Closing Down.

Please Note that this Blog site is closing down.

However, we now have a Brand New web site which you can visit on

www.aldridgephotographicsociety.com

The website is still being developed, but it already includes information about the society, a member area and details of forthcoming events. Please take a few minutes to have a look at the new site and let us have your comments. If you have been following Aldridge Photographic Society via the blogsite, we thank you for your interest, and hope that you will continue to keep in touch via the website. You can also contact us by email on aldridgeps@gmail.com. We also look forward to seeing you at one of our weekly meetings in the near future.

 

Speaker for 20th. September: Paul Ward

Paul is mainly known for being a Birmingham fashion and portrait photographer, but he also does travel, landscape, and nature and fine art photography.
Paul’s recent work for Cunard has taken him to New York, London, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and his photographs currently adorn the walls of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 as well as P&O’s Ventura and Azura ships.

Paul was a regular contributor for Digital SLR Photography Magazine producing creative images.

Video production and sound design are also part of his services. He produces music videos, corporate videos, television adverts, makeup blogs and you tube content for both large and small companies; as well as individual commissions.

Paul teaches various types of photography skills; including, basic and advanced photography. One to one tuition and music video production skills.

Mike Yates

Pictures from Pete

Pete Bissell has sent these pictures direct from Saundersfoot, taken on his mobile phone.

Our 60th. Anniversary

Our 60th. coincides with the Community Centre's 50th. To mark the event, an event is being held on Saturday 23rd. June. Details below

Viva Valencia

Competition Results

Colour Print - Novice

1st.  Reed Warbler                               - Graham Cherry
2nd. Special Moment with Miss Red   - Mike Yates
3rd.  Rhythm in Red                             - June Hurley
HC   Studio Glass                                 - Irene Mills
C      April Shower                                - June Hurley
C      Chimneys and Spires                    - Irene Mills

Colour Print - Advanced

1st.  Dawn Approaching Rannoch Moor   - Tom Swallow
2nd. Glorious Game                                   - John McNaughton
3rd.  Autumn Softness                                - Pat Osborne
HC   A Break in the Weather                      - Tom Swallow
C      Deer in the Drifts at Dusk                   - Pat Osborne
C      Special Delivery                                  - Pat Osborne

Colour Panel - Open

1st.  Glasses                                                 - Tom Swallow
2nd. 3 Tulips                                                - Andy Askey
3rd.  Transient Light                                    - Andy Askey
HC   Padley Gorge Waterfalls                     - Tom Swallow
C      Gas St. Basin as Dusk Falls                 - Allan Giles
C      Reflections at Skyspace                       - Pat Osborne
C      Evening Sky, Medieval Lake               - Mike Yates

Once again, stunning images, making it really difficult for the Judge. Keep up the good work next season.

Commonwealth Games Handover

A choir I sing with were asked to the Commonwealth Games Handover ceremony last weekend in Birmingham. Along with 500 energetic 16-25 year olds, we performed (under a predictably grey sky) ,to "Mr Blue Skies" by ELO. They said not to take valuables, but I sneaked the camera in on rehearsal day. Luckily I was outside in the afternoon break as the dress rehearsal had started, otherwise they would have made me leave my bag in the Council House. There were some interesting opportunities, but I only had the 35mm lens and spent most of the day standing on the steps. I got chatting to a volunteer photographer from Solihull club. I might try that for the games in 2022! He had volunteered at the Olympics in London. It had cost him £2000 to let accommodation down there. We know photography is an expensive hobby, but that is extreme.

Pat

Irene Froy - An Inspiration

An enjoyable and interesting evening looking at Irene's holiday snaps; as she put it...

I knew just the image I wanted to try some of her techniques on. After 2 hours fiddling and diddling with 2 different opacity, masked white layers - blend softlight, 3 Gausian blur layers - blend multiply, levels adjustments and an orange layer to warm it up; maybe I am getting somewhere.  Attached are the before and after images, perhaps I should book on her course!

