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Sunday 7 December 2008

Club photo shoot at the Mark Coutts Studio







Seven members of the club recently visited Mark Coutt's Studio near Blandford. We were shown, under his skilled instruction and with assistance from Alison, some of the studio techniques, lighting set-ups etc and introduced our model - Rachael.
Rachael is one of Mark's resident models and we settled into the converted stableblock with much banter, humour and a very generous finger buffet and drinks.

All this relaxed both us, and especially Rachael, who didn't flinch or hold back on the poses that either Mark or we asked of her.

Technical difficulties were easily overcome and Mark went through some of the issues that both photographers and models go through on a shoot where, in particular, time is money - having a clear idea of what sort of images you want, getting a rapport going with model and making it fun, but efficient too. She (he) will be as anxious as you are to get the shots you want - they want to be booked again.

We all had a great experience and an enjoyable and informative evening.

Thanks to Mark for inviting us and for Tony for arranging it.

Do check out markcouttsphotography.
Photos & Text: Tim Kidner

Monday 24 November 2008

Well Done Phil

Congratulation to your member Phil Clegg for coming third in the individual Mono Print Class with "Sun on the Stour". The SPF Exhibition was judged today Sunday.

Thursday 25 September 2008

Sharow National Photographic Competition

Announcing the Fourth Sharow National Photographic Competition for charity - all details can be found at: www.sharowphotocomp.co.uk

The website has been redesigned and updated for the competition in May 2009 there a new category for Photographic Societies and Clubs with a prize of £350 - just go to: www.sharowphotocomp.co.uk/clubs.php to find out more.

We thought you might like to have advance warning about this club category as it will require consideration being given to a potentially very wide interpretation of the subject matter. Contributing to a ‘club entry’ does not disqualify your members from entering any other category of the competition as individuals.

Good luck in your deliberations and many thanks to your members who entered this year’s successful competition. All previous results are published on the website.

Total competition prize money to be won in 2009: £1855

David Page Chairman - sharowphotocomp

Friday 15 August 2008

29th Northern Counties International Salon of Photography 2008

We would like to extend an invitation to all photographers, worldwide, to submit entries into our Salon, and especially you and your friends as valued International Exhibitors.

For more information go to
www.ncpf.org.uk

Thursday 14 August 2008

Wiltshire Open" annual summer exhibition.

Congratulations to Tim for his latest award.I am quite pleased to say that my "Misty River Bird" photo that won me the Wiltshire Trophy with the club tw
o years ago, has been selected for and is now being exhibited at the Salisbury Libraries "Wiltshire Open" annual summer exhibition.
Even though essentially an art exhibition, open to all Wiltshire based artists, I submitted a framed photograph (as well as two other 'art' works, both selected, too). This year sees an overall increase in photographs (about 8 - last year, 4 or so). It runs from tomorrow, Saturday 9th August until the 30th. Entry is free.

Tim Kidner

Friday 8 August 2008

Beech Avenue near Bradbury Rings

The National Trust has launched a celebration of the iconic 3 mile Beech Avenue near Bradbury Rings between Wimborne and Blandford. As the trees reach the end of their natural life the Avenue now has a limited number of years remaining and the National Trust, which manages the estate, would like everyone with an affection for the landmark to get involved with a celebration.

They are inviting people to respond/interpret the Avenue in many ways; photography, art, oral archives, performance etc.

Any submitted/chosen etc, will be featured in an exhibition at Kingston Lacy next Spring.

More info at HERE {sadly this links has lapsed}

That was the full address as given to me; or simply www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex.
Contact is a Katherine Davies. 01985 843617 / 07767400051.
Thanks to LinkUpArtsNews (Aug. edition) for the info. Tim Kidner

Sunday 20 July 2008

Bean Bags

Hi,  

  I just wanted to give you a link to my web page, and see if you would be interested in offering your members a group buy if there was enough interest.

  We make high quality camera bean bags at a fantastic price. I'm a keen amateur photographer from Chesterfield.

