Redditch Photographic Society News

News

January 2012 Highlights

The Third Competition of the season was a success and members Prints and PDIs were judged expertly by Malcolm Ranieri. In the Print section, the winner was Ray Davis with his excellent photograph entitled 'Great Spotted Woodpecker.In second place was 'Over the Sea to Skye' by Keith Watkins who also came third with 'Derelict French Farm Building'. Roy Cottrill and 'Church Regulars' was placed first in the PDIs with second and third going to Stuart Lamb with 'Towards La Breche de Roland' and ' Over the Tracks' by Keith Watkins, repectively.Prints and PDIs that were highly Commended and Commended will shortly be posted to The Gallery.The Mini Assignment, 'Funny Ha Ha, Funny Peculiiar' held earlier in the month was an interesting evening of members images exemplifying either meaning of 'Funny'. Robin Truran ran a Practical Workshop on another evening on how to produce an audio visual presentation and members will get an opportunity later in the season to demonstrate their abilities in this respect. On the 31st of January, Alan Millward will be guest speaker with his presentation on 'Cuba and other Trips'.

A Tribute to the Late John Kettle 1935 to 2011

Members of the Society were saddened on the 7th December to learn that their dear friend and fellow member , John Kettle , had lost his battle against cancer. John was one of the great stalwarts of Redditch Photographic Society and he had a sincere love of photography all his long life.

He was a member of the High Duty Alloys Club 50 years ago and an active member of our club for many years. He was one of those people fascinated by all aspects of the art and of course he was keen right to the end to see how his pictures were doing in club competitions. But he loved the work of others and was always keen to encourage everyone at the club.

Despite being very seriously ill and in great discomfort,John came to the club for the last time only a couple of weeks ago and was greeted warmly by everyone present that evening. We of course thank that great lady, his wife Gill, for all the support she gave John, particularly over the last few months, and for all the work she has done for the club.

Not only was John a very keen photographer, he enjoyed playing golf in his younger days and was also a lover of football and supported his club, Arsenal, right up to the end. We shall miss him immensely.

November 2011 activities

The highlight of the month was the Second Club Competition held on 22nd November which attracted a record number of entries , all of an excellent standard covering a wide spectrum of photograhic subjects. This gave the evenings judge, Ian Hodgkiss ARPS CPAGB, a hard task to determine a winner but he eventually awarded first place in the Print Section to new member, Ray Lehky, with 'Autumn Walk'. Mike Stanford was first with 'Pondering ' in the PDIs. For all other results from this competition please see the Members Gallery.

A photographic Workshop was held on the first Tuesday of the month and on the following Tuesday, visiting lecturer Dave Johnson gave an interesting talk on how he got started in photography.Next came the Saturday Workshop and a more detailed insight into this event follows this item. On another evening, club chairman Stuart Lamb , entertained with images and anecdotes from his travels around France and the month ended on a high note when member Robin Truran presented superb images from his American trips .

Photographic Workshop Saturday 19th November 2011

The clubs second annual open day proved to be yet another huge success with an excellent attendance from club members and visiting photographic enthusiasts. The photographic studio was very popular where an expert guided participants through all aspects of studio work and set up correct lighting conditions for studio portraits to be taken by members and visitors.

The day was also about seeking advice from more experienced club photographers on such subjects as photographic techniques and finding more about the more complicated aspects of Digital SLR Cameras.Visitors also had an opportunity to learn about Macro Photography and members were on hand to discuss image editing and enhancement using the latest Photoshop procedures.

Such a well attended event was just reward for all the effort of those members involved in the organisational aspects of the day. As a result of the open day, the society gained some new members and an assurance from other visitors to check out what the club has to offer on Tuesday meeting nights. See the programme for details.

First club competition of the new 2011/2012 season

On 27th September 2011, the Society held its’ first club competition of the 2011/2012 season with both categories of prints and projected digital images being well supported with excellent work from new and established members.The evenings judge, Keith Long ARPS, commented on the high standard of work submitted by members, and on the great variety of photographic themes in contention for awards.

