HOT DATES 2011 – March Update

Welcome to new Hot Dates Blogger, STEPHEN BELL!

FOCUS ON IMAGING 2011: NEC Birmingham 6^th to 9th March www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk

BARFORD RACEWAY: 13^th March www.barfordraceway.com

BRICK AND STEEL BORDER COUNTIES RALLY: Kielder 19^th March www.bordercountiesrally.co.uk

WHITBY GOTHIC WEEKEND: 25^th- 27^th March http://wgw.topmum.co.uk

PETERLEE TATTOO ARTS FESTIVAL: Peterlee Leisure Centre 27^th March

HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW: Harrogate 14^th-17^th April www.flowershow.org.uk

TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE: Sunderland Winter Gardens Museum 16^th April-26^th June

DRAGON BOAT RACING: Teeside 17^th April www.dragonboat.org.uk

BIKEWISE EASTER EGG RUN: Durham 24^th April www.bikewisenews.org.uk

MORPETH NORTHUMBRIA GATHERING: 29^th April to 1^st May www.northumbriana.org.uk/gathering

KITEIVAL: Redcar 6^th-8^th May www.britishkitesurfingassosiation.co.uk

TORNADO, N Yorkshire Moors Railway, 7th and 8^th May **CANCELLED**

HAWORTH 40’s WEEKEND: 14^th & 15^th May www.haworth-village.org.uk

BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP: Croft Circuit, 14^th & 15^th May www.croftcircuit.co.uk

EVOLUTION FESTIVAL, Newcastle Gateshead Quayside: 28^th and 29^th May

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SHOW: BH 30^th May www.northcountyshow.co.uk

BRAMHAM INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS: Wetherby 2^nd-5^th June www.bramham-horse.co.uk

APPLEBY HORSE FAIR: 2^nd to 8^th June www.applebyfair.org

JETSKI (JSRA) BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP, Doncaster 4^th and 5^th June www.jsra.co.uk

BLAYDON RACES: 9^th June

PICKERING 60’s FESTIVAL: 10^th and 11^th June www.pickering60sfestival.co.uk

DURHAM REGATTA: 11^th and 12^th June

THE HOPPINGS TRAVELLING FAIR: Town Moor 17^th-25^th June

NCPF BEAMISH MEMBERS WEEKEND: 18^th, 19^th, 20^th June www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=ncpf-events

BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP: Croft Circuit, 18^th &19^th June www.croftcircuit.co.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE FESTIVAL: Newcastle Racecourse 23^rd to 25^th June

NORTHERN ROCK CYCLONE: 24^th to 26^th June

BRASS: Durham International Festival: July TBA www.brassfestival.co.uk

DURHAM MINERS’ GALA: 9^th July

LADIES DAY, Newcastle Racecourse 23^rd July

BIKEWISE 2011: 24^th July (tbc)

GATESHEAD SUMMER FLOWER SHOW: 29^th to 31^st July

SUNDERLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW: 30^th, 31^st July

EDINBURGH FRINGE: 5^th to 29^th August

PICKERING TRACTION ENGINE RALLY: 4^th to 7^th August www.pickeringsteam.com

BILLINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL: Billingham 5^th-13^th August. (Check website for photo competition details) www.billinghamfestival.co.uk

NEWCASTLE MELA: August TBA

WOLSINGHAM SHOW: 3^rd and 4^th September

BUPA GREAT NORTH RUN WEEKEND: 17^th and 18^th September

PICKERING WARTIME WEEKEND: 14^th to 16^th October

TURNER PRIZE AT BALTIC: 21^st October 2011 to 8^th January 2012

WHITBY GOTHIC WEEKEND: 4^th to 6^th November

BOXING DAY DIP: 26^th December, Seaburn, Sunderland

New postings in red with lots more to follow. Dates subject to confirmation

If you have details of anything of interest to photographers please contact Stephen.

 Events are like Quality Street, made for sharing.

DPS DIGITAL +STOP PRESS+

Amateur Photographer Awards 2011

Software of the Year

Nominees: Adobe Lightroom 3, DXO Optics Pro 6.5, Nik Viveza 2

The Winner is … Adobe Lightroom 3

Find out what all the fuss is about.

John Gordon will be demonstrating:

“ Images into Lightroom, processing Raw files, finishing in Photoshop. How Lightroom and Photoshop work together”

DPS Digital practical imaging processing night, Wednesday 2^nd March, County Hall, 7 to 9 pm,

CLUB NIGHT NEWS 24.2.11

DPS GALLERY 2011 – HURRY!

Deadline midnight 24^th February.

John Brown needs four of your very best, beloved, A1, cracking 2010 pictures for a new members’ gallery for the website. Please email to: John Brown

NCPF ANNUAL COMPETITIONS – FINAL CALL

Check out the Blog item (NCPF Annual Competitions - closing date 3rd March) for an overview. More information is on: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions . There are Classes for Open and Beginners entries and many trophies. Entries from our members are collated by Joe Grabham and delivered to the NCPF AGM 13^th March. For the Open, up to 3 mono and 3 colour prints, plus 3 digital that can be emailed to Joe Grabham. The deadline to Joe is 3^rd March.

