Over twenty members had a special evening visit to the Butterfly & Insect Word where we had access to many of the exhibits, thanks to an itinerant black bird there were not so many butterflies, so we may need to have a follow up visit at sometime. However there were many photo opportunities’ and everyone said that they had a worthwhile and enjoyable time.

 
As promised I have set up three workshops:-
Portrait 1 – Thursday 24th April – there is one place left.
Photoshop Thursday 1st May – so far I have only heard from one member – please let me know if you want to come along – if I do not get six or more I will need to cancel.
Portrait 2 – Thursday 8th May – there are two places left.
Please let me know if you are interested in these workshops, the more interest the more I will try to set up.

 
I plan to have a ‘field’ visit to the Aberlady Reserve and Gosford Estate (local EL wildlife!), early June, depending on weather. Please let me know if this is of interest to you.

Clive

We had a good interactive AGM last night when a number of issues were discussed. The minutes will be out in due course and I detail some of the main areas:-

 
• Steven Bearded was elected as Vice Chairman
• Anita Nutter did not want to stand as a candidate for the committee
• The rest of the current committee was re elected along with Ian Keenan who will now join the committee.
• Club Competitions – it was agreed to change the entry rules for next session – we will be looking for members to submit up to three images (prints or projected) the two prints with the highest marks will be recorded.
• The two set subjects were voted on:-

1. Prints – ‘Emotions’ – to be judged by Stuart McMillan

2. Projected – ‘Wild Life in East Lothian – to be judged by Jim Todd

 
• Under any other business Clive asked:-

1. Had everyone set up files on their computers detailing next year’s comps. based on details in his last week’s communication?

2. Did members want the setting up extra meetings (visits and workshops) during ‘closed session’ – Separate e mails will be sent out about these.

 
The Trophy Presentations followed – congratulations to all who received medals and the trophies. – a full list will be posted on the notice board and the web site along with a photo line up.

 
Finally we were treated to delicious refreshments and many thanks to those who made these.

 
Have a good summer and make a real effort to get some great images and put the best into your ‘potential folders’.
Regards
Clive

We had a very busy night last night, firstly we were able to see the entries for the ‘Black & White’ Competition which was postponed from an earlier meeting owing to the illness of Libby Smith the judge.
There was a good standard of images from members and they were discussed and the marks given by Libby were announced. Jennifer Davidson was the overall winner gaining 38 marks out of 40.
We then moved onto the ‘Set Subject’ Comp. ‘Night Photography’ – we finally ended up with a good entry of very interesting and varied entries from members and these were discussed and members voted on the final selection.
Stuart McMillan was the winner with his excellent image ‘Gate, Steven Beard came second with ‘Never Mind the Bollards’ and Simon Wilkinson was third with a fascinating image called ‘Emergency lights on North Bridge’. Well done to them and to all who participated.
On Thursday 17th April – we have the visit to the Butterfly Farm –Please note that the time is 6pm to 8pm (not as previously advise in my note of last week) There is good advice from Iain Hall/Mike Clark – put your camera into a plastic bag and seal it up – wait for the condensation to clear from the outside of the bag and then you can use your camera, thus saving condensation getting inside the camera which can cause damage. Put your camera in the car not the boot and try to get it ‘warmed up’. (a hot water bottle might work!)
We would like more members to participate in competitions next season – I suggest that you now set up a separate file on your computer based on the competitions and slot in ‘potentials’ as you go, plus any previous images that you have not previously used in competitions.
Based on the following:-
MCC potential 2014-15
Digital Images – 18.09.14
Coloured Prints – 30.10.14
Human Portrait Prints – 13.11.14
Set Subject Prints – 15.01.15
Black & White prints – 12.02.15
Set Subject Projected -19.03.15
We could run workshops following our ‘closed season’ – on a Thursday night – on any subject so long as there is one person who takes full responsibility. It will run under the MCC and members only for insurance purposes. I must be advised fully and I will book the room. Any expenses incurred must be met by those present – e.g. room hire approx £6 per hour.
Next week we have the annual AGM, followed by the presentation of trophies to the members who have done best in the club competitions. Please make an effort to come along and also join in the social interaction afterwards with some cakes etc.
Clive

