Welcome to two new members – Steven Beard and Gavin Marshall who joined us this week.

I hope that they and all members who came along enjoyed the talk by Liz Cole.
She is a professional photographer, who now specialises in plant photography from all over the world and this is where she took us last night.
Highlighting different aspects of getting the best images of plants in natural places and conditions. It means getting down to ground level, climbing rocky areas, putting up with the rain and wind, all without treading on other species that are in the area.

Most of her photography is taken using a tripod and reflectors, which gives stability and time to think about the shot (position, focus, depth of field and anything that can be moved from the shooting area) and for the wind to momentary to drop. The reflectors lights areas where detail would be lost if not used. So go out into your garden or local area and have a go.

Dougie has just sent me an e mail where there are some special offers on reflectors from 7dayshop

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?filterwords=7dayshop%205%20in%201%20collapsible%20disc&filterwordsalldb=1&filterwordsdescs=1&page=1&sort=3a&r=20111101

Next week we are having the judging of the Portrait Comp. – the judge is Brenda Thomson, who is the wife of Michael who judged our Colour Print Comp in Sept. So lets hear what she thinks of our efforts.

Joe Fowler is continuing his Saturday workshops at Southfields – this Saturday 5th Nov  – 10am to noon – he is covering portraits. So e-mail him if you want to go along.

We now have a good group of members who have put their names down for the Christmas Dinner on Thursday 15th Dec. So if you still haven’t committed yourself then put your name on the list and join in the fun.

See you next week

Clive

We only had fourteen entries for last nights ‘Appraisal Evening’ – which was an opportunity missed by many members to have guidance given on some of their work.
However Del and Joe were able to constructively comment on the images, giving many useful pointers which we could all benefit from. So bring up your image on your computer
and make the changes and see how they look, if you don’t like it, don’t save it!

Next week we have Liz Cole, who is a very experienced professional photographer, who has covered all aspects of photography but now specialises in  plant
photography, she is under contract to a garden and plant photography agency and her work is published in books, magazines, newspapers and calenders
throughout the UK and Europe. She runs photography workshops at the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh and gives talks to various clubs and societies.
Flowers might not be your favoured subject, but I am confident that there will be many aspects of her talk that will certainly be of benefit to all.

Christmas Dinner, we now have a ‘growing list’ – so please put your name on asap, so that we can make a final booking. If you cannot come to the next couple of meetings
please send me an  e mail and I can add it. Cost of meal is £19.95, with a £10 deposit to Liz Sowler.

Del wants us to enter the ‘Photographic Alliance of Great Britain’ competition again this year – last year we came 15th out of the whole of the UK, which was an excellent result.
But we need to have entries to submit – please therefore look through your images and send one, two or three to Del via e mail ( delvinstonehill@mac.com ) – he will come back to you
if he wants to use an image so that he can get a higher resolution for submission.

Hope to see you all next week.

Clive

I now have the results from Thursday’s ‘Projected Image Comp.’ and I detail a quote from Del

‘ I think that the members work was pretty good, with a wide range of subject matter, and members followed instructions better than last year, although there were a lot of members who put in a mix of JPegs and Tiffs.’ We did ask for jpegs.

So Del thought that there was a good standard although we did have some ‘odd’ comments from the judge, but certainly some of the skies could have been improved by using a polarizer filter. I have one but have not really got on with it, so I will try to have another go with it and see if it does improve skies etc. Del have also commented in the past the  it is important to look at ‘levels’ on each image and adjust it if necessary by looking at the histogram.

Help to do this can be available in the pre meeting workshop 7-7.30pm on a club night by John Napier and Photoshop Elements – if you want to take advantage of this e mail me or speak to John. Also, as I have mentioned before if there are any other subjects that could be fitted into this time slot, then let me know.

Next week Jennifer & Rob will take the stage and show and talk about pictures that they have taken and circumstances involving the taking – sounds very interesting and should be entertaining.

Please also bring along up to three Human Portrait print images, please refer to our rules  and ensure that you put your club number and titlte on the back – please keep the title short and either use a permanent pen or a typed label. Your co-operation in  putting in images that do not damage other peoples work would be appreciated.

The points were very close but the members with the top six points are as follows:-

1. Dougie Williams  & Anita Nutter both with 55 points

2. Scott Currie with 53 points

3. Jennifer Davidson with 52 points

4. Charlie Briggs, Rob McCann and Del Stonehill with 51 points

5. Ken Sharp, Kenny Walker & Joe Fowler with 50 points

6. Derek Stein with 49 points.

I am away next week, so you can have a rest from me and have to put up with Joe Fowler!!

Clive

Last night I discussed some salient points in respect of Portrait Techniques. I  demonstrating how to deal with lighting, which is the most important element in any photography, how to correctly deal with your  model  and getting the surroundings right, then points on using the camera, after which I showed a Power Point presentation which hopefully  illustrated most of the points

I hope that members found it interesting and will assist them in order to get together three print images for submission to the Portrait Human Competition to be handed in at the meeting on Thursday 20th October, participation of all members would be good without any worries what a judge will say.

