Prior to introducing Thursday night’s guest, Graeme Barclay, Club President Bob Black updated members on what’s happening at F.C.C. Next week, 19th October, we welcome Adobe Professional qualified instructor Martin Sproul. Martin’s presentation will be based around the Lightroom “ Techniques “ module however, as an experienced and skilful communicator Martin will have something for photographers at all levels interested in post-processing. The following week, 26th October, brings our first Monthly Competition night of the season when we welcome Andy S Hayes ARPS EFIAP/g DPAGB PPSA. Always among the most popular nights of the season, competition nights are a great learning opportunity. While we all have our own styles of photography and should always produce images which we find personally satisfying, the interesting factor about a competition night is only partly how a visiting expert like Andy critiques our own images. We generally learn far more by listening to what is said about other peoples images, and perhaps applying that advice to our own photography.
The closing date for entries to the Knock-Out competition has been extended to 19th October. In this event members can enter up to 4 PDI’s and each image is then anonymously paired with another member’s image. On competition night each pair is projected and, on 26th October, Andy will choose a favourite from each pair which will go forward to the next round in November.
A section has been placed on PhotoEntry for Club members to upload PDI’s available for Inter Club competitions. They are are also great learning opportunities, with the added benefit that we get to see more different styles of photography from other Scottish Photographic Federation, and Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, clubs.
F.C.C. members are asked to upload images by 26th October to be considered for both the 5 Way competition, where we meet with other central Scotland clubs, and also the prestigious S.P.F. Digital Championships. All F.C.C. members are invited to attend both events later this year, details will be issued at the club.
In addition, Club members are asked to keep coming forward with ideas for future F.C.C. events.
We were delighted to welcome Graeme Barclay to our meeting last Thursday. Graeme is an active member of our group and also President at Midlothian Camera Club. A highly experienced photographer, he was the project photographer for the COP 26 conference in Glasgow and has worked as a photographer on the Hydrogen Train Project. His topic at our club was Astro Landscape Photography. We are all familiar with the amazing diversities of the Scottish landscape ranging from the rolling hills of Ayrshire to the mountains of Glencoe and on to the flat wetlands of the Flow country in the far north east. Imagine seeing those landscapes, photographed in the pitch blackness of the middle of the night and devoid of any artificial lighting. The landscape is lit solely by the stars and the moon, and the night sky itself is a tapestry of light and colour from planets and stars millions of light years from Earth. Graeme pointed out the Andromeda Galaxy in one of his opening images. It is 2½ million light years from our planet, in other words, the light we see in our night sky from Andromeda left there 2½ million years ago !
Graeme began his presentation by talking about health and safety. Driving over quiet country roads then walking into the countryside in the middle of the night requires preparation and planning. Travelling in small groups is advised and even then, everyone should let others know where they are going ! Graeme then spoke about photographic planning. There are various apps available which not only show the positioning of stars and planets in the night sky, but also live cloud conditions as they unfold during the night. Graeme advised being totally conversant with camera controls, and in particular, how use of the Histogram is a major benefit. Photographs taken with the night sky over the sea were particularly striking, sometimes with the glow of coastal settlements adding atmosphere to the image. Graeme explained how, as our planet is part of the Milky Way, it is enveloped by it so careful planning of its positioning above a carefully selected section of landscape can result in amazing images.
This was a hugely informative presentation, another one next week.
Take care and thanks for looking in.