COMPETITION COUNTDOWN

The Trio Prints closing date is 10^th March and you can bring in 3^rd March also. Three more trophies to be won! Print Competition Secretary Alan Stott is providing print labels. Competing members are being asked to provide digital files of their entries as well as the prints. They will be projected on the night to enhance the viewing enjoyment of the audience.

ASSIGNMENT RICHMOND

Following on from the huge success of Assignment North Shields comes Assignment Richmond, 19^th March. Enjoy the company of fellow photographers and the challenge of producing great pictures. More info to follow. Meantime, clear the diary!

MEMBER PROFILES ON THE WEBSITE

To take part, email your request to tonygriff@gmail.com or put your name down on the notice board. All members welcome. You will be one of the highlights of the all new DPS website being built by award winning webmaster John Brown.

DPS EXHIBITIONS – DON’T MISS

Folio 2011 is now on in the café of the Botanic Gardens until 4^th March. 49 prints by 49 members.

The Music Factory exhibition is still on in the Town Hall, Durham until the end of February. In due course, images from The Music Factory will be on this website.

MEMBERS AV NIGHT 28^th July

ONLY 154 DAYS TO AV DAY!

Time to commit to taking part! Organiser Mavis Ord is inviting you to put your name down to produce a short Audio Visual presentation for showing during Members AV night in July. Be covered with glory as were last year’s participants. Technical support will be provided. The list is on the notice board – you know you want to ….

DPS DIGITAL-March 2011

PRACTICAL IMAGE PROCESSING NIGHT

All members welcome. Wednesday 2^nd March, County Hall, 7 to 9 pm

John Gordon: Images into Lightroom, processing Raw files, finishing in Photoshop. How Lightroom and Photoshop work together*

Alan Clarke: Photoshop – an explanation of the various functions of the adjustment layers.*

Open Session: requests and problem images.*

*subject to changes caused by time constraints and member requests

e-news of the PAGB issue 41

The latest issue of enews of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain contains:

GB Cup 2011 - Headlines
GB Cup Open - Club Scores
GB Cup Small - Club Scores
GB Cup Nature - Club Scores
GB Cup - Individual Awards
Police Stop and Search under the Terrorism Act
Corporation Tax for Camera Clubs
Advertisement

Click on this link to view: http://tinyurl.com/enews41
The PAGB database of e-news recipients has been moved to a secure and confidential facility. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so on: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk

Wildlife and Adventure Photographer John Beatty Presentation at the Gala

Sadly it clashes with a club night. Acclaimed Nature, Wildlife and Adventure Photographer John Beatty is visiting the Gala Theatre on Thursday 3^rd March.

Details can be found at http://www.galadurham.co.uk/theatre/index.php?period=nextWeek and http://www.wild-vision.com/ . Tickets are £13 (£12 conc).

Thanks to Rob Birrell for the lead.

Rob’s Favourite Blogs

A list of recommended sites from Rob Birrell.

http://www.diyphotography.net/           - DIY Photography

http://www.strobist.com                            - Strobist

http://www.thefstopmag.com                 - The F Stop Mag

http://gavtrain.blogspot.com/                   - Gavtrain, Gavin Hoey’s short training videos.

http://www.northeastphoto.net/           - The North East Photography Network.

http://www.bjp-online.com/                     - The British Journal of Photography.

http://www.dg28.com/technique/         - Editorial Photographer, Neil Turner’s excellent technique archive.

http://www.dg28.com/blog/technique/index.htm - Neil Turner’s uptodate technique pages.

http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/      - The Perfect Photo Blog, excellent photoshop retouching.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/   - The Telegraph’s Art and Documentary Photography pages.

http://blog.warehouseexpress.com/     - WarehouseExpress’s photography blog.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/     - Fabulous camera and lens comparison website.

If you have a favourite blog or website why not share it.

+++News Update+++

Camera giant Canon has pulled out of the UK's biggest consumer photo show, Focus on Imaging, less than a fortnight before the event is due to start.

Read the full details HERE

CLUB NIGHT PREVIEW, Feb 24th

Keith Suddaby FRPS, MPAGB, EFIAP – More Than 100 Hundred Windows

What a treat we have in store. Keith Suddaby is a charismatic speaker and renowned photographer. Members will also remember his virtuoso performance last year judging our premier Valente Cup competition on the night, not having previously seen the prints.

Visitors thinking of joining the club are welcome and there is no charge.

Keith is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and has Master PAGB and Excellence FIAP distinctions. Anyone wishing to know more about these high honours can find out more here:

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=knowledge-base-distinctions#anchor

February 24^th is also the closing date for Gallery 2011 pictures on CD or via email to John Brown. Details are on the Home Page of this website on the Noticeboard.

The Countdown Continues!

