News: Angy and the Bishop of Jarrow

Angy Ellis Reports

Recently I was the wedding photographer where the Bishop of Jarrow the Right Reverend Mark Bryant presided over the ceremony. We had a fantastic working relationship on the day and a few months later he asked me to participate in a publication which advises how the Church and the photographers could work better together to make sure the celebration is free from tension, and the photographers needs can be accommodated without losing the sanctity of the ceremony.  I sent the church my thoughts and they have been published in a recent press release from the Aegies Associates  LINK

It is linked to a Church of England handbook, including a contribution from the Bishop himself, which has been published to ensure that the clergy accommodate the needs of the modern bride and groom, including the unique requirements of the wedding photographer. In his contribution, The Bishop calls for clergy to be more open and understanding of the needs of the modern wedding day service.

It was great fun to be part of. The Bishop and I met at St Helen’s Church, Belle Vue Bank in Low Fell – where the photographer, Keith Blundy (who happens to be the Secretary of Darlington CC) took pictures to accompany the press release.

Angy

LINK

Photos  by: Keith Blundy / Aegies Associates

Exhibition News: Side and Northumbria University

“Definitely recommended!” Jed Wee

SIDE GALLERY: Veiled Rebellion by Lynsey Addario. Stunning documentary images of women under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. On until 13^th October. There will be a photographer talk Saturday 15^th September 2.00 p.m.

http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery/pages/current-exhibition

 

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY GALLERY: Capturing the Moment – the Sports Photography of Tom Jenkins. Powerful images from one of the UK’s foremost sports photographers. On from 31^st August to 12^th October

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/insight/2423164

Nikon In-Frame Competition

Five images on the theme, “Graphic Shapes, have been selected for a public vote to find the winner including Durham PS member Neil Maughan’s Graphic Design. You can see the images and vote for your favourite here:

http://inframe.nikoncompetition.co.uk/Vote.aspx?id=04&country=uk

HOT DATES 2012 September Preview

Compiled by your Hot Dates Blogger

New entries in red

CONNECTING LIGHT: Hadrian’s Wall 31^st August, 1^st September http://connectinglight.info/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=25224&utm_campaign=9

BEAMISH PHOTOGRAPHER NIGHT: 6.00 to 9.00 pm 1^st September http://www.beamish.org.uk/photographic-evening-pftp/

NE1 ZAPCAT GRAND PRIX: Newcastle Quayside 1^st and 2^nd September

http://newcastlecitymarina.co.uk/ne1-zapcat-grand-prix.aspx

WOLSINGHAM SHOW: 1^st September (Agricultural day), 2^nd September (Country Fair day) http://www.wolsinghamshow.com/

DURHAM BIG RIDES 2012: 2^nd September www.durhambigride.co.uk

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS: 6^th to 9^th September http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ , www.durham.gov.uk/heritageopendays

STANHOPE SHOW: 8^th and 9^th September http://www.stanhopeshow.com/

DURHAM THE BEAST 2012: 9^th September www.durhambigride.co.uk

DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY REUNION: Durham Cathedral & City, 9^th September

SCOTTISH MINI MOTO CHAMPIONSHIP Round 6: 9^th September, Warden Law. See John A if you can help out & get circuit access.

TOUR OF BRITAIN 2012: 11^th Sept Stage 3 Jedburgh – Dumfries, 12^th Sept Stage 4 Carlisle – Blackpool. www.tourofbritain.com

GREAT NORTH RUN WEEKEND: 15^th/16^th September (Great North City Games 15^th, Great North Run 16^th) http://www.greatcitygames.org/ www.greatrun.org

SUNDERLAND PRIDE: 23^rd September www.sunderlandpride.co.uk

Internationals News: RPS 2012 International PI Exhibition

Gentleman Joe Strikes Again

Congratulations are due again to Joe Grabham as his hot streak continues with an acceptance into the Royal Photographic Society 2012 International Projected Image Exhibition with the image Chillin. Well done Joe.