Roy Cottrill won first place in the print section with ‘New Life’ , Keith Watkins was placed second with ‘ Breaking Ice on a glacier wall’ and in third place, Robin Trurans’ ‘Daniel’s Mill ‘. The projected digital image category was won by Keith Watkins with ‘Early morning sea mist in The Sumner Straits ‘ and Robin Truran and Stuart Lamb finishing second and third respectively with ‘Blackbird Take off ‘ and ‘ Sheep lines’ .

Images that secured highly commended and commended places :-

Prints
Highly commended: -

Keith Watkins - Wild Crocodile in the Daintree rainforest

Commended:-

Keith Watkins        - Over the sea to Skye
Roy Edwards         - Well Done
Robin Truran         - Tired Venetian Square

Projected digital images
Highly commended:-

Keith Watkins - White Kite in flight

Commended:-

Gill Fitzgerald                 - Days work done
Stuart Lamb                  - Between the walls
Stuart Lamb                  - One minute to two in York
Giedre Augustinavicuite    - Beautiful Venice
Kay Wroe                      - Fishing at sunrise
Roy Cottrill                    - The Lovers
Robin Truran                  - Through the spray

New season 2011/12

Having successfully completed the Summer Assignment Programme, the new 2011/2012 season has now begun and on 13th September member Robin Truran's session entitled 'Improving competition entries', was full of invaluable advice to the membership on how to advance their photographic techniques in order to improve competitive photography and create winning images.

Excellent transportation imagery was the subject presented by guest speaker and leading transport photographer Malcolm Ranieri during the evening of 20th September, in a lecture entitled , ' In search of steam ' . The programme comprised of a series of outstanding images of steam trains photographed in wonderful environments both at home and around the world. It was certainly a case of full steam ahead and a remarkable and nostalgic evening was appreciated by all.

Redditch Photographic Society at The Races

Stratford Racecourse is one of the Country’s leading small racecourses and the evening meeting on 28th June was chosen by Redditch Photographic Society members as the location for their second summer outing photo shoot. A fine summers evening enhanced the beauty of the courses excellent meadow setting and provided members with the opportunity to combine the pleasures of horse racing with the delectation of photography. Naturally , several members were tempted by the lure of The Tote but wisely steered clear of the aptly named rank outsider, ‘Snapshot’ ! The Tote was only a small diversion from the evenings main objective, which was to produce winning images for the upcoming Jim Farquhar Cup Competiton. The Society’s Summer programme is a series of evening visits to various locations in the area , combining photographic opportunity with scope for learning, mentoring and competitiveness. Members best results from these visits are then judged by an external judge in October .

The Society welcomes new members to our new season which opens in September. Please visit our website for details. www.redditchphotographicsociety.org.uk

Is Photography Art ?

For their penultimate meeting of the current season on 17th May, Redditch Photographic Society members were treated to an amazing photographic journey through imagination, creativity, colour , shape and texture, in an illustrated lecture entitled ‘Is Photography Art ? ’ by guest speaker, Ray Dowding . A provocative question indeed, but Rays’ rich tapestry of work proved to be nothing but inspirational and left no one in any doubt that art can certainly be achieved in photography.. Imagination, creativity and uniqueness were definitely the main ingredients of his photographic work which explored the ability to apply creative and innovative thinking when capturing outstanding scenes interwoven with his flair to create unique interpretations.What an inspirational evening, undoubtedly the pinnacle of photographic excellence that should spur members on to explore their own creativity on future projects.