Little more than 150 days to AV Heaven

A Step in the Light Direction

If you’ve ever made a long trip to take pictures at an interesting location, only to find that the light is in totally the wrong direction, then help is at hand from a free piece of software which takes away all the guesswork. The program is called The Photographer’s Ephemeris (an ephemeris is a book or table of astronomical data) and although that might sound complicated it isn’t. It works using Google Maps in a very straightforward way - all you do is type in the name of the location and that spot appears on a map or a satellite image if you want. Two lines on the map show you the directions of the rising and setting sun and the times for these are displayed as well – for any day of the year. Now for the really clever bit! By moving a slider you can move through any time of the day and the direction of the sun is shown on the map. I tried this to find what time I would need to go to Durham Cathedral so the sun was just starting to light up the Western side but I could have just as easily looked at Stonehenge or the Empire State Building for that matter (although they aren’t so easy to get to).

All in all a very useful piece of freeware if you’re planning a photo trip. Downloads are from http://photoephemeris.com

Joe

CLUB NIGHT NEWS 17.2.11

DPS GALLERY 2011 – HURRY!

Closing date is 24^th February.

John Brown needs four of your very best, beloved, cracking 2010 pictures for a new members’ gallery for the website. Please email to John Brown. Normal competition sizes and sRGB.

NCPF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – things can only get better!

Sunday 13th February. As Gentleman Joe has reported, we did not do well! Full results are here:

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=federation-news-2

NCPF ANNUAL COMPETITIONS

This is for individual members of clubs belonging to the Northern Counties Photographic Federation. Check out the Blog item (NCPF Annual Competitions - closing date 3rd March) for an overview. More information is on: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions . There are Classes for Open and Beginners entries and many trophies. Entries from our members are collated by Joe Grabham and delivered to the NCPF AGM 13^th March. For the Open, up to 3 mono and 3 colour prints, plus 3 digital that can be emailed to Joe. The deadline to Joe is 3^rd March.

COMPETITION COUNTDOWN

The Trio Prints closing date is 10^th March and you can bring in 3^rd March also. Three more trophies to be won! See separate posting and check your programme and competition rules. The same image cannot appear in both the digital and print Trios. For prints, you can enter up to 6 with no more than 3 in any one. Print Competition Secretary Alan Stott will be bringing in print labels next week.

ASSIGNMENT NORTH SHIELDS

The review session is 7.00 p.m., Wednesday 23^rd February at County Hall. Bring up to four prints up to A4 in size. Plus, for the assignments Gallery, up to 8 images on disc, re-sized in the normal way, or you can email to David Forster:

Next up: to be announced soon!

MEMBER PROFILES ON THE WEBSITE

To take part, email your request to tonygriff@gmail.com or put your name down on the notice board. All members welcome.

DPS EXHIBITIONS

Folio 2011 is now on in the café of the Botanic Gardens until 4^th March. 49 prints by 49 members.

The Music Factory exhibition is still on until the end of February. In due course, images from The Music Factory will be on line.

MEMBERS AV NIGHT 28^th July

The Countdown has started!

Results 1st Progress Digital Images. Judged by Trevor Roxby

The battle for the 2011trophies has begun.

1st Place Angy Ellis.

2nd Place John Horner.

 

3rd Place Paul Travis.

 

4th Place Chris Oliphant.

5th Place Joe Grabham.

NCPF Club Lectures

NORTHERN FOCUS No 78, Spring 2011

The Spring 2011 edition of the award winning magazine of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation, edited by Pat Porrett LRPS, AFIAP, APAGB, has just been published. There will be some copies at the club, and it is now also published ‘on-line’ on the NCPF website: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=intro-and-online

There is a Personal Profile of our new best friend, Malcolm Kus ARPS, DPAGB, EFIAP/B, so recently our guest at the awards dinner and who has also lectured and judged for us. There is also an article from another visiting lecturer to Durham, Pax Garabedian DPAGB, EFIAP, PPSA in the Judging series, entitled Competitions – Quantity or Quality. Both articles make for fascinating and thought-provoking reading.

The other good news is that past articles (Personal Profiles, Judging articles and Club Spotlights, for instance) are also available on line.

If you are impressed but mystified by the letters after Malcom and Pax’s names and, perhaps would like to have some yourself, find out more, again from the excellent, new website of the NCPF: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=knowledge-base-distinctions .

How to submit weather pictures for BBC Look North

It’s all here! Click on the link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/wear/hi/tv_and_radio/newsid_8644000/8644872.stm

For Sale

 Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 Di, EF and EFS Canon fit.

This lens is in immaculate condition and retails for around £580

I'm selling this one for only £400 as I have upgraded and no
longer use it.

Contact Paul Travis Tel 07860280915

CLUB NIGHT PREVIEW, Feb 17th

Results, 1^st Progress Projected Images

Following on from the sensational Robert Fulton night (a very hard act to follow!) we have the first competition night of the year judged by Trevor Roxby. Points are awarded, ranging from 2 for a highly commended to 10 for a 1^st place. After the three stages, the member with the most points wins the Pixel Trophy for digital or the Daisy Edis for slides. New members entering work for the first time will experience the thrill of seeing their picture blown up large on the screen in front of a packed, enthusiastic audience. An even bigger thrill if the judge and/or your fellow members like it!

Feb 17^th is also the closing date for the hugely popular Trio Projected Images competition. Three trophies are up for winning on the results night and you can enter up to three images in each. Something for everyone - portraits, Durham ’scapes and imagination/innovation.

