To: Firstname Lastname
Your BPS Membership No:
Hello, Firstname |
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We welcome the New Year in next Wednesday with a change to the talk printed in your handbook. In place of Paul Saunders, who has is away at present, we have two speakers travelling all the way from deepest Wiltshire, Pam & Eddy Lane who will be presenting their talk Svalbard and the Arctic Circle; Kingdom of the Ice Bear. The talk follows Pam and Eddy’s major expedition on an historic icebreaker which took them to frozen landscapes and close encounters with polar bears and walrus and includes some unusual short video clips.
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“Knock, knock – polar bear, polar bear”, woke us from a deep sleep, we struggled to see the time, and finally decided that it was 3.15am. When we had retired to our cabin on the historic icebreaker MV Stockholm it was quiet, with engines turned off as we parked in the pack ice for the night. We climbed the steep stairs up to the dressing area, at this point the other ten photographers also arrived into this tiny space. Half asleep we struggled in total chaos to find our own parkas, boots, hats and gloves. We had no idea where the bear was outside, and how long it would stay, time was critical. As it was -10°C outside, going out partly dressed would be pointless as within minutes you would be too cold to function.
 We were in luck, although it was ten minutes since that knock on our cabin door, we had been aroused by the watch when they had seen the bear approaching from a long distance. Now a male bear in his prime was on the ice only 10 metres away, sniffing the air and staring intently to see if we would be good to eat. He had no fear of us, as top predator in the Arctic he had nothing to fear from anything. He walked up to the ship and stood on his hind legs reaching over 3 metres to view the deck and the silent photographers. Looking down through the gunwales we came face to face with the bear only a metre away…
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Closing Date PDI Comp R3 - There is still time if you hurry! |
There are still a few hours to go to make the extended closing date for the Projected Image Competition Round 3. Entries are being accepted until midnight tonight (Friday 3 January)
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Creative Imaging Workshops
Last year saw the first of the Creative Imaging competition sponsored by our past president Bob Faris who is one of the original creative photographers dating back to film camera days. Prior to the competition I had organised a few hands on workshops in April and was pleased to see many entries, some award winners, from workshop attendees in a well subscribed competition.
The next competition closing date is June 2020. Time flies and so I am thinking of more hands on workshops with creative imaging in mind. A creative image, although it can be done in camera, generally involves use of Adobe Photoshop, Elements or similar software which supports layers. Hands on is probably a better way to learn rather than a talk which can be forgotten quickly. Although I mention creative imaging, members wishing to improve Photoshop skills could also benefit. Therefore those wishing to participate will need to have a laptop (or small PC) with Photoshop which can be brought to the BPS clubroom. These workshops will be in addition to the monthly Monday meetings and possibly on Tuesdays or Thursdays according to availability of the room.
Content:
This is most challenging part of organizing the workshops. It all depends on how many members are interested, their skill levels and their specific interests. As a rough guide creating an image involves the use of adjustments (exposure, contrast, colour), selections (cutting out or targeting adjustments), using many aspects of layers, masks and blend modes, manipulation and distortion of elements – the list can go on. Most challenging part of it all is imagination and composition.
So I need to hear from those who are interested or potentially interested in participating in these hands on workshops, telling me a list of Photoshop tools and techniques they are interested in, day and time of the week convenient for them so that I can figure out if there is a possibility of a structured workshop programme. I would also welcome other suggestions anyone may have. Please contact me by email (dig@bristolphoto.org.uk) or talk to me at BPS meetings.
Ashwin Chauhan – Digital Imaging Group
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The first Studio Group meeting will be held on Friday 17 January.
Full details will be announced at next week's meeting and there will be a sign-up sheet on the notice board and spare places will be bookable via next week's newsletter.
Members can book either a morning session or an afternoon session but not both. There are only 3 places left for the morning session which runs from 10.00 till 12.30 and 2 places left on the afternoon session which runs from 1.30 to 4.00pm.
Members new to studio work are very welcome.
There will be a cost of £15 per member payable in cash on the day to cover the cost of the model who will be a circus performer for the morning session and have a mystical, ethereal look for the afternoon session.
