Best Picture – Pam Liberson’s “Memorial Bench”

The Group met at 10 a.m. on 11th October with the theme ‘Documentary’.
Rosemary Crumplin and John Clark had recently returned from a cruise of Coastal Spain to find that they had computer/printer problems – we viewed their portfolios (Hidden Andover/RAF Andover) in camera.
​Of the two portfolios submitted, John Hawke was adjudged best set of four ‘Cooking Saltimbocca’ and Pam Liberson’s photograph of a WWII memorial bench was voted Beat Picture. (Click picture to zoom)

John Hawke led a discussion on Landscape Photography with an emphasis on composing the picture by analysing what was the focus of one’s attention that made one want to take a picture in the first place. He also pointed out that one had time to compose the shot and encouraged those present to take a minute to determine the focal point one wanted to highlight. He then suggested that, by moving around, (from side to side as well as forwards and backwards) capture the ‘best shot’ by including objects that led the eye to that focal point. During a lively discussion, various techniques were described including optimal aperture/speed settings, focus stacking and multiple exposure blending. (to ‘remove’ moving people from the scene)
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Theme for next meeting is ‘Autumn’ – the above discussion is relevant for this topic! Future themes are on the Group’s web site.

Best Picture, “Steamer” by John Clark

The Group met at 9:30 on 13th September with the theme ‘Transport’. Of the four portfolios submitted, Rosemary Crumplin was adjudged best set of four and John Clark’s photograph of a steamboat was voted Beat Picture. We welcomed a new member, Teresa Twitchell, and she had brought along her camera at the Group Leader’s request.

Apparently the camera, an Olympus OMD-10 Mk III, had been bought some time ago but had been little used because it was too confusing – not helped by a 5 page ‘manual’ that was not very comprehensive! The Group Leader described some of the key features of the camera with suggestions on how to use it.

Best Picture; Grey Wagtail by Pam Liberson Click the image to enlarge it

It was a very lively meeting on Monday 9th August to discuss 4 portfolios with the theme of Garden/Park birds. End of July/August is when adult birds go into moult and vanish, although a lot of juveniles were hammering the feeders in Whitchurch – not the best of themes then!. First the hot sun bleached the bird colours followed by dark days where shutter speeds of 1/2000 were not feasible without increasing the ISO to produce a grainy result. The overall quality of the pictures were very good to excellent.​

Best portfolio was by John Hawke and best individual photograph was of a Grey Wagtail by Pam Liberson. See all the pictures on the Group’s webpage

John Hawke gave a short presentation of a nature-themed tour of Costa Rica concentrating on the more colourful birds and other reptiles and animals.