A warm Autumn has meant the trees have kept their leaves for a little longer. With the cooler mornings and the mists they bring more opportunity to take advantage of the Autumn colours and with some beautiful sunrises and sunsets with ethereal mists. However, the hint of frost says”winter is coming”!
The speaker this month was Paul O’Flanagan, with a talk he has given to other clubs locally about his passion for Abstract photography. Bearing in mind our own first venture into the world of the Abstract image we were interested to hear what he could tell us about the world of this genre of photography. He shed some light on the dark arts of Abstract images but great concentration was required as there was a lot to take in. He showed some of his own images which wre very different from our own interpretations. In summary it is how we see things which produces these different and Abstract images and they often take us out of our comfort zones. He showed us new ways to try some more abstract images. We shall see what transpires!
This months practical evening from our technical guru, Hugh Stevenson, was based around three video presentations by two professional photographers, Tom Heaton from Northumberland and Joe Cornish in Cornwall. They were chosen to show exactly how the photographers prepare and set up their equipment to take their images. Very informative, not too technical, but enough to give us all something to try in our own practice. What did come out of the video, by Joe Cornish, was what we miss. He is a master of composition and sees images most of us may miss.
This months competition was our first Open Trophy but subject was free to choose. The competition was judged by Roy Maddison of Long Eaton Camera Club with much experience. We were presented with a wide variety of subject matter as we would expect. Wildlife images were quite predominant this time with birds and wild animals featuring quite often alongside the normal popular subjects. The winner of the printed entry was a portrait of a Wren taken by Stephen Frampton one which the judge appreciated for its sharpness and composition. The pdi was by David Slade titled The Track a location in Scotland he has an obvious fondness for. Well done to all. Standards again very high.
So, the Market Place is lit with the Christmas lights and tree. We may see some images, in the New Year, of the festive period from members. December is a short month for meetings. Check out Country Images December 2025 (page 30) for an article about our 120th Anniversary. We will catch up again in the New Year.
Glyn