The Trio Prints, closing date 10^th March, has slightly different rules: maximum 6 entries, no more than 3 in any one competition.

Entries can be emailed to Roger any time from now to the closing date: Please check the rules in your programme carefully and be sure to prepare your images correctly (how to do it is on this website

EXHIBITION NEWS 15th February 2011

England, My England, DLI Art Gallery and Museum, Durham

The touring exhibition, England, My England by the award winning Magnum Agency photographer, Chris Steele-Perkins, in Gallery 2 of the DLI Museum Art Gallery is on until Sunday 13^th March.

Northern Exposures, Galleries Inc, Newcastle

Also by Chris Steele-Perkins, who is famed for his photo-reportage throughout the world, from Afghanistan to Belfast. He returned to the Durham Coalfield in 2001 to document the region where he was once a student. Galleries Inc is on the 3^rd Floor, Central Square North, Forth Street, Newcastle, NE1 3PL which is open Tuesday to Thursdays 12 - 5 pm. Until 24^th February. Central Square North is the large building with a sculpture comprising supermarket shopping trolleys.

www.northumbria.ac.uk/universitygallery/galleriesinc

www.chrissteeleperkins.com

“Chris Steele-Perkins is renowned in his field. All lovers of documentary, reportage photography will enjoy and be inspired by these two exhibitions” John A Clarke

Lodz Ghetto Album, Side Gallery

On until 26^th March, the Lodz Ghetto exhibition by Henryk Ross is a touring exhibition from the Archive of Modern Conflict. The photographs are new prints, made from the original wartime negatives. Many bear the scars of damage that results from their burial in the ghetto, and no attempt has been made to enhance or repair them.

“Extraordinary and very moving” John A Clarke

http://www.amber-online.com/exhibitions/lodz-ghetto-album-by-henryk-ross/detail

People of the 20th Century, Dean Gallery, Edinburgh

August Sander (1876-1964) was one of the greatest and most influential photographers of the 20th century. During his whole career he photographed individuals and groups of people that he then classified according to their occupations and position in society. This lifelong attempt to document the German people resulted in the ambitious project entitled People of the 20th Century.

“His portraiture inspired the likes of Diane Arbus and is rarely seen on the wall. This really is a must see” John A Clarke

http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibition/5:368/19935

Dr John A Clarke ARPS is a member of both Durham Photographic Society and the Hexham Photography Group. There is a profile of him on the Member Profile section of this website

PAGB Great British Cup 2011 Nature

The results of the Nature section, judged separately from the Open, are now in. Wigan 10 and Amersham were joint winners with 128 points. Durham were 67^th out of 90 clubs with 67 points and there were four NCPF clubs ahead of us. The standard was high but clearly we can do better!

From our entry of 18 images, the highest scores were awarded to:

Joe Grabham with Bracket Fungi, Margaret Etherington with Red Kite and Les Travis with The Kill

NCPF Championship 2011

Last Sunday members from 19 photographic clubs packed Harraton Community Centre in Washington to compete in this year’s Championship. The winner and runner-up in the print and PDI sections go on to represent the Federation in the national finals later this year. It was a disappointing day for Durham and we went out in the first round, finishing 10^th in both sections, but it was a close thing – a handful of points would have seen us through to the final. In the Memento Trophy (for clubs not making it to the final) we finished third. At the close of the day the honours went to Northallerton and Stokesley, who came first and second in prints and in PDI.

Individual awards went to Sandy Furniss (Northallerton) for "Reddish Egret" in the PDI section; Paul Forester (Stokesley) for "Winter Trees" in mono prints; Malcolm Kus (Alnwick) for "Winter Frost" in the colour prints.

With the top mark possible being 15, our own John Wise came close with a score of 14 for “Great Blue Heron” and Les Travis, John Shotton, Margaret Etherington, John Brown, Denis Hardingham and Paul Ritchie all hit 13s at various stages of the competition.

EXTERNAL COMPETITION SELECTORS

To correct a wrong impression given in a previous Blog, the Society actually has two teams of selectors who decide which images go forward to represent the Society in competitions such as the recent PAGB GB Cup and NCPF Club Championship:

Joe Grabham, Don Bennett and John Brown for Prints.

David Trout, Colin Armitstead and Malcolm Thurman for Projected Images.

The way they work is to scrutinise the entries in all our DPS competitions making a note of which images they think would do well at inter-club level. It helps to jog the memory that these days we have digital copies of competition prints. When it comes to selection time, External Competition Secretary, Joe Grabham, puts out a general request for top flight pictures and individual members are approached re specific images.

They then meet to make their final selection, bearing in mind competition rules and chances of high scores. During the NCPF Club Championship they also make tactical decisions on selections for the second round depending on how well we have done in the first.

Joe can answer any queries: email details in our programme.

