Castleton & Hope Valley Photographic Society

By the time we met for our February meeting, the last vestiges of the snow which has shrouded the Hope Valley for the past two weeks+ had all but vanished, but spring still seems quite a while away.

Despite the weather there was a really good turnout to listen to 10 of our members who each gave 10 minute presentations, showing off some of their recent or most interesting images. I think that all agreed that it was a truly enjoyable evening, demonstrating the depth and breadth of talent we have in our club.

Roger Moore presented our newest YearBook, which looks simply splendid. To get a flavour of the YearBook you can preview it by clicking on to http://blur.by/1yta gD6 . If you’ like to order a hardback, softback or eBook though me, thus sharing the postage costs equally, click onto the following link for further details. http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=671.

Alan Hinchcliffe reminded members that to date only a few members have placed images in our web gallery. Alan is right, we are a photographic society and many visitors will browse our website to look at photographs members have taken. Thus if you’d like to add some of your most interesting images to our web gallery contact Alan, or me ( ian@ian-ord.co.uk ) or phone me on 621 431.

David Allwood announced that there’s another opportunity for members to show and speak to their images. As David Allwood has made arrangements with the Angler’s Rest in Bamford to open their doors to members from 1930(?) on Monday 16th March. There’ll be potable alcoholic beverages, plus soft drinks on tap, as well as simple food. So put the date in your diary and bring along some of your most interesting images on a memory stick. Jason or David will give an update and confirm the time at the next meeting.

Finally Chris (Ord), who’s been ill for some time and couldn’t attend the meeting, has told me that we’ll liaise with Jason & Keith to make arrangements for another ‘Whatever the weather’ clotted cream and scone social in our garden and garden-room in late June or July this year.

i was asked to find information about the tin bath tour steam train travelling through the hope valley

m well here’s the info http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0215a.htm

A view of Win Hill imposing over Castleton and the Hope Valley. We meet in a building smack in the centre of this image

Our AGM

Members didn’t join our photographic society to listen to admin bits relating to our AGM. However, there are one or two newsworthy items to report. Firstly three new members turned up at the AGM, which brings our membership into the forties. Secondly, the members elected Hon Life Member Ray Fowler (otherwise known as Mr C&HVPS) as our first Vice President. Thirdly, we have two new committee members: Nick Chalkley and David Allwood. Finally I proposed that Arthur Packham, who recently moved ‘south’ with his wife Betty, to be closer to their family, be made a life member (another ‘first’ for our club). Unsurprisingly, the proposal was greeted by a unanimous show of hands – so Arthur, next time you are in the area on a meeting night, do call in. Everyone will welcome you and you won’t have to pay the £3 entrance fee!

Bits & bobs

Keith Brown presented our 2015 programme. So if you want to know what’s on for this year, click onto: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=571 Then Roger Moore spoke about our 2014 YearBook. Roger explained that the deadline for submitting entries would be 2359 on 11th January.

Our new Chair entertains

Our new Chair – Jason – then gave a thoughtful presentation, covering the theme of our 2015 competition – architecture. Jason’s illuminating presentation took an A to Z form, with Jason illustrating images relating to each letter. Some images were Jason’s, some were images of outstanding bits of architecture, new and old and some were images by world renowned photographers. A really enjoyable evening and a great start to Jason’s year.
I’ve downloaded a few of the images Jason presented. Members can refresh their memories about the rules relating to the architecture category, as well as the ‘general’, theme and a ‘monochrome’ theme  of our competition  by clicking onto: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?p=442

Our newest member: We are now an international club, as we have a new member; Michel Waquet, who’s moved from Provence in France.

Arthur Packham: Keith & Kate Brown recently visited Arthur & Betty Packham, who are moving south, as Betty is ill. Ian has sent an Interflora bouquet on behalf of the Club

New display boards & microphone: We are going to buy some new display boards and also a microphone for speakers, bought from  proceeds from various fundraising activities this year.

Booking your place at our 2014 Christmas Party: If you haven’t submitted your menu details and cheque for our Christmas Party, please click onto the following link: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=426 Erica would be grateful if you could respond to her NOW. Please make cheques payable to “The Millstone Country Inn” and post your menu choices and cheque to Erica Dietsch at 3 Mayfield Terrace, Hathersage, Hope Valley, S321BE.

Our 2014 YearBook: There’s a lot of work behind the scenes which goes into the YearBook, which is an important record, both in book and e-book form. So if you haven’t submitted your images, see the website: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=415 Or pass your CD to Alan or Ian, or hand them in to Ian at the Christmas Party.

Our 2015 competition, including the Denis Thorpe Monochrome trophy: Now’s the time to rifle through your best images for the 2015 competition. I’ve put simple guidelines on the website: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?p=442

Put some of your best images on our website: Please think about submitting a selection of your images onto our gallery on the website. If you’d like to summit a portfolio of images contact our webmaster Alan, or contact Ian.