  I have attached a pdf detailing the special offers for group buying. Click HERE
   
  Regards,
   
  Dean Lewis
   
  Link to camerabeanbags.co.uk 

Monday 7 July 2008

New Competition Rules

Club Members should note the new rules for bi-monthly competitions.
These have been set out HERE

Monday 23 June 2008

PAGB Inter-Fed Print Comp & Exhibition Results

The results for Salisbury CC's entries are:
Mono:
Tony Oliver, St Brelade's Church Yard, scored 7

Colour:
Peter Read DPAGB, LRPS, A Sad Outcome, scored 11


So neither print was accepted. Pass mark was probably 12 out of 15.

Prints which have not been accepted will be returned at the September Club Reps meeting.
In total the Southern Photographic Federation had only 3 monochrome acceptances, and 8 colour acceptances, but many thanks to all those who put work forward.

Wednesday 18 June 2008

Tony Oliver Wins!


Stratford Dawn

This is the picture that won the Wiltshire Life Magazine
competition for an image depicting Wiltshire Life!
I won a years subscription to the RPS, and one of their portfolio books.
Tony

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Our Summer Walk

The walk on the Nature Reserve of Parsonage Down on 14th June last was superb. Those who missed it missed a treat but you can get an impression from our small web site gallery about available HERE. There were only 6 of us.
Have a look at least.

Sunday 1 June 2008

Laverstock- photograph archaelogical dig

A leading team of archaelogists based from Winchester Uni are to excavate the ruins of the old Church (back of the current St Andrew's) which date back to 15c (I think!) to find remnants of an older church, thought to be Saxon. This will take place in the week leading up to the 13th July and the Church will be open all week to display finds etc. Anyone living locally could make a photo-journal of the stages and any Time Team fans will have something local to tickle their fancies! Catch The Journal nearer the time for further details.
I learned of this and many other details, of varying interest, on the Festival historic tour of Laverstock given by blue badge guides yesterday afternoon. Thanks both to them and to the couple who opened up their home, the Old Vicarage (oldest house in Laverstock c 1450) for elderflower cordial and shortbread by the riverside afterwards. Though not a Laverstock resident myself, these tours can be both interesting and a very pleasant (and cheap!) way of whiling away an afternoon.

Security sensitivity in London

Is anyone aware of, or know of someone who would know, if there any guidelines/policies as to what represents a risk of security when photographing in London? Its OK to snap away at the 'Gherkin' on the opposite side of the road, but at what point (allowing for sinister 6'2" males loitering with rucksacks!) do security people tell you "No pictures!". I know in my case, its cos I'm wanting to shoot from underneath with a fisheye, but it either makes for a 'dive in and be ready to apologise' or an infringement on our photographic liberties. I also noticed the area around Whitehall, (I was photographing Millbrook Tower) sensitive too, but that is more understandable. I had thought of contacting Amateur Photography on this, they being London-based might be better informed. Does anyone else have any experiences/tips on this? (The east-European guard at the Gherkin stiffly presented me with a printed postcard with a photo and technical spec of his 'building'- as if I could use that to enter in bi-monthly competetions!)

Saturday 31 May 2008

The Herd on the Beach

This image can be seen via the Gallery page and it is quite amazing. When you get there you will find that to see the page is pretty obvious. You can zoom in to an incredible degree.
Can you find the green bottle?

See from HERE

If you wish to show your images in this way just send me a disc.
This image is 17MB!
Peter
Since adding this I have added several more. I hope you like them.

The Tim Kidner Collection

Tim sent me some 30 pictures today and I have now made a Gallery to contain them. This is accessible from the main Gallery page via a new link.

It is also available from HERE
It is worth a look.

Friday 30 May 2008

The NEWS section on Blogger

This is just a reminder of what this section is about and that you can all get involved fairly easily. I have invited you all to join at some point by email. If not then please let me know and I will send out the invitation to join again.

This area is for You the Member to post any information relating to Salisbury Camera Club. This can be about forthcoming events with details of where to meet. It can contain photos you want other members to comment on.

You can ask technical questions about photography and digital imaging.
In fact this area can be about anything you want it to be about. Just be aware that it will be checked for content and anything not considered worthy will be removed.

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Salisbury Camera Club Exhibition 2008

From today 28th May 2008 until 31st August you can view the Club's print exhibition. There are 48 framed prints displayed in several offices.

