H.P.S.

   H.P.S.

Issue 101 January 2007

A warm welcome to the first issue of your newsletter for 2007. Hopefully, you will all have had an excellent Christmas and New Year and may I add my best wishes for a peaceful and (photographically) successful New Year to you all.

In this issue a couple of members have made mention of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum in London. I would encourage and recommend members to see this exhibition – it’s on until 23 April, indeed, I would encourage members to look out for the many photographic exhibitions that are organised in the weeks and months ahead. I have always gained much inspiration and stimulation from seeing other photographers’ work; some of it totally different to club photography.

I have mentioned several times my ambition to start e-mailing the Viewfinder to members and I will be commencing that with the next issue. Any member who does not wish to receive an e-mail copy, just let me know. There are going to be several advantages with e-mailed copies: firstly, members will receive their copy earlier than the hard copies. Secondly, they will see the illustrative images in colour and, thirdly, it will start to save the club some printing costs. Another advantage that I guess will come about is the design of your Viewfinder may change. But that is something we will see develop…or not, as the case may be. As always, your thoughts to me; jaw-jaw, letter or e-mail.

Paul Major

As a New Year starts I normally reflect on last year’s successes and failures. There have been the usual number of both in 2006. One of our successes has been the lottery grant and another one has been that HPS has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the region’s best photographic clubs. I don’t want to dwell on the failures for too long but just try to learn from them.

I am still enjoying going out to other clubs judging and in 2006 I went to over two-dozen clubs. Part of the enjoyment is seeing some good images and learning some good ideas, but the best bit is making lots of new friends. One of the clubs I went to had a brilliant competition. They had a club outing to Crich Tramway Village, for members and guests. They were all given six subjects that had to be photographed on the day. All the images were put on to a CD and the best part was that they sent to me a copy of the CD so that I could view the images before the competition. It was a good fun competition to judge.

There were two prizes one for the best six images from a club member and one for the best six from a guest. The winning club member was awarded a cup but the clever bit was that the prize for the winning guest was a year’s membership to their club.

There will be a judge’s workshop in 2007 so if you want to broaden your horizons just give it a try and you could be on the way to world recognition and fame. Happy New Year.

Malcolm Tinn

 LRPS LBIPP

Chair in the Frame

Why not have a day in London for more photographic possibilities; as we saw from Tony's prints back in September there are a variety of subjects to photograph and there are always new buildings, sculptures and different lighting conditions for night photography.  Not to mention all the photographic exhibitions to drool over!  The Independent paper has "The Information", a detailed view (in a magazine) of all the events, galleries and exhibitions that you can visit.  Ron and I have found London to be very productive when it comes to new images, also quite a challenge!

Good luck

Maggie Tear

This was the first time digital cameras had been used at such an evening in great numbers.

I found it very interesting to watch. The whole session was completely different from previous studio sessions. Once members had found 'Manual' on their digital cameras the evening started very slowly and indeed carried on that way resulting in some members not having the opportunity to photograph the models due to lack of time. The routine developed as follows:

1 talk to the models and sort out the pose,

2 spend what seemed to be a long time composing the shot 3 taking the shot,

4 spending a long time viewing the result on the LCD screen,

5 then repeating items 1-4 with the next shot.

I know a number of members had not attempted portraits before. It can be quite daunting with a group of people standing around watching you whilst at the same time having to communicate with the models, check the image in the viewfinder and make the decision to take the shot.

No, I am not criticising anybody, I followed the same route and it was some time before I got the hang of it and had a fair degree of success.

1 forget the LCD screen for say ten shots,

2 remember the models have names - use them - communicating at all times asking them to change their pose to suit you, thus keeping their attention and not allowing them to become bored,

3 take shots as quickly as possible when you are satisfied with the image,

4 thank the models, then move away allowing the next member to have a chance,

5 Then, and only then, have a look at the results on your LCD screen.

If you are satisfied with the results, great, if not try again after all the other members have had a go.

This way you are keeping the model's attention, they are not getting bored and you as the photographer have to think 'on the run'. Sounds difficult I know but believe me you will get some great shots thus giving you the incentive to try again.

I am sure everything will be very much better next time and every member will go away satisfied.

We all have to thank Ivor for arranging the models and also the models themselves for giving up an evening for us to have a go at taking portraits.

Stuart Bale

There are two photographic exhibitions now showing at The Photographers’ Gallery at the moment. The first shows images by Dutch photographer, Bert Teunissen; fascinating images of traditional rural dwellings. Using only natural light his images capture the cluttered interiors and murky recesses of the old-fashioned farm homes – almost resembling the Dutch Master paintings. In contrast the other exhibition, called “Bound for Glory” shows the harsh realities of Depression-era America, both in their cities and the desperate poverty of rural America. Showing until 28 January, 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London, WC2, Mon. to Sat. 11am to 6pm, entry free.

Grapevine

Our president, Malcolm Tinn, has a new website up and running at www.tinn.me.uk - do take a look.

Many thanks to Marilyn Steward who has taken the trouble to put together a selection of ten members’ images for entry in a competition for photographic clubs being run by Photography Monthly. As she says, “I guess it’s now a matter of waiting to see if we get published. Fingers crossed”.

Judged Competition Results

Prints 06/07

The second print competition was held on 23 November with many members gaining 20s and 19s. With three more competitions to go, a quick look down the results column tells us that there is no one clear leader, and everything to fight for on 25 January.