Our November 2014 presenters: Roger Moore couldn’t make his scheduled presentation, which has been deferred until next year. Nick Chalkey stepped into Roger’s shoes, as two talented members from our Club gave us insights into their views on photography. Susan Hughes had clearly put considerable thought into her presentation, entitled a ‘mixed bag’. We followed Susan through a magic journey, from some stunning prints shown on a light-box, to projected images (which displayed Susan’s interest in a wide range of subject), finishing with a compilation of themed images shown through PowerPoint.

Nick followed Susan, bringing on a variety of bags containing the ‘goodies’ he uses when he takes photographs. Described by Nick as “things I can’t afford and sometimes don’t use, as I pursue my interest in photography.” Nick showed us how he’d suspended a camera on strings, giving the impression that his young daughter was holding the camera and about to press the shutter – post processing made the strings disappear as if by magic. Talking of magic, Nick has an uncanny knack of capturing the audience’s attention, sometimes with Tommy Cooper like gestures and lines.  A truly innovative presentation which left every member of the audience hanging on to every one of Nick’s words and observations.

2015 Print Exhibition guidelines & rules

1. Categories
Members can submit a maximum of three images which cover the two categories of either General or Architectural images.
As guidance to members, architectural themed images should depict the style in which a building is designed. It can be exterior or interior and can portray the whole building or a detail of the building. Statues and sculptures are also acceptable. However, care must be taken when including figures or surrounding landscape to demonstrate scale: ensure that the architectural subject is still the dominant factor in the image.
2. Number of Images
The three images can be any combination of images within the two categories and they can be either colour or monochrome.
For example: you may wish to submit one colour landscape image, one colour architectural image and one monochrome architectural image OR three general OR three architectural OR two of one category and one of the other category, all colour or all mono or a mixture.
First, Second, Third and Commended Certificates will be awarded in both categories and the best monochrome image, in either category, will be awarded the Denis Thorpe Trophy.
3. Image Size
Maximum – A3 + 329 x 483 mm
Minimum – A4 210 x 297 mm (approximate will be acceptable)
Or any size in between.
Please leave prints unmounted. If a border is included on the print it will be trimmed by Ray when it is mounted onto foamboard as all prints will be presented for judging flush mounted.
4. Cost of Entry
£1 per print to cover mounting onto foamboard.

5. Digital Files
If possible we would be grateful if you could supply us with a digital file of each image, to be handed in together with your print entry as we intend to use these images as our contribution to the photo exchange with the club in New York. Each file should be saved to Maximum quality and it will be resized later before sending to New York – no changes will be made to your actual images.
6. Handing in your prints and Entry Forms
May 14th will be the night for handing in your prints and a reception team will be pleased to receive your entry, fees and digital files. If you are unable to be there on May 14th please make arrangements with Jason or Keith beforehand for receipt of your entry.
Entry Forms: these will be available on the handing in night but to speed the process up on the night, forms will be available in advance, to be submitted on the night with your entry.
7. Judging
All images will be flush mounted onto foamboard by Ray ready for judging. Our judge, Peter Yeo, prefers to judge the prints on judging night (July 9th) not in advance. The award winners will be announced on that night.
7. Exhibition
The aim will be to show all the images submitted for judging. The exhibition will be held at St. Barnabas Church, Bradwell from 1st to 8th August.
8. Timetable
May 14th – handing in prints, entry forms, fees and digital files. Doors open at 7 pm.
May 15th to July 8th – Prints mounted onto foamboard by Ray helped by David.
July 9th – Exhibition review and judging by Peter Yeo FRPS. DPAGB. APAGB.
July 30th / 31st – mount exhibition.
August 1st to August 8th – Annual C&HVPS Exhibition at St. Barnabas Church, Bradwell.
To be announced – presentation of awards and certificates.

If you have any queries please contact Jason, Keith or Ray.

If you missed the meeting here’s the info you need:

Opening welcome

Ian welcomed our speaker from Sheffield Photographic Society, Colin New, plus returning members Paul & Wendy McGreavy – Paul has just returned from working overseas (the Oman?) for nearly four years.

Our guest speaker – Colin New

The star of the evening was Colin New, who spent 90 minutes fascinating us with his view on Great Photographers. We had  a great evening, looking at some of the images from these great photographers. Colin had spent a very significant time in researching who should be included in his list.