Full results are not on line at time of writing but some information is here: http://www.rps.org/int-proj-image-exhibition/2012-International-Projected-Image-Exhibition

Neil Maughan

2013 Programme Preview now on line

DPS webmaster John Brown has posted a tantalising, illustrated preview of the Durham Photographic Society programme for next year. Includes early in the new year, to mention just one of the many highlights, a very welcome surprise return for Will Cheung FRPS.

View from the home page of the DPS website or here: http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/prog_2013.htm

News: The Guardian Blogs Durham PS VP

The Guardian newspaper’s The Northerner Blog has reported that scores of images were submitted to Northern Landscapes photo challenge in the search for a photograph that encapsulates what is great about the North. Durham PS’ Vice President Ian Stafford has two entries, both doing well in reader’s votes and both with favourable comments from the judges.

Read all about it here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jul/13/photo-challenge-n0tice#start-of-comments

++Stop Press ++

News has just broken that Ian’s Time to go Home has come second. Well done Ian! That’s without benefit of friends and family votes (Ian forgot to tell us!)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/poll/2012/aug/02/photography-northernlandscapes-

August Bank Holiday Weekend Hot Dates Roundup

“...the bright side of life!”

Street Theatre and Circle Shows: Millennium Square and Market Place, 12.00 to 5.00 pm. Saturday and Sunday. Part of the Durham Streets Summer Festival

Military Vehicle Rally: DLI Museum Grounds, Sunday and Monday, 10.00 to 4.00

40’s Entertainment: Durham Market Place, 11.00 to 4.00 Monday (Mayor 12.00 noon)

Newcastle Mela: Exhibition Park, 12.00 to 6.30 Sunday, Monday (What’s On: http://www.newcastlemela.co.uk/whats_on.asp)

A Grand Medieval Joust: Belsay Hall, 11.00 to 4.30, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Manchester Pride: Big Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Parade Saturday}

Edinburgh Fringe: Saturday, Sunday, last day Monday

The Great Dorset Steam Fair: no, sorry, that’s next week (what do you mean it’s too far – at least one DPS member will be there. Say Hi to Dorset R.A.T.S, Rob)

News: Walter Scores a Double

DPS member Walter Bulmer is on a roll with a glorious Tyne bridges scene appearing on ITV Weather last night and a shot of a giant rig leaving the Tyne published in the South Shields Gazette’ this week. These pictures first appeared on Durham PS Facebook Group where you can see more of Walter’s images.

With an exciting weekend of photography out and about this weekend (see Hot Dates August Update and Hot Dates There’s More in Blog August Archives for details) why not email some pictures to ITV or BBC weather (not the same one to both!)

weatherpics@itv.com

looknorthweather@bbc.co.uk

BBC Look North has a useful guide to submitting images here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/wear/hi/tv_and_radio/newsid_8644000/8644872.stm

News: Durham PS facebook group thriving!

Barely a month old, this Facebook group exclusive to members of Durham PS has 35 members and is buzzing with all things photography:

Including:

A steady stream of great images being shared on line for enjoyment and feedback

Fast moving news of photography opportunities and events being shared

Requests for advice on equipment and techniques having dozens of helpful responses

Heated debates on interesting topics

There’s even been a Nikon user asking to borrow a Canon camera for a special project (which has led to four offers)

And more ...

The Durham PS Facebook group is for Durham PS members and any Durham PS member can join. The administrators are Sarah Hewitson and Joanne Gray. See also “Witterer interviews Sarah Hewitson” posted 19^th August

http://www.facebook.com/groups/322875851138957/#!/groups/322875851138957/

Some recent pictures on Durham PS Facebook group (place cursor over an image to see caption)

News: Sedgefield Repatriation Ceremony

Sedgefield Village Veterans honour repatriated fallen

In a simple, moving ceremony on Sedgefield village green, the Sedgefield Village Veterans, who hold a service whenever a repatriation takes place, were joined by the Chairman of Durham County Council, councillor Linda Marshall, members of the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group, villagers and passers-by to honour three soldiers recently killed in Afghanistan and repatriated to the UK. They were:

Lieutenant Andrew Robert Chesterman, 26 of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, Lance Corporal Matthew David Smith, 26 of the Corps of Royal Engineers and Guardsman Jamie Shadrake, 20 of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Durham PS members, in a continuing relationship with DLI Association veterans that goes back many years, were honoured to photograph the event.

