American artist Yvette Mattern's Global Rainbow lit up miles of the North East coastline on its debut tonight.
It consists of seven parallel beams of coloured laser light designed to be projected across large open sites, particularly densely populated areas.
It will be projected from St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, until 4th March before moving on to other locations in London Olympics year
Well before any UK athletes strike gold in the Olympics, our Treasurer Angy Ellis has done exactly that by winning a FIAP Gold Medal in the Nature Section of the Danish Digital. Angy was understandably over the moon and delighted with her success as winning a FIAP Gold is a tremendous achievement. Her award winning picture of a Kestrel was one of the highest scoring images in the whole Salon. Not only that, but she also had another acceptance in Nature with a shot of a Puffin coming into land on the Farnes. Very well done Angy.
Neil Maughan
Click on this link to see Issue 60 of e-news from the PAGB:
http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en60270212GBCupNature.pdf
IN ISSUE 60 (GB Cup Special 2 of 3)
Individual Award Winners from the GB Cup (Nature) 2012
Adverts
The PAGB Nature Photographer of the Year 2012
Register for free e-news from the PAGB at www.pagbnews.co.uk
The PAGB website, full of good information and photographs, is here: http://www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk/
The following update has been made to our web site since the last update message and all can be accessed via:-
1. News Items
A Report on the NCPF Spectacular in January – Thanks to Vince Rooker for this contribution.
2. Events/Diary & NCPF Events:-
Advanced notice of the dates of the 2012 NCPF Presentation Evening and the 2013 NCP Spectacular.
3. PAGB ‘e-news’
Edition 59 with some more detailed results from the PAGB GB Cup
4. Competitions/Championship
Results of the NCPF Annual Club Championship have now been handed to me and are available via this page.
Dave Coates
(NCPF Webmaster)
It’s that time of year when the NCPF competitions come thick and fast. This time it’s the NCPF Annual Competitions – one of the highlights of the year and your chance to be the best in the Northern Counties! Trophies for landscape, portrait, natural history and creativity are up for grabs and there are sections for Colour and Mono prints as well as PDI.
All you have to do to enter the open competition is to bring along up to three colour prints, three mono prints and 3 projected images. They will all be entered into the competition and the judges will decide on the best landscape, portrait etc. – you don’t have to specify which trophy you’re going for, the judges take care of that.
There is also a beginners’ competition for prints (colour and mono in one section) and PDI, with a maximum of two images per section.
Pictures will be being collected from now until the deadline of 22nd March. PDIs can be emailed (preferably) to Joe Grabham or brought in on CD.
For more information see our Downloads section “About External Competitions” and for detailed rules see http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions
Joe Grabham.
Yes, a new gallery of members’ images, some of their favourites from 2011, has now been posted on the Durham Photographic Society website. You can find under Galleries from the home page of the website or follow this link: http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/galleries.htm
Click on this link to see Issue 59 of e-news from the PAGB:
http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en59240212GBCupOpen.pdf
IN ISSUE 59
GB CUP SPECIAL 1 of 3
This is the first of three Special Illustrated Editions of e-news featuring the GB Cup 2012 which will be published over a few days. This issue has the award winning pictures from the GB Cup (Open). The next, in a few days, will cover the GB Cup (Nature) and following that, the GB Cup (Small Clubs).
A list of the top clubs in each Federation (Durham PS came top in the NCPF)
Individual Award Winners from the GB Cup (Open) 2012
Why take a PAGB Assessment? Interesting article by Len Morris DPAGB
Adverts including photography holidays
The GB Cup (Open) 2012 Winning Club, Wigan 10
You can register for free e-news from the PAGB at www.pagbnews.co.uk
The PAGB website, full of good information and photographs, is here: http://www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk/
Durham Town Hall Exhibition, on until 28th Feb
The Valente is still in town! Last chance to see. Please note, the town hall may be closed at weekends if there are no functions taking place.
Botanic Gardens Exhibition, 3rd to 30th March
Posters are available for members to promote the exhibition locally and/or in their work place. Volunteers needed to help set up on the 3rd. Speak to Don Bennett if you would like to help.
Trio Print Competition
Print boxes will be out from next week and the closing date is the following Thursday, 8th March.
AV Night 26th July
This is a members’ night organised by Mavis Ord. Any member can take part and show a digital audio visual presentation. Make sure Mavis knows your intention. Aim for 2.5 to 3 minutes each. Technical support and advice is available.
