Yorkshire Region RPS Newsletter February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 in this issue Yorkshire Region Contacts Regional Organiser: Mark Slater E: yorkshirechair@rps.org T: 07718 336298 Regional Treasurer: Geoff Blackwell FCCA ARPS E: gblackwell@fastmail.fm T: Newsletter Editor: Brian Crossland LRPS E: RPS.Yorkshire.News@gmail.com T: 07540 824112 Regional Secretary/webmaster: David B Hall

Contacts - who’s who in Yorkshire P.1 Notes from your RO P.1 Newsletter Deadline Dates P.1 RPS Historical Group Research Day with Sheffield Hallam University P.2 DIGYNE - Digital Imaging Group - Yorkshire & North East P.3 What not to miss in Yorkshire P.4 New Yorkshire members P.4 Distinction successes P.4 Photo Visit to Tees White Water Park P.4

Notes from your RO Happy New Year and welcome to a new decade, where did 2019 go? It only feels like a short while since I took over as RO from Mary and have to admit that she is a tough act to follow.

I had the pleasure of opening the Visual Arts Group annual print exhibition at the Point, Doncaster. It was great that we were able to host it in the Region and I hope you had the chance to go and see it.

Looking back, 2019 has been a very busy year within the region, but we cannot rest on our laurels and a number of events and advisory days are already on the website, and on Page 4, so please have a look and book on to attend.

The updated RPS website went live in November and the feedback has mostly been very positive. It has been highlighted back to HQ that we would like the Regional and SIG pages put back on the main landing page as their new location is not as easy to find.

The team will be working to add more content to the Yorkshire Regional page over the coming months.

We are in discussions with a University within the region as a venue to host the RPS LRPS assessment day and the RPS roadshow for later in the year, dates to be published shortly.

I will leave you with this quote and all the best for 2020.

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” Henri CartierBresson, from the book The Mind’s Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers

Mark YORKSHIRE REGION NEWSLETTER DEADLINE DATES. Got an item of interest? Send details, for Editor’s consideration as follows: Must be received by editor First week in April First week in August First week in December

Editor sends to printers First week in May First week in September First week in January

Posted out with RPS Journal First week in June First week in October First week in February

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FEBRUARY 2020 YORKSHIRE REGION

RPS Historical SIG 3rd joint Research Day at Sheffield Hallam University

contribution by Andrew Robinson, Sheffield Hallam University (edited) On Saturday 16 November 2019, the third joint Sheffield Hallam University and RPS Research Day was attended by more than 30 delegates who were treated to a series of papers exploring different aspects of photographic history and practice in the Cantor Building in Sheffield. The event is a collaboration between the SHU BA Photography course and the RPS Special Interest Historical Group and is organised by Geoff Blackwell (RPS) and Andrew Robinson (SHU) and supported by the Department of Media Arts and Communication (MAC).

This year, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the death of James Watt, the morning focused on Watt’s interest in mechanical copiers, imaging and lenses, and the tantalising possibility that Watt may have been working on camera and imaging technology.

Roger Farnham and Dr Ed Bylina with transfer prints made using Watt’s letter copy process © Andrew Robinson

The day began with an exploration of Watt’s workshop and its transfer in 1924 to the Science museum. Ben Russell (Curator of Mechanical Engineering at the Science Museum) explained Watt’s work on mechanical reproduction and his copying of sculptures for the V&A museum.

He also revealed that technicians supervising the transfer enquired whether the curator wished for the accumulated dust from the workshop to be preserved however, to the disappointment of the current curator, this offer was declined.

A range of speakers delivered the afternoon session, with Dr Ron Callendar and Janine Freeston giving insight into early colour processes and Dr Michael Pritchard (RPS Director of Education and Public Affairs) exploring the influence of Antoine Claudet and his early London based daguerreotype studio.

Dr David Clarke and Andrew Robinson presented papers related to their work with the Centre for Contemporary Legend at SHU. Andrew explored the performative and ritualistic aspects of the photography of English calendar customs, illustrated with examples from the Antrobus Soul Cakers in Cheshire and the firing of the Fenny Poppers in Buckinghamshire while David provided context and commentary on the famous photographs of fairies produced by Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright at Cottingley, West Yorkshire 100 years ago.

Finally, Geoff Blackwell explained how his investigation into the design of a 1929 Canadian postage stamp led him to rediscover the photographic archive of Wallace Robinson MacAskill [1887-1956]. MacAskill came to international attention after exhibiting his image ‘Gray Dawn’ in the RPS International Exhibition in 1924.

‘Gray Dawn’, W R MacAskill, 1924 © Nova Sco>a Archives

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FEBRUARY 2020 YORKSHIRE REGION

RPS Digital Imaging Group: Yorkshire & North East Centre

Do you know that we have a new special interest group in Yorkshire?

Do you know where we meet? Have you been to one of our meetings?