I am prepared to have a one off workshop for members who have not attended any of my other portrait workshops – I will need to book a model from the Arts School who are used to having a group – but this will need to be self funding including the room hire – we need six members and will need to charge £7.50 each which will only just cover the costs. So please send me an e mail if you wish to ‘have a go’.

One of the comments made by Michael Thompson was about black mounts. We sell either ivory or black mounts and there is absolutely nothing wrong in using black – I personally prefer it as I think that it shows off an image  – So make up your own minds but certainly do not be put off black mounts.
We had a good standard of submissions for the ‘colour prints – and although the majority of them were mounted correctly, we did have  problems with some of them, where glue or tape damaged other prints, a lot of effort goes into taking photos, printing and mounting, so to spoil things, especially other peoples work is a real shame – so would everyone invest in using a quality adhesive – we strongly recommend  3M red photo mount which can be purchased on line.

Also  a print was damaged by the ink coming off of the back onto the front of an image. Please either use labels or a permanent marker pen when putting title and club number on the reverse of your print.

Next week, without glue problems we are having Dougie Allan, from Beeslack CC who will be judging the 96  Projected Images entries – so come along and hear his comments so that we can take them to pieces afterwards!

Hope to see you all next week.

Clive

With 69 entries in the Colour Print Competition, our judge, Michael Thomson had his work cut out, but he did an excellent job, with very constructive and relevant comments on each entry. He obviously has his views and preferences, but most points he raised were valid. He was also very entertaining with some of his comments.

It is now up to us to take on board the points he made and have another look at your image and work on it to see if it can be improved or, if practical, re visit and look for a slightly different aspect and perhaps light condition and take a number of more images and then see how they compare with the original. If a repeat of the situation is not possible, look for something similar and have a go at that. I think that we will progress with our skills if we do this and not just take umbrage.

The top six winners last night were:-

54 Anita Nutter             First
53 Derek Stein               Second
52 Delvin Stonehill       Third
52 Dougie Williams      Third
49 Joe Fowler                Fourth
48 Rob Mc Cann           Fifth
48 Jennifer Davidson   Fifth

Congratulations to all who put images in – everyone really is a potential winner.

As Arnold Palmer said that he was very lucky and the more he practised the luckier he got.

Please come along to the Fisherrow Open day on this Saturday 10am to 2pm – as I said last week you can go onto ‘The re-enactment  of the Battle of Prestonpans’ and take a few ‘shots.’

Next week is our visit to Beeslack CC, will those with tickets and who want to, meet at Fisherrow where we can make up full cars to leave 6.45pm. Those leaving their cars, park them in the road.

For those without tickets there will not be a meeting, the next one for everyone will be on Thursday 6th October, where the subject is ‘Studio Portrait Techniques’.

Any member that have not paid their subscription for this year, please see David Howie asap. After the meeting on the 6th, I will be editing this e mail distribution list to members. If you are unable to re join at the moment but would still like to receive these e mails, please let me know.

A reminder that Joe Fowler is to hold a workshop at Southfields on 1st Oct – 10am to noon, on landscapes and camera controls – if you would like to go please e mail him direct fingalfowler@aol.com – his e mail address is also shown on the syllabus.

So get working on those images and come ‘bouncing back’ but first of all enjoy the pleasures of photography.

Clive

Last night Del gave us an illustrated talk on ‘Basic Digital Techniques’ – he emphasised that the main task was getting the right image in the camera in the first place, a good photographer deletes their bad images,
so if you have any left then they can be put them through imaging software.

Correctly using ‘levels’ can transform an image, cropping out distracting subjects or closing in onto the main subject, together sometimes with a ‘little cloning’ can also create an image with impact. When you have made the adjustment, then and only then, ‘sharpen’ –  then save file preferably as a Tiff file or you can use jpeg. Where ever possible capture the original image in RAW, which captures all the information which can give more flexibility when processing it.

With respect to ‘Projected Images’ – after carrying out the above ‘Resize’ (Image Size) – give a value of 1400 pixels to the longest side, make sure that the three boxes are ticked in order to constrain proportions, resolution need not be changed.

Next week bring in a CD  with three images on – Make a file with your club number and name on and then put into this file the three images with a file name of again your club number and the title of image. Write your name and number on the CD, if everyone helps here it will make Del’s job less onerous in organising the images to be sent to the external judge.

The re-enactment of the ‘Battle of Prestonpans’ will take place on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September – so come to Fisherrow Open Day on Saturday 24th and then go and get some ‘shots’ at Prestonpans.

See you all next week, with CD’s in hand – give these to Del or Rob.

Clive

We had a good turnout for our first meeting of the new session where the Trophies for last year competition winners were presented, a full list of these worthy winners will soon be posted on the web site.

