Thanks from Luis

Luis Bustamante, our guest speaker last week, has sent us an email in which he thanks each and everyone of you who came along to the talk. He wanted to let you all know that he was very impressed by the way in which you not only listened to what he had to say but also the questions that were asked. Actually I think I'll quote him as he put it so much better than I could;

I was really impressed with the way you organised my contribution. The hall was just right and just a bit bracing. The show was perfectly managed despite a non-cooperating remote. The audience were encouraging and alert, with an inquisitive edge.

I think the "just a bit bracing" comment was his way of saying it was bloody freezing. Despite the radiators being on full for an hour before the meeting started!

One of his pictures was chosen as a favourite of the decade by the Guardian newspaper and was published last weekend you can take a look at it HERE.

Natalie & Charlotte

Natalie & Charlotte, originally uploaded by Mark-Stone.

I wasn't at the meeting this week so I can't comment on it. Instead I thought I would let you know about a model shoot several of us took part in a few weekends ago. I should of written about it earlier but it totally slipped my mind.



Barrie was kind enough to lend us his front room for a model shoot with Natalie and Charlotte. For some of us it was the first time we had ever had the chance to use studio lights and to direct model's. There were so many of us that wanted to take part Barrie had to split the day up and have time slots for everyone. I was in the morning slot along with Alison, Phil and Rich. It all started out a bit nervous as Natalie & Charlotte had never taken part in a shoot either. But as the day wore on everyone relaxed a little and started to enjoy themselves. It was a brilliant morning and I know that Nat & Charlotte are really pleased with the pictures they have so far.

If you still haven't handed over your shots from the day then can you please make sure that you get them to Alison.

Too see more pictures from the day then visit our Flickr Group and look through the Group Pool.

The results of Round 1 Annual Open Competition.

The results from the first round of our Annual Open Competition are in!  Loads of amazing photographs were entered and unfortunately there could only be one winner in each category. The Judge, Roger Mallison, gave superb constructive comments on every picture, which everyone appreciated. There was no getting away from it though in the end he had to make the difficult decision and choose the winners. 

Ian very nearly had a clean sweep across the board with five pictures amongst the winners! So he gets to wear the bullet proof vest to meetings for the next few weeks. Apparently he was heard to say "the beers on me" but were not sure if he just meant he was washing in it or offering to buy us all a drink. Lots of our new members entered and just to prove it can be done Louise came top of the Digital Projected Image Section. Superb picture and an amazing win for her.

Louise Iddon first in the digital projected section with "Legs 11". Which was fantastic for her as it's the first time she's ever entered a photographic competition and she's only been in the club since the September! Everyone had better watch out, she may just be the one to beat from now on. 

First in the Prints section was Ian Coombs with "The Appeal". Which is a great shot and he owes me a pint for the wings! haha!

Congratulation's to the winners and a HUGE thank you to everyone that took part.

The Appeal by Ian Coombs 1st in Prints

Legs 11 by Louise Iddon 1st Place Digital Projected Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd in Prints, "Clevedon Rocks" by Richard Price

2nd in Digital Projected, Ian Coombs with "Waiting"

Lazy Daisy by Mark Stone. 3rd in Digital Projected Images

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3rd in Print's Section, Ian Coombs with "Billy Whizz"

Carnival Focus by Simon Xu. Highly Commended Digital Projected Image

Highly Commended Print Alison Davies "Concarneau Brittany"

"Manx Sunset" Ian Coombs, Highly Commended Digital Projected Image

 

Richard Price Highly Commended in the Print Section with "Common Blue"

Hanneke Ter Veen, Commended Digital Projected Image "Cloud Cowboy"

Commended Print, "Slow Pour" Ian Coombs

If anyone is still reading this far down. I have a question. If you know of an easy way to get Blogger to allow you to design a page with multiple photographs then please let me know. Hopefully I'll have figured out a better way to do it by the time the results for the next round are due. Because I can virtually guarantee the way you see this page on your screen is not how I had it laid out when I designed it!

Come explore the Legendary Porridge Mines!

Were going to explore the Legendary Porridge Mines of Goblin Combe on the 19th of September. Come along and join us in our search for the Sacred Spoon of Everlasting Porridge!

Ahh well OK were actually planning on going for a walk through Goblin Combe. Read on to find out the real details.

The plan is to meet at 2pm in Goblin Combe car park. Which is free, at Cleeve Hill Road (turn off A370 at Lord Nelson pub). The route is 5.25 Miles (8.4km). Which, apparently, should take around 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete. It consists of Path's, Track's and one steep-stepped ascent. Also there are two stiles to climb over. It's supposed to be an easy walk and if I'm willing to give it a go then I'm sure everyone else in the club are more than capable of completing it.
Here's a link to the car park on Google Maps. If your using Sat Nav then the postcode is BS49 4NR. Which will take you to the pub and the car park is just down the road. You should be able to get some superb Landscape shots and of course the compulsory candid's of club members either falling flat on their backsides (yes that will be me) or doing something strange.I've attached a PDF of the walk with notes that Hanneke provided. So you can have a look at the route. If you need a PDF reader then you can download Adobe's free one HERE. I recommend, if your downloading it, to remove the tick from the "Free McAffe Security Scan Plus"

If your still wondering what all that porridge talk was about then you should visit our Flickr Group.

Yep I still forgot it!

Well as usual my memory let me down again and for the second week running I forgot to take in the Arctic Butterfly. The club and I are not endorsing that product I only provided the link so those of you who thought I was lepidopterist know they are wrong (There now not only did I save you money the other day with that discount code I'm also teaching you new words!).Which resulted in getting told off yet again. My only defence is I have a lot on my mind. Blinking and Breathing take a lot of concentration.

Last night we had Ray Grace showing some of his landscape photographs and I'm sure you'll all agree the pictures were superb. He also gave a talk on Photoshop. Unfortunately he had a few laptop problems and was a bit flustered because of the terrible traffic problems on his trip to us. Despite that he managed to teach a few of us some new techniques. Although I'm sure more than one person who took notes will wake up today and look at them as though they are in another language.

It was fantastic to see all the new faces from last week back again and don't forget, at next weeks meeting you should bring in up to 10 of your most recent pictures. Digital files or Prints. Don't be shy I know it can be daunting and a you might feel a little embarrassed but it's a great feeling when you realise everyone enjoyed looking at your pictures. It's not just for the new people though. Anyone who is coming along should bring in work. It's going to be a night to show what you did last summer!

Also if your reading this and think you might like to be on the clubs mailing list. Drop me an email and I'll add you to it.