LINK to J Attle’s photos

LINK to T Griffith’s photos

See also Angy Ellis’s report on this blog posted 25^th July, DLI Memorial Unveiled.

Any member interested in getting involved, for instance on forthcoming Remembrance Sunday, can contact Blogmaster John Attle

More from the Fringe

Edinburgh Fringe Festival is on until 27^th August. See also previous blogs: From the front Line of the Fringe by David Trout and Joe Grabham’s review of the 150^th Edinburgh International Photographic Exhibition

www.edfringe.com

Hot Dates Special: Connecting Light

CONNECTING LIGHT: Hadrian’s Wall 31^st August, 1^st September

Connecting Light, part of London 2012 Festival, explores opposing ideas of borders and connection through landscape art installation, open-source electronic hardware and software, and networks. Hundreds of six-foot-in-diameter balloons, equipped with high-powered LEDs driven by radio devices, illuminate Britain’s greatest Roman monument: the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.

http://connectinglight.info/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=25224&utm_campaign=9

Witterer Interview: Sarah Hewitson

Sarah Hewitson is the founder and administrator of Durham Photographic Society Facebook group

Witterer: What’s it all about? Please tell us.

SH: Yeah sure! The Facebook group is essentially a place for members to access the society outside of the Thursday meetings - basically “24/7 Durham Photographic Society”.

Witterer: 24/7 DPS? Tantalising prospect but can we not have too much of a good thing?

SH: No!

Witterer: What’s in it for me?

SH: On it, members can share their images for critique (or praise!), share news from the world of photography, sell their kit at bargain prices, debate on the latest issues, share the latest events to shoot and get tips on how to shoot them.

Witterer: I like the idea of praise. It would not be before time

SH: Praise is not guaranteed, the pictures have to be good for that. Let’s just call it constructive feedback

Witterer: Is there a vetting system to keep undesirables like myself out?

SH: No member is undesirable. Let me re-phrase that – even you will be let in as you are a paid up member. To join, you simply have to have a Facebook account. If you don't already, simply get yourself to www.facebook.com and follow the simple sign up steps to get yourself an account. Once done search for Durham Photographic Society in the Facebook search bar and click join. Myself or Joanne will then add you to the group.

Whitterer: I can’t wait

e-news from the PAGB issue 73

If you are not already a subscriber (and it’s free!) rush to register now. Issue 73 of e-news from the PAGB is picture packed. Featured are the winning entries in the Inter Club PDI Championship (Warwick) from both Wigan 10 Foto Club (overall winners) and Tenby and District CC (Plate Winners). There is a results sheet, too, showing the scores of all the 38 clubs including Durham PS and Sunderland PA representing the NCPF.

Featured photographer is none other than K.T. Allen of the Wigan 10 Foto Club. Durham PS’s Joe Grabham is a big fan and has been extolling the virtue’s of this extraordinarily talented rising star. Read K.T. Allen’s moving story and see her marvellous images. K.T. Allen is a member of Wigan 10 and has just won the Gold Medal in the 150^th Edinburgh International Exhibition with Evacuee Triplets (see Joe’s review 13^th August on this Blog).

http://ktallen-photography.co.uk/index.html

There is also news of the PAGB Print Championship 27^th October, Connah’s Quay. Tickets are on sale only £5. Durham PS narrowly missed out on this one but the NCPF will be represented by Sunderland PA and Stokesley PS

Also FIAP Distinctions – applications for 2013 submissions, and more

Read the whole, picture and article packed issue, including ads, here: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/e-news/en73180812_Warwick_FIAP_KTAllenV2.pdf

Register to receive e-news from the PAGB by email here (it’s a must for all keen club photographers): www.pagbnews.co.uk

Location News: Fields of Silver

Wild flower meadows Low Burnhall

Situated on the western edge of this Woodland Trust woodland area bordering the A167. From the Cock of the North roundabout heading south the first lay by is right next to the meadows. Last year, featuring ox-eye daisies, cornflowers and poppies, it was a big draw for photographers including our own Joanne Gray.

