Towcester and District Photographic Society in 2022
| Author: Anne Gray | Published: January 17, 2022 09:34 |
The essence of our society remains: “regardless of the starting point, what can we learn and what can we share”. Our current ‘normal’ home is at Silverstone. We returned in September and hope to be back for our fortnightly face-to-face meetings in late January/early February once we have weathered the latest peak infection rates.
Our additional monthly “TCC Extra” session continues with an ongoing quarterly program of “Camera Club Surgery”, “Bi-Monthly Challenge Review” and “Competition/Portfolio Readiness”. These appeal to photographers of all levels and complement the normal variety of external speakers, member presentations, internships and other sessions. Our current challenge is “Townscape or Cityscape – Day or Night”. The idea is to simply engage with subjects that are outside of our particular comfort zone and thereby better understand our cameras. Part of the selection will be shown on our private sharing platform, which we will talk about during TDPS Extra.
On January 12, 2021 we were taken on a fascinating journey. Sarah Kelman of the Cambridge Camera Club described her 2012 transatlantic voyage aboard her sailboat with her husband, two young children and two crew members. Her further adventures north through the Caribbean and further along the east coast of the USA gave brilliant insights into life in different places, devoid of any touristy slant. Her skillful, varied photography showcased various techniques and also showcased her immense talent for wildlife photography.
Although the Society does not participate in internal competitions, it actively encourages those who wish to test their work to submit entries for external competitions. It’s always enlightening to see what’s trending/evolving. We have just submitted our TDPS entry for the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain’s annual club competition – for the second time since our debut last year. It’s all about participation… At the end of January we’ll find out how we did!
We sponsor photo trips and have organized a few in the recent past. The following written excerpt and image were provided by one of our members who attended a workshop with landscape specialist Justin Minns in November 2021. Word and image are by Kevin Adams.
Kevin Adams
“On November 18th and 19th, 2021, five members of TDPS participated in two one-day workshops moderated by Justin Minns. We started our first morning at the mouth of the River Orwell at Pin Mill just as the tide was about to reach high tide. At Pin Mill is what can only be described as a graveyard for wooden boats of various kinds. It was at this location that we learned how to take long exposure photographs and how to smooth the water’s surface with various filters, including large and small stoppers, as well as tips and tricks on staying calm and using live view. We were very lucky with the weather. After lunch we made our way to Dovercourt Lighthouse on the Essex coast. The tide receded here, revealing some beautiful patterns in the sand. This session was also about long exposures and the smoothing of the sea and the appearance of the clouds becoming light and thin during the exposures. At 6am the next morning we found ourselves in Flatford Mill on the River Stour, known as Constable Country. Went here to capture mist on the river and photograph Willy Lott’s Cottage ourselves from Haywain and Flatfortd Mill. We had beautiful light for the river photos and my favorite shot of the two days was the two trees bathed in sunlight and reflected in the River Stour. This light only lasted about five minutes at its strongest intensity, which I hope will be captured in the photo. Unfortunately by the time we got back to the cottage and mill the sky had clouded over and the magic light had gone. We all thoroughly enjoyed our two days with Justin and would highly recommend Justin’s workshops to anyone looking to improve their photography.”
Wed Feb 9 22 @ 7:30pm – TOM WAY “The Greater Picture”
Tom Way is a well known photographer with international accreditations to his name: www.tomway.co.uk . He is known for his powerful and engaging portraits of African mammals. This presentation is open to the public and costs £5. It is scheduled to take place at St Michael’s Church Hall but we reserve the option to return to ZOOM should COVID conditions warrant. Please contact us if you are interested in participating: contact@towcesterphoto.co.uk
This presentation gives a comprehensive overview of Tom’s life as a nature photographer. He will demonstrate the different camera angles used to create his preferred style while discussing the components he believes are essential to create impressive wildlife images. Tom will explain the importance of print and how he is building a profitable business through photography.
The fully updated club website describes our upcoming program at www.towcestercameraclub.co.uk , demonstrating a range of speakers and events for all levels. In fact, our 48 members range from beginner to pro and everything in between – the focus is on sharing and improving for all – and challenging for those who want to be competitive.
Occasional snapshots of our monthly challenge themes and upcoming events appear on the club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/717208911681719/
Whether you have an established interest in photography or are just starting to think it might be something for you (with SLR, point and shoot or phone), come and join us! Our membership fee (for the year beginning April 1st) is just £18 per year and we only charge £3 per session in St Michael’s Church Room or £3 per session of an outside speaker on ZOOM to cover costs.
Towcester Camera Club is a friendly, inclusive club with an emphasis on collaboration and learning, not internal competition. It only enters two external competitions each year, although members who enter external competitions individually are encouraged to use the club for peer review of potential competition entries. Membership ranges from novice to pro.
The association is happy to answer inquiries via the contact page on its website http://www.towcestercameraclub.co.uk/pages/contact.php or his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/717208911681719/
Anne Gray – President of the Towcester & District Photographic Society
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