Yearly Archives: 2025

Photography Group October Meeting

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The Group met at 10:15 a.m. on 13th October with the theme ‘Golden Hour’.

5 people attended. For such a wide subject there were several good sunsets with landscapes also featured. Best picture was awarded to Ann Hawke with a striking sunset taken from her patio days before the meeting. Mike Liberson’s submissions were original and humorous interpretations of the theme – the photograph chosen featured a glass of bourbon whisky.

Patio Sunset – Ann Hawke

November’s theme will be ‘Liquids’.

Pam Liberson was having problems printing from Microsoft Photos and Google Photos – results from recent experience came out in different sizes. Anjie Sargeant showed how to set different sizes, including the preferred 5 x 7 ratio, using her Chromebook and tablet with examples of her recent trip to Krakow.

Mike Liberson showed a treasured photograph of a night scene of a Nuremburg rally and also showed the same photograph after he tried to improve it. The result was a very blotchy and false colour disaster. John Hawke stated that the photo was taken using a low iso camera setting that emphasised the noise. He showed the impact of ISO setting on noise showing way that higher ISO just served to amplify the noise inherent in all digital photographs. John Hawke offered to use his software to try and improve the original, low pixel, photograph. Using a premium noise reducing app (DXO Photolab 8), enhanced sharpening (Topaz) and colour balancing (Photoshop) – Mike seemed happy with the result.

Questers Guided Tour of the Whitchurch Silk Mill 19th Nov 2025

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Guided Tour of the Whitchurch Silk Mill 19th Nov 2025, at 10:30.

A guided tour is only available for groups of 20 or more but is at no additional cost to normal entry fee £10 for over 65s, £11 for under.

The tour takes about 1 hour, and will feature:-

  • The history of the mill building
  • Silk production
  • Pre-weaving process, winding and warping
  • At look at the Looms (one recently restored)
  • Different types of silk
  • Details of Heritage projects

This is a self-drive trip, if you need a lift please indicate in your response and I will endeavour to arrange with other members attending.

There is a café on site.

If you wish to come on this trip, please advise ASAP. No money should be paid just now, further details for payment will be advised later.

Any questions please contact me at wessexfcs@aol.com or 07821 884043.

Colin Ramsden

VISITS TO FULHAM PALACE : 18 & 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

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Trips to Fulham Palace, 18th and 22nd September.

 When it was first suggested that there could be a Questers trip to Fulham Palace there was a positive response and to meet demand arrangements were made for two trips by minibus in September.  

On each day there were two guided tours – in one we learned about the history of the palace and some of the Bishops of London who had enjoyed the peaceful retreat that the Palace offered; the second was a tour of the extensive gardens. The present palace buildings were started in 1495 although the site has been used as a residence  by the Bishops of London since AD 704.

Sadly, there was not enough time to visit the museum or explore more of the gardens, but all said they had enjoyed the day.  As always, thanks to Robert Kemp, our driver, who coped so admirably with the London traffic.   

      

       

Chris Coffin