Club Night News: 31ST May

Torch Relay Celebration Tickets

Free tickets for the Breakfast Celebration in Durham Market Place 17^th June 8.00 a.m are available free from the Gala Theatre but hurry. They are being snapped up very quickly.

Annual Exhibition Durham Cathedral 1^st to 17^th June

Set up will be from 9.00 a.m 1^st June in the Galilee Chapel. The exhibition of over 100 prints will be opened later that evening, 6.00 to 7.30 p.m by special guest Malcolm Kus. All members and guests and friends from other clubs are invited.

Members can volunteer to steward the exhibition in two hour slots. There is a rota at the club and in the cathedral. Meet people from all over the world and talk photography in the glorious setting of the Galilee Chapel.

DPS Exhibition, UHND Hospital

A permanent photography exhibition of members’ prints will be on display on the 1st floor of the hospital near the ENT department from Saturday 2^nd June. Many thanks to member Barry Armitage, who’s idea this was, and the management of the hospital for bringing this project to conclusion. The prints on display will be for the enjoyment of patients, staff and visitors and will be changed four times a year.

Town Hall Exhibition

The Trio exhibition goes up Tuesday 5^th June. Following on we will need prints of topical Durham life such as the Regatta, Brass festival and Miners’ Gala.

Digital Night Wednesday 6^th June

7.00 to 9.00 pm, County Hall. The Photoshop journey continues!

Members Night 12^th July

There is an opportunity for one more member to take part. Contact Paul Ritchie. All members are invited to also bring along Blurb.com or Apple self-published books on the night for people to peruse in the breaks.

Assignments

Next up is Assignment Redcar Races, Saturday 23^rd June. It’s Ladies Day and the first Race is 2.15 pm. Gates open at 12 noon. http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/fixtures/ladies-day

Contact Colin Armitstead for more details

Suggestions Box:

COMPETITIONS REVIEW: last call for member suggestions. Contact the review team of David Trout, Angy Ellis, Ian Stafford or Tom Heslop. Their recommendations go to the committee 13^th June

You can also post suggestions and queries on any club matter in the box

PAGB Inter Club PDI Championship, Warwick

14^th July. Durham PS will be one of the clubs representing NCPF. Contact Joe Grabham urgently if you would like to attend and car-share. More info is here: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en66040512APM1_APMAV.pdf

Stewarding our Annual Exhibition 1st to 17th June

This will be done by volunteer members in 2 hour slots. The rota will be at the club on Thursday 31^st May so please bring your diary so you can sign up.

The exhibition of over 100 prints will be set up on Friday 1^st June 9.30 a.m. Volunteers are very welcome to join in and share this enjoyable experience in the wonderful Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral.

There will be an opening event later that evening between 6.00 and 7.30 p.m. All DPS members and guests are welcome to attend as are our friends from other North East photography clubs. Special guest Malcolm Kus ARPS, DPAGB, EFIAP wil open the exhibition and will be selecting his personal favourite print as “Best in Show”.

BBC Look North – How to submit Weather Pictures

Everything you need to know is here:

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

As well as the chance of your picture appearing on BBC Look North Weather broadcasts it may be selected for the Look North Calendar in aid of Children in Need

TV WATCH: Springwatch Returns

The new Springwatch series returns tonight on BBC 2 8.00 pm. The 12 broadcasts will be from 28^th May to 14^th June

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qgm3

You can post your UK wildlife images taken from 1st March 2012 on the Springwatch Flickr group. Join the 179,000 plus membership of the group pool to become a member and you can then add to the pool

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bbcspringwatch/

NCPF Competitions: Portfolio Selection

The following images by Durham PS members were selected for the 2012 NCPF Portfolio:

Monochrome Print:

Smoke and Steam, David Trout

Colour Print:

A Wet Fringe, David Trout

PDI:

A New Millennium, Jed Wee

Bonding Gannets, Neil Maughan

Painted Beauty, Michael Watson

Puffin in Flight, Stephen Bell

Surfing, Michael Watson

Full results are here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/data/uploads/ac2012-results.pdf

