NEW GALLERY OF MEMBERS’ IMAGES FOR 2010

All members are invited to email four of their best images to webmaster John Brown who will create a brand new gallery for 2010. For full instructions, click on “Member Information, Your best Images Wanted” on the home page of the DPS website.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS!

Assignment Group Meeting

For those members not on the mailing list, the assignment group will be meeting in County Hall room 1b on Tuesday 22nd Dec. at 7pm.

Valente Cup, judged by David Richardson APAGB.

1st Place. Les Travis.
The Kill. Also POY see next Blog entry.

Family Squabble.

Drink at the Stream.

2nd Place Mavis Ord.

Late evening, the workers have gone.

Early Morning Light.

Beauty in the Windy Rain .




3rd Place. Ian Stafford.

Pickering Paratrooper.

Lola Lamour.

Dancing in the Street.



HC. Trevor Smith.

Evening Song.

Stealth.

Fly me to the Moon.

HC. Dennis Hardingham.

Clearing Skies.

First Dance.

Roaming the Wall.

HC. Barry Armitage.

Gentle Old Man.

Mother and Son?

Sweet Music

PRINT OF THE YEAR 2009

The Print of the Year was awarded by David Richardson to Les Travis in the recent Valente Cup/ POY competitions.

Les Travis...The Kill

Report of the President December 09

We are rounding the year off with a group of International Competition images. I have found these to be very fascinating. There do seem to be trends in the content of the images that gain success. I suppose it could be argued that the art of doing well in these events is to get in early on the next trend. So what will replace the Whitby Goths and the World War II re-enactments.
I did enjoy the Valente Cup results night. David Richardson was an excellent judge and we gave him a very difficult task. I felt that there were some really excellent sets of images which did not even figure in the lower placings. Well done to a very worthy winner.
It is with a certain amount of sadness that I sign of this, my last Report. It has been a great honour to be President and I would like to thank all of the committee for their sterling efforts over the past two years, years which have we have seen an undoubted surge forward from an already high standard. I feel that this is no small way due to the enthusiasm which you all have shown and the way you have committed time and energy to the development of the Society and of photography in Durham. My sincere thanks to you all.
Alan Stott

CLUB NEWS – FIRST MEETINGS 2010

The first club night meeting of our eagerly anticipated 2010 programme will be Thursday 14th January (not 7th January as would normally be the case due to refurbishment of the hall).
It will be President’s night, the first from our new President, David Trout – not to be missed!
The 14th is also closing date for the popular and hotly contested 1st Progress Digital competition. No extension is possible but Roger can accept entries by email now (preferred, and as soon as possible!) or on disc. They should be the usual size and sRGB colour space (instructions can be found on the home page of this website or available on club nights). Importantly, the caption on each image you enter should have your name rather than membership number – Roger will re-caption with your new number when issued in the new year. To obtain your number you will have to have paid your prescription! Angy has set up an early payment system to avoid the chaos of queues on the first night back.
Roger’s email address is: rogerculpin@talk21.com
Angy is on: angela34d@yahoo.co.uk
The first DPS Digital night of 2010 will be Wednesday 3rd February, 7.00 pm, County Hall, Room 1a. Information as to what will be covered on the night, open to all members interested in digital processing, will follow.

JUDGING SEMINAR

EXHIBITION NEWS - The Durham Snow Series

Now showing in the Entrance to the Town Hall, Durham, a selection of images of Durham in the snow by DPS President, Alan Stott MA ARPS
This series of ten images are a record of one particular day, the 29th of December 2005, with the City under a blanket of white. Alan says, “It was a magical morning; the snow lay heavy on the branches and the sun began to appear as we made our way round the back of the Cathedral and over Prebends Bridge. Ideal conditions for photography”.

Photo. Alan Stott MA ARPS

NEWS REPORT – MEDIA STORM AROUND JOYCE HEDLEY!