Next Week
Results night 1st Progress Prints. Judges: A section Vince Rooker, B section Neil Maughan
Hunter Kennedy EFIAP MPAGB 'My Style of Photography'
Hunter is currently on a Royal Photographic Society lecture tour and makes a welcome visit to Durham.
RPS Northern Region’s Jane Black writes, “Hunter Kennedy has been a member of Carluke CC for over 30 years and has held several offices including President. He has taken his photography seriously since 2000 and by 2009 had achieved both EFIAP and MPAGB.
He is a regular supporter of International Salons and is in demand in the UK as a lecturer and judge. Hunter's main photographic interests are landscape and people, preferably candids”.
Durham Photographic Society’s Programme Secretary, Paul Ritchie said, “Hunter Kennedy is a photographer with an international reputation and this is an evening most definitely not to be missed”.
The following update has been made to our web site since the last update message and all can be accessed via:-
1. News Items
Stockton PCS leaves the Federation
2. Events/Diary:-
a) Advanced details of the Beamish Weekend in June and the subsequent competition in October.
b) Details of two future events being held at Whickham PC.
c) Details of Durham PS Print Exhibition in March
d) Details of RPS Northern AV Group meeting at Snods Edge
3. PAGB ‘e-news’
Two new editions of PAGB ‘e-news’ are available, including results of the PAGB GB Cup.
Dave Coates
(NCPF Webmaster)
18.02.12 - 14.04.12
The new Side Gallery exhibition is a must see for any keen photographer. Your august President and I were completely blown away when we attended the opening with the Finnish photographer on Saturday.
Pentti is not a professional but a teacher, and was awarded a 20 year bursary by the Finnish Government to support his work. That’s not surprising when you see it. He has a remarkable eye for the decisive moment. All the pictures include an animal somewhere, often mimicking the human or natural forms that make up the rest of the image. He told us that a little sardine oil spilt in the snow (many are snow scenes) is sure to attract dogs within minutes!! But how he gets them to oblige with their actions is probably down to his patience, or as he says “good luck”. Many of the photos will raise a smile as well as admiration.
The smaller images are silver prints of extraordinary quality; printing is his first love, and he says he has to go out to get the negatives (medium format or medium format panoramic) so that he can indulge this passion. The largest pictures are ink jet, and again of very high quality.
This is one of the best exhibitions I’ve attended in a long while....and I go to quite a few!
DON’T MISS IT.
John Clarke
http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery/pages/current-exhibition
Click on this link to see Issue 58 of e-news from the PAGB: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en58180212GBcup.pdf
IN ISSUE 58
GB Cup 2012 – headline results and awards
Happy Birthday Geoff Willey, 100 + Notices
Calling All MPAGB - again
Focus on Imaging Appendix - Visit the PAGB and Sponsors at Focus, 4th to 7th March
Register for free e-news from the PAGB at www.pagbnews.co.uk
The PAGB website, full of good information and photographs, is here: http://www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk/
Work to remove the Millennium Bridge’s bollards has begun.
The bridge’s protective boom’s and piles were installed in 2000 to protect the structure from accidental damage from river traffic. A re-evaluation has concluded there is no risk and they are being removed. A floating crane called Atlas (not the original one) is on site and the work should be completed by the end of March.
The bollards did not feature in the original designs for the bridge but were added during the construction phase. Their removal will mean that the bridge will appear, for the very first time, the way its designer originally intended which is good news for photographers.
John Gordon
Assignment Hexham Review Night, Wednesday 22nd Feb
County Hall, 7.00 to 9.00 pm. Up to four prints plus 1 or 2 of the special challenge, Contrast or Contrasts, which Colin will review.
NCPF Championship, Sunday 12th Feb
Durham PS achieved the best result for many years, winning the PDI championship and will now go on to represent the Northern Counties federation at the national finals in July along with Sunderland PA. See News Blog for more details
Town Hall Exhibition, on until 28th Feb
The Valente is still in town! On display in the entrance of Durham Town Hall are superb sets of three prints by five members that had done well in the 2011 Valente Cup competition.
Botanic Gardens Exhibition, 3rd to 30th March
Last call for prints! A few are outstanding. Please bring to the club next Thursday. The exhibition will be in the cafe of the Botanic Gardens. Volunteers needed to help set up on the 3rd. Speak to Don Bennett if you would like to help.
