I appears that the Photoshop Workshop on Tuesday proved to be helpful to the members who attended, I based it on making a composite from three images and a schedule which showed a step by step procedure which covered using most of the tools that one could practice on in order to improve your own images.

If you would like to have a copy of this exercise, send me an e mail and I will prepare a CD which you can have at the next meeting.

We have started setting out the Syllabus for 2014/15 – do you have any ideas for subjects or speakers? If you have an idea please send me an e mail.

The prints you handed in for the Colour Print Comp. have been passed to the judge and we will not be able to see them again until they are judged on 7th Nov.

The Kirkcaldy CC Comp is on 11th Nov – therefore there will not be time to decide on the ones that we want to take to for the comp.

It is therefore ESSENTIAL that I get digital copies via e mail from all members who put a print in but has not already let me have a copy

Another good reason was that I said that I would get all images in and Jennifer doubted this and bet me 10p – I am a poor loser – so please let me have your image by this coming weekend at the latest.

Many thanks to Lynn and Martin who last night gave us an insight into how they have developed their interest in photography and the way they have used their imagination to create something different, with Lynn’s stacked stones on the beach and the time lapse images of the ‘two faces’ of Martin. Their development of their skills of using Photoshop could be seen with the ‘before & after’ images and how they have taken on board comments from judges and made the improvements.

Next week

We have a ‘star’ speaker – Horst Meyerdierks from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh telling us about ‘Astrophotography’ – Steven Beard suggested this, therefore if you have any work colleges who could give us a talk please let me know.

Clive

Members who were unable to bring in their colour Prints last night, please e mail me and I will make arrangements for you to take them to Joe, Lynn or myself.

I only had a few CD’s last night, it is essential that I have a digital copy of your entries, therefore please e mail me a digital copy asap. Put your club number and title as the file name

Last night we are very fortunate to have Libby Smith, who came all the way from Carluke .

She is  one of the main stays in the Carluke CC and  is a Master of the Photographic Alliance of GB and has an Excellence award in the Federation International Art of Photography.

She is also on the roll of honour at the Scottish Photographic Federation and is one of the SPF Executives, Judges Secretary and is the Hon. Life Vice President.

Fantastic achievements and a major contributor to photography.

Mono photography is a real art and Libby  gave us an illustrated presentation which highlighted the ways you can transpose a ‘bland greyscale image’ into an image that has ‘wow’. This advice and guidance should encourage us to put that extra effort in and create an interesting images. She will come back and judge our Black & White comp. in March, so we had better take note of her advice!

I am sending out separately to you the notes that Libby has prepared which should assist us, I will also organise a further Photoshop Workshop to cover this topic.

Next Tuesday 22nd Oct. we have the colour Photoshop Workshop, 7.30-9pm,

At our next meeting  we will hear about the ‘deep secrets’ of Lynn and Martin’s exploits into photography.

Clive

As I guessed I missed a fascinating meeting on Thursday, Lynn has advised me of this fact and I am sure that all the members present felt the same. I copy below her summary.

“What a fantastic session on 3D photography by Denis Alyshev, Denis brought along his own equipment and explained to everyone what he had and why it was used.  He even brought along his recent ebay purchase which was a vintage silver screen which he pulled up straight from the beautiful wooden box.  He used the modern version to show his images though!  He showed us images from his home town in Russia and around his local area – including beautiful winter scenes.  He showed us images of inside his friend’s houses and his own.

He moved on to photos of Japan – beautiful pictures in Autumn.  Then he showed us pictures of Scotland.  His pictures were fantastic.  We were all given 3D glasses to view the images and you felt that you could just reach out and touch them”.

Next week remember to bring along your two entries for the Colour Print Comp. Do not worry about what the judges say, by making an effort and participating in these local club comp. it gives something to aim for, you get guidance (even if you do not agree) which believe me does help in developing your skills.

If most of the entries were perfect no one would benefit and it would be most discouraging and very little would be gained So please make a real effort and put  your work in.

If you cannot make next weeks meeting and you didn’t bring in your prints last week e mail me and I will find a way to have them included, so no excuses!

