The Group met at 10:15 a.m. on 13^th 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.

The Group met at 10:30 a.m. on 8^th September with the theme ‘Landscape’.

Five people attended. For such a wide subject there were several good treescapes and gates also featured heavily. Best picture was awarded to Pam Liberson for an avenue of trees near Stockbridge with effective shadows and dappled sunlight.

Avenue of Trees near Stockbridge – Pam Liberson (Best Picture)

October’s theme will be ‘Golden Hour’. After some discussion, it was decided to not arrange an outdoor photoshoot but to go our own way – mainly because we could not agree on a venue as well as the variable weather at this time of year. John Hawke made some suggestions regarding near-sunset photographs emphasising soft shadow nuances and mellow portraits. Mike Liberson commented that ‘Golden Hour’ could also be interpreted as old age and nostalgia – cannot wait to see his interpretation of the theme!

Future themes for February, March and April 2026 will be ‘One Colour Four Pictures’, ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Spring’ respectively.