RPS Landscape Group Newsletter, July 2017

NEWSLETTER JULY 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 6

CONTENTS 01 Editorial 02 News Round-Up 03 Lee Filters Factory Visit 04 Associateship Success!

Anthony Wright ARPS on his successful panel Š Anthony Wright ARPS

Editorial First up this month, a warm welcome to the committee to John Urquhart, who has stepped forward to fill the role of Treasurer. John will work with Arron Davis over the summer, with a view to be fully up and running by September. Our thanks to Arron for his contribution to the role.

Congratulations to group member Anthony Wright ARPS. Anthony recently gained his associateship in the Fine Art category and shares his experience of the process later in the newsletter.

I was lucky enough to join our Lee Filters factory visit last month - I found it a fascinating process. Thanks to Richard Ellis for his report. June also saw the second of our filters workshops. A couple of images from the day feature in the Members' Gallery, from where you can also follow a link to a gallery of images from the event.

As mentioned in last month's newsletter, there will now be a summer break until early September. If you have plans for some photography over the summer, we would love to see some of your pictures in the newsletter. Whatever you are doing, have a great summer!

With kind regards Jim Souper Newsletter Editor

06 What's On A selection of exhibitions and events of possible interest to group members.

07 Events Details of group events and new event categories 09 Members' Gallery More members' images

Submissions The deadline for submissions to the next newsletter is Thursday 31st August, for publication in the week commencing 4th September.

If you have an idea for article, please send a brief synopsis of the purpose and content of the piece. Please submit your images as jpegs, sized to 72 dpi with 1200 pixels along the longest edge and borderless.

Please send all submissions by email to: landscapenews@rps.org

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News Round-Up Environmental Photographer of the Year The deadline for entries to this year's CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year Award is 8th September.

The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers and encourages pictures that will inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.

Sea views wanted The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, is once again calling on photographers to submit images celebrating Britain’s proud maritime heritage, for its annual competition searching for the UK’s ultimate sea view.

Launched to mark national Seafarers Awareness Week (24-30 June), the competition encourages amateur and professional photographers to enter pictures which best encapsulate Britain’s enduring connection with the sea – its merchant ships, fishermen, coast, harbours and ports.

The closing date is 4th August - see here for details.

See here for details.

Events in North Wales Two events organised by North Wales region may be of interest to Landscape group members.

You can spend an afternoon in the company of Joe Cornish on Saturday 25th November. The event will be held at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University in Wrexham.

Members should already have received details of Photoshop expert Steve Caplin's visit to North Wales on Saturday 16th September. This takes place at Electric Mountain, Llanberis, in the heart of Snowdonia.

DI Expo 2017 The Digital Imaging Group's Expo 17 will take place on 23rd September at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport. This full day event offers a range of speakers, trade stands and distinctions advice.

Speakers, include Paul Sanders (filters), David Clapp (architecture) and Tim Flach (animal magic).

The annual DIG print and projected image exhibitions will be on display.

The RPS Distinctions department are offering booked Advisory sessions for LRPS & ARPS panels (excluding Nature).

MEMBERS' NEWS

Do you have any news, an award or exhibition for example, that may be of interest to members? If so, please email landscapenews@rps.org.

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Lee Filters Factory Visit

by Richard Ellis LRPS Tuesday 20th June saw a group of 18 members of the l Landscape group visit Lee filters. Many of you will be familiar with the product, but how many of you know how it is made? Our group were lucky enough to find out.

Before our tour, we were given an overview of the company, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, and an introduction to use of filters.

Lee filters has two parts to its business. The company started producing lighting filters, subsequently expanding to the production of photographic filters. Our main interest was the photographic products. While Lee's glass filters are made off-site, all their filters are packed at the Andover factory. In addition to the filters with which we were already familiar, we were shown their new range of ProGlass IRND filters. These, though more expensive than the existing 'Stopper' range, have almost no colour cast and offer more accurate stop values.

Lee's resin filters are made in-house, and our tour gave a fascinating insight into the process. The first step to making the filters is to manufacture the acetate sheets, which is done between two plates of glass. After careful inspection and curing, the sheets are sent for dyeing to give the graduation, with which most photographers are familiar.

