All

A warm sunny day beckons – time to get that camera out, dust it down, charge the battery, take some photographs and then possibly send them to info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk ready for Stan to critique – see below!

Don’t forget, autumn is creeping in as well – more opportunities!

From Michael: Amazon – Tuesday 10^th and Wednesday 11^th, big prime day discounts on cameras and goods; maybe interesting!

Notices

Image Critiquing

Image critiquing for the ‘members evening’ on 25th October.

Stan is ‘in-the-chair’ this time and will look and give his thoughts and opinions.

Theme is ‘Open;’ any image taken recently if poss; if not historical ones can be submitted.

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.

Great to see that some members have already sent in some images! But more needed; don’t be shy!

Website – Members Galleries

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 to those members who have managed to send some photographs in and many thanks to Tim for putting them on our website.

New Project

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! – using long exposure?
• Food
• Landscapes and seascapes – possibly to include sun rises and sets; again, using long exposure?
• 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 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; plus, other images!
• November 1^st – Boyd Harris – ‘Failure & success in the Himalayas.
• November 1^st – Creatures and Plants of the World Competition – last date for entry.
• November 8^th – Justin Garner – ‘The lighting behind the image’.

That’s all Folks

Mike and Lewis

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