Pat Osborne 

FWIW here's my attempt at adding a White Layer

DW

Annual DPI Competitions

Novice DPI

1st.  Coastal Cottage               -  June Hurley
2nd. Contemplation                 -  Irene Mills
3rd.  Nativity Window             -  June Hurley
HC   Dahlia                              -  Irene Mills
C      A Winter Family Scene   -  Mike Yates

Advanced DPI

1st.  Sun Setting, Castle Stalker   -  Tom Swallow
2nd. Dawn, Rannoch Moor          -  Tom Swallow
3rd.  Enjoying the Evening Sun   -  Pat Osborne
HC   Colourful                             -  Tom Swallow
C      Hollyhock                            -  Steve Mills

Portrait DPI

1st.  Firefighter Instructor            -  John McNaughton
2nd. Chloe                                    -  Julie Pegg
3rd.  Brother & Sister                   -  John McNaughton
HC   Proud to Wear the Badge     -  Mike Yates
C      Washing Mum's Hair           -  Pat Osborne

Thanks to all those who submitted entries. The Judge did comment on the high standard of the images and that he enjoyed the evening.

Mono Competitions

For those who couldn't battle through the blizzard to see the entries, here are the result of the Competitions.

Mono Print - Novice

1st.  Faith                                           - Allan Giles

2nd. Bullrushes at Brockhampton     - Irene Mills

3rd.  Italian Chapel                            - Allan Giles

HC   The Lady and Her Daydream    - Mike Yates

C      She's a Real Heavy Rocker        - Mike Yates
C      Weir Garden Hereford               - Irene Mills

Mono Print - Advanced

1st.  White Sail                                    - Steve Mills

2nd. Sepia Study                                  - Steve Mills

3rd.  Life's a Drag                                 - Paul Randall

HC   Race to the Finish                         - John McNaughton

HC   Glen Coe                                       - Tom Swallow

C      Crossing the Line                          - Paul Randall

C      Road Through the Mountains       - Andy Askey

C      Windy Day                                    - Tom Swallow

Mono Panel

1st.  Dad's Tools                 - Andy Askey

2nd. Keep a Lookout          - Allan Giles 

3rd.  Off-Road Driving       - Pat Osborne

HC   Glasses                       - Tom Swallow

C      3 Days in Glen Etive  - Andy Askey

Thanks to all Members who submitted entries.

2018 Cat B Creative DPI Annual Competition - Results

Yet another good response from Members for this competition. From looking at these images, it is obvious that some of you are on some mental steroids. Can I have some please!

The Results

1st.  Tea Tree Lit Wine Glass  - Tom Swallow
2nd. Double Take Selfridge     - Frank Gill
3rd.  Bats in the Belfry             - Pat Osborne

As with the Landscape Comp, there were numerous 'HC' & 'C'

HC was awarded to Pat (2), Frank (3), Mike (2) & Phil

C was awarded to Paul, Julie, Carol, Phil, & Tony D.

DW

2018 Cat. A Landscape Competition - Results

We had an exceedingly good response for this competition with a total of 51 entries. Well done everyone who submitted entries.

Here are the results

1st.   Sailboat at Cromarty              -  Tony Davis
2nd.  Abandoned Railway Bridge  -  Tony Davis
3rd.   Winter Wonderland               -  Pat Osborne

Judge John Lewis was prolific with his awarding of 'HC' and 'C' giving 16 in all.

HC was awarded to Pat (2), Mike, Steve (2), Andrew & Gary

C was awarded to Andy (3), Carol, Steve, Gary, Pat, June & Tony D.

DW

A Selection from Sheila

Macey does Mono on a trip to Ludlow

Traffic Trails
Badger
Thanks Sheila

4th. Merit Competition 2017/8 - Results

Mono Print (Novice + Advanced Combined)

1st.  Tread Carefully                   -  Paul Randell
2nd. Snowdonia                          -  Tom Swallow
3rd.  Seamstress                          -  David Williams
HC   Mary                                   -  Steve Mills
C      Battle Priory                       -  David Williams

Colour Print (Novice + Advanced Combined)

1st.  Ballooon                              -  Tom Swallow
2nd. Loyalist                               -  Irene Mills
3rd.  Lighthouse Solway Firth    -  Phil Gibson
HC   Morning Blues                    -  Andy Askey
C     Cockerel                               -  Steve Mills
        Battle scarred                       -  Steve Mills
        Boy Racer                            -  Pat Osborne

DPI Novice

1st.  Louise Wears her Party Dress -  Mike Yates
2nd. Steven Wants to be Famous    -  Mike Yates
3rd.  Ready for a Rainy Day            -  Irene Mills
C      Winderemere                           -  Allan Giles

DPI Advanced

1st.  Mother's Talk                          -  Paul Randell
2nd. Stunning View                        -  Tom Swallow
3rd.  Tree & Hay                             -  Phil Gibson
HC   Hollyhock                               -  Steve Mills
C      Onward Christian Soldiers     -  Phil Gibson

Thanks to All who submitted entries and those who helped the evening go smoothly.