Durham Photographic Society members have long known fellow member Joyce Hedley as an accomplished and successful photographer and digital worker. That Joyce, now 81, only took up photography at the age of 70, never having used a computer or digital SLR camera before, proved to be of great public interest following her exhibition, Autumn, at Clayport Library in Durham. With articles in several newspapers and a news item on BBC Radio Newcastle, now Joyce’s story can be seen on the BBC Wear website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/wear/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8383000/8383202.stm
Joyce acknowledges the encouragement and support of fellow member and friend, Ruth Thornton who has been a film, and now top end digital SLR, worker for many years and the help of Mavis Ord, George Holland and others in all things Photoshop. To paraphrase Tony Benn’s father, she has entered “A blaze of Autumn Sunshine” and cannot imagine life without photography.

NEWLY APPOINTED HONORARY LIFE VICE PRESIDENT

Don Bennett DPAGB was given this honour at the AGM in November in recognition and gratitude for his long and distinguished service to the Society and the wider photography club world. Don joins our other Honorary Life Vice Presidents, Colin Armitstead APAGB, Robin Wallace and Maurice Sanderson. A Profile of Don will appear on the Member Profiles section of this website shortly.

Durham Photographic Society President, Alan Stott said, “This is a well deserved honour. We will always be grateful for the unstinting work that Don has done over many years, and continues to do, for the Society”

EXHIBITION NEWS

Now on at Clayport Library, Durham, on the lower ground floor is a collection of photography by DPS General Secretary and Hon Life President Colin Armitstead. Colin has a unique eye for a picture and a wonderful lightness of touch. His images are often close ups of everyday objects that most people would pass by unaware of the potential for a beautiful image. Prepare to be inspired!

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT – DURHAM CITY CENTRE AT NIGHT

Wednesday 25th November. Meeting at 7.00 pm in the Market Place. Do not be put off by the weather! What could be better? Glistening cobbled streets, umbrellas, Christmas lights? If you enjoyed the Tony Worobiec lecture, great chance to do some low level lighting photography. Opportunity to socialise with fellow members. Rise to the Challenge of – “A Display Item”.
There’s an added incentive – the Assignment Group will put on a Members Evening in 2010 (TBC).
All members welcome!

Mini Exhibition at Newton Hall Library

The latest mini exhibition is now on display at the Newton Hall Library.

All Photos D Bennett.

NEXT PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT

Following the great success of the trip to South Gare and Paddy’s Hole, this month the topic of night pictures has been agreed on. This following the inspiring lecture on low light photography by Tony Worobiec recently. Meeting in Durham,7.00pm, by the ex-horse in the market place, on Wednesday 25th November. Christmas lights will be switched on by then (22nd November)
For laughs, or serious shots, the single item Challenge will be "A Display Item".

All members are welcome. There will be a follow up session (date/venue to be advised) to enjoy the sharing of pictures and experiences.

FOCUS ON IMAGING

Birmingham NEC March 7th - !0th 2009: is Europe's biggest annual imaging show, covering all your needs from image capture through to output and beyond. Over 200 exhibitors and product launches galore - including all the very latest digital cameras and processing equipment - will feature at FOCUS 2010.
You can register on line now – free for full time professionals, £8 for enthusiasts – or pay £10 on the door.
http://www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk/registration.htm

Fillingham Trophy 2010

I have chosen conte jour, or photographing against the light, as the subject for next year’s Fillingham Trophy competition. The art of contre jour is a photographic technique so is not specific to any one category of photography such as landscape, wedding, sport, natural history or portraiture. It means that all photographers, regardless of their particular interests, can enter with an equal chance of winning.
The rules are simple; as in other competitions up to three digital images of the size specified in the programme, can be entered. The pictures must be taken between the date of the annual general meeting which took place on Thursday November 12 2009 and the closing date next May. The competition will be judged in June. The precise dates will be published in the 2010 programme available from our first meeting in January.
There is one change from past years. As the one who chose the subject I will personally judge the competition instead of inviting a judge from another club to do so.
I will be looking for top class photographic technique and, equally, artistic interpretation.