PAGB Great British Cup 2011 results

The Great British Cup is an inter-club competition held annually. It is a projected digital image competition open to all PAGB affiliated clubs. The competition is split into three sections i.e. an Open section for larger clubs, a Small Clubs section and a section for Natural History images. More details can be found on: http://www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk/competitions.htm

DPS External Competitions Secretary, Joe Grabham reports, “The results of the Open competition are now. The GB Cup 2011 was won by Wigan 10 with 196 points. Number of clubs competing was 109 and Durham PS came 46^th with 157 points. Seven NCPF clubs entered and we were 3^rd, two points behind Northallerton CC and five points behind Stokesley PS. Highest scoring individual members were Joe Grabham with Taking Care, Jed Wee with Velodream and Les Travis with Wingwalkers. The full list will be on the notice board. We still await the Natural History section results”.

A TALE OF THE UNEXPECTED

Inspired by the Tale of Two Walks, by the Walk on the Wild Side correspondent of this Blog, I set off with the aim of following in his footsteps. I even had a location map, in the Great Man’s own hand, that would do Wainwright himself proud. I soon realised, with only an hour to spare, I needed a change of direction and headed for Steetley Magnasite works instead. I fancied attempting an homage to one of the club’s most senior members by snapping (sorry, carefully composing) pictures of the rusty, paint spattered metal container on the site, as reported on this Blog recently. To my dismay, all that remains is a pile of ash and a vague outline. Conversing with a group of lads, who seemed friendly enough (Oh, how we laughed), it transpires it has been burnt out by persons unknown and the metal remains spirited away to China.

I decided on a change of plan (nothing if not decisive) and headed left rather than my usual right. It was a grey, grey day at this point but, to my amazement, the sun came out low in the sky and the clouds were transformed. At last, I get it – this is what landscape photographers live for. This combination of beautiful light and industrial heritage of the highest order, though, caused a rush of blood to the head. Realising the light would disappear any moment, with adrenalin pumping and heart jumping, I resorted to type and frantically attempted to capture all that was before me before it disappeared forever, thus breaking my New Year resolution to take less, but more telling pictures.

Making sure not to be run over by yet more lads, this time on motorbikes, I found myself on the dunes with a view of both the works on one side and the glorious Coalfield Coast beach on the other. My immediate thought was, “What would Christine do?”. Unfortunately, I had neither a tripod nor a Big Stoppah to hand. With quickening pulse, though, I realised there were some one-legged Oystercatchers resting on the shoreline. Here was my chance to better our VP’s “fabulous” (his word not mine) Oystercatcher pictures. Sad to say, they took flight too soon. How did he do it? Soon enough it was all over. I realised I needed a “Cuppa” but have not, so far, been able to find one in any of the outdoor shops.

anon

 

EXHIBITION NEWS – FOLIO 2011

Durham University Botanic Garden

This long awaited exhibition by Durham Photographic Society members is now open in the café of Durham University Botanic Garden and is on until Friday 4^th March. The garden is open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm during February and 10.00 am to 5 pm in March and well worth a visit too. Entrance to the café is free and there is a small charge to visit the garden itself: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden

DPS organiser Don Bennett DPAGB (pictured) said, “I am very pleased with how well this has come together and I would like to thank Dennis Hardingham, John Attle, Barry Armitage and Alan Stott for their hard work behind the scenes and the small army of volunteers who joined them on the day to hang the exhibition”.

DPS President David Trout said, “Here we have a wonderful show of marvellous prints by 49 different photographers, not just a few stars - there is such a diversity of subjects and styles in the pictures too. I love them!”.

+++HOT DATES 2011 +++ STOP PRESS

Anyone fancy having a go at some reportage/documentary photography? Well here’s your chance. On Sunday 13^th February the Friends of Chopwell Woods are holding a Save our Forests rally/ campaign. Along with the Horse Riding Association and the NFEA Bike group they will be trying to raise public awareness to plans to sell off public forest areas.

www.friendsofchopwellwood.org.uk

CLUB NIGHT NEWS 10.2.11

NCPF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sunday 13th February, 10.00 a.m. at Harraton Community Centre, Bonemill Lane, Washington, NE38 8BQ. Any member of the Society can attend. There will be a large gathering from other clubs. You will enjoy seeing the judges marking the entries (at speed!) and seeing our team (Joe Grabham, Don Bennett and John Brown) at work. The top two clubs go on to compete at national level. You can come and go during the session if you can only spare an hour or two.

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=club-championships

NCPF ANNUAL COMPETITIONS

Completely different from the club championship, this is for individual members of clubs belonging to the Northern Counties Photographic Federation. Check out the recent Blog item (NCPF Annual Competitions - closing date 3rd March) for an excellent overview. More information is on: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions

There are Classes for Open and Beginners entries. Entries from our members are collated by External Competitions Secretary Joe Grabham and delivered to the NCPF AGM 13^th March. The deadline to Joe is 3^rd March. The standard will be high but this is a golden opportunity to submit images that have done well in 2010 as well as new work.

The actual event is held over a weekend in April, and whilst not open to general viewing, does require a small army of volunteers. New as well as regular helpers are welcome and they get to see the event take place. Anyone interested should contact the NCPF Competitions Organiser: competitionsorganiser@ncpf.org.uk

ASSIGNMENT NORTH SHIELDS

The review session will be 7.00 p.m., Wednesday 23^rd February at County Hall. Bring up to four prints up to A4 in size. Plus, for the assignments Gallery, up to 8 images on disc, re-sized in the normal way, or you can email to David Forster: Details on the notice board.