The filter sheets are hand dyed by gentle agitation in a bath of dye. The skill of the operators was very evident. After dyeing, the sheets are cut and then checked again. Each filter is hand wrapped in tissue paper and then packed.

What struck us all as we toured the facility was the labour intensive nature of the process and the amount of quality checking at every stage. So, when you make your photograph, you now know that in front of it is a filter handcrafted with pride and care.

Acetate sheet ready for processing

Dipping a graduated filter

Following our visit, we were treated to lunch at a local hostelry, with a further opportunity to look at the Lee product range and discuss all things filter. The group would like to extend a big 'Thank You' to Richard McCarty and the Lee filters team.

To learn more about Lee filters and how they can enhance your photography, the Resource page of the Lee website is well worth a visit. It includes their online magazine, LEExposure, and a series of quick start videos.

Lee also offer a System Match, with more than 500 lenses indexed and a Lee Stopper App, for iPhone and Android, to help calculate the correct exposure when using a Little, Bug or Super Stopper.

Wrapped in tissue, ready to go Images Š Richard Ellis LRPS NEWSLETTER JULY 2017/ VOL. 2 / NO. 6

Associateship Success!

Group member Anthony Wright was recently awarded his Associateship, with a series of landscape images in the Fine Art category. Anthony shares his thoughts on the process below, together with his Statement of Intent, hanging plan and a selection of images opposite.

My love of photography started as a teenager, which led to me becoming a wedding photographer later in life. I still enjoy portraiture and photographing weddings, but as I love the outdoors, my passion is nature and landscapes.

Being awarded the highly acclaimed LRPS distinction was a great personal achievement, so trying to become an Associate was another of my life’s goals. My L panel consisted of different themes and included three landscapes, which were my preferred photographs. Having decided to try for an Associate I spoke to a member of the Fine Art panel and then felt confident in my idea for landscapes at the water’s edge for my submission.

I discussed hanging plans with other members of Ashford Photographic Society, which was a great help. Maybe deciding on the west of Scotland as my subject matter was not such a good idea, due to the great distance from my home in Kent. Thankfully, I had enough suitable images from my travels. I initially made the mistake of including two photographs that did not quite balance the panel, which led to a referral. I replaced these with two other photographs from my stock and when the panel was reassessed I was delighted to be recommended for the Associate.

I think you should never underestimate the importance of early morning rises or staying until after sunset to capture the light. I hope my love and connection to the landscape is portrayed in my panel. Many of you know this feeling already as landscape photographers, after all that’s why we do it.

Statement Of Intent - At The Water’s Edge The inspiration for my panel evolved from the feeling of contentment and peace that I find on cliff top walks and shoreline strolls.

My aim was to capture dramatic and inspiring scenery viewed from the water’s edge and the stunning landscape in the west of Scotland made it an ideal location. I chose the area between Ullapool and Handa Island.

I felt compelled to visit locations repeatedly from before dawn to after dusk to best capture the light and reflections.

The difficult terrain, especially after heavy rain, made the photography sometimes challenging, however I find this type of shoot exhilarating and enjoy the solitude I experience.

The panel (below) as a whole highlights a combination of natural and manmade features, with the diverse flora and striking rock formations that shape this outstandingly beautiful area of Scotland.

NEWSLETTER JULY 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 6

Images © Anthony Wright ARPS

Anthony's full panel can be seen on his website at http://www.awphotos.co.uk/Portfolio/ARPS-DISTINCTION/

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What's On

A selection of exhibitions & events which may be of interest to landscape group members

Exhibitions On Landscape Exhibition II: Inspired by First Light Northallerton The second On Landscape photography exhibition, co-curated by Jo Rose, Curator at Joe Cornish Galleries and Tim Parkin, editor of On Landscape.

Valda Bailey: Fragile Bosham The exhibition showcases Valda Bailey's enduring fascination with fragility in the landscape and the illusions present when contrasting elements are juxtaposed. At the Bosham Gallery until 30th July.

Bruce Percy: Worldwide Landscape Photographs Edinburgh Around 38 of Bruce's photographs, focusing largely on his most recent series of winter landscapes of Hokkaido. Showing at Whitespace, Edinburgh from 22nd July to 2nd August.