More about the Annual Competitions is here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions

NCPF Competitions: Alliance Entry

The following Projected Digital Images by Durham PS members were selected to represent the NCPF in the 2012 inter federation PAGB competition:

Brothers in Arms, John Attle

Happiness is ... , Ian Stafford

John McGuinness, Stephen Bell

Second Sight, Joe Grabham

The West Wall, Joe Grabham

Vietnamese Children, Ian Stafford

Wild Kestrel Eats Rabbit, Michael Watson

(Image to follow)

Full results are here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/data/uploads/ac2012-results.pdf

More about the Annual Competitions is here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions

TV Watch: HIGABMNFY

Hilarity cures all

Temporarily lost your photography mojo?

Disappointed the judge did not understand your masterpiece?

Camera Raw eluding you?

Then watch William Shatner hosting Have I got a Bit More News for You, tonight BBC1 10.25 p.m.! One of the funniest ever.

Or watch it now on I Player

NCPF Annual Competitions – Success for DPS Members

In the Diamond Trophy section of the Annual Competitions 2012, from the many hundreds of entries, Stephen Bell’s John McGuinness was awarded third place.

In the same competition there were Highly Commended for:

John Attle’s Brothers in Arms

Tony Devlin’s Jaka

and David Trout’s Running Late.

In the Weir Trophy for best colour print, Ian Stafford’s Penshaw Mist was awarded third place (see previous blogs for the picture).

There was more success for DPS members in that 8 images were selected for the Alliance Entry (last year 3), from Ian Stafford (2), Stephen Bell, Michael Watson, John Attle and Joe Grabham (2).

Furthermore, another 6 were selected for the NCPF Portfolio (last year4), from Stephen Bell, Jed Wee, Neil Maughan, David Trout (2) and Michael Watson (2)

We are hoping to pull all their marvellous pictures together for a future Blog

Full results and more information on the competitions can be found here: http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=annual-competitions

Club Night News: 24th May

Annual Exhibition Durham Cathedral 1^st to 17^th June

Set up will be from 9.00 a.m 1^st June in the Galilee Chapel. Volunteers welcome. The exhibition of over 100 prints will be opened by special guest Malcolm Kus, later that evening, 6.00 to 7.30 p.m. All members and guests are invited.

Members can volunteer to steward the exhibition in two hour slots. There is a rota at the club. Don’t miss out! Meet people from all over the world and talk photography in the glorious setting of the Galilee Chapel.

The organising team will be making final preparations May 29th

Members Night 12^th July

There is an opportunity to take part for three more members. Contact Paul Ritchie. You know you want to!

Assignments

Next up is Assignment Redcar Races, Saturday 23^rd June. It’s Ladies Day and the first Race is 2.15 pm. Gates open at 12 noon. http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/fixtures/ladies-day

Contact Colin Armitstead for more details

Suggestions Box: HAVE YOUR SAY!

COMPETITIONS REVIEW: as a result of member suggestions the committee has set up a study group to look at competitions and come up with a proposal for positive change. If you have suggestions and ideas on any aspect of the way we do competitions contact the team of David Trout, Angy Ellis, Ian Stafford and Tom Heslop soon. Their recommendations go to the committee 13^th June

You can also post suggestions and queries on any club matter in the box

Town Hall Exhibition

Following on from prints from the Trio we will need prints of topical Durham life such as the Regatta, Brass festival and Miners’ Gala. Bring to the club as soon as possible

Digital Night Wednesday 6^th June

The Photoshop journey continues!

