Member’s showcases are always interesting evenings because we never quite know what we are going to see. We might get an insight into a few post processing techniques, progress in a member’s ongoing project or a travelogue from unusual locations.
The hard part of these evenings is coaxing and cajoling member’s into committing to talk for a few minutes, essentially on any subject they wish. Well, as long as it’s photography related ... !
We have a core of member’s who are happy to give a talk but it is always nice to hear different members. There is never any judgement, we are always grateful and respectful of what they have to say.
So, on to the evenings programme.
First up was Nigel with a little talk on how he captured an image of the Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon. Most people take their images from quite a way back from the edge but not Nigel, he was seen laying down with his camera almost over the edge to get his shots. A later image showing just how perilous his position was with an image taken from below showing a long overhanging precipice atop which Nigel was previously seen laying on - the lengths some people will go to for their art.
That said, the final picture was a multi image panoramic stitch which included a boat navigating the bend to add a little perspective.
A few weeks ago we had Michelle Essenson give us a talk and demonstration on light painting and our next item was one member’s experience experimenting with this. Trevor’s use of Christmas lights and a cycle wheel to produce his image should give us all the inspiration to hunt out a suitable light source and have a go at something different.
As we have all, at numerous times this last twelve months, been made to stay at home, to preserve our sanity we have had to find different things to do and photographers are no different. Chris Keenan created a couple of projects for herself. With the wonderful weather we had for most of year inspiration can shine it’s light (quite literally) on an idea. And so it was for Chris. Sunlight can cast a myriad of different shadow shapes around the home both harsh and subtle. Different times of the day and even different days produce different intensities and effects so why not record them. And then create your own photo book. There were some very interesting images in Chris’s book, ‘Light and Shade’ and could easily stand alongside those you would find in retail bookshops.
We have a fledgling group just started up looking at audio visual work and Howard showed a few examples, both his own and others, of what can be achieved. Adding the right music can certainly add to the impact of the images and make a for a very dramatic or calming piece of work. Let’s hope more of the members produce some work and feel they can show it to the rest of us.
During the year we (normally) organise a couple of ‘photo shoot’ weekends away. A couple of years ago one such event saw a group travel to Bristol (remember when we could do that - travel ...). Chris Parks put together an AV of the weekend showing the city and surround area as well the accompanying members doing what they do best - standing posing in front of the camera ...
Have you ever wondered what actually goes on in your garden at night? Well there are two options, you can either stay awake all night wearing a pair of night vision goggles and keep very still (which is not my preferred option ...) or you could get yourself a trail camera and stay tucked up nicely in bed asleep (now that does appeal!). This is something that Julia decided to do - use a trail camera that is. She now knows there is at least one mouse (and probably others), the ubiquitous urban fox and the occasional owl coming in to land - maybe having seen a mouse scurrying around.
Being told to stay at home, as previously mentioned, does force you think of trying new things. For Andrew this was ‘Still Life’. Get yourself a light tent and a couple of lights and away you go for small photographic subjects or larger stands to support your backdrop for bigger subjects.
Working away from home overseas can present its opportunities other than work! Roger Gittings spent some time working in China which presented him with the idea opportunity of capturing portraits of the local workers. Although, having set up his own studio with a full lighting set up, I’m not sure if he was there to work or enjoy himself ...
There is an argument which says “less is more”. That could be Jezz’s mantra and the subject of our final item. Minimalism is something that is seen a lot in Jezz’s photography where “nothing is happening”. But the simplicity of lines is what can make an image whether it’s an image of a shingle beach with a water line leading to a single boat (and absolutely nothing else) or a line of beach huts with no intruding person - although people sometimes venture in to a shot to add scale.
Certainly a lot of food for thought from all the member contributions so my grateful thanks go out to all who spent time putting their pieces together. Let’s hope it inspires other members to pass on their own photographic experiences.