The Digital Imaging Group is the largest special interest group (SIG) within the RPS. The Yorkshire & North East Group started out with an initial meeting in January 2019 and the level of interest proved sufficient for a SIG to be started. They have a small committee – Wendy North: Centre Organiser, Sue Gibson; Secretary, Eric Begbie; Treasurer, James Gibson: IT and web editor, Janey Lazenby: committee member.

They meet four times a year at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, York, on a Saturday usually 10.30 to 16.00. Doors open at 10.00 for refreshments as some RPS members have had to travel from as far afield as Grimsby, Norfolk and all parts of Yorkshire and beyond.

2019 saw some excellent speakers; Richard Spurdens, Tony and Eva Worobiec, and to end the year Janet Haines, current RPS DIG chair and recently voted Trustee to the RPS. Janet Haines FIPF ARPS GPSA EFIAP DPAGB is currently the Chair of the Digital Image Group, an RPS Assessor and has recently been elected to the role of RPS Trustee.

Janet’s talk,’Inside my Head’, focused on the process she works through when creating her photographic art. She described her imagery as not being about something ‘taken’ but as art which she ‘creates’ from a vision inside her head, which then, through combining many photos and textures, becomes the final image. Further links to Janet’s work can be found on her website: http://www.jayhaines.co.uk The afternoon provided a ‘show and tell’ opportunity for members and visitors to talk in small groups about their own images - an activity which is now welcomed by the group, since our first meeting in June 2019.

Our next DIGYNE meeting is on Saturday 15th February where guest speaker Steve Race will talk about ‘Wild Shetland’. As it is a year since we first formed, we will have a short AGM prior to Steve’s talk to elect the committee for the forthcoming year. In the afternoon, we will be show-casing a few members’ work, leaving time for our customary ‘show and tell’ session. At the meeting we will also be taking RPS DIG members prints for the annual RPS DIG Print competition (open to RPS DIG members only) which takes place the following weekend in Birmingham.

Other DIGYNE meetings throughout 2020: • Saturday 25th April – Diane Seddon ARPS, CPAGB, BPE3* - ‘Odd things’ • Saturday 3rd October – TBC • Saturday 5th December – Les Forrester BA Hons photo, ARPS. DPAGB, EFIAP, BPE 3* “My Vision, My Photography” Everyone is welcome, both RPS and non-RPS members, booking is advisable and can be found on the RPS DIG page, if not we do take payment on the door.

Hope to see you at a future meeting. Sue Gibson LRPS. RPS DIG Yorkshire & NE centre. sue.gibby@gmail.com or digyne@rps.org group website https://rps.org/groups/digital-imaging/dig-yorkshire-and-north-east/

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FEBRUARY 2020 YORKSHIRE REGION WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS Please check the RPS website for further details, updates, cost and any essential booking information.

• Feb 15th - DIGYNE meeting, see Page 3 • Feb 22nd - Waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales • Feb 25th - Park Hill Revisited, Sheffield • Mar 7th - 10:30-12:30 Development to Distinctions, The Tetley, Leeds.

• Mar 21st - Advisory Day LRPS & ARPS, New Brookhouse Club, Wakefield • Apr 4th - 10:30 - 16:00, AGM & MEMBERS’ DAY. New Brookhouse Club, Wakefield • Apr 24th - South Pennines Moorland, Littleborough • Apr 25th - DIGYNE meeting, see Page 3 • May 16th - 10:30-12:30 Development to Distinctions, VJ’s Art Bar, York.

• Jun 27th - Advisory Day LRPS & ARPS, Wakefield • Jul 25th - 10:30-12:30 Development to Distinctions • Sep 19th - RPS ASSESSMENT DAY - venue TBC

The Yorkshire Region continues to grow. Welcome to our new members: Paul Anderson Ian Marshall Mike Newman Richard Wright Paul Crane Mike Munro Rethabile Putsoane Mark Pollitt Andrew Bellamy Thomas Duffield David Oxtaby LRPS Alan Phillips Siobhan Brennan-Raymond ARPS Steven Parrish Amy-Rose Gladhill Julie Cowdy

Congratulations on your Distinction: Mandy Barker FRPS Martin Hillary ARPS Applied Peter Wells ARPS Applied Tim Sawyer ARPS Fine Art David Oxtaby LRPS (exemption) Edward Matthews LRPS (exemption)

NOTE. if anyone has been missed out of these lists, or there are any errors, please get in touch and we will correct.

Tees Barrage Photo Visit Submi&ed by our visit coordinators: Robert Helliwell ARPS and Leigh Foster LRPS. With free entry and constantly changing viewpoints, the range of white-water ac7on provided us with many challenges all day long. The rain held off un7l about 3 o’clock, but if they were wet - why shouldn’t we be? It takes a bit of prac7se to capture clear and sharp ac7on shots, images, so perhaps another visit would be worthwhile. Everyone welcome.

images submitted by and copyright of Sarah Hillier

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