It is displayed at the offices of Smith and Williamson's in Chipper lane.
They can be viewed during office hours.
Just make yourselves known to the Receptionist as soon as you arrive.

See a photographic report HERE

Friday 23 May 2008

Prints put forward for the PAGB Inter-fed Competition


After all the concern of not knowing how many prints we would receive, we had in excess of 350 colour prints, and over 100 monochrome prints from these we only needed 22 of each, so it was a tough selection process for Jack, George & Ian, where the standard of work was incredibly high.

We would like to thank your members for putting work forward for consideration, and are pleased to be able to tell you that on this occasion the panel selected Tony Olivers' St. Brelade's Churchyard.

Chris & Terri Neill-Griffin SPF

Tuesday 20 May 2008

Members Success in Fordingbridge Jubilee Exhibition

Two Salisbury CC Members have had some success in getting 8 of their digitally projected images accepted in the Fordingbridge CC's Golden Jubilee Exhibition 2008.

This exhibition received about 1700 entries from 183 photographers from around the world. They came from the UK, Australia, USA, France, Germany, Ireland and Croatia.

The judges were Ian Platt, Dr Brian Most and Colin Peter Harrison all FRPSs and other things too.

The full list of awards and acceptances can be seen HERE

The members were Sheila Read FRPS with Across the Sands to Rum, Key Ring, Looking Out and Railings and Shadows and
Peter Read DPAGB, LRPS with Dusk Curves, Bridestones View, Mankinholes Wall and Spreading Tree.

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Summer Walk No. 1

Tony has arranged a walk for Sat 14th June, at 1400hrs.
It is to
the Parsonage Down National nature reserve, Shrewton.

The Walk will last about 3 hours and will be a combination of guided walk and Land Rover travel.
There is a Natural England website that may have some more site details, www.naturalengland.org.uk.

We meet at this location HERE or SP3 4ET

Wednesday 30 April 2008

Mary Luckham Trophy 2008

The subject of this competition has now been set by out Chairman Tony Oliver.
The subject will be Summertime 2008.
To see the details and rules see HERE

Saturday 26 April 2008

1908 and Time Development

In this weeks Salisbury Journal there was a report form 1908 of a lecture given to members that is of passing interest. To see this see HERE

I have also found from 2006 the report of John Sutton's death. He was a former Chairman of the club. This can be seen HERE

Tuesday 22 April 2008

Beth's Success!


I am delighted to let you know that "Outdoor Photography " is publishing one of my photos. It is one that I submitted in the judging 2 weeks ago at the club which rated a "7" from the judge


I am told it will be in the June edition and will go on sale in around May 15th.

Beth Jacobs

Monday 21 April 2008

PAGB Print Competition & Exhibition

Dear Club Secretaries & Competition Secretaries,
Ian Bigg our President has asked us to help organise this years Southern Federation entry to the PAGB Print Competition & Exhibition. It is a great opportunity for your members to showcase their work at a national level.
We would be grateful if you could arrange for your club rep to bring a selection of your members colour and monochrome prints to the SF AGM on the 16th of May, at Littleton Millennium Memorial Hall, The Hallway, Littleton, Winchester, SO22 6QL at 7.45pm
If you are no longer in either of these roles at your club, we would be very grateful if you could forward this email to the appropriate member.
This years judges will be Rikki O'Neill FRPS MPAGB, Arnold J Hubbard FRPS APAGB EFIAP, and Roger Reynolds Hon FRPS APAGB. Normal PAGB rules, (one photographer, one club) apply, maximum mount size - 50cm x 40cm.
We will also be looking for slides/digital images to represent the Southern Federation, in October, so we will need to receive them by the the Autumn Club Reps meeting on the 15th September.
Any questions please contact us,
Kind regards,
Chris & Terri Neill-Griffin

PAGB Print Competition & Exhibition

Dear Club Secretaries & Competition Secretaries & Members,
I know for many of you this is a busy time of the season, but please don't forget to arrange for some colour and mono prints for the PAGB Print Competition & Exhibition, without your support and your prints the Southern Photographic Federation cannot be represented in the PAGB competition. It's a great opportunity to have work shown nationally, and it would be an immense shame if the Southern Fed were unable to take part, due to a lack of prints, all you need to do is send your club's rep to the AGM on 16th May with a selection of prints.
So please, help us to show the superb standard of work produced by photographers in the Southern Federation, and bring us some prints.
Many thanks in anticipation of your entries.
Kind regards,