Annual Exhibition, June
This will be in the glorious setting of the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral in June, not July as in previous years. All members will be able to display work. More info soon.
BALTIC
Two new exhibitions are now open (Andrea Zittel and Elizabeth Price) with the final show for the Spring season opening 1st March (On Kawara).
Joe Grabham Reports:
We’re on our way to Warwick!
Durham PS capped a remarkable weekend for the club by taking first place in the NCPF Annual Club Championship PDI Section at Washington on Sunday – but it was a close-run thing. Only one point separated Durham PS and Sunderland PA at the end of the contest, which involved clubs from all over the North of England.
It’s the first time in eight years that DPS has won the Championship, although we did have a cluster of successes in the late 1980s and early 90s, when the event was a slide competition. Our friends from Sunderland will now join us in the PAGB finals, which will be held at Warwick University on Saturday 14th July.
20 images, chosen by our selection panel, were entered. Top scorers for Durham were Michael Watson with “Another kill for the Merlin” and Joe Grabham with “The West Wall”, each scoring 14.
In the print section of the Championship, we briefly thought we had achieved second place, which would have again qualified us for the National finals. However, there had been a series of errors in the official marking system and, after the results had been checked, the top two places were awarded to Stokesley and Sunderland. At the time of writing it is still not known what the other positions are, although Durham is certainly near the top. Les Travis led the way for us in this section, scoring a 14 for his picture “Wingwalkers”.
Full results will be published in due course. Meantime, more about the competition is here:
http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=club-championships
Digital Image.
1st Place Tony Devlin
2nd Place. Joe Grabham
3rd Place. Mark Middleton
4th Place. Alan Clarke
5th Place. John Brown
Slides.
1st Place. Roy Hurst…. Stormy Day
2nd Place. John Shotton…. Dooagh Cliffs
3rd Place. Bill Craigs…. Female Kestrel
Of course it’s the eagerly anticipated, first competition night of the year, 1st Progress Slides and Digital. As a bonus, our old friend Dave Phillips from Hartlepool PDG makes a welcome return as judge.
Members will be interested to know that Dave has made a telling contribution to a series of judging articles for the NCPF. These can be seen here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=judging
As a further point of interest, Durham is one of the few clubs that still have a slide competition. Come along and enjoy the retro look of film while you still can.
Ist Progress Slides and Digital
Results night Thursday 16th February: our first results night and first viewing of (mostly) previously unseen images. Our ever popular judge will be Dave Philips from Hartlepool. Excitement builds! Guaranteed to be a great night.
Trio Projected Images
Three trophies are up for grabs and a total of 6 entries per member.:
Dunelm for images of Durham
Leazes Bowl for portraits
Sterling for imagination/innovation
Closing date is Thursday 16th February. You can email your entries to Roger any time up to then or bring in on the night.
Please check the rules in your programme, including general competition rules carefully. There is also a downloadable how to prepare images guide and a quick guide to competitions in Downloads from the home page of the DPS website. Remember, we have a new standard image size for competitions, namely 1400x1050 pixels that will show your images in the best possible light via our new laptop/projector combo
Trio Prints
Yet another three trophies to be won. Closing date is Thursday 8th March
Joe Grabham Reports
The results of the 2011 GB Cup, the national PDI competition run by the PAGB, have just been announced. In this, Durham Photographic Society achieved its best ever result, finishing 22nd = out of 139 clubs from all over the country with a score of 161 points. Wigan 10 once again finished top of the pile, but, considering the quality of the clubs just above us, our 22nd in the whole country is quite an achievement. Of the NCPF clubs competing, Northallerton and Workington were next in 50th= position on 150 points.
Neil Maughan had our top image in the competition with “Morning Cuppa”, which picked up a 13. Neil also had a 12 with “Katrya”, as did David Trout with both “Blizzard” and “A Bleak Outlook” and Chris Oliphant with “The Conversation”.
18th February to 14th April
Pentti Sammallahti js described as a benchmark figure in contemporary Finnish photography.
There is an exhibition opening event and photographers talk on Saturday 18th February at the Side Gallery at 2pm.
Find out more about the extraordinary work of this renowned photographer, and welcome news of Side Gallery funding here:
http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery/pages/current-exhibition
It was a cold morning with unpromising, dull light, but a large contingent of intrepid assignment regulars, with a welcome number of newbies, turned up. Early birds were able to get some promising shots in the can, or rather on the flash card, before adjourning for the obligatory bacon/sausage sandwich.
