Rowland's Newsletter 2009

8/09/09

NEWTON ABBOT PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2009

COMPETITIONS
There was considerable discussion at the AGM regarding our internal competitions as there is still some dissatisfaction with our points scoring scheme. There was no real consensus, and one to ten point scoring was voted for the time being.

There is to be an additional competition scheduled for 8th December when two themes will be explored. For prints the subject is “GROUND LEVEL” and for projected digital images the subject is “BODY PARTS”. You may interpret these themes in any way you wish but the only stipulation is that the original photographs must have been taken between December 2008 and December 2009. Some members have been requesting a special subject competition for some time so here is your opportunity to go out to look for photographs with these themes in mind.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions will remain unchanged for the coming season (£33) but to cover additional expenses you will see in the programme that we are going to charge £1 whenever we have an outside speaker. Speakers’ fees and travel costs seem to rise alarmingly each year and we are forced to make allowances for this, especially as some come from Bristol , West Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Visitors will be charged £3 on these evenings to include a drink at the interval.

RAFFLES
In the context of money-raising, Trevor Ashford has written to me as follows:-

“As a new committee member I have taken on the job of running a raffle. There will be a draw on the last Tuesday of each month (except December when it will be a Xmas draw) but I will be selling tickets every week to try and get maximum sales. The consensus seems to be that the club comprises mostly alcoholics so liquor of some sort will feature in the draws, along with prizes appertaining to our hobby and computers! As the club needs to raise extra funds this year, the raffles need to be a success financially so if anyone would like to donate a prize it would be well received. I will be donating a 8GB 133x speed SD card (retail over £40) and all offers of unused equipment or undrunk bottles are welcome.”

We allowed our raffles to lapse last season, so I hope members will give Trevor full support as this is a relatively painless way of topping up our funds.

Trevor also writes to say how useful he has found www.naturephotographers.net. This site includes an on-line magazine for enthusiasts, useful tips on techniques, as well as critiques on members’ photos. You may also like to see Trevor’s own photos on www.trevorashford.co.uk.

PHOTOS AND THE BBC
As you probably know the BBC website is vast and an enormous number of pictures are in use there every day. Delving into the blogosphere (I never thought I would ever need to use that term) I came across a project by Phil Coomes, BBC picture editor. He is collecting outstanding and unusual pictures sent in by readers. There is already a large collection that is added to weekly.

Go to www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/photoblog

CONVERSION TO MONOCHROME
There are many ways to convert a colour picture to monochrome in Photoshop – simple desaturation, greyscale, selecting one of the RGB channels or by using Channel Mixer. Each one has certain attributes. They are all valid but the results obtained vary considerably. Most of us eventually settle on one or two preferred methods.

Mick Medley sent me a method that he uses which he admits is unscientific but seems to work very well. Mick has considerable experience in darkroom work and certainly knows how to get a top class monochrome print. His method is to begin by processing the digital image in the normal way, using levels, cropping and removing any blemishes. He then proceeds as follows:-

1. Image > Adjustments > Selective Colour...Make a separate layer for each colour you are going to adjust. With each colour selected from the drop down list add or subtract black as you think necessary.
2. Select each layer in turn and then desaturate in Hue/Saturation.
3. Make some final tweaks if you consider the contrast needs further adjustment in the individual layers.
4. Flatten the layers and resize the print. Sharpen the image using Unsharp Mask.
5. Image >Mode > Greyscale.
6. When printing you may use black inks only, otherwise omit (5) and print in colour if a toned effect is required. Mick prefers using matt paper for the best blacks.

EXHIBITIONS

Greenway

Torbay Hospital

Although a little way off, Susan Young will have an exhibition in the Gallery at Torbay Hospital during November on the theme of “Animal Healing”. This will be of interest to both adults and children. It runs from October 30th to December 4th.
Susan also tells me that she is working on a project dealing with the refugee Poles who came to our area after the Second World War. She hopes this will result in a photographic exhibition that will be seen in various venues in Devon.
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Sir George Pollock held an exhibition entitled “Forms of Light” during August at the RPS in Bath, but many of his pictures can be seen at
www.georgepollock.co.uk
In case you do not know what photographic ooferies are, this is the place to find out.

Rowland White