Chris Neill-Griffin

Friday 18 April 2008

Mount Cutter

Absolutely fantastic. I had a couple of responses at the camera club on Monday, and a suggestion of a couple web sites to try. I was told that what I really need is a Logan Team System. I tried Art discount, Amazon and Hobbycraft. The last one is a shed type retailer, and I had to phone them as the website wasn't up to much. Little to choose between the other two, so I went for the cheapest. artdiscount.co.uk Over a tenner cheaper than Hobbycraft. Ordered Wednesday, delivered Friday morning. Problem solved. It could well be a site that others may find useful in the future.
Now, back to the job............................................
Phil.

Sunday 13 April 2008

Mount Cutter

Wouldn't you just believe it. I stopped mending the fence because it started to rain. In fact, it was hailstones!! So, rather than waste the day, I got out my prints for the exhibition. Prints are printed, frames are ready, mountboard waiting to be cut. Just needs me to put the whole thing together. Afternoon job? I don't think so. On its second cut, the cutter slipped, and on further inspection, the clamp has lost it's thread. It has died. Terrific. It was a Logan one and has served me well. My reason for this post............. Well I need a new one, and I was kind of hoping that one or more of our members would like to recommend one that I absolutely must buy, or just as importantly, one to avoid like the plague. Your thoughts on this would be gratefully appreciated, but please hurry, or Tony will get the hump with me if I don't get my prints in on time!!!
Only joking Tony.

Many thanks.
Phil.

Wednesday 9 April 2008

PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit

PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit - Copythorne Parish Hall, Pollards Moor Road, Winsor (Southampton CC meeting place)

Dates Sat/Sun 26/27 April 2008

Tony [our Chairman] has put an entry in to get his CPAGB. So why not go along and support his endeavour? You need a ticket and Tony can tell you how to get one.
Again I am unable to find any information from the SPF web site about this important event.

Saturday 22 March 2008

More Salisbury CC Archives

Today I have scanned a few more archives.
There is a scan of a complete International Exhibition catalogue for 1957 for instance.
Plus a Newsletter, some Accounts and a list of the Trophy winners for .
There are some familiar names amongst these.
Click the link for more.

Tuesday 18 March 2008

Cheap Epson Premium Quality Glossy Paper A3+

You can get Epson Premium Quality Glossy Paper 20 sheets for £19.85 with free postage (next day recorded delivery) - it is the real thing - if you can only print to A3 then it is worth buying to cut to size - £1 per sheet - can't be bad!

Happy printing
;-)

Thursday 21 February 2008

Exposure 2009

During 2009 there will be an exhibition devoted to digital imaging for the general public. It will take place at Olympia. More can be found HERE.

Saturday 2 February 2008

Photoshop and Print Size

Have ever noticed that when you click on the Print Size button when you have the Zoom tool selected that if you measure the screen the dimensions are wrong?
Well I find this irritating sometimes. It would be nice to get this correct. Recently on Ben Willmore's site I found out to put right this Photoshop error.

First understand that Photoshop assumes that your monitor screen has a resolution of 72ppi. Well this was the case years ago but now screens are almost never like this. I found mine to be 91.64ppi for instance.

So how do we correct this?

1. Start by making a new file from File > New. Set the Width and Height to say 7 inches each and the resolution to 72ppi. Other settings do not matter. Click OK.

2. Now go to View > Actual Pixels.

3. Now hold up a ruler across the width of the screen and check what it measures. Say 6.2 inches i.e. wrong.

4. Adjust the percentage setting shown in the lower left so that the ruler reads correctly. To adjust the percentage just click on it and type in a new number. Press Shift + Return or Enter. This allows the percentage to stay highlighted to enable you to change it quickly and easily.

5. Once you have done this use the percentage and multiply by 72. When I did this on my screen I got 127%. When multiplied by 72 I got the answer of 91.64 [i.e. 1.27x72].

6. Now so that all our photos show correctly open up the Units and Rulers found under Edit > Preferences > Units and Rulers.