This year a large area of cow parsley has appeared just starting to go to seed, inter-sown with purple thistle. What a prospect for macro and nature photographers, let alone a remarkable location for environmental portraits. This shot was taken at dusk yesterday.

All Woodland Trust woods are free to visit. Read more here:

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=5621#.UC1UE6PmCuo

News of this location first appeared on the Durham Photographic Society Facebook Group for members. Sign up now for fast moving news, debates, help forums and great pictures.

The Fantastic Four +1 go to the Steam Gathering:

An Extract from Tales from the Front Line of Pickering Traction Engine Rally

By Lilian Blot

“Spoiled by the choice of subject available to us we started all from the same point, about ten meters from where we had our coffee and went on our more or less separated way following our inspiration. I wasn’t sure what I should go for and so start shouting until I find a subject of interest, it a kind of mental warm-up. After a while I came to the conclusion it should be square (what a surprise) to be used in a diptych or anything that finishes in “tych”.

Once the subject was found, wheels details of steam tractors, I moved from engine to engine keeping my eyes open for any photographic opportunities. I came across the other four chatting with one of the steam engine owner. It must be somehow intimidating to have four cameras pointing at you at the same time, so in my infinite kindness I decided to make it five. After a short shooting session under the direction of Mr Bell, I went off shooting more wheels like a possessed man. “

To be continued!

Read Lilian’s full, fascinating story of his trip to Pickering in Articles from the Home Page of the DPS website. If you know him, Lilian’s delightful French accent will come sparkling through. As always, placing your cursor over any image will reveal the caption.

 

               

News: Beamish ‘Tog Night just announced

Saturday 1^st September, 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. Power from the Past

Beamish the Living Museum of the North extends this exclusive, out of hours offer to photographers for a fee of £10 per person to cover operational and running costs for the evening. Groups buying 10 tickets get an eleventh free. This is a ticket-only event. Pre-booking to confirm your place is essential as tickets are limited to just 200. Telephone 0191 370 4000 to book.

On the evening, many vintage transport exhibits will be in operation. The following star attractions are confirmed: locomotives SHDC No. 18 “Lewin” and Peckett No. 1163 “Whitehead” in operation at the Colliery Railway. Tram 196 in South Shields Livery and Gateshead 10 in GNI 26 (British Railway Green) on the Edwardian Town Street. 1923 LNER Y7 (68088) and NER H Class (1310) as static displays at Rowley Station. Costumed demonstrators will be on hand with the period transport giving you an exclusive opportunity to photograph these scenes without the usual crowds. A period bus service will run regularly to transport photographers between locations.

http://www.beamish.org.uk/photographic-evening-pftp/

From the Front Line of the Fringe

– a retrospective by David Trout

Four intrepid DPS members armed to the teeth with heavy digital artillery set off on an early train for Edinburgh.

Another lone warrior established base camp in the Scottish Borders from whence he made a pre-emptive strike just after the advance party attacked from Waverley Station.

Their joint objective: to capture hundreds of images on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, scene of the world famous Fringe, an outrageous fun event run alongside the much more serious minded Edinburgh International Festival which features the best of high-brow art, music and drama.

Up and coming stage acts, mainly comedy, cut their teeth at The Fringe and showcase their acts with street performance outside Edinburgh’s St Giles Cathedral.

So it was our DPS party, commanded by president Tony Griffiths with Joe Grabham, Neil Maughan, Stephen Bell and myself struck uphill from Waverley.

Barrie Forbes cut off any chances of a counter attack by striking from the Park and Ride after driving into town from the Peebles area.

It should be recorded that women folk who came in support deserted to the shops in Princess Street as soon as the going got tough.

It was hot, incredibly crowded and dangerous work but our raiders, sustained only by coffee and the odd sausage sandwich, battled manfully on until the mission was accomplished.

We escaped after an encounter lasting several hours with loads of images in the bag. Years of campaigning at the Whitby Goths Festival had stood us in good stead to snatch pictures in crowded conditions and get them back in perfect condition to DPS HQ.

