What a treat we had last night, the images presented by Hunter Kennedy were outstanding and his vivid description of how he captured the image and then how he worked on it by his mastery of Photoshop was a real bonus.

Some would say that photography has moved a long way from ‘just out of the camera’ but I think last night proved that by using one’s initiative and the facility of Photoshop a ‘real work of art’ can be created which anyone would be proud to hand on their wall.

It’s no wonder that his qualifications include:-

‘Excellent Federation International Art Photography ‘

‘Member of the Photographic Alliance of GB’

Hunter gave us some guidance on ‘composites’ – ‘ getting background material and using techniques of de-saturating the background and increasing the vibrance it can take away the harshness and give a more ‘pastel colour’ look about it. Reducing  the ‘Opacity’ to let the under image to start to show through – using a large feather  brush to mask the selection, thus taking away the ‘cut & paste’ look and much more.

The absent members really missed out despite my strong recommendation last week.

I mentioned last night that Photoshop has now woken up and are offering the latest Photoshop CC plus Lightroom for £8.78 per month available if you have CS3 plus – this offer is only available until 31.12.13.

If this is of any interest to you have a look at:-

https://creative.adobe.com/plans/offer/photoshop+lightroom

Charlie has now arranged the ‘Print Mounting’ workshop on Tuesday 8th Oct – 7.30-9pm – FR room 4.

If you have not already done so please put your name on the list on the notice board and then Charlie will e mail you will full details.

On this Saturday & Sunday will be the Re-enactment of the Battle of Prestonpans – next to Cockenzie Power Station – main ‘battle’ will be carried out at 3pm on each day.

See web site   http://www.prestonpansreenactment.org.uk/home/4577206580

I have been setting up a master file for the Digital Projection Comp. to send onto Neil Scott – for those who did not give me their two image last night you can send them as an attachment in an email  to me ( clivemcc@talktalk) over the weekend – so no excuses!!

Next week Critique evening – everyone to bring in a print (mounted or not).

Clive

Last night at our first meeting of the season it was very pleasing that we had a large number of members renewing their membership and we also had a good number of new potential members, one joined up on the night.

I mentioned a number of items and as a reminder and for those members who could not attend I have set out some details below:-

The syllabus

• Away club comps – shown in red on syllabus-we will put a list on notice board so that shared transport can be organised –
• Amendment – Ken Sharp was the set subject winner last year and will be judging(06.02.14)
• Club Comp submission dates also shown in red on syllabus

Club Comps

“We have club competitions so that there is something to aim for and get an end result which a judge can comment on. Often we do not agree with the comments that some judges make but it is their opinion based on their prejudices, experiences  and the images they have judged over many years.

A second aim for a club is to encourage members to continue to improve so that their images can be selected for submission to Inter- Club Competitions, where we go head to head with others club members.

We need to achieve a good supply of possible images for these competitions. This year we would be grateful if with each print put into the competitions that we are also supplied with a digital copy that can then be put on the Club’s Data Base. Once we have these they can more easily be assessed and advice given to you on possible suggestions in order to improve on the image, based on the judge’s comments and our opinion.

Set up digital files for each subject and slot in ‘possible images’ so that you have a selection to pick from.”

First Comp – digital – entries required on 19th Sept. – will all members look out two images and  have a go – just put them on a CD – please rename the file with your club number and title – if possible resize to 1400 pixels on the longest side.

Workshops

We have again plans for workshops to be held outside the general meetings and you are always welcome to come along from 7pm on a club meeting where there is always someone who you can discuss any problems etc

We plan to continue with the Photoshop Workshop and Charlie will run an ‘Image Mounting’ workshop – please put your name on the list on the notice board. These workshops need to be ‘self funding’ to pay for room hire and materials (in the region of £2-£3).

Visit to Beeslack CC on Sat 26th Oct – lecture by  Laurie Campbell – details on the  notice board – if interested please put your name on the list – tickets are £10 and they do sell out so we have to get an order in soon.

Tomorrow (Sat 7th Sept.) is Fisherrow Open Day -10-2pm – we will be displaying the ‘Library Image Exhibition’ – so please ‘pop in’ and give your support to the centre.

Next week Joe Fowler will be giving some very useful tips on photography and the best way to start building a portfolio. An opportunity not to be missed!

Clive

Our first meeting of the new season will be on Thursday 5th September and I look forward to us all coming together again and hopefully we will also be able to welcome a good number of new members following our library roving exhibition.

Hundreds of thousands photos are taken every minute thoughout the world thanks to the phone camera and these are then sent everywhere, the overall image quality has improved recently but what about the presentation and thought process that has gone into the picture.

It all comes down to what you want from an image and what you want to do with it and did you enjoy the challenge of taking it.

Therefore if you want more than just taking ‘snaps’ and to make a real hobby out of it, then a camera club is a place where everyone can work together to aim at a higher quality and to have images that can stand out of the ‘crowd’.

MCC is a 100% members club – there is a ten strong committee that will try to organise a programme and assist in it running smoothly, but it is the membership that will make it work and to all work together in achieving continued improved results.

Our syllabus this year has been put together with speakers on specific subjects, but there are mainly meetings which involve our members. Individuals talking about their ‘take’ and enthusiasm, plus involving all members to bring in their images which can be discussed.

We have club competitions so that there is something to aim for and get an end result which a judge can comment on. Often we do not agree with the comments that some judges make but it is there opinion based on their prejudices, experiences  and the images they have judged over many years.

A second aim for a club is to encourage members to continue to improve so that their images can be selected for submission to Inter- Club Competitions, where we go head to head with others club members.

To achieve a good supply of possible images for these competitions, this year we would be grateful if with each print put into the competitions that we are also supplied with a digital copy that can then be put on the Club’s Data Base. Once we have these they can more easily be assessed and advice given to you on possible suggestions in order to improve on the image, based on the judge’s comments and our opinion.

We have again plans for workshops to be held outside the general meetings and you are always welcome to come along from 7pm on a club meeting where there is always someone who you can discuss any problems etc.

See you all on the 5th Sept.