7. Set the Screen Resolution to the calculated number [91.64 for me] and click OK.

8. Now measure the 7 inch square. Is it right? It is possible it could still be wrong by a large amount. Now try select the Zoom Tool and from the Options bar click on the Print Size button. Does this make it correct? It should be right now. Any slight error could be because of the difficulty of measuring with a ruler on a curved screen and the thickness of the glass. But it will be much better than before.

9. There is a point to note that Photoshop has another error in that the View > Print Size gives a different size to the Print Size button for the Zoom Tool. This has been corrected in CS3 more or less. But in general the Zoom Tool Print Size is the one to use for most versions of Photoshop.

Peter Read

Thursday 31 January 2008

Digital Imaging Course

The Aims of the Course

So you want to know how to produce a satisfactory print from your film or digital camera?

The course is aimed primarily for people who want guidance in the control of digital images from the very start. Maybe you have just acquired a digital camera and wish to get successful results from it. Or perhaps you have lots of old prints, negatives or slides and want to know the right way to deal with these in the new world of Digital Imaging. The course will also be useful to people who have been conventional photographers and want to move into the digital domain.
We will not be showing you how to take photographs or how to use a camera be they of the digital or film variety.
This course will show you how to use the Lightroom (formerly a Darkroom!). We will explore how to load photographs into your computer and how to deal with them using Image Manipulating software. We shall be using the Adobe Photoshop Elements [2, 3, 4, 5 and/or 6] to co-ordinate the instructions. This is an interactive course in which you will use supplied images to learn various techniques as outlined in the units. You will then e-mail your results back to us for evaluation. Basic advice on equipment will be given.
The course will consist of an introductory unit and 8 units each covering various aspects of DI. They will be interdependent units so that what you learn in unit 1 will be needed for unit 8 for instance.
The Units
1. Getting Pictures into your computer.
How to save, size, sharpen and print your images. How to e-mail images.
2. The 4 C’s – Cropping, Cleaning, Cloning and Controlling your Image.
3. Essential Picture Correction – the use of Levels for Tonal and Colour Correction.
4. Further Colour Correction Ideas – the use of Colour Variations, Auto Colour Correction, Quick Fix and Hue & Saturation controls
5. Selections. The how and why.
6. Filters, Effects and Painting.
7. Why Layers and Blending Modes? Also putting Words onto your Picture.
8. Having Phun with Photos. Making Cards, Calendars and Montages.



To partake in this course you will need to have the following equipment;
1. A computer with Internet connection – obvious of course! Dial-Up or Broadband is OK. Your computer will need to have Windows 98/ 98SE or 2000 or XP or Vista or even a MAC. You should have a minimum of 16Mb of hard disk space. We think you will need a lot more than this however; say 1000 Mb or 1 Gb of memory.
2. A Printer – photo quality A4 minimum.
3. Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6.
4. Possibly a Scanner. Probably Flatbed scanner is sufficient.
Please take some time to read advice on buying computers, peripherals and software on the LINK below.
By kind permission the U3A (University of the Third Age) has agreed to allow us to run this course. The course is based on one written by us for the U3A.
If you join our course we are sure that you will enjoy it and will learn a lot. It will be great fun too!
The modest charge to take part on this course will go into the Club funds.
Ask Peter Read for further details.

Monday 28 January 2008

Leonie's Baby

I have finally made a small gallery devoted to Leonie Maclay's baby born last year. Have a look HERE

Sunday 13 January 2008

Archives

I have just started a section that preserves some of the Club's archives. There are pictures of members from the past and a selection of old programmes and Exhibition catalogues.

Take a look [click on this link] and ask if you want to see more.
Peter

Sunday 6 January 2008

Honoured by the SPF






Both Sheila and Peter Read were honoured on Friday 4th January 2008 at the opening of the SPF Exhibition at our Library.
Besides Sheila getting a Highly Commended for Dahlia Dance and Peter getting Third Place for his monochrome print Train at Chama they were also presented with the SPF Roll of Honour. This was a total surprise to them both but they suspect that Tony and Richard may know something about how it was organised.

Presenting the awards is Ian Bigg President of the SPF who was also given the Roll of Honour again much to his surprise and delight.

The two photographs mentioned can be seen on the 29th November 2007 news item below here.