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DPIC 2020 - Not Too Late To Book Your Tickets! |
BPS will be taking part in the annual WCPF Inter-Club Digital Projected Image Competition (DPIC) on Sunday 9 February. The event will be held at the Exeter Corn Exchange, tickets are on sale now - click here to buy your tickets.
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A date for your diary: BTW will be hosting a "Practical Exercise in Mounting" (presumably not the carnal variety!) on Tuesday 28 January at 7.30pm. This will be a hands-on evening when all the mysteries surrounding print mounting will be explained and demonstrated. Bring along a small print (max 7" x 5") to play with.
A visit to Steve Russell Studios has been arranged for the evening of 27 Feb 2020 - time to be advised. There is a limit to numbers so a "pecking order" will be set up nearer the time.
Further details of both events closer the date.
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There are just about 2 weeks for BPS members to get their FREE entry into the 2020 Bristol Salon. For those of you who aren't too sure what the Bristol Salon is: it is an international photographic exhibition that has been running since 1947 and is the largest exhibition of its type in the UK attracting entries from nearly 70 different countries. For the first time since 1993, we are including two print sections!
Entrants may submit up to 16 images across 4 digital sections (Open, Monochrome, Photo Travel & Nature) and, new for 2020, 8 prints in 2 print sections (Open & Monochrome). These are put before a panel of selectors who pick the top 20% to 25% or so to be accepted. Entry for BPS members is free as long as we receive your entry before 18 January, after that you will have to pay the full fee.
To help you with your entry there is a short tutorial that can be downloaded by following this link, all other details are on the BPS website. When entering, be sure to tick the box on the first page of the entry system to say that you are a BPS member and fill in your BPS membership number which you will find at the top of this newsletter. When you get to the payment page at the end, click ALREADY PAID.
Here's hoping that we see a rush of entries, but in the meantime if you have any queries, feel free to email me at chairman@bristolsalon.co.uk
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year |
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – the world-renowned exhibition from the Natural History Museum – is back at M-Shed until 4 May with 100 new images. Now in its 55th year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year presents the most arresting and spectacular photography of our natural world. Encounter the beauty and fragility of wildlife, see fascinating animal behaviour and get to know extraordinary species. You’ll discover the surprising – and often challenging – stories behind the images during a time of environmental crisis.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind showcasing the world’s most astonishing sights for more than 50 years. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives 48,000 entries from 100 countries.
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Knightshayes Trophy 2020
Entries are invited from Members of WCPF Clubs for our Annual Competition to win the superb Knightshayes Trophy for a year.
Members may enter a maximum of TWO PRINTS - Hand in prints on Sunday 9 February at the Exeter Corn Exchange DPIC Comp.
THERE IS NO FEE FOR ENTERING PRINTS
Rules – prints mounted on 50 x 40 cm card, on reverse Title, Author’s Name, & Club.
Please see Pete Howell, who will be able to take your prints to Exeter.
Further details an entry form can be found by clicking here.
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Registration is now open for The UK’s biggest photography show, 14 - 17 March 2020 - Full details here. |
We welcome the following new members:
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Download Issue 244 of PAGB eNews here and also here for a complete listing of the Masters of print competition in which BPS members did rather well. |
The Royal Photographic Society
Landscape Special Interest Group
invites you to a
Speaker Day
and AGM
Saturday 21 March 2020 9:30 am at
The RPS HQ, 337 The Paintworks, Bristol BS4 3AR
Spurn Head © Tony Worobiec FRPS
Come and join us for an exciting day of landscape photography
talks by Paul Sanders, Linda Wevill FRPS, Tony Worobiec FRPS
and Sam Gregory. Talks will cover creativity, experimentation,
composition and storytelling in landscape photography.
Tickets and full details from
or
RPS SIG members £10, RPS £40, Public £50
Lunch included
All welcome
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An email/invitation from Terry Donnelly:
On assignment with Wiltshire Air Ambulance
I have been working with Wiltshire Air Ambulance and spent 3 days with them in the summer, photographing the air crew. An exhibition of the work was on display for a week at the airbase in Melksham and I will have a selection from that at the RPS from 9 to 12 January in the foyer, which is free for people to visit and take a look at.