DPS BOTANIC GARDENS EXHIBITION: Folio 2011

The 49 prints are now framed and will be installed by Don Bennett’s hand-picked team in the café of the Botanic Gardens on Saturday 12^th February meeting at 9.30 a.m.

Feel free to come along to lend a hand or simply to see the exhibition as it takes shape.

TOWN HALL

Don’t forget, the DPS The Music Factory exhibition is still on but only until the end of February. Last chance to see!

DPS GALLERY 2011 – DON’T MISS OUT!

Award winning webmaster John Brown needs four of your very best 2010 images for a new members’ gallery for the website. A great way to get your pictures out into the world.

Files should be prepared and saved to the standard DPS competition format. You can email them to john or bring to the club on CD.

Closing date is 24^th February.

MEMBER PROFILES ON THE WEBSITE

Webmaster John Brown has exciting plans for this website to be unveiled soon. Part of which is to re-launch the Member Profile section of the site. As well as insights into what makes you tick photographically there is the opportunity for a gallery 9 of your favourite pictures (plus one of yourself). To take part, email your request to tonygriff@gmail.com or put your name down on the notice board. All members welcome.

COMPETITION COUNTDOWN

The Trio projected digital closing date is next week – 17^th Feb, closely followed by Trio prints on 10^th March. Six trophies to be won! See separate posting and check your programme and competition rules in your programme or on this website carefully. For instance, the same image cannot appear in both the digital and print Trios.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY LECTURE

Title: Picture Interpretation: Improving future visual communication

The speaker, Professor Marty banks, is an IAS Fellow from Berkeley (University of California) visiting Durham University. He will be giving a Lecture on Wednesday 16th of February 17:30 to 18.30. The talk will take place in the Old Library at Grey College, Durham.

http://www.dur.ac.uk/whatson/event/?eventno=9527

websites IN FOCUS – John Gordon recommends:

The Luminous Landscape

The Luminous Landscape, is arguably the web's most comprehensive site devoted to the art of landscape, nature and documentary photography.  You will find over 4000 pages of instructive feature articles, product reviews, travel and technical discussions, inspiring portfolios and tutorials.

www.luminous-landscape.com

Digital Photography Review

The Digital Photography Review contains up to the minute product news, comprehensive, independent product reviews. You can sign up to contribute to forums, challenges and galleries.

www.dpreview.co.uk

John Gordon joined the Society over 20 years ago as a young junior. He has been a committee member for many years and leads on the DPS Digital practical processing nights. John is one of the club’s finest landscape and architectural photographers. He is a master printer and an expert in all things cameras, computers (PC and Mac) and image processing software (Photoshop CS5, Adobe Lightroom and plug-ins).

John says, “These are the two websites I visit the most: Luminous Landscape for articles by very knowledgeable people and the tutorials, for instance the Lightroom ones, are excellent. Digital Photography review keeps me up to date with product developments and I have found the independent product reviews very good”.

LOCATION, LOCATION: Steetley

Magnasite works, Hartlepool

As mentioned on a recent club night, the security personnel that were preventing access to the site are no longer around. This is presumably because the redevelopment into housing and a nature reserve is on hold.

As before, there are rights of way, for instance from the tunnel to the beach, and on the periphery including the road that runs along the railway.

Anyone venturing onto the site of the works, which the Society does not recommend, should take the utmost care for health and safety reasons and have someone else with you. The photography potential is good from the right of way areas and the beach as always and there is a now a wonderfully corroded, torched and weathered metal container by the tunnel exit (pictured). The beach is one of the best of the Coalfield Coast.

See also Blog item earlier this month, Steetley Magnasite Works and Chimney.

Update 12^th February: the container is no longer there.

FOCUS ON IMAGING 2011

NEC Birmingham 6^th to 9^th March

FOCUS ON IMAGING 2011 is fast approaching, so check out the website for the latest news and information about Europe's largest annual photographic event.
Registration is still open until March 3rd. You will need to register online before this date otherwise it is £10 on the day.
The website includes fascinating insights into this year’s Focus ad campaign. Features some of the world’s most innovative photographers in their field from Jennifer Trausch who specialises in unique large scale imagery using the Polaroid 20 x 24 camera to Suzy the Chimp who loves nothing more than taking photos! Plus all the usual exhibitor and What’s On information.
www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk

NCPF Annual Competitions - closing date 3rd March

Not to be confused with the NCPF Championship (taking place on February 13^th), these are basically individual competitions with many trophies up for grabs (although the Club can win awards too, based on our highest scoring individual images). There are Open and Beginners sections

Basic entry rules, Open Competition:

Up to 3 prints in Mono

Up to 3 prints in Colour

Up to 3 digital projected images

Up to 3 slides

i.e. a maximum of 12 pictures per author.

Beginners’ competition:

(Please remember to label your pictures “Beginners”)

Up to 2 prints (mono/colour)

Up to 2 projected images

(Those entering the beginners’ competition may put additional pictures into the open competition so long as the maximum of 3 pictures per section is not exceeded)

Please make sure that both the title and your name are included on prints and slides.

