At only the second night of this first season of exclusively in-person meetings, the hall was packed with members old and new who had come to listen to wildlife photographer Stephen Rodger ARPS. In common with a lot of wildlife photographers he began taking photographs during his early teens and has recently completed a degree in Professional Photography. Stephen is also an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society. During the last few years he has won gold medals twice and silver medals twice in the Scottish Nature Photography Awards. Stephen was also named Scottish Student Nature Photographer of the year in 2019 and his presentation to us was about how to improve our wildlife photography.
A Northern Gannet at the Bass Rock, a Cormorant at Linlithgow Loch, an abstract composition of two Gannets and a Badger in an urban environment started Stephen’s presentation. He explained how he researched each subject, studying their behavioural patterns and eating habits and also the habitats in which they lived. Stephen often uses a wide lens aperture to isolate the subject against the background and makes clever use of negative space to create creative and striking compositions. He also makes intelligent use of light, often highlighting the plumage or camouflaged tones of his subject. His innovative ability to photograph a natural history subject which is backlit brings a new dimension to this craft. Stephen’s advice to us, on many aspects of natural history photography, was invaluable during this truly fascinating and inspiring first lecture of the season.
F.C.C. photographers have been active in the photographic community including Regional, National and International Salons and Exhibitions of Photography over recent months.
Here are some of the successes:
Janet Hoggan
4 Acceptances (PDIs) in 13th Arctic Exhibition of Photographic Art
14 Acceptances (PDIs) in 4 salons in German International Photocup circuit including an Honourable Mention ( Vegetarian Kingfisher )
Agnes Clark
5 Acceptances (PDIs), Legends of Future Circuit 2023 (Bangladesh)
Image selected for RPS Scottish Members Annual Exhibition 2023 (Prints)
Acceptance (Col PDI) in Cheltenham Salon
Acceptance in Celebrating Women in Photography Exhibition
2 Acceptances in 74th Midland Salon of International Photography ( England )
6 Acceptances (PDIs) 3 salons in Newcastle International Digital Circuit ( Australia ) including a PSA Honourable Mention ( Mono PDI – Lisianthus )
9 Acceptances from 8 images in 3 salons in DPW Summer Circuit including 2 Honourable Mentions ( Colour PDI – Shades of Green, Mono PDI – Lisianthus )
David Jones
Awarded GDPU Gold Medal for best image in GDPU Image League final 2023. ( Hijacked )
Allistair Kean
2 Acceptances (Col PDIs) in Newcastle International Digital Circuit ( Australia )
Graeme McPhee
Image selected as a top 60 image by ‘Street Level Photography’ (August edition)
Next week we welcome Peter DeMarco who will be demonstrating post-processing techniques using images supplied by our Club members. Members are asked to bring an unedited RAW file plus an edited jpeg file of their own completed post processing of the same image.
Take care, and thanks for looking in.