David Trout, president elect.

e-news from the PAGB issue 18

Contains more news of the GB Cup 2010, closing date 16th Nov 2009 (geing organised for our club by Joe Grabham. Also results of the Inter-Club Print Championship held at Connah’s Quay recently. In a very close contest, the Wigan 10 FG came out the winners ahead of Smethwick PS. Details are on the club notice board. You can place yourself on the PAGB mailing list by emailing rod@creative-camera.co.uk – especially of interest if you are interested in competing at inter-club and international salons.
GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RACES
Riverside Bowl, Gateshead International Stadium, and along the banks of the river Tyne, 14th November
http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/events/46009/Gateshead_International_Cross_Country_Races.html

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT NOVEMBER 09

We have two visiting speakers this month and both have been extremely good. Both Peter Dixon and Tony Worobiec, as well as being entertaining speakers showed images of exceptional quality. I also have to express admiration for the way our own member Neil Maughan extended his 30 min talk to fill the whole evening when his fellow presenter was unable to be with us.

I would like to mention the new feature of the website which showcases individual members. I enjoyed reading about Robin Wallace, and look forward to finding out about other members. Perhaps If I could I would like to suggest that some of our newer members be featured, and of course some of our lady photographers. Well Done JB.

Alan Stott

Tyneside Digital Imaging Group Presents....

Digital Workshop
“Hugh Milsom FRPS MFIAP”

Hugh Milsom specialises in fine art landscape photography. His landscape work ranges from studies of the wide-open landscape to the close-up studies of the intimate landscape. He uses exclusively 35mm cameras and nowadays exclusively digital capture.
He has photographed most notable locations in Britain and Southern Ireland. His passion is for the extensive beaches that lie along the west coast of Scotland and Ireland. It is a changing landscape, each day having a different mood and character.

(For more information visit http://www.hughmilsomphotography.co.uk)


Saturday February 13th. 2010
9.30am – 4.30pm
Beacon Lough Baptist Church,
Southend Road, Gateshead, NE9 6XS
£15 (including buffet lunch and refreshments)

Tickets available from Anne Swearman ARPS EFIAP DPAGB APAGB
30 St. Lucia Close, Whitley Bay, NE26 3HT (Tel. 0191 2533130)
(Please enclose a SAE for return of tickets)

Digital Workshop at Gateshead. Jan 16th

“Creating Audio-Visual Presentations with Pictures to Exe”

The programme will include: fitting pictures to the rhythm of the music, recording voice-overs and sound effects, mixing the soundtrack and music copyright will include presentations by
Ron Henry, Ian Britton, Malcolm Burns, Vince Rooker and
Anne Swearman,


Saturday January 16th. 2010
9.30am – 4.30pm
Beacon Lough Baptist Church,
Southend Road, Gateshead, NE9 6XS
£15 (including buffet lunch and refreshments)

Tickets available from Anne Swearman ARPS EFIAP DPAGB APAGB
30 St. Lucia Close, Whitley Bay, NE26 3HT (Tel. 0191 2533130)
(Please enclose a SAE for return of tickets)

REMEMBRANCE DAY SUNDAY, 8th NOVEMBER

Volunteer members of the Society were once again privileged to be able to document in still photography, for the veterans of the Durham Light Infantry, the events around Remembrance Sunday in the City of Durham – including the laying of the wreath at the DLI Memorial Garden at the cathedral, the marching through the City, the march past in the Market Place and the Mayor’s Reception in the Town Hall.
For many years there has been an enjoyable and productive relationship between the Society and the DLI Association, led by Society member John Attle (pictured). Over time, many thousands of images, from many DLI events have been supplied for the use and archives of the DLI Association. DPS members are delighted to be able to deploy their photography skills for the wonderful veterans of the DLI.

Photo ...T Griffiths.

Photo....J Attle. Photo...N Maughan

Link to all Photos.