Midgard: the myth and legend of northern landscapes Northallerton The combination of Lizzie Shepherd's love of Nordic landscapes, together with the lasting legacy of the Vikings on the area of Yorkshire in which she lives, has inspired the title of her exhibition at the Joe Cornish Gallery. On show until 9th August.

Kevin Percival: Tanera Ullapool The exhibition presents a ‘portrait of place’ very much unique to this photographer’s practice and passion for the land. At Rhue Art, Ullapool from 17th June to 24th August.

Showcasing Yorkshire Hull A broad and diverse collection of photography by members of the RPS Yorkshire region. Hosted by The Creative & Cultural Company in Hull City Centre, from 28th July to 26th August.

The Word-Hoard: Love Letters to our Land Wordsworth House, Cumbria Guest-curated by award-winning author Robert Macfarlane, the exhibition celebrates the beauty of our landscape and the evocative language once used to describe it. It features images by his parents, Cumbrian-based photographers Rosamund and John, alongside some of the endangered words for our landscape, weather and nature that Robert has collected. On show until 3rd September.

British Art: Ancient Landscapes Salisbury Featuring the work of some of the greatest names in British art from the last 250 years, as their work records and reflects on some of our most treasured ancient landscapes. At the Salisbury Museum from 8th April to 3rd September.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 London The exhibition features a collection of 100 exceptional images, drawn from more than 50,000 entries. At the Natural History Museum until 10th September.

Fieldwork: Ten Years of Photography by Lisa Dracup Bradford From nocturnal woods to wildlife specimens, Liza Dracup is inspired by the landscape and natural history of Britain. Showing at Impressions Gallery, Bradford until 23rd September.

Gregory Crewdson: Cathedral of the Pines London The first UK exhibition of a new body of work by acclaimed American artist Gregory Crewdson. With this series, produced between 2013 and 2014, Crewdson departs from his interest in uncanny suburban subjects and explores human relations within more natural environments. At the Photographer's Gallery until 8th October.

Conferences, Fairs and Festivals Digital Splash 17 Liverpool Digital Splash returns to the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool on the weekend of 7th/8th October.

Speakers include Paul Gallagher, Michael Pilkington and Thomas Heaton.

If you have, or know of, an exhibition you think may be interest to landscape group members, please email landscapenews@rps.org with details.

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EVENTS Lightroom for Landscape Photographers Sunday 23rd July, 9:30 to 16:30

Oldbury, West Midlands This workshop, run by Adobe certified expert Julian Rouse, will cover a complete landscape photography workflow, using the library and develop modules.

See here for details.

Using filters for landscape photography Sunday 3rd September, 11:00 to 20:00 Northallerton Led by professional photographer Mark Banks, this outdoor workshop will share Mark's expertise in using filters for landscape photography at locations around the Tees estuary. See here for details.

Guided Walk along Hadrian's Wall Sunday 10th September, 10:30 to 17:00

Steel Rigg (Northern Region event) Geoff Chrisp is leading a walk supported by Marj Baillie LRPS along part of Hadrian’s Wall and points of interest will include the iconic Sycamore Gap, Steel Rigg, Crag Lough. See here for further details.

A day with Nigel Hicks Sunday 17th September, 10:30 to 16:00 Bovey Tracey, Devon (South West Region event) Nigel will talk to us about his own work, his courses, publishing books and his work with National Geographic Creative. See here for full details.

Dinorwig Quarry/Chwarel Dinorwic Sunday 17th September, 10:30 to 16:00 Llanberis, Snowdonia Dinorwig quarry offers many fascinating and varied opportunities to the outdoor photographer; from panoramic views of Snowdonia to old quarry buildings and machinery to details and textures in the beautiful waste slate that covers the hillside.

See here for details.

Long Exposures on the Lancashire Coast Sunday 8th October, 9:00 to 15:00 Blackpool This day will be ideal for improving your longexposure skills at various interesting locations along the Lancashire coast. See here for details.

For details of all Landscape Group events listed above and of additional workshops and events of interest to group members, please visit the group's events page.