Next week we also have Libby Smith, as I have mentioned before she is one of the best photographers in Scotland, advising us on mono photography, she will then judge our Black & White comp. in March. So we had better take note of her advice!

I have had an e mail from the National Galleries of Scotland which advises of an exhibition that would be worth making an effort to see: –

“At the Portrait Gallery later this month, critically acclaimed Dutch photographer Viviane Sassen showcases her fashion and fine art photographs (In Bloom, in the only UK showing of her retrospective, In and Out of Fashion. Come see how her work has transformed fashion photography in the last decade”

Hope to see most of you next week.

Clive

Print comp – two colour print images to be handed in at meeting on 17th October

Put your club number & title of image on the back of the mount.

Please put the images on a CD or e mail it to me (clivemcc@talktalk.net)-reduce image size to 1400mm longest side and put club number and title as file name                             ( i.e     01 My image.jpg.

There are two good reasons for this:-

1. To build  the Club’s Data Base
2. We require material for the forth coming Interclub Competitions

• Kirkcaldy – Monday 11th Nov. 10 prints & 10 digital
• 4 way hosted by Edinburgh 2nd Dec. 15 digital

Members can also let me have additional digital images which can go on the data base and can be considered for these external competitions – file names as above format.

Workshops

• Print Mounting – Tues.8th October –
• Photoshop -Tues.22nd Oct – if you are interested please put your name on the list on the notice board or send me an e mail.

Last night we had the pleasure of Dr Neil Scott  to judge our first Club Competition where 27 members entered two projected images each. There was a good range of images, but one of the main points that Neil tried to advise us was that if we want to develop our skill to get to the level of ‘competition images’ they should reflect the input of the photographer.

Consider the best angle and get that different or even unique shot. Picture post card images are fine, but these have already been captured by millions of ‘point and click’ photographers. Have a good look at the scene in front of you and see if there is an element that can be homed in on that the average person would not even notice. Post processing must also be carefully considered to get the best out of the shot, experiment by using the tools that are available which can assist in maximizing the ‘real’ impact and give it that ‘wow’ factor.

Next week

We have a fascinating talk by Denis Alyshev who will introduce many of us to 3D Photography

I unfortunately have to go south again (family problems) so will miss this meeting, so Lynn will be in charge again.

I hope to be back for the meeting on 17th Oct. with Libby Smith, a skilled photographers who is one of the leading figures at the Carluke Camera Club and is now their Honorary Vice President (Hunter Kennedy who showed us his amazing work two weeks ago is also a leading member of Carluke). So this is a standard of presentation that no member should miss.

Clive

Many thanks to Anita who gave us her very experienced comments on the images brought in by members at our ‘Critique’ evening. There was a wide range of subjects and by opening it up to comments from ‘the floor’  I think it made a constructive and ‘entertaining evening.

If there is enough interest Joe Fowler will be holding a workshop at Southfields on Saturday 5th Oct. – for details and booking contact him on fingalfowler@aol.com

Calumet are having another ‘Open Day’ on Weds 9th Oct – offering a ‘free’ (they are looking for a small donation for local charity) sensor cleaning service, plus other promotions.                       http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk

Charlie Briggs has now arranged the ‘Image Mounting Workshop’ on Tuesday 8th Oct.     7.30-9pm. Put your name on the list on the notice board or remove it if you cannot make that evening. He will e mail you with details etc.

I have planned to run a Photoshop Workshop on Tues. 22nd Oct. 7.30 – 9pm – just come along and bring a laptop if you have one.

I would like to remind members that we will be receiving Colour Print Images at the meeting on 17th October. Two mounted prints per member – you can bring then along on the 10th October if you cannot make the 17th. Please hand them to our Comp. Sec. George Todd. Will everyone make a real effort to put their work in so that we have a good entry for George Neilson to judge on 7th Nov.

Next week we have our first Club Competition where 27 members entered two projected images each which will be judged by Dr Neil Scott who some of you might remember that he gave us a fascinating talk entitled ‘A silk Purse from a Sows Ear’. He also was the judge at last season’s Interclub Competition against Kirkcaldy

Clive

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.