David Williams

Taking the camera out in the snow

Simon and I went over to Attingham Park on the first snowy day. There was more snow Shropshire way than here, so the journey wasn't too bad. As we walked through the grounds we could see a low lying mist over the fields which added to a magical feel. The deer were gathering at the top of the hill. As I hoped they stood out from the snow much better than the normal grassland background. The mist we saw rolled eerily up the hill, covered us and the deer and then faded away. It was a most unusual experience and made for some interesting shots. Best of all we got the car out of the car park without a push.

The next morning there was a heavy snowfall at home. After clearing the drive on Monday (before dawn!) I used the last of the blue hour to try traffic trails out. Thanks to Gary for his recent workshop. There wasn't really enough traffic, but an obliging van came along,indicated and pulled up down the road, so I got one decent shot. 

Pat Osborne

3rd. Merit Competition 2017/8 - Results

Better late than never, here are the results for the 3rd. Merit Competition.

Mono (Advanced & Novice Combined)

1st.   Mountain Road                    -  Andy Askey

2nd.  Muddy Ride                        -  John McNaughton

3rd.   Winston Takes a Break       -  Mervyn Glover

HC    Waterfall                             -  Julie Pegg

          The Blue Mosque               -  Carol Barrett

          The Good, Bad & Ugly      -  Carol Barrett

C       Attingham Park                   -  Julie Pegg

          Kirkjufell Foss                    -  Andy Askey

          Walking Under the Bridge  -  John McNaughton

Colour Novice

1st.  Broken Pots                            -  Julie Pegg

2nd. Bird of Prey                            -  Julie Pegg

3rd.  Up for Air                               -  Allan Giles

HC   Peony                                      -  Irene Mills
C      Lasers at Marina Bay             -  Pat Osborne
        The Reader                              -  Carol Barrett
        Modern Technology               -  Phil Gibson

Colour Advanced

1st.  Ebb Tide                                  -  Andy Askey

2nd. Mamhood                                -  Carol Barrett

3rd.  Omar                                       -  Andrew Barrett

HC   Jumping High                         -  John McNaughton

         Light on the Steps                  -  Steve Mills

         It's Going to be a Long Night -  John McNaughton

Novice DPI

1st.  Plot 19                                       -  Julie Pegg

2nd. Sunflower                                  -  Irene Mills

3rd.  Coastal Cottage                         -  June Hurley

HC   Simple Pleasure                         -  Edel Clark

         Wild Orchid                              -  June Hurley

C      Feeding Time                            -  Edel Clark

        Spring Lamb                              -  Irene Mills

Advanced DPI

1st.  Autumn Reflection                     -  Phil Gibson

2nd. Pulling Power                             -  Paul Randell

3rd.  Well Done, Mate                        -  Pat Osborne

HC   Gone to the Dogs                        -  Jean Tansley

        Home                                           -  Carol Barrett

        Peek-a-Boo                                  -  Paul Randell

        Reflections at Buttermere            -  Tom Swallow

C     An Odd Shape                              -  Tony Davis

        Firefighter Instructor                    -  John McNaughton

        Sitting Proud                                -  John McNaughton

Well Done to all the above.

And Thank You Pat for standing in for me.

DW 

2nd. Merit Competition 2017/8 Results

Here are the results of this competition adjudicated over by Graham Walton.