MINERS’ GALA BOOK LAUNCH

“Splendour of the Gala” by Ken and Jean Smith was launched at a well attended preview at the Royal County Hotel on Saturday 7th November. Published by Ergo Press, it is on sale on line and from all good book shops. Among the numerous photographs in the book are some by DPS members, Bob Bach, John Attle and Tony Griffiths.
For many years, DPS members have been documenting the Big Meeting - from 2006 with funding support from DCC and Awards for All and with the kind support of the Durham Miners’ Association. Numerous exhibitions of the work have been shown to the public, the next being images from the 2009 125th Gala to be shown on the Racecourse on Big Meeting day 2010.

Photo J Attle... Ken and Jean Smith along with Dr David Jenkins the

former Bishop of Durham, a supporter of the miners during their year

long strike.

NEW FEATURE ON THIS WEBSITE "NOW"

The first of a series of DPS Member profiles, fittingly that of “The Father of the House”, Robin Wallace (50 years a member!) is now on this website. Click on “Other” on the home page and follow the link.
RobinWallace-self portait

CLUB NIGHT NEWS

On Thursday 5^th November can look forward to a special presentation by Tony Worobiec FRPS, “A Digital Guide to Night and Low Light Photography”. Some of Tony’s work can be seen at:

http://www.arenaphotographers.com/viewMemberProfile.php?memberID=41

Tony Worobiec FRPS. Books

Co-incidently, as previously reported on this Blog, the City of Durham will be transformed by LUMIERE, a four day festival of installations and artwork, 12^th to 15^th November. Members inspired by Tony’s work will be in photography heaven! The full programme is now on the website:

http://www.lumieredurham.co.uk/

Thursday 12^th of November is our Annual General Meeting when officers of the Society report to the members and members can express their views.

As a bonus, members’ prints from the recent photography assignment day to Paddy’s Hole and South Gare will be on display.

Annual VC Stone Ceremony

DPS members have, for several years, photographed events for the DLI Association for their archives and for the enjoyment of their DLI Veteran members. On Sunday 1st November there was the annual remembrance of DLI Victoria Cross holders at the DLI Museum. For the first time the weather prevented the ceremony from been held at the VC Stone and it was held in the DLI Museum. Major Chris Lawton MBE laid a wreath from the “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club at the Victoria Cross Stone.
Remembrance Sunday is on Sunday 8th November. Any DPS members who would like to contribute to the photographic record of the gathering and ceremonies around Durham Cathedral should contact John Attle.

Photo J Attle

Photo T Griffiths

Link to all Photos

DPS Digital Practical Processing Night 4th Nov 7 to 9 p.m.

NEIL MAUGHAN – From the master of ultra close-up portraits, street photography and black & white! Following his club night talk showing some of his favourite pictures on Thursday Oct 24th, Neil will demonstrate how he created them – his work-plan using Faststone, Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop; he will take you through the controls of Adobe Camera Raw and what order you should use. In Photoshop he will show techniques from simple cloning to layers

ALAN CLARKE: Everything you need to know about Colour Spaces. Alan has done the research – become enlightened! Includes the importance of sRGB for web and projection

JOHN GORDON: A masterful Photoshop demonstration ; basic if you know how to do them!. Cloning, setting up work space, resizing, keyboard shortcuts, changing rulers etc.

Venue County Hall room 2. Don’t miss the last DPS Digital night of the year!

WHITBY GOTH WEEKEND

DPS members, along with hundreds of enthusiast photographers from other clubs, enjoyed a great day out at Whitby on Saturday 31st October during the Goth Festival, all striving for something different and original (quite a challenge!). No doubt we will see the results in competitions and portfolio groups for some time to come.

All Photos Neil Maughan.
Stephen brings his own Goth(DaughterSam)!

Angy enters into the spirit

Gang of Three

FIRE WALK FOR ST CUTHBERT’S HOSPICE – NEWS REPORT

Over 30 brave people walked barefoot across blazing embers for a St Cuthbert’s fundraising event in Durham’s Market Place last night. Volunteer members of the Society were on hand to capture the scenes for St Cuthbert’s. A good relationship between the Hospice and the Society has built up over the last year and we look forward to applying our photography skills for them at many events in the future.