Everyone converged at the meeting point of the bandstand to compare notes before moving off again to explore the delights of Hexham. These ranged from the glorious (and photographer friendly) abbey, to the ancient street market, to historic side streets and parks, and more.
The locals noticed that we had invaded their town but were friendly and helpful. Lunch was at the Tap and Spile, an enjoyable interlude, before getting back to work.
The special challenge, “Contrasts”, added to the fun of the day and a good time was had by all.
The follow up review session will be 7.00 pm, Wednesday 22nd February at the usual venue. It will be fascinating, as always, to see the diversity of photography produced.
Assignment Hexham, Saturday 11th Feb
At last! Assignment day is nigh. Meet at the bandstand 10.00 am. All members are welcome. There will be a follow up to view and discuss the stunning prints that will undoubtedly be produced. Prepare to have a good time
NCPF Championship, Sunday 12th Feb
The championship, with clubs from all over the Northern Counties Photographic Federation, will be at Washington CC, Harraton Community Centre, Bonemill Lane, Washington, NE38 8BQ, Prints are handed in at 12.30 and the event starts at 1.30. See our team in action! There’s more to it than you might think. Join members of other NCPF clubs and see the images and prints coming up and being scored by three judges using electronic scoring devices. It’s a fascinating insight into club world competition. Entry is free and you can buy refreshments on site.
More about the event is here:
http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=club-championships
Directions are here:
http://www.ncpf.org.uk/data/uploads/2012-directions.pdf
Members’ Web Gallery, deadline Thursday 16th Feb
Only 7 days left! Please send your best 4 images from 2011 to John Brown by email (preferred) or on disc sized 1024x768 px and sRGB colour space. The world wide web awaits!
Town Hall Exhibition, on until 28th Feb
The Valente is in town to popular acclaim. On display in the entrance of Durham Town Hall are superb sets of three prints by five members that had done well in the 2011 Valente Cup competition.
Botanic Gardens Exhibition, 3rd to 30th March
The exhibition will be in the cafe of the Botanic Gardens. Volunteers needed to help set up on the 3rd.
Annual Exhibition, June 2nd
This will be in the glorious setting of the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral in June, not July as in previous years. Details to follow
Sports Relief Mile, 25th March
There are ten Sports Relief Mile events in the North East this year:
http://my.sportrelief.com/search/event/results?location=durham
This could be a golden opportunity to capture your Fillingham Trophy winner. Set subject, “This Sorting Life”
Give generously too!
Programme Changes, November
November 15th – due to St Oswald’s hall being needed as a polling station, there will be no meeting and our AGM is moved to November 1st, replacing the Northern Counties International Salon 2012 which will be shown at a later date. The programme section of the DPS website has been amended.
Click on this link to see Issue 57 of e-news from the PAGB: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en57090212FebEC_Letters_Focus.pdf
IN ISSUE 57
Highlights from the February PAGB Meeting (Including Audio Visual APM)
“Men and Women of Distinction” An entertaining and interesting article by Bob Moore
Calling all MPAGB(request for images)
Notices
Featured Photographer (Bob Avery LRPS, Carluke CC) & Permajet winner
Awards of Photographic Merit - Advice on Facebook
Focus on Imaging Appendix - Visit the PAGB and or Sponsors at Focus
And Finally: Shadows by John McLean
Register for free e-news from the PAGB at www.pagbnews.co.uk
Beamish from the Inside
Julian Harrop of Beamish, a Durham Photographic Society member, will be telling us the inside story of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. This is a golden opportunity to learn all about this amazing this venue so hugely popular with visitors and photographers alike.
+ INFO ABOUT THE 66TH BRISTOL
Neil Maughan reports:
The results of the 1st Port Talbot International Salon of Photography were recently announced and Durham PS members collectively acquired an amazing 22 acceptances.
The results are as follows:
David Trout, 4 acceptances with "Blizzard" gaining a Highly Commended.
Joe Grabham, 4 acceptances
Rob Birrel, 3 acceptances
David Forster, 3 acceptances
Neil Maughan, 8 acceptances.
For those interested in trying their luck in the next UK based Salon, the 66th Bristol Salon, it closes 10th March. This is for digital images only and there are 3 sections. More details are at:
Saturday 11th February
Set in fabulous Hexhamshire countryside, Hexham is a thriving market town dating back to medieval times. Enjoyable photography opportunities abound.
