The 2023 – 2024 season started with a packed programme on Thursday night as Club President Bob Black welcomed everyone to the first night of the syllabus. Continuing and new members were given a summary of the summers’ events when members had made a number of visits including to the Bluebells of Haining Wood and to the Isle of May. Everyone is also asked to let the Club know what type of topics they would like covered, either on a Thursday night or at workshops.
Bob then introduced some of the members before Stuart Pearson talked everyone through recent improvements and updates to the club’s website.
This new season of meetings has a theme, the first time one has been nominated, of Processing and Printing. The Club has a long history of exhibiting photographic Prints both locally, nationally and internationally so we discussed the principles of preparing an image for printing and the most suitable file types and sizes for Club, Inter Club and International events.
The first event in the Processing and Printing theme then followed when Agnes Clark LRPS demonstrated how a Print could be mounted for exhibition or for Club events.
We then discussed Artificial Intelligence, and how it impacts on post – processing. We are part of a worldwide photographic community with memberships or affiliations to: The Glasgow & District Photographic Union, the Scottish Photographic Federation, the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain and the International Federation of Photographic Art. In addition we have Club members involved with the Royal Photographic Society. The conclusion is that all the constituent parts of a photograph in our national and international photographic community must be photographed by the photographer. Computer generated additions, backgrounds or borders are not permissible. As a matter of interest we are also members of Falkirk Arts Network and the Council for Voluntary Services – Scotland.
We then moved on to looking at some of the photographs members had taken over the summer months. There was a twist. Members had been asked to supply a few images, perhaps of their first efforts at photographing a subject which was new to them. Or, where the photographer used photography as part of another interest. Or perhaps where things didn’t quite work out as planned. A wide selection of images followed.
Next week we welcome our first guest lecturer of the season. Stephen Rodger ARPS is an acclaimed wildlife photographer who has featured in the Scottish Nature Photography Awards, the British Wildlife Photography Awards and the Nature Photographer of the Year. A night not to be missed.
We will also learn about some of the successes enjoyed by F.C.C. photographers on the International Exhibition and Salon circuit during the summer months.
Take care, and thanks for looking in.
Arran, From the Ayrshire Coast