The Photographer of the Year was again Joe Fowler and an additional annual award has been introduced to acknowledge a person who has made a substantial contribution to the development of the club,
this year it goes to our Competition Secretary, Del Stonehill. Congratulations to all the winners.

I have put a copy of some of the comments I made which I hope will be of interest, especially to those that could not make last nights meeting:-

1.       Warm welcome to all.    Tonight is the start of our new season – we have organised an excellent  syllabus and hope that most things will be of interest and give some guidance in developing your interest in photography and meeting members with    similar interest.
2.       Purpose of meeting  – recognition of some outstanding work –with the presentation of trophies to our worthy winners of last years’ club competitions.  These competitions are judged by  outside judges, opinions of which is not always thought to be valid, but in the main there is some credit to many of their comments  which if we take notice of will help to build our knowledge and improve our work and start to challenging some of tonight’s winners .
3.       It is not essential for members to enter work in the competitions, but if you don’t  you do miss out on helpful advise and giving yourself the challenge of making improvements in your hobby. So please will everyone try to make a real effort to put up to three images in each competition

4.       We have set up some meetings  to give guidance in order to develop your skills.

·         Next week  –  8^th September  –  ‘The quest for the perfect image’ by Del.

·         Thursday 15^th Sept. ‘Basic Digital Techniques’

·         Thursday 6^th October – ‘Studio Portrait Techniques ‘.
5.       Please note that our meeting on 29^th September is a meeting at Penicuik with Beeslack C C  – it is a lecture by Neil McIntyre, wild life photographer – ticket cost £6 and if you would like to go there is a list on the notice board, so please add your name. There is a caveat that there has been a lot of interest with other clubs and so they are trying to organise a larger venue, so at this stage tickets are not guaranteed, but we will get as many as we can.We would be grateful if those on the list will pay their £6 to David Howie next week.
6.       Next week will be the submissions for our first club completion for Colour Prints, which can be any subject, including ‘Portraits’ – so please have a good look through your files and print off and mount up to three entries. Details and guidance  for the submissions are on the web site, under Competitions, also a summary is now on the new syllabus.

7.       Please also remember to look at the web site – this will keep you up to date with what is going on – your contributions will also be welcome –submit your images for the ‘Gallery’ also if you want to, join the ‘community through the Members Forum and the MCC Flickr site.

I look forward to meeting you all next week.

Clive

Keep up to date and if you want to join in the ‘community’ and have your say

I hope that everyone is making the most of the tail end of summer and getting some good images together for the club competitions.

Summer Shoot

Unfortunately last night shoot had to be abandoned as the Velodrome track was too wet following the heavy rain during the day.
However there is a lot going on at the  Velodrome this week, subject to the track being dry.
This Thursday & Friday evening from 7.30pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10.30 am, when you can go along as individuals and take photos from the centre of the track.

Joe Fowler(subject to it being dry) has arranged to be at the car park at Meadowbank at 7.30pm on Thursday evening and will lead a further shoot – so come along if you can.

Harness racing

There is a meeting at Musselburgh race course on this Thursday & Friday, with the first race starting at 1.30pm – you can just ‘wander on’ from the main road if you do not want to pay for the entrance.
Great opportunity for some good images.

Syllabus

We have set up a very interesting programme of meetings for our new season which starts off on Thursday 1st September ( full details of the syllabus is on the web site).

Please note – on Thursday September 29th, we have scheduled a visit to the Beeslack Camera Club, for a lecture by Neil McIntyre, the wildlife photographer. This is a ticketed meeting at a cost of £6 each, however there is a limit of 90 tickets in  total, therefore it is essential that you let me know, preferably by e mail if you would like to go along as the tickets go on sale on 1st September and we need to make a block booking in order that we can get our share. Earlier in the year the Joe Cornish lecture was very successful and therefore this one should also be worthwhile.

Clive

I have been advised that there was a good turnout at the evening shoot last Thursday when the Dalkeith County Park was visited, some areas of interest was the Orangie, some old wizened trees and the highlight was a cow who had got its head stuck in a fence, some good ‘head shots’, but remember the portrait competition is for ‘humans’ only, so you will need to Photoshop some make up on.

The next shoot will be on TUESDAY 2^ND AUGUST  and it will be a visit to the Velodrome at Meadow Bank, where hopefully Joe will get us in ‘on the ringside’, so a great opportunity to get some shots of cycles ‘flashing by’. Meet Fisherrow 7pm, latest.

Remember to visit the library exhibition which will be moving on from Port Seton to Gullane on Saturday 16^th July for two weeks and then on to Portobello. Next year I would like to see at least one image from each club member represented, so in March/April we will be looking for your contribution.

The Fringe in August is one of the best opportunities for street photography, although candid shots are really good, do ask the performers if you can take their photo and you normally then get their full co operation, especially if you show interest in ‘their show’ and take a flyer.

Clive