The talk takes place on the 9 January between 6pm and 8pm and I will be accompanied with some flight crew, a pilot and critical care paramedic, so should make for an interesting evening.
I will be showing a lot of images and speaking about the people in them and also sharing what was involved in capturing the pictures for those that are more technically minded.
The RPS have made the facility available to me without putting any costs against the charity, which is brilliant news. They are charging a small ticket price to cover their own costs of having the building open and staffing for the evening though.
Bookings can be made at the link below and it would be great to see some club members support this.
Many thanks
Terry Donnelly FRPS FMPA FSWPP FBPE MPAGB EFIAP
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We have received the following from Backwell Camera Club:
Apologies for the late notice but please would you inform your members of an invitation to a presentation that is to be given by Damien Lovegrove at Backwell Camera Club on Thursday 9 January.
A successful portrait, travel and landscape photographer and tour leader, Damien will show a selection of work made during 2019
It should be a great evening and we look forward to any visitors who would like to attend, at a charge of £3 which includes refreshments.
We meet at Backwell WI Hall on Station road in Backwell for a 7.30 start.
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Make Money For BPS Every Time You Shop On Amazon! |
Now, if you so wish, each and every one of you can support BPS with every purchase you make on Amazon by using Amazon Smile. Click on the link below – then it’s self-explanatory.
It must be easy, even I managed it!
Ed
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Sue O'Connell is thrilled to say that her image “Caro Woman and Child” has just won 2 Gold medals and a ribbon in the New Bi-Continental Circuit - well done!
Salon acceptances: BPS photographers are now achieving large numbers of salon acceptances and constraints on time and space mean we can't include them all. So please only advise of awards or other milestones.
Contrary to popular belief, I do not possess psychic powers and need you to tell me if you've had successes. If you want to blow your own trumpet (or someone else's), then this is the place to do it. Please let me know and I'll include details in a future issue.
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If you have anything to sell, or you're looking for something to buy, just let me know and I'll include it here. Please bear in mind, we only advertise items for BPS members.
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Would all members please note: before you plan your shoot and book your model, you should check whether the studio/clubroom will be free. This can be done easily and at any time by viewing the Clubroom Bookings calendar in the Members' Area of the BPS Website. Bookings can be made by contacting Mike Bigger at bookings@bristolphoto.org.uk.
Log in details to the Members' Area are at the end of this newsletter.
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Please don't forget that if you change your address (home or email), or gain additional photographic distinctions, it would be appreciated if you could let the Membership Secretary know so that she can keep her records up to date, this will also ensure that you continue to receive your newsletters - please email all changes to membership@bristolphoto.org.uk
The distinctions we have on record are those shown at the top of this newsletter. If they are wrong, please visit the Members' Area of the BPS website where you can register any changes using the on-line form provided; this form can also be used for change of address, email etc.
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For those of you who aren't sure what MPAGB, EFIAP/s and many more such seemingly random collections of letters mean, just click here to download the list.
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If you have anything you think other members would like to know about, such as special events, exhibitions, photographic hints and tricks, etc. please let me know at bpsnewsletter@bristolphoto.org.uk
PLEASE NOTE: ALL COPY TO BE WITH THE EDITOR BY MIDNIGHT THURSDAY TO ALLOW FOR PUBLICATION (HOPEFULLY) ON FRIDAY MORNING
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Missed a Copy of the Newsletter?
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To view past editions of this Newsletter, please click on the following link and then select the date(s) you are looking for - BPS Newsletter Archive
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BPS Website - Members' Area "Log in"
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To enter the Members' Area of the BPS website you will need the following:
Username - chatroom Password - pixels
If you have any problems getting into the Members' Area, please contact Carol, either by email: membership@bristolphoto.org.uk or by telephone: 0117 924 1338
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Bristol Photographic Society,
Unit 13, Montpelier Central, Station Rd, Bristol, BS6 5EE
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