PAGB Inter Club PDI Championship, Warwick

14^th July. Durham PS will be one of the clubs representing NCPF. More information from Joe Grabham, or here: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en66040512APM1_APMAV.pdf

A Postcard from America

Just thought I would keep in touch as have missed a couple of weeks on this trip although I'm keeping in touch with site whenever I can. The photo was taken at the Zion national park Utah, what a place.
Regards Walter Bulmer

Results 2nd Progress Prints

A Section, Judge Harry Hall MA FRPS

Ist Place: Fin Fantastic, David Wardle

2^nd Place: Winter in Weardale, Brian Wilcockson

3^rd Place: The Wrong Side of the Tracks, Paul Ritchie

4^th Place: First Crocus of Spring, Alan Stott

5^th Place: A Step to the Future, Don Bennett

There were 7 Highly Commended awards in the A section: Michael Watson, Mavis Ord, Christine Oliphant, Colin Armitstead, Tony Griffiths, David Trout, Angy Ellis,

B Section, Judge Ian Stafford

Ist Place: Stuck Red, Su Stewart

2^nd Place: Turkmenian Eagle Owl, Brian Race

3^rd Place: Bins, Su Stewart

4^th Place: Two’s Company, Joanne Gray

5^th Place: Coal Tide, Su Stewart

There were 2 Highly Commended awards in the B section: John Carter, Sandra Hewitson

The A section is for experienced photographers and the B is for the less experienced. This was the second of three stages during the year. The placings attract points: 2 for a highly Commended to 10 for 1st place. The winners of the trophies are the ones with most points at the end.

Club Night Preview: 24th May

It’s Results night, 2^nd Progress Prints.

Judges will be: for the “A” Section Harry Hall MA FRPS and for the “B” Section Ian Stafford

The excitement is building!

NB: the Rota for stewarding the Annual Exhibition in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral is now open with two hour slots available. But hurry! Bring your diary! Do not miss this golden opportunity to meet people from all over the world and talk photography.

NCPF Annual Competitions 2012 – Results now on line

As previously reported (Breaking News - NCPF Annual Competitions, Headline results) Durham Ps members did well, and the Society had its best results for some years coming second in both Colour Prints and PDI (although, it has to be said, we came 22^nd in Monochrome Prints!).

Check out all the details here:

http://www.ncpf.org.uk/data/uploads/ac2012-results.pdf

Pictured is Ian Stafford’s Penshaw Mist which achieved a maximum score of 15 from the judges and was third in the Weir Trophy competition for best colour print. To follow are the Highly Commended images from John Attle, Tony Devlin and David Trout.

Joe Grabham

Exhibition News: Last Chance to See ...

Side Gallery: ARAB SPRING: EGYPT & LIBYA by Guy Martin & Ivor Prickett - on until 9^th June

 

DLI Museum Art Gallery: LOVE by Zed Nelson – on until 24^th June

Sunderland Winter Gardens and Museum: Sunderland Photographic Association exhibition - on until 5^th June

Don’t miss too –

South Shields Ocean Beach: The Visitors by Damien Wootten

  

Olympic Flame on its Way to Durham!

70 days, 8000 miles, 8000 runners, the Olympic Torch Relay will be passing through the North East 14^th to 20^th June, arriving in Durham City 16^th June for an overnight stop, continuing the next day. Photographers from all around will be striving to capture the momentous and historic scenes. More information can be found on line and in local press.

http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/route/

Pictured is one of the 8000 torch bearers, Ken Allday (80) who is a fundraising ambassador for St Cuthbert’s Hospice and who will be proudly carrying Olympic Flame in relay on the 16^th. Ken’s story is here: http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/torchbearers=ken-allday-2967/index.html

Club Night Review: Mavis Ord....

(with ALL THOSE LETTERS AFTER HER NAME)

..... The conversation continued.

I hope Joe won’t mind if I continue with the “four-way conversation” that was started last night. I know I have this inability to keep quiet (a cleaned-up form of Tourette’s syndrome I suppose) so I hope Joe forgives me. I’ll blame Tom if he doesn’t!

Unlike many of the DPS membership I have only known Mavis for a short time. Does this make me an inappropriate commentator on her “Conversation” with us? I think not, for I came to her evening with what I hope are fresh eyes. The shock of seeing her work in such a narrative way was, and still is, awe-inspiring. From the initial work with the old Pentax Spotmatic F to her Contax/Zeiss-made images culminating in the later digital prints, everything was pristine and clean and precise. Every image we saw was a mini master class in the both the art of “seeing” and then producing.