Aysgarth Falls photo shoot Wednesday 11th October, 10:30 to 16:00 Yorkshire Dales Aysgarth Falls - upper, middle and lower - lie on the River Ure, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. See here for details

Stourhead National Trust house & gardens Saturday 14th October, 9:00 to 13:00 Near Mere, Wiltshire With hills, water and classical architecture overlaid by a fabulous collection of trees and shrubs, Stourhead was described as "a living work of art" when first opened in the 1740s. See here for details.

Landscape Group weekend conference Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November

Near Skipton, North Yorkshire See panel on the next page, or click here for details.

An evening talk with Charlie Waite Friday 3rd November, 19:30 to 22:00

Near Skipton, North Yorkshire This talk by eminent landscape photographer Charlie Waite is part of the Landscape Group's weekend conference and AGM but tickets for just the talk are available to RPS members and members of the public. See here for details.

Paul Gallagher's Transitions Sunday 5th November, 11:00 to 15:00 Basingstoke Paul talks about his transition from using large format film cameras, working solely in black and white, to using digital cameras. See here for details.

An afternoon with Joe Cornish Saturday 25th November, 14:00 to 16:00 Wrexham An afternoon in the company of Joe Cornish. See here for details.

Special access Stonehenge dawn shoot Sunday 25th March 2018, 6:00 to 7:30 Stonehenge Following the popularity of this event in March, we are making a return visit next year. See here for details.

Could you host an event?

If you know of a promising and photogenic location in your area, and you would be willing to organise an informal session for other members of the Group, please email to rps.landscape.events@gmail.com.

We welcome all volunteers and would very much like to hear from members in all parts of the UK.

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Event categories

The categories below aim to help members understand what is on offer at any particular landscape group event. They are also a guide for potential event leaders who might be worried that their photographic skills are not sufficiently strong for them to lead an event.

Group A – Field trips where the guide has a good knowledge of the location (e.g. good viewpoints, good subjects, good times of day, tides if relevant etc.) and will have ideas about what to do in case of unhelpful weather or light conditions, but does not wish to offer any advice on photography skills or techniques.

Group B - Field trips where the trip leader has a good knowledge of the location (as in Group A) but is also willing to offer general technical support and advice to inexperienced photographers. The leader is NOT expected to be an expert in anything but should be sufficiently experienced to pass on knowledge of the basics.

Group C - Field trips that focus on a particular technique – such as long exposures or photographing at night. The leaders of these events will primarily offer advice about technique and location knowledge will be sufficient to enable participants to learn and practice the technique(s) concerned.

Group D - Workshops that primarily focus on skills or technique and where location is irrelevant or is a secondary consideration. These may take place indoors or outdoors. The workshop leader may have limited knowledge of the location but will be experienced and skilled in the topic of the workshop.

Booking Confirmations A few members have contacted us because they were unsure as to whether or not they were booked on an event. Here is a brief guide to how you can check this for yourselves.

When you book a landscape event through the RPS website, the system should send you a confirmation email.

If you have not received it and want to check if you are booked on an event, then login to your account on the RPS website, select the tab labeled events and tick the box for events you are booked on. Any events you have booked will show up in orange.

Annual Conference and AGM We still have tickets for both residential and non-residential delegates for our first Annual Conference and AGM.

Our keynote speaker is Charlie Waite. In addition, we have talks by Steve Gosling, Melvin Nicholson, Carol Emmas and Jesse Alexander. Peter Paterson FRPS will lead a distinctions workshop on Saturday morning.

The weekend will also include guided location shoots in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and several opportunities for delegates to exhibit some of their own work.

Click here to book your place

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MEMBERS' GALLERY

Perch Rock

© Peter McGonigal

Sandymouth Tidal

© Steve Hartley LRPS

© Anthony Wright ARPS

Full galleries of images from June's Filters Workshop in Cornwall and Norfolk Coast weekend are also available to view on the RPS website.

Bocastle Sunset

©Steve Hartley LRPS

Submission Guidelines Please send your Members' Gallery by email to landscapenews@rps.org.

Please submit your images as jpegs, sized to 72 dpi with 1200 pixels along the longest edge and borderless. It would also be helpful if you would provide a caption and a note of any RPS distinction that should be added to your credit for the image.

The deadline for the next newsletter is Thursday 31st August 2017. Thank you!

NEWSLETTER JULY 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 6