After our break Ashbourne Camera Club resumed its season. With Christmas and New Year behind us we are again looking for more opportunities for photographs. Not a good start weatherwise, this grey and cold weather means poor light again. On the bright side the Ashbourne Reborn works are almost complete and the orange storm troopers numbers have reduced in size.
December only saw two meetings. The first a talk with images by Lee Chapman www.chappersphotography.co.uk. Lee showed us and talked about his photography. He is a lecturer in photography in Adult Education, Historic Subjects and some Tourism. Travel and transport formed a large number of his images from both the UK and abroad. Coming back again in April for some Aviation images!
Black and White photography was the focus of a talk by members Frank Hobbs and Rob Sample. A lot of effort had been put into this presentation which used members Black and White images from past competitions and using skills, detailed throughout the presentation, showed how they saw our images and how techniques which were demonstrated presented alternative ways for us to process them. They left us with a very useful checklist of things to try and practice to help rework our own images in future.
The last meeting of the year was our Christmas get together known as the Fandango. Carefully put together by Jackie Sellers, the usual mixture of challenges and related seasonal fun.
So 2026 arrived. The first meeting at home meeting, using Zoom, led by Bob Holman focussed on his work using mobile phones. Unfortunately, once again, the technical Gremlins struck and we were unable to see the planned talk. Lets blame the weather again!
The first competition of the New Year was titled Forest and Woodland. Easy on paper, but it turned out not so easy as a subject. This was judged by Darron Matthews, a visitor before as a speaker and a Judge. He engaged with the submissions in an amusing and enthusiastic way. His comments on our images were well respected and very useful. Congratulations to Frank Hobbs (print) and John Riddy ( projected image) who were the worthy winners in each section.
Next meeting we went out into space at Chesterfield Observatory! An introduction to Astrophotography with a talk and images from the members of Chesterfield Astronomy club. The images, taken by the Astronomer members, were truly stunning and demonstrated the great skill and patience needed. We could not use their telescope, yes, weather again but the trip was a valuable insight into what’s out there!
The last meeting was with the group, GRAIN, who are working on a piece about Shrovetide football, studying the history and images associated with this historic annual event. Members shared their images and some anecdotes with the project leader. More to follow on this and where we will be able to see the finished project.
Welcome back then to our readers. Lots more to come. As I type the Sun has peeked through the fog! Opportunity knocks.
Glyn B