Mavis’s work has remained contemporary chronicling the range of skills that she has garnered. During the evening it seemed as if she was unable to help herself and constantly let slip advice: the colour of the card placed behind the final print to either lighten or darken the image; the liberation of NOT conforming to expectations and the constant quest for wrinkled stockings. Now a mistress of the digital technique with which she feels comfortable Mavis is restless, searching for the next step forward.

If anyone is to be held up as a beacon of good photographic practice it is Mavis: with a solid grounding in technique; the constant experimentation; being in possession of what Joe rightly calls a “photographer’s eye” (one that explains all those serendipitous captures when she “just turned round”); the warmth of her relationship with the subject and her disregard for the camera thereby not allowing it to interpose itself and interfere with the final image. Above all it is her infinite generosity that shines through, especially to beginners like me.

The last word should go to Mavis herself and here I paraphrase: Do your own thing; keep trying; experiment; be revolutionary.... it’s the way to go!

For someone like me these are words that inspire... Thanks Mavis.

John Cogan 18.5.12

Pictured: “In the Corner” by Mavis Ord

Club Night News: 17th May

Annual Exhibition Durham Cathedral 2nd  to 17 ^th June

The two prints per member need to be at the club next Thursday 24^th May latest. The organising team will label them and plan the layout at the club on May 29^th. Set up will be from 9.00 a.m 1^st June. Volunteers welcome. The opening, with special guest Malcolm Kus, will be later that day, 6.00 to 7.30 p.m. Members and guests are invited.

Members can volunteer to steward the exhibition in two hour slots. There is a rota at the club. Don’t miss out! It is a very enjoyable experience to meet people from all over the world in the glorious setting of the Galilee Chapel.

Competition Countdown

Closing date for Fillingham Trophy, Iris Trophy and Hon Members Cup was 17^th May. Digital entries can still be emailed to Roger over the next couple of days but hurry!

Assignments

Following the success of Assignment Barford Raceway, next up is Assignment Redcar Races, Saturday 23^rd June. It’s Ladies Day and the first Race is 2.15 pm. Gates open at 12 noon. http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/fixtures/ladies-day

The Assignment Barford Raceway gallery of images will be online soon in Galleries on the DPS website: http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/assignments.htm

Suggestions Box: HAVE YOUR SAY!

COMPETITIONS REVIEW: as a result of member suggestions the committee has set up a study group to look at competitions and come up with a proposal for positive change. If you have suggestions and ideas on this contact the team of David Trout, Angy Ellis, Ian Stafford and Tom Heslop.

You can also post suggestions and queries on any club matter in the box.

PAGB Inter Club PDI Championship, Warwick

14^th July. Durham PS will be one of the clubs representing NCPF. More information from Joe Grabham, or here: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en66040512APM1_APMAV.pdf

Town Hall Exhibition

We will be exhibiting prints in the Durham Town Hall during June and July. First up will be a show from the recent Trio competition. Following on we will need prints of topical Durham life such as the Regatta, Brass festival and Miners’ Gala. Bring to the club as soon as possible

Beamish Museum

Following the success of the recent photographers’ night, there will be an after-hours “In the pit village” event, 18^th and 19^th May 6.30 to 9.00 pm. Tickets can be booked on line: http://www.beamish.org.uk/museums-at-night---after-hours-in-the-pit-village-18th/

Rumour has it that our own Julian Harrop will be in period dress in the pit village gardens!

Vote of Thanks – History is Made!

At the first meeting of the club in 1892, known then as Durham City Camera Club, a Vote of Thanks was proposed and we have been following this tradition ever since.

As Joe Grabham was giving an eloquent vote of thanks to the marvellous Mavis Ord for her excellent show, the audience were so moved it became a four way conversation ... this to the huge enjoyment of the members who responded with warm acclaim. It was a first in 120 years!