MONO (Combined Novice & Advanced)

1st.  White Sails                                  Steve Mills
2nd. Playing in all Weathers               John McNaughton
3rd.  Winter's Day, Ogwyn Valley      Tom Swallow
HC   Windy Day, Chesterton Mill       Tom Swallow
C      Wet Race                                     Allan Giles
C      Mommy's Boy                             Paul Randell

COLOUR (Novice)

1st.   Rhythm in Red                              June Hurley

2nd.  Rigged for Action                         Allan Giles

3rd.   Studio Glass                                  Irene Mills

HC    How Lovable are You                   Julie Pegg

COLOUR (Advanced)

1st.   A Little Snack                                George Foster

2nd.  Tree Reflection                              Phil Gibson

3rd.   Hockey Player                               John McNaughton

HC    Gathering Storm                            Phil Gibson

HC    Padley Gorge - Hidden Gem         Tom Swallow

C       Crabby Rocks                                Pat Osborne

C       Curlew                                           Jean Tansley

DPI (Novice)

1st.  Dahlia                                               Irene Mills

2nd. Yesteryear Volley of Fire                Mike Yates

3rd.  Life Saver                                        June Hurley

HC    Contemplation                                Irene Mills

DPI (Advanced)

1st.  High Tatras                                       Jean Tansley

2nd. Dawn Flight                                      Tom Swallow

3rd.  Sepia Study                                       Steve Mills

HC   Making Hay While the Sun Shines   Tony Davis

HC   Cascading Waters                              Paul Randell

C      Banded Demoiselle                           George Foster

C      St. Mary's Lighthouse                        Tony Davis

Congratulations to ALL Entrants. You provided stunning images. It is encouraging to see a Novice featuring on the Leader Board of a combined competition.

And THANK YOU to all those people who helped me muddle through by setting up and dismantling all the equipment.

I will be taking a much needed break when the next Competition is held on November 23rd. So I'm looking for a Volunteer to show how it should be done. Don't worry, I'll collate all the images and prepare the paperwork. All you have to do is put the images on the light box. Luckily I have a willing volunteer to operate the demon laptop. Please let me know if you're up for it.

However, it does mean there can be NO late entries, (You know who you are), so get everything ready early please.

David

1st. Merit Competition 2017

Here are the results from our first competition of the new season.The few number of Novice entries meant that all Categories were for combined Groups.

Mono Prints

1st.   Doorstep Chanteur           -  David Williams

2nd.  Cutting Thro' the Field     -  Paul Randall

3rd.   You Listening to Me        -  Paul Randall

HC    Race to the Finish            -  John McNaughton

HC    Sunset over the Sea          -  Julie Pegg*

C       The Sadness of Begging   -  Mike Yates*

C       Still Life Study                 -  Steve Mills

Colour Prints

1st.    Glorious Game                     -  John McNaughton

2nd.   Approaching Bad Weather  -  Tom Swallow

3rd.   Bristol Balloon Festival        -  Tom Swallow

HC    Wine O'clock                        -  Pat Osborne

HC    Griffin Mantis                       -  Jean Tansley

C       Tamar                                    -  Mike Yates*

C       Red Kite in Flight                 -  Andrew Barrett

C       Misty Landscape                   -  Carol Barrett

DPI

1st.   St. Mary's Lighthouse              -  Tony Davis

2nd.  Keeping Time                          -  Paul Randall

3rd    Sidecar Action                         -  Paul Randall

HC    Female Sparrowhawk              -  Andrew Barrett

HC    Redcoat                                    -  Steve Mills

C       Pre- Raphaelite Lady               -  Mike Yates*

C       Gypsy Child                             -  Carol Barrett

C       Dead Flower                             -  Julie Pegg*

Congratulations to all Entrants for producing such marvellous images.
* Special congratulations to these Novice Group entrants. They will receive 1st. & 2nd. Place points in accordance with the recent changes to the Competition Rules.

Finally, THANK YOU to all those who helped during the evening. Couldn't have done it without you.

David Williams

Black Light

Following the 'eventful' session last night, here are the fruits of my efforts.

Now to try to reproduce the effect at home.

David Williams

Images of Norway

Anne and I were fortunate to be able to spend a week in the Norwegian Fjords a week or so ago. It is a beautiful place made very much better by the fact that we were incredibly lucky with the weather. After three weeks of rain in some of the places we visited, it started to dry up a couple of days before we arrived, and we didn’t see a drop of rain and had blue skies and warm sunshine throughout.

Pete Bissell