David Trout

 

Hot Dates Special – there’s more!

Yet more events of interest to photographers have come in. These are extra to those already published on this Blog 1^st August in Hot Dates: August Update.

MANCHESTER PRIDE: 17^th to 27^th August (Big Weekend 24^th to 27^th, Parade 25^th August http://www.manchesterpride.com/whatson/

SOLDIERS OF THE WALL: Housesteads Roman Fort 18^th, 19^th August http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/events/on/soldiers-of-the-wall-housesteads-roman-fort-p626751

MEDIEVAL JOUST: Belsay Hall 25^th to 27^th August http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/a-grand-medieval-joust-bh-25-aug/

NE1 ZAPCAT GRAND PRIX: Newcastle Quayside 1^st and 2^nd September http://newcastlecitymarina.co.uk/ne1-zapcat-grand-prix.aspx

NEMVC ltd. Military Vehicle Rally DLI Museum 26th to 27th August.

The 150th Edinburgh International Photographic Exhibition

Joe Grabham reviews:

For anyone thinking of visiting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer (and there is much to recommend it), then a small detour from the main focus of events will take you to Edinburgh Photographic Society’s International Print Exhibition. I say a small detour, it’s actually a ten to fifteen minute walk from the High Street - enough to make Stephen ask of Neil “Are we there yet?” quite a few times. Once we arrived though, we were suitably impressed by the location; a rather grand Georgian terraced house, complete with brass nameplate, which is home to the Society.

The exhibition itself is made up of around 200 prints set up in an airy room on the ground floor and needless to say, in a salon of such prestige as this, the quality of the images was uniformly excellent. Much of what was on show could be described as ‘contemporary’, but there was room for the occasional traditional landscape and portrait too. Even so, it was very noticeable just how many of the pictures had impressionistic content and how much imagination had come into play in the production of the images (and, as an aside, it was Tony who spotted that only one acceptance had a black mount!).

For those who have ever trawled the acceptances pages of Internationals there were some very familiar names here –Rickki O’Neill, Anne Greiner, Diane Owen, Dave Coates (all having presented at Durham PS), and Libby Smith and Christine Widdall (visiting us in Durham next year) all won awards, but the pièce de résistance was from rising star KT Allen, who won the medal for best in show with her magical image “Evacuee Triplets”. There were some stunning images here and this exhibition is very highly recommended. The £4 entry free includes a high-quality catalogue of all the prints in the Salon and the exhibition runs until 2^nd September.

Joe Grabham

Results from Warwick – Report on NCPF Website

A report of the PAGB Annual PDI Club Championships, held at Warwick University on Saturday 14th July has just appeared on the NCPF website.

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

Featured is Durham PS international member John Wise’s superb Great Blue Heron at Nesting Time image that scored a perfect 15 with the judges. Well done John!

After the preliminary rounds, Wigan 10 Foto Club came out on top of the eight clubs in the final with an incredible average score of 13 to win the competition. The remaining 30 clubs went on to compete for the Plate competition in which Durham PS came 10^th with 99 points, only 7 points behind the Plate winners Tenby and District CC. It was Durham’s first time at Warwick for many years and we look forward to next year’s competition.

Many thanks go to Joe Grabham (“One Joe Grabham, there’s only one Joe Grabham...!”) who represented the club at Warwick and made the crucial decisions as to which images appeared in the final stages.

Re-read Joe’s report, The Warwick Finals – DPS Battle with the Best, posted 20^th July. To find, scroll down the Archives to the right.

TG

News: “...Bright Side of Life” to feature in Closing Ceremony

Yes, many news reports are predicting that Eric Idle himself will appear on tonight’s epic London 2012 closing ceremony with a rendition of “Always look on the bright side of life”.

After two glorious weeks, the feel good factor and pride in being British is sky high. Golden opportunities have been all around to capture great images for the Durham PS photography competition, the Fillingham Trophy, the set subject being “The Bright Side of life”.

Long may this summer of love continue!

Pictured: Edinburgh yesterday. Edinburgh Fringe is on until 29^th July