The Society continues to welcome new members interested in digital photography. Please visit our new website for details:- www.redditchphotographicsociety.org.uk

Annual Projected Digital Image Awards

Results of the Members Annual PDI awards held on 19th April 2011 and judged by Roger Hague:-

Best overall PDI

1st- Ray Davis with 'Redpoll'

2nd- Susan James with 'Himalayan Trail'

3rd- Roy Edwards with 'Olivia'

Main category winners

Landscape- Susan James with 'Himalayan Trail'

Portrait- Roy Edwards with 'Olivia'

Architecture- Gill Fitzgerald with 'Last of the pier'

Natural History- Ray Davis with 'Redpoll'

Pictorial- Sid Cooke with 'New day at Bamburgh

Photo finish in Rosebowl Inter-club Trophy

On 12th April 2011,As hosts for this years competition, Redditch welcomed to St.Luke's Memorial Hall members from the Vale of Evesham and Cookhill & Studley Camera Clubs to compete in this annual event.

Each club entered eight prints and eight projected digital images covering a diverse range of photographic subjects in an effort to lift the trophy.

The competition was expertly judged by Roger Parry who gave a very fair and in-depth assessment of all the work on show and in the final analysis, only four points separated the three clubs, with Redditch narrowly conceding the prize to holders Vale of Evesham by just three points. A marked improvement on last years points differential between the two clubs.

The print section saw Evesham take an eight point lead over Redditch who were able to claw back five points in the projected digital image category, thus finishing a very close second by the smallest of margins.

For Redditch, Stuart Lamb scored maximum points in the print round for his image entitled 'The Yawn' and Robin Truran, with 'Soaring Kite' , achieved the clubs highest score in the projected images with nineteen points out of a possible twenty.

The Street Assignment

Andrew Fox, award winning Freelance Press Photographer, returned to Redditch Photographic Society on 22nd March 2011 to judge an Assignment he had asked everyone to undertake when he was guest speaker at the club last year. The Assignment, entitled 'The Street' , challenged each member to produce four diverse photojournalistic style images that would best depict the essence of a street.

This fly on the wall approach to street photography represented a change in style for most of the members but they rose to the challenge and produced many images worthy of the task.

Andrew expertly critiqued all images submitted and, in the process, gave members valuable advice on how best to apply their skills when faced with similar projects in future.

After much consideration, he awarded first place to Sue Watkins for her image entitled 'Do not disturb'. Runner up was 'Back street passage' by Stuart Lamb, and third place was given to Keith Watkins for 'Street level'.

The Society continues to place emphasis on improving members photographic skills and this project helped add another dimension to everyone's photography.

Redditch Photographic Society hold Annual Print Competition

The Annual Print Competition , held on 15th March 2011,is the highlight of the Society's in-club competition calendar when members strive to win trophies for their best photographic work taken during the past year.Standards are always high and this years entries proved to be no exception with an impressive collection of high standard photographic prints competing to win in a variety of catagories and for Best Overall Print of the Year.

This years Judge, Terry Bickley, ARPS DPAGB,was full of positive praise for all the prints displayed and expressed the opinion that the overall standards were extremely high and that there was no doubt that the Club was achieving its goal of photographic excellence and progressing in the right direction.

In declaring the eventual winners, he reiterated what a formidable task it had been to differentiate between so many top quality prints and praised all the images that didn't quite secure prizes on the night.

The Best Print of the Year was awarded to Robin Truran for his atmospheric photograph entitled 'Coastal Bench in the Moonlight' with second place going to Janet Roberts for her excellent 'Frosty Morning' study. Keith Watkins attained third place for 'Over the Sea to Skye' with its dramatic cloud feature.

Main category winners were:-

Landscape- 'Frosted Silver Birch' by Robin Truran

Portrait- ' Body -Painted Aborigine' by Keith Watkins

Architecture- 'The Harem,Jaipur' by Roy Cottrill

Nature- ' Goldfinch' by Ray Davis

Pictorial- 'Coastal Bench in the Moonlight' by Robin Truran

5th March to 31st March 2011

Redditch Photographic Society’s 2011 Exhibition opens at Redditch Library

Members of Redditch Photographic Society were present in the gallery of Redditch Library on 5th March for the official opening of this major exhibition of members work. The Society,recent winners of the prestigious South Midlands Six-Societies Annual Competition, will be exhibiting an impressive collection of high standard photographic images covering a diverse range of subjects. The exhibition will run throughout the month of March and is located between the first and second floors of the library and may be visited during normal library opening hours .Entrance is free to all visitors.