Town Hall Exhibition, Call for Prints

During June and July we will be putting on a show of prints in the Town Hall entrance gallery. Initially a display of Trio competition prints with Durham Life, i.e. Regatta, Brass festival, Miners’ Gala etc, following on. We may squeeze in some Beamish Museum images also.

If you would like to take part please bring in suitable (i.e. good! And fitting the above themes) over the next two club nights.

AWARDS FOR MERIT IN AUDIO VISUAL PRODUCTION

Of interest to anyone producing AV’s, the following is an extract from Rod Wheelans’ email re enews of the PAGB Issue 67:

“The PAGB recently agreed the following definition which has received wide support:

"An AV Production submitted for a PAGB Award for Photographic Merit should predominantly consist of a sequence of still photographic images, the majority of such images being the original work of the entrant, together with a synchronised sound track.

The use of third party images, animated graphics, video clips or other visual material, whilst not excluded, should be limited and appropriate to the production.

Entrants must confirm that they have obtained legal consent for the use of any visual or audio material used in the production other than their own original content."

The AV Adjudication, scheduled for 20 October 2012, has adopted this definition and will be conducted in accordance with previous custom and practice. Now that this definition has been agreed the PAGB Executive has asked the APM Sub Committee to review all the procedures and practices for running Adjudications from 2013. They intend to conduct a further wide ranging consultation leading, hopefully, to specific proposals early in 2013.

If you are involved in Audio Visual as a current or potential producer of AV, as a past or present judge or if you just have an interest in how it may develop in the future and you would like to be involved in this consultation please register an interest with rod@creative-camera.co.uk . All input is welcome although we cannot promise individual responses.”

e-news from the PAGB issue 67

Issue 67 of e-news from the PAGB features:

Awards for Photographic Merit – April Results

Austin Thomas MPAGB

Meet the Executive – Dave Coates MPAGB EFIAP/g ARPS EPSA APAGB

Awards for Photographic Merit - Audio Visual by Club

Sandy Wallace APAGB

Insurance Matters

Meet the Executive – Roger Parry DPAGB ARPS AFIAP Hon PAGB

Featured Photographer – Hilary Roberts FRPS MFIAP

Read the whole issue, including notices and ads here:

http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en67150512APM_Austin_MeetEC.pdf

Register to receive e-news from the PAGB by email here: www.pagbnews.co.uk

aday.org - Today’s the Day!

Take digital photographs of everyday life for this world wide project.

http://www.aday.org/

From the archives: 120 Years ago today!

(Some things never change)

The first meeting of the Durham City Camera Club, later to become Durham Photographic Society, was on 12^th February 1892. On 13^th May 1892, the Durham Mercury reported:

Durham City Camera Club

A meeting of the above club was held in the Shakespeare Club Room on Wednesday evening. The President, the Rev. H.E. Fox in the chair. Prof. Pearce D.C.L. gave a very interesting lecture on “Optics in lenses”, accompanied with various diagrams illustrating pin-hole photography, singles, necti-lineal and wide angle lenses. Messrs T.T. and Hobson, the noted lens maker of Leicester sent for this lecture the various parts of lenses in different stages of construction and a number of lantern slides showing the action of lenses.

The President proposed a vote of thanks to Prof. Pearce for his able lecture which was carried by acclamation. The Hon. Secretary is making arrangements for the first out-door excursion on Wit-Monday.

There have been massive changes since then but we still have very interesting lectures, still propose votes of thanks carried by acclamation and the Hon Sec is still organising outdoor excursions!

We have a project underway to document the history of Durham PS and this will be archived on the DPS website in due course. Will anyone having interesting memorabilia, stories or photos please pass to David Trout who is leading the project.

Fillingham Final Countdown: D Day -5

Delivery day 17^th May

The clock is ticking but still time for a winning shot!

Hot Dates stop press news:

Moto x this weekend cancelled

Yes, the BRITISH MASTERS MOTO X: Skelder Bank Whitby 12^th-13^th May has been cancelled because of the weather.

www.amca.uk.com

For disappointed motor sports enthusiasts there’s always Barford Raceway 20^th May!