Colin didn’t just show a selection of images, as he spent time giving a potted history of these photographers, then spoke from the heart about each of the images. It’s clear that Colin has spent many hours researching the subject, talking eruditely and with passion (through the eye of a photographer) about the various photographers and the images he showed. Many thanks Colin, your hard work and persistence gave all who attended a real insight into these many and various Great Photographers. If you’d like to learn more about Colin, or view some of his images, visit his site: http://www.colinnew.co.uk/

If you’d like to know the names of the photographers, from Ansel Adams to Edward Weston Colin spoke about, here they are: Ansel Adams; Manuel Alvarez Bravo; Richard Avedon; David Bailey; John Blakemore; Bill Brandt; Brassai; Julia Margaret Cameron; Henri Cartier-Bresson; Imogen Cunningham; Robert Demachy; Baron de Meyer; Robert Doisneau; William Eggleston; Elliott Erwitt
Robert Frank; Mario Giacomelli; Ralph Gibson; Fay Godwin; Paul Graham; Nan Goldin; Frank Hurley; Michael Kenna; Andre Kertesz; William Klein; Jacques Henri Lartigue; Sally Mann; Don McCullin; Robert Mapplethorpe; Man Ray; Lee Miller; Sarah Moon; NASA; Nick Ut; Martin Parr; Irving Penn; Sebastiao Salgado; Eugene Smith; Paul Strand; Albert Watson; Edward Weston.

Submit your best 2014 image for our 2014 YearBook

Ann, our Secretary had sent an email to all members, reminding them that it’s time to submit their photos for the 2014 YearBook. Further information on how to submit your images, plus any other images taken during 2014 events, can be found on this website. Click on this link: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=415

Our forthcoming Christmas Party

Jason, who’s been organising our Christmas Party with his wife Erica, gave members information about the Party. The Christmas meal is to be held on Thursday 11th December at 7.30 pm at the Millstone Inn in Hathersage, please note the change of venue. Here’s a link to give you details of the costs, the menu, etc.: http://www.hopevalleyphotosociety.co.uk/?page_id=426 Erica would be grateful if you could respond to her by filling in the bottom of the slip and returning it to her, with with a cheque by 13th November (the next meeting date). Please make cheques payable to “The Millstone Country Inn”. Either bring your choices along with your cheque to the November 13th meeting or post your choices and cheque to Erica Dietch at 3 Mayfield Terrace, Hathersage, Hope Valley, S321BE.

So christmas is coming and i know i have a new camera on my shopping list (who hasn’t?) but for me its a nice new Canon 70D

however if i had an endless budget i might be tempted to buy one of these i had seen the technology appear a little while ago in a tech blog somewhere i had no idea they were serious about putting it into production for us mere mortals but as you can see they have. so whats so special i hear you ask, it just looks like a nice bridge camera however for all of you who like to shoot AV youre in trouble with this one because it doesn’t have an AV setting. now before you poo poo it let me tell you it shoots at a fixed aperture of F2.0 so whats so great about this well you can always get the fastest shutter speed you like at the lowest available ISO so now you’re asking how do you control depth of field well with this camera you set your focal point and depth of field after in post processing infact you can even have a moving still image where the focus can be adjusted by the viewer, you can even produce a 3D image effect.

so how does it do this well its all about its special sensor which uses light field technology  to capture an image with infinite focus

its easier to just say just check out some of these awesome examples in this link below.

https://pictures.lytro.com/

Audio Visuals (AV’s) are about adding another dimension to photography by combining high quality photographic images with music, narration and other sound effects. Keith Brown FRPS FIPF EFIAP MPAGB APAGB and Kate Brown LRPS DPAGBhave been making AV’s award winning AV’s for many years.

By winning a silver medal for their Grease, Gaskets & Gears compilation at the Royal Society of Photography’s 2013 Audio Visual competition, the duo have demonstrated that they are both past and present masters of this demanding multi-skilled media. On 22nd August members & guests were delighted to pack the pews to view some of K&K’s AV’s, at St Edmund’s Church, Castleton.

 

Below, Keith & Kate (pictured each side of our club president, Peter Harrison) kindly offered to present a number of their audio visuals to members and guests – many of who live in Castleton and know Roger Thorpe, the star of Grease, Gaskets & Gears. The AV evening covered topics including Keith’s tribute to the Beatles; an amusing take on the Beep Beep song, the little Nash Rambler; 84 year old Connie Brown’s first visit to Switzerland, and of course the award winning Grease Gaskets & Gears.

 

The famous multi award winning photojournalist Denis Thorpe presents Nick Chalkley with the Denis Thorpe Trophy for Nick’s 2014 winning monochrome image entitled ‘Walkies’. Denis, who is famous for his B&W images, had selected ‘Walkies’ as the winner.

 

During the intermission guests perused the 70+ images members of club had submitted for our annual competition. these images had been mounted on foam-backed boards by Honorary Life Member Ray Fowler. The £128 proceeds from entrance fees for the AV evening will be added to our kitty, enabling us to purchase high quality display mounts; making the task of mounting and exhibiting our images both easier and slicker