RPS Western Region - newsletter
RPS WESTERN REGION NEWSLETTER No 6 |
WE'RE MOVING
The move of RPS HQ has now taken place and the staff are settling into the new accommodation in Bear Flats, Bath. I spoke with Stuart Blake in August and confirmed that we would be able to hold our regional meetings there. So, with effect from the October meeting to be held on Sunday 10th our meetings, once again, will be in the RPS HQ. From then we will revert to meeting on the 2nd Sunday of each month as we have always done. The room is able to hold about 35 people, which is ample for the numbers that have been attending our meetings recently. However, it would be nice to see our audience grow. A small map showing the exact location is shown later in this Newsletter. Also shown is the programme up to January 2005. |
REGIONAL EXHIBITION
Selection for our annual exhibition took place at the meeting in August and the exhibition was displayed in the Podium Library, Bath 13th to 18th September. I would like to express my thanks to the judges on the selection day: Leigh Preston FRPS, Jack Rose FRPS and Don Tait FRPS, for their efforts in selecting the entries and, more importantly, selecting the medal and ribbon winners. It must be said that the judges were not over taxed in their selection duties due to the number of entries. With a regional membership of over 600 a total of only 40 entries were received. While the standard of entry was good the quantity was very disappointing indeed. Perhaps this outbreak of lethargy is an indication that we ought to stop holding the event! I would like to express my thanks to those of you who gave up time to assist with stewarding the exhibition. Your efforts were appreciated.
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EVENTS OF INTEREST
Although not specifically Region-related there are 3 events coming up in the near future that may well be of interest to many of our Members:-
EXHIBITION IN TAUNTON
A major retrospective exhibition of the work of Devon-based photographer Ski Harrison is now showing in Exeter until 13th November 2004. Ski has been taking photographs since the '60s travelling to many parts of the world.
The exhibition is mainly monochrome portraits and includes pictures of people from as far away as India and Africa but as near as Devon and the south West.
The exhibition is being held in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Queen St, Exeter and is open between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Entry is free
DIGITAL IMAGING GROUP - ANNUAL SPECTACULAR
Sunday 14th November is the date of the Digital Imaging Group's Annual Spectacular which, as usual, will be held in the Benn Hall, Rugby. This is a very popular event and is open to non-DIG Members, although DIG Members obviously get first crack at tickets. The event is growing in reputation, attracting many big names in the photographic trade including Nikon, Adobe, Olympus, Jessops and many others. There will be the usual 'Free raffle' on the day with all the trade stands donating the prizes. Last year these were valued at over £2000. There will also be 4 talks during the day given by two eminent speakers. Steve Caplin, author of 'How to Cheat in Photoshop' and Ian Bateman FRPS, well known for his digital AV talks, will each give two lectures. If you are interested in tickets please get in touch with John Long (0117 9762231).
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DIG SOUTH WALES REGION
On Sunday 29th January 2005 the South Wales Region of the Digital Imaging Group will be holding their very popular Annual Meeting. This event will see demonstrations by David Rowley, well known for his talks on Photoshop techniques and Graham Whistler FBIPP FRPS. Graham is a professional photographer who has an in-depth knowledge of digital cameras and will be telling you how to get the best from your equipment. Tickets can be obtained from Mel Stallworthy AWPF LRPS LMPA, 1 Clos Hendre Rhibina, Cardiff, CF14 6PN. Ticket prices are £7 for DIG members and £8 for non DIG members. Early booking is advised; this is a very popular event.
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AND FINALY - MY RESIGNATION
For personal reasons I will be stepping down as Regional Organiser at the end of this year. When I took over it was on the understanding that it would be a temporary appointment until someone could be found to fill the post on a more permanent basis.
My efforts in that respect have been unsuccessful and I had resolved to continue. However, I now find that my commitments for 2005 are such that I cannot continue to give the necessary time to the RO appointment. The committee, which has given me outstanding support, will continue.
Ray Grace LRPS |
The odd thing about digital...
is something that has been discussed, even argued about for so long that most people (me included) are getting the kind of glazed feeling that comes after a few minutes of watching the Eurovision Song Contest!
Just prior to the entry of digital was a remarkable film system called APS. All of the major camera manufacturers launched headlong into the melee, and if we be honest most of us will have tried it too! Who said something so small couldn't be fun! But there were those that said the imposed limitations of a small negative area were of little to no use for serious photography (wonder where I've heard that before?).
Then came digital with its add-ons and standby's. For a long time the chips used to record the images were of a similar size to the APS negative, but now the size is not so important. Indeed, there are some new cameras out still using the diminutive chip size. So, that can't be too much of a problem, can it?
No! For me the odd thing about digital was the way it made you spend more money than you ever would have with film! I wanted to get into the digital scene, and carefully going through lists, I selected the object of my desire (camera-wise you understand!), and began to wait for the time I could afford my purchase. I was able to get my camera as a gift from my In-laws, and thought how wonderful it was at the bargain price of £475 (second hand)! But I would never have spent that kind of money for a film camera!
And I no longer have boxes of negatives, out of date boxes of printing paper, and chemical smells around the house...but I do have cylinders of CD's, a different type of printing paper, and spare cartridges for my printers.
When it comes down to it, it isn't that much different, is it?
Charles Hincks BSc LRPS
Chairman
The Disabled Photographers Society.
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ILFORD TAKEN INTO ADMINSTRATION
From The Telegraph: Saturday 28th AugThe Telegraph reports that ILFORD has slashed its UK workforce in an effort to find a buyer.ILFORD went into administration on Monday as a result of an 11% year on year drop in monochrome sales. It is intended to continue operations at the digital arm in Switzerland and hopefully find a buyer for the Monochrome paper and film division based in the UK.RPS members will no doubt be sad at the passing of an old and valued friend.
P.S. It is ironic that at the time of the failure of ILFORD, the USA is apparently experiencing a revival in darkroom photography.
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Western Region returns to the RPS HQ at Bath
Ray Grace (Western Region RO), announced on Sunday, that as from October the Western Regional monthly meetings will be held in the new H.Q. building at Bath.
More details in the next newsletter which will be included in the October Journal package, (Also on the Regional Web site as from Oct.1st) |
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