Our guest speaker last night was Alistair White who has spent many years specialising in ‘Nature Photography’. He has made many trips with specialist guides to many parts of the world and we were privileged to see many rare species of birds that he ‘captured’ with his camera.
He has also went on safari in Tanzania going to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro where he has taken images of Lions, elephants, fighting giraffes and zebras. He witness the Wildebeest migration and dozens of other wild animals.
He also ‘took us’ to the US where he has photographed many of the canyons and National Parks. We also visited New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Members were very impressed with this illustrated talk and we look forward to perhaps seeing his latest adventures next season.

 
There are a number of photographic exhibitions that are worth visiting:
1. National Museum Scotland – Wildlife Photographer of the year – free – until 1st June.
2. National Portrait Gallery – The Taylor Photographic Portrait Prize – free – until 26th May
3. Queen Margaret University Camera Club – free – 31st March -7th April.
Mike Clark has arranged an evening visit to the Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World on Thursday 17th April 7.30pm – in order to have this special opportunity there has to be a minimum of 15 people – currently on the list there are 18 names – any member is welcome to come along, so if you are interest either put your name on the list on the notice board or send me an e mail.

It is next to:- Dobbies Garden World, Melville Nursery, Lasswade, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH18 1AZ

Next week we will see the results and images from our B & W comp. which had to be postponed owing to the illness of judge Libby Smith.
Also we will see the Digital Images in respect of our set subject comp. ‘Night Photography’. which will be judged on the night by Joe Fowler. So there is still time to e mail me with your entries.
Clive

Last night Jane & George gave us an insight into their progression in the art of photography. Jane has taken part in many photographic expeditions and took us around the world, ending up seeing images of her recent trip to Antarctica.

George took us through India and Sri Lanka, sights of many wild animals including a hungry tiger. He also homed in on Asian elephants and kingfishers plus recording the conditions that most people live in, although their poverty is very said it does give ‘great photo opportunities’.

So far I have only six members have given me their ‘Night Photography images.

Please make a real effort to e mail to me your entries during next week, if you do not have anything, then put on a warm coat and get out there!

It was unfortunate that Libby Smith was unable, owing to illness, to come along last week to give her comments on our B & W images. George will try to pick them up and we can then see them with her comments on Thursday 3rd April

Next Week – We have a talk by Alistair White detailed as ‘Nature up Close & Personal’ his talk will focus on some of the places he has visited around the world in search of the wonders of nature, illustrated by photographs of the landscape, fauna and flora of those places. He will also be commenting throughout on the many threats to the natural world, and the methods which can be used to protect it.

Joe Fowler is running a further workshop at Southfield on Saturday 29th March – 10am to noon.Contact him on fingalfowler@aol.com

Clive

We welcomed the Musselburgh Art Club to our joint annual visit last night where Peter Gray describer each of the 20 paintings that were on show, he talked about the different mediums and subjects captured expertly by the Art Club members.

Joe Fowler spoke about the print images from members of the MCC. Everyone said that it was an interesting and enjoyable evening, which concluded by refreshments, many thanks to those members who provided the fair.

There are many similarities between painting and photography. A painting reflex’s the painters thought and attitude and a photographer’s image should reflex the same creating an image that is personal and showing the photographers skills often assisted with the use of Photoshop.

Next week we have our B & W Club Competition, to be judged by Libby Smith who has a three hour round trip to give us her words of wisdom -so please come along and give your support. Unfortunately I will not be there as I have to go south.

March 20th George Todd and Jane Renton will be giving a presentation on their interest in photography and their photographic ambitions.

By 20th March we need the submission for the digital ‘Set Subject’ ‘Night Photography’. Please bring in a CD or e mail me up to three images and ensure that you change the file name to your club member number and then the title.        i.e   00 – My image.

March 27th We have a talk by Alistair ‘Nature – Up Close & Personal’ (one not to be missed).

Clive