Photo J Attle

St Cuthbert's Hospice.

LINK to all PHOTOS

PHOTOGRAPHER TALK

The next photographer's talk as part of the Northeast PhotographyNetwork will take place next Thursday, 5th November at 7pm.
Rosy Martin will be talking about her phototherapy work with Jo Spence, as well as her more recent photographic practice. The venue is the lecture theatre at the Mining Institute, next door to the Lit and Phil, in Newcastle which is near Central Station, with refreshments and time for more informal networking afterwards.

Exhibition Opening Event

Side Gallery would like to invite you to the opening of:
BLACK SEA: BETWEEN CHRONICLE & FICTION
+
SWEET NOTHINGS: RURAL SCHOOLGIRLS FROM THE BORDERLANDS OF EASTERN ANATOLIA by Vanessa Winship
Saturday 7 November, 2pm, Side Gallery
Vanessa Winship will be present and will discuss her work. As usual Graeme's famous olive bread, other niblets and drinks will be provided.

Last Chance to see Byker Revisited by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

Just a quick reminder that Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen's Byker Revisited exhibition at the Side Gallery will end at 5pm on Saturday 31st October. So if you haven't had a chance to see it yet, we hope to see you at Side this week.

JIM HORNE EXHIBITION – NEWS REPORT

DPS member Jim Horne’s first solo photography exhibition was previewed on 23rd October at the Spennymoor Settlement, O’Hanlon Street, Spennymoor. A large crowd enjoyed the landscape and wild life photography on show. Prints are for sale with proceeds in aid of the Tudhoe Methodist Chapel renovation fund. Jim, a retired development engineer who only took up photography again recently, said “It was becoming a member of the Durham Photographic Society that gave me the confidence to take on the challenge and I’m very pleased with the response of the public”
Exhibition is on until the end of October
Photo Tony Griffiths.

NCPF International Salon of Photography.-News Update.

This is an international exhibition organised each autumn by the Northern Counties Photographic Federation for prints and projected digital images. Thousands of images are received from photographers world wide and the top rated ones are collected to stage exhibitions of colour prints, black and white prints, and projected images.
Two of our club members had acceptances:
Neil Maughan had two digital images accepted - Scarey Lady and Street Vagabonds.
David Trout had two colour prints accepted ;
Schizophrenia and A Close Look.
David's Schizophrenia and A Close Look were among the 10 English entries and 20 world wide to receive NCPF Certificates of Merit.
The print section of the Salon will be shown at Durham PS on Thursday November 19 and the projected images on Thursday December 10.



Neil Maughan

Scarey Lady.


Street Vagabonds.

David Trout

A close look.

Schizophrenia.

DPS DIGITAL 09

PRACTICAL IMAGE PROCESSING NIGHT - 7.00 to 9.00 p.m.

4th November:

NEIL MAUGHAN – From the master of ultra close-up portraits, street photography and black & white! Following his club night talk showing some of his favourite pictures on Thursday Oct 24th, Neil will demonstrate how he created them – his work-plan using Faststone, Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop; he will take you through the controls of Adobe Camera Raw and what order you should use. In Photoshop he will show techniques from simple cloning to layers


ALAN CLARKE: Everything you need to know about Colour Spaces. Alan has done the research – become enlightened!


JOHN GORDON: A masterful Photoshop demonstration of a technique to be decided. Put your requests to John now! Watch this space.

Note: NEW VENUE! County Hall room 2
Don’t miss the last DPS Digital night of the year!
Organisers:
JOHN GORDON j.k.gordon@btinternet.com,
JOHN ATTLE attlejohn@aol.com
Check out http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/ for blog news, forums, folios and more…

Results. Digital Trophy. Judge David Hutchinson

1st Place and winner of the Digital Trophy John Wise.

Common Moorhen.

Double Crested Cormorant landing.

Nasal Itch.

2nd Place. Joe Grabbham.

Taking Care.

Rannoch Stag.

Messages From The Past.

Third Place. Jim Horne.

Red Squirrel.

Pink House.

Concentration.