Digital images

The size of images is as for club competitions (1024x768, max 900 kB). The NCPF does not recommend fine border lines around the images as these may not project properly.

Image files should be titled as follows;

Photographer’s Initials#Title with no spaces .

For example if Jim Bloggs enters a picture called “In Winter’s Grip”, the file should be called

JB#InWinter’sGrip

Digital entries can be given to me on CD at the club, or you can email them to me .You don’t need to specify which trophy (portrait, landscape etc.) you’re aiming for – the judges will take care of that. Detailed rules and information can be found on our Home page under “Download information files here”.

Joe Grabham

e-news of the PAGB issue 40

The latest issue of enews of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain contains:

Highlights from the February PAGB EC Meeting

Exhibitions to enter and other Useful Information

Notices and even more Useful Information

Focus on British Photographic Exhibitions, which consists of 15 member exhibitions: www.b-p-e.org.uk

Issue 40 has a splendid new headline banner designed by none other than DPS member John Siddle.

Issue 40 of e-news was due to be distributed in a new way which would enable us to post a link on this Blog. The new system is not quite ready but should be for Issue 41. You can still subscribe to receive directly by email: www.pagbnews.co.uk/enewssubform.html.  As well as your email address you will be asked for your club (Durham Photographic Society) and your federation (NCPF).

There is more PAGB information on: www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk

CLUB NIGHT PREVIEW, Feb 10th

Robert Fulton MPAGB, EFIAP "Changing Light"

Arranged jointly with the Royal Photographic Society, Northern.

Robert is a member of the Paisley Colour Club one of Scotland’s most successful clubs. He is essentially a Scottish landscape photographer but with a great interest in Natural History. His talk will also include sport images and creative work.

LINK to Robert’s Gallery

Robert has Master PAGB and Excellence FIAP distinctions. Anyone wishing to know more about these high honours can find out more here:

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=knowledge-base-distinctions#anchor

Visitors thinking of joining Durham PS are welcome to attend - 7 for 7.30 p.m. St Oswald’s Church Institute, Church Street. There is no charge for up to three visits!

Note that the Programme Page on this website now includes some preview images from future guest speakers and that this will be an expanding feature. Webmaster John Brown said, “This is a step forward in my aim to produce an even more image rich web experience for members and visitors to our site”. John himself will be presenting his own photography, an eagerly anticipated “Over My Shoulder” presentation, at the club 14^th July.

NORTH SHIELDS – We Came, We Saw, We Captured …

… on film (yes, really) and digital media, that is

ASSIGNMENT GROUP OUTING, Saturday 5^th February

30 or so DPS photographers descended on the riverside at North Shields. A disproportionate but enjoyable amount of time was spent having coffee at W. Wight Ltd and, later, lunch at the Magnesia Bank pub and, in between, there was plenty of chat and general socialising.

But there was photography too and members were amazed and delighted to see what was on offer. This ranged from W. Wight Ltd itself, to the Fish Quay and the fish sellers, to a magnificent area of derelict warehousing, and more - it was paradise for enthusiastic DPS photographers who soon got down to work. Your Blogger was well motivated to attempt to pull out some stops by being in the presence of so many ace photographers who seemed to know what they were doing!

It will be fascinating to see the results and re-live the experience at the de-brief meeting. The date will be announced shortly and images will be posted on the Assignments Gallery in due course.

Register with Colin if you would like to be on the Assignments mailing list and receive regular updates about future events: colinarmstead@tiscali.co.uk

Welcome to the Blog 2

Not all members have grasped that the Blog page layout is such that postings in the current month are on the left. All previous postings are under the Archive section to the right. Simply click on any month or year and the panoply of Blogtastic past postings will be revealed.

Picture captions and credits can be seen by placing your cursor over the image.

You can become a follower via Google Friend Connect just above the archive.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see a competition pictures slide show and member website links. Any member with a non-commercial website can be here. Simply inform Webmaster John Brown:

Blog queries and items should go to Blogmaster John Attle:

VICE PRESIDENT’S AWARD 2010

Since 1989, this award is given every year to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Society.

In 2010 there were many candidates and nominations, from new members and longer serving ones, all making a difference.

For 2010, the winner is: Colin Armitstead for The Assignment project.

Colin has single-handedly initiated and managed this new opportunity, which started in 2009 and is now firmly established, for the enormous benefit of the members. A whole new, photography centred activity has been created. Every month or so, a varying group of members have descended on and photographed disparate locations, often ones that individuals would not normally visit. Crucially, there is a follow up session where pictures are shown and discussed.

VP Tony Griffiths said, “Colin has been a member since 1963 and General Secretary for as long as anyone can remember. Much as we have reason to be grateful for the long and distinguished service to the Society he has given, this award is for an entirely fresh, new activity that has given a great deal of enjoyment to a large number of members. As well as the opportunities to enjoy photography together and learn from each other there is a massive social bonus. I believe Colin’s Assignments will continue long into the future and be of lasting benefit”.