Parking: if you arrive via the A69, the main Hexham turnoff takes you to the large Wentworth car park which also accommodates Waitrose (Tesco is further along to the right). All day parking is only £2 pay and display and there is an information centre where you can pick up a free street map. There is a somewhat steep climb up to the town itself and if this is a problem there is plenty of street parking but it can be busy on a Saturday.
The Waitrose Hexham store post code for satnav is NE46 3PN
Good coffee and tea shops are all over the town centre.
We meet at 10.00 am by the bandstand which is in attractive park land next to the Abbey.
Photography in the Abbey is allowed and you can use a tripod but not flash.
Lunch will be in the Tap and Spile on the corner of Battle Hill and Eastgate at around 1 o clock.
Contact Colin Armitstead if you need more information.
The Vice President Award, given annually, is for outstanding service to the club. The 2011 winner is Jack Gilmore, particularly for his service as sound engineer for the club.
DPS Vice President, Ian Stafford said at the recent presentation dinner that in 2011 there were many members deserving of this special honour, “However only one person can be chosen, and this year’s recipient is one of our ‘un-sung heroes’. He has been a member for many years and it is not just his individual efforts that are being honoured, but rather his commitment and loyalty that typifies what this award is all about. He not only collect this award for himself but as a representative for that special breed of member that ‘go that extra mile’ to ensure our society remains the best there is”.
DPS President Tony Griffiths said, “It was only a while ago that Jack stepped up to the plate when a volunteer apprentice sound engineer was called for to assist John Attle on club nights. He quickly learned the ropes and has become a true pro in the tradition of pro sound engineers. Our club nights run very smoothly sound-wise thanks to Jack. He is a worthy winner and a very popular one”.
By John Cogan
Durham Photographic Society member John Cogan has written a fascinating and moving appreciation of the iconic, 20th century photographer Eve Arnold who died recently.
John writes, “If there were to be one photographer, regardless of gender, whom one should emulate as a exemplar for their rapport with their subject, their dedication to the humanity of the people they met regardless of colour or belief it would be Eve Arnold, the quiet and gentle little housewife from Long Island”.
A link to the full article, which includes stunning photographs sourced by John Brown, can be found on the home page of the Durham PS website.
http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/article_eve_arnold.htm
See also, John’s review on the Blog of the Jane Bown exhibition, Exposures, now on at the DLI Museum Art Gallery. This can be found in the Blog Archive on the right hand side of the Blog page. Simply click on 2012 January and scroll down to find.
Pictured: John Cogan, left, with fellow members Marie Predki and Tom Heslop
Assignment Hexham
Saturday 11th February. Meeting in at the bandstand 10.00 am. All members are welcome. A good time will be had by all. Great photography opportunities will abound. There may even be the chance of snapping a winner for the Fillingham Trophy which has the set subject, “This Sporting Life”. Images from previous assignments are in Assignments on the home page of the DPS website.
NCPF Championship
The championship, with clubs from all over the Northern Counties Photographic Federation, will be at Washington CC, Harraton Community Centre, Bonemill Lane, Washington, NE38 8BQ, 12th February. Prints are handed in at 12.30 and the event starts at 1.30. All members of NCPF clubs can attend. You can see the images and prints come up and be scored by three judges using electronic scoring devices. It’s a fascinating insight into club world competition. Our entry will be organised by Joe Grabham and his team.
More about the event is here:
http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=club-championships
Directions are here:
http://www.ncpf.org.uk/data/uploads/2012-directions.pdf
Members’ Web Gallery
Please send your best 4 images from 2011 to John Brown by email (preferred) or on disc by Thursday 16th Feb sized 1024x768 px and sRGB colour space. Meantime check out the new Birds of Prey gallery
Town Hall Exhibition
Valente comes to town! On display in the entrance of Durham Town Hall are superb sets of three prints by five members (sorry only five but the space will not allow more) that had done well in the 2011 Valente Cup competition. On for the month of February.
Botanic Gardens Exhibition
Please bring in your print next week if possible so the team, led by Don Bennett and Dennis Hardingham, can plan and prepare. There will be 47 framed prints on display in the cafe of the Botanic Gardens 3rd to 30th March. Your choice of picture – does not have to be botanical!
Annual Exhibition
This will be in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral in June, not July as in previous years. Details to follow
