This week a group of Club members headed for Bridge Of Allan to photograph the fireworks display while autumn colours have also been an attraction with various trips to the countryside.
The International Salon of Photography circuit is in full swing with entries now being invited for the Toronto Salon in Canada, the Kolkata Super Circuit in India and the Bristol Salon in England among others accepting entries. Check their respective websites for details or the Exhibitions > Exhibition List section of the Photographic Society of America website for a comprehensive listing.
Final housekeeping news this week is that Club members are reminded to complete the F.C.C. Membership Form. It can be done online though the Members Area of the website or, paper copies are available on a Thursday night.
Thursday nights visiting speaker was Douglas Milne, an accomplished and prolific author of guide books on walks through the countryside of West Lothian, the Pentland Hills and other areas throughout central Scotland. Douglas’ books are available from major booksellers.
Sunrise over Linlithgow Palace from the north side of the loch opened Douglas’ presentation. As with John S. Pow last week, Douglas is at his locations when the light is its most suitable and this can be very early in the day ! The loch in Beecraigs Country Park was another example of the photographer being onsite when the light was at its best, in this case at 05:30am. We are all familiar with the top of the Avon Viaduct which carries the main Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line. Few of us are quite so familiar with the view of the viaduct from below, photographed by Douglas when the sun was casting light on the inner columns of the arches. Photographs of waterways demonstrated how the photographers use of slow shutter speeds causes an impression of movement in the water. Considered use of lens aperture too maximised the quality of the image and controlled the depth of field.
Moving over to Douglas’ book on the Ochil Hills, Dollar Glen ( recently visited by F.C.C. photographers ) is an excellent location for woodland photography with Castle Campbell photographed at a time when the light was at its best. The view from the top of the Ochils was spectacular too.
Douglas then travelled past the Carron Reservoir ( again recently visited by F.C.C. ) and to the location of his recent book on the Campsie Hills with the village of Killearn and Dumgoyne Hill being of particular interest. His next book will be on South Argyle, Kintyre and Bute. Look out for it.
Take care.