Mr. S. Bell

Club Night News: 10th May

Annual Exhibition Durham Cathedral 1^st to 17^th June

Please deliver your prints to the club by 24^th May. The organising team will label them and plan the layout on May 29^th. Set up will be from 9.30 a.m 1^st June. Volunteers welcome. The opening, with special guest Malcolm Kus, will be later that day, 6.00 to 7.30 p.m.

 

Competition Countdown

Closing date for Fillingham Trophy, Iris Trophy and Hon Members Cup is 17^th May. Check rules carefully! Digital entries can be emailed to Roger any time from now

Assignment Barford Raceway

The revue session to show and discuss prints (up to 6 A4 size each) is Wednesday 16^th May, County Hall, 7.00 pm. A gallery of images (8 each) on the DPS website will follow. Please email to David Forster asap

Next up – something completely different, to be announced soon

Print Boxes

If you ordered print boxes, they have arrived. Collect from Ian Stafford.

Members’ AV Night

If you have signed up for this please let Mavis have your disc as soon as possible

History Project

The aim is to archive the history of the Society on the DPS website. Contributions are already in from Janet Thackray who has kept all her programmes since 1964, and Don Bennett has found reports in the Durham Mercury describing the first meetings of the club in 1892. Anyone who has memorabilia, old photos etc please give to David Trout who is heading up the project

Suggestions Box: HAVE YOUR SAY!

UPDATE: as a result of member suggestions the committee has set up a study group to look at competitions and come up with a proposal for positive change. If you have suggestions and ideas on this contact the team of David Trout, Angy Ellis, Ian Stafford and Tom Heslop.

You can also post suggestions and queries on any club matter in the box.

PAGB Inter Club PDI Championship, Warwick

14^th July. Durham PS will be one of the clubs representing NCPF. More information from Joe Grabham, or here: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en66040512APM1_APMAV.pdf

Town Hall Exhibition

We will be exhibiting prints in the Durham Town Hall during June and July. Details to follow

Beamish Museum

Following the success of the recent photographers’ night, there will be an after hours “In the pit village” event, 18^th and 19^th May 6.30 to 9.00 pm. Tickets can be booked on line: http://www.beamish.org.uk/museums-at-night---after-hours-in-the-pit-village-18th/

Next Club Night 17^th May

The Halfords Cycle Tour Series is in town so parking on the night at the club might be a little more difficult. There are events all day from 10.00 a.m. with the main race at 7.00 p.m.

However, do not miss Mavis Ord’s presentation “The Path I Took in Photography”!

Breaking News – NCPF Annual Competitions

The NCPF has just released the “headline results” of its Annual Competitions and there’s some good news for Durham Photographic Society! As a club, we finished second in the colour print and in the PDI sections – the best overall results we’ve had in recent years. In the individual awards, congratulations go to Stephen Bell and Ian Stafford, both of whom took third places. Stephen’s cracking shot of motorcyclist John McGuinness was judged third in the projected images section, while Ian picked up his colour print award with an atmospheric landscape “Penshaw Mist”. Detailed club and individual results (including Alliance and Portfolio acceptances) will be announced on the NCPF website in due course.

Joe Grabham

News Flash: 50,000 Hits Milestone for DPS Blog

This Blog first appeared in 2009. It was created, and managed to this day, by Blogmaster John Attle. It has just powered through the momentous 50, 000 page views milestone. From a modest beginning, the Blog today features over 30 news and diary items a month from an ever growing number of talented contributors.

Essential reading for members of Durham Photographic Society wanting to keep up to date with club matters and the wider photography world, the Blog has readers from all over the world. In order of number of hits for the last month: UK, USA, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, S Korea, France, India, Ukraine and Norway.

Wherever you are, thank you to all our readers! Here’s to the next 50K.

New Gallery posted on DPS Website

A new gallery of DPS member’ images taken on the recent Beamish Great Steam Fair Photography Night can now be seen in Galleries on the DPS website: http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/gallery_beamish2012.htm

Pictured: Did you see that? By Alan Sharpe featuring John Carter (left) and David Forster