SPF News Update

SPF News Update 8 March 2012

As we seem to be rushing headlong towards Summer Time, light evenings and Easter, so the activities within the Federation are building up, with lots of exciting stuff on the agenda. Check out the SPF Web-site to make sure you have all the details… no better place to start than the Diary, see http://www.southernfed.org.uk/diary.htm

The big event in March is the Print and PDI Championships on Sunday 25th all the information is available at http://www.southernfed.org.uk/championships.htm

As you'll be aware, Lynn Lambert has been urging everyone to let her have your best prints for consideration for the PAGB Exhibition. A lot were received at the Reps meeting in February, but another collection will be made after the Print Championships. So, if you have been hanging onto a print for the Championships, you'll be able to pass it on to Lynn on 25th. We are really pushing hard this year to get the very best of what is produced in the SPF so that we can get the placing we deserve next time round. Please note that the Council has agreed to amend the Championship rules so that an image which has previously been entered in a PAGB Inter-Federation competition can now be used.

The Print and PDI Leagues are now coming towards a conclusion, with several of the leagues already completed, and promotion / relegation decided for a number of clubs ! How is your club doing? ....check it out at http://www.southernfed.org.uk/league.htm where you'll find links to the individual leagues. Note also that at the Reps meeting last month it was agreed that from next season titles will be read out when judging... so if you think that will influence a judge there's another challenge to your creativity!

Finals Day for the League is on 13th May, at Copythorn Village Hall, SO40 2HN, as detailed at that same link. Please also be aware that we will be seeking a new person to run the Leagues next season, so let's have a volunteer so that the Leagues can continue.

At the Reps' meeting, Ken Scott, who has been co-opted to the Council as Judging Advisor, set out the vision for the SPF's new approach to developing the skills of judges, through judging workshops, mentoring, evaluations etc. The first two workshops are already full, but prospective judges can apply for the following workshops. See the web-page for information at http://www.southernfed.org.uk/judging.htm Please note that unlike previous workshops, there is no provision for spectators at these.

A big event is planned for Sunday 15th April. This is a "Total Photography Fitness Workout" presented by Jeff Morgan http://www.elmstudio.com/ whose photography tutorials have been published in many magazines across Europe, USA and Asia.It should be a great day, and a distinctly value-for-money bargain cost of £10. This is the first of the SPF's efforts to expand on our role of "promoting the advancement of photography" as set out in the Constitution. There can be no better way to reinvigorate your creativity and prepare for the long days of summer and photographic holidays; hurry up to get your ticket before they sell out ! ......these can be purchased individually or your club rep can arrange a bulk order; all of the details on this are set out at http://www.southernfed.org.uk/jeffmorgan.htm

Another innovation now planned is the Audio Visual Championships, which will be held for the first time in Overton on 28th October. The details of this are being finalised now and will be published within the next few days, so keep a look-out. If your club is likely to take part, please let Lynn Lambert past.pres@southernfed.org.uk know so that we can plan for the appropriate numbers. To get a good flavour for this event, especially if your club has not been involved previously in AV competition, you can do no better that to attend the Oak Leaf Salver digital AV competition at the North Hants Photographic Club on 23rd March at Andover Road Hall, Oakley, Nr. Basingstoke RG23 7HA ; for a map click on
http://nhps.weebly.com/contact-uslocation.html Note that the Village Hall is in Station Road. Those who would like any further details please contact Ernie Fullbrook at secretary@nhphoto-soc.org There will be 7 clubs competing, with three sequences each. Judging is by Mr. Ian Bateman. FRPS, MPAGB who besides being an PAGB A.V. Judge is also a well respected International A.V. Judge. Visitors from other clubs are most welcome, and entry is free.

The next round of Print Box Orders will be next month, closing date 28th April. Updated details with confirmed costs will be on the web-site in the next few days.

Finally, although it seems so far ahead, entries for the SPF 2013 Exhibition are now open. Closing date for entries is 31st August, but as there are only 33 club entries available ( already only 30 remaining!) you won't want to leave it too late and miss out. All of the necessary information is on http://www.southernfed.org.uk/exhibition2013.htm , where you will also find a link to the new Rules... be sure to read these!

Thanks for now

John Hodge

SPF Council Member