This exhibition has been scheduled to be a focal point of a series of special events planned by Redditch Library as part of their new membership campaign, and the photographic Society are proud to display their work to help promote this initiative.

The society have regular Tuesday evening meetings and cater for all ranges of photographic experience with a stimulating programme of guest speakers, competitions, workshops and outside field trips. Redditch Photographic Society was founded in 1948 and exists to further members interests in all aspects of photography.Visitors and potential new members are always made very welcome at our friendly society.

8th February 2011

Redditch Photographic Society triumph in the Six-Societies trophy

A packed St. Luke's Memorial Hall witnessed a thrilling photographic print competition recently when hosts Redditch Photographic Society, for the first time in 21 years, won the prestigious Six Societies Inter-club Trophy.

This annual event is the highlight of the six societies competition calendar and has been keenly contested for decades between Redditch and five other South Midlands Photographic clubs, Bromsgrove, Kings Heath & Hall Green, Kings Norton, Northfield Phoenix and Wythall.

This years high standards gave the evenings judge, Dave Deeming LRPS, a difficult task in differentiating between the best prints submitted by each club from six separate photographers. As always, the judge’s decision is final , and following his very fair assessment of each work, the result was a resounding win for Redditch with 111 points out of a possible 120 points. Runner up spot was achieved by Wythall with 105.

This triumph represented a major step forward for Redditch with the victory being a consequence of a progressive improvement in photographic standards as a result of the hard work of the membership as a whole. The win also consolidated Redditch’s position as the foremost photographic society in the Region, having climbed the rankings last year to a close second place behind Bromsgrove.

Redditch’s highest marks were achieved by Janet Roberts who received a maximum possible 20 points for her print, ‘Snakeshead Fritillary’. Major contributions were also made by Stuart Lamb, Roy Cottrill, Ray Davis, Sid Cooke and Robin Truran.

14th December 2010

Resurgent Redditch Photographic Society continue to close the points gap on local rivals.

Redditch continued their upward march recently when they competed for The Midland Bank Trophy against local rivals Bromsgrove Photographic Society and Studley Camera Club. This trophy is an eagerly awaited annual event when members submit their best work in print and digital image format in competition against these two rival societies and has been keenly contested over the past twenty years.

Each club entered eight prints and eight digital images, which were judged expertly by Peter Gennard who commented on the high photographic standard of all the entries. His constructive critique of all the images was well received by all and will be used to further improve the future standard of this competition.

This years event proved to be extremely close when Redditch narrowly conceded the trophy to holders Bromsgrove by the closest of margins when their creditable 248 points were just 4 points short of Bromsgroves combined prints/digital image total of 252 points. This was, however, a significant improvement on last years result when the society again came runner up to Bromsgrove, but on that occasion the deficit was 14 points.

This result further illustrates the on going progress maintained by the Society, whose membership continues to accomplish a high improvement in photographic standards.

In the Print section, Stuart Lamb achieved the highest Redditch score with 18 points out of a possible 20 for his excellent work,’’Through the Dorset dust’. Three members tied on 16 points in second place. Roy Cottrill with ‘The Port Mellon headland’, Stuart Lamb's, ‘The yawn’ and ‘Capercaillie’ by Ray Davis.

The Digital Image section , however, told a different story. Redditch won this category but unfortunately were unable to amass sufficient points to overtake Bromsgroves overall achievement. Roll on next year !

Stuart Lamb also attained the highest score in the Digital Image category with 19 points for ‘Midnight in Millau’. Keith Watkins was second highest Redditch scorer in this category with 17 points for ‘Reach for the sky’.