 

Welcome to the Blog

A warm welcome to the followers of the Blog, you are not alone.

The readership reached 1500 for the past month and the audience makes interesting reading.

Page views by Countries for the past week.

United Kingdom	405
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NCPF Events

 

CLUB NIGHT NEWS 3.2.11

ASSIGNMENT NORTH SHIELDS

Meeting Saturday 5^th February, 10.00 a.m. near the Fish Quay.

DIRECTIONS: there are numerous large brown tourist signs to the Fish Quay which take you to the riverside. You will see a large expanse of open, grey concrete promenade to the right and the white, former lighthouse building to your left and the Fish Quay ahead. The meeting point is here. Nearby is the fascinating Wm Wight store (that, happily for early birds, sells coffee etc). There is ample street parking plus a car park (60p per hour) with public toilets just beyond the Fish Quay area. Lunch is around 12.30 at the Magnesia Bank pub in Camden Street NE30 1NH.

There is a wealth of photography opportunity in this area alone plus nearby Tynemouth Priory and the Victorian Tynemouth railway station (now a Metro) – enjoy!

THE THREE OF US

What a great night provided by Mike Kipling, John Devlin and Brian Jobson – hugely enjoyable and inspiring. Topped off for a delighted Angy Ellis who won a raffle prize, kindly donated by the trio, of a print by John.

www.masterdigital.co.uk

www.masters-of-light.co.uk

DPS BOTANIC GARDENS EXHIBITION: Folio 2011

Don’s team of volunteers will be framing and labelling the prints next week and the exhibition will be hung in the café of the Botanic Gardens on Saturday 12^th February. Posters are available to members who would like to promote the show locally to them.

NCPF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

It will be on Sunday 13th February 2011 kicking off around 10.00 a.m. at Harraton Community Centre, Bonemill Lane, Washington, NE38 8BQ. Any member of the Society can attend. There will be a large gathering from other clubs. You will enjoy seeing the judges marking the entries and seeing our team at work. You can come and go during the session if you can only spare an hour or two.

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=club-championships

TOWN HALL

Don’t miss the DPS The Music Factory exhibition now on until the end of February only. It’s going down a storm with the appreciative public. A gallery of pictures from the Music Factory project will appear on this website soon.

DPS GALLERY 2011

Award winning webmaster John Brown needs four of your very best 2010 images for a new members’ gallery for the website. A great way to get your pictures out into the world.

Files should be prepared and saved to the standard DPS competition format. You can email them to john or bring to the club on CD.

Closing date is 24^th February.

COMPETITION COUNTDOWN

The Trio projected digital closing date is coming up fast – 17^th Feb, closely followed by Trio prints on 10^th March. Six trophies to be won! See separate posting and check your programme.

VOLUNTEERING NEWS

Jack Gilmore, (yes, he of AV fame), has stepped up to the plate and will be John Attle’s sound engineer deputy.

Dennis Hardingham, who is also famed as the fastest setter up of exhibitions in the west (see him in action at the Botanic Gardens, 12^th February), is contributing occasional Blog articles (see A Tale of Two Walks).

Many thanks to Jack and Dennis, and the legion of other volunteers who contribute to the ever growing (big) DP Society

If you have an idea, or special skill you’d like to contribute to the Society please email or speak to John Attle or Tony Griffiths.

DPS Digital-Feb 2011 +UPDATE+

A follow up from Alan Clarke’s  excellent presentation ,”Photoshop – Where to Start!”

Here is a LINK to the Tools Palette.

A TALE OF TWO WALKS

From our Walk on the Wild Side correspondent

I parked at Braithwaite in heavy rain. My initial plan to do Great Gable or Scafell had been rethought as neither of these is particular forgiving towards solo walkers in bad weather and the gloom had triggered my Lion of Oz syndrome. Coledale seemed a safer option, with the possibility of Grasmoor or Grizedale Pike if the weather lifted. But visibility dropped to about 10 metres as I started to climb past the disused mine, and the going became increasingly fraught as I crested Coldale Hause two hours later into the teeth of a gale. I decided to go for my merit badge and headed up the steep scree slope to Hopegill Head, only realising I had arrived when I stumbled up to the edge of the adjacent gullies. Many of these are precipitous and still held banks of dirty snow, glowing spectrally through the thick mist. But no time to dawdle as I had promised myself a cuppa on the summit of Grizedale Pike, lurking somewhere above me in the clouds.

Scafell had a great barrel-like summit crown, Helvellyn has a wonderful cruciform shelter cairn, Thornthwaite Crag Beacon and Dale Head both have elegant stone towers. Grizedale has a 50mm metal bead stuck into a small lump of rough concrete. Pretty thin fare and slight reward for someone who taken 2½ hours to claw his way, puffing and steaming, up to this point. There was still a bit of tricky scrambling to negotiate but gravity was on my side for the return to the car.

A week later I was having a more leisurely walk along Hadrian’s Wall by Crag Lough and Steel Rigg, taking in the tree where Kevin of Sherwood first heard of the Sheriff’s evil doings. Cold, light, airy. A totally different day. I defy any landscape photographer to be bored in this country.

 

Dennis Hardingham February 2011