RPS Landscape Group Newsletter, September 2017

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

CONTENTS 01 Editorial 02 News Round-Up 03 Chairman's Chat Shere Trees

Š Simon Street

Editorial Welcome to the first newsletter of the autumn. Summer seems to have been all to brief but, as landscape photographers, we can now look forward to the prospect of autumn colour.

Our main activity over the summer was the Membership Survey, which was circulated during August - thank you to all who have completed it so far. The information we gather from the survey will play an important part in planning our future programme so, if you have still to complete it, please spare ten minutes of your time to do so now by clicking here.

This month's Chairman's Chat describes some of the other ways in which you can contribute to the success of the Group.

One of those is to contribute to the newsletter and it has been good to receive so many members' images over the last few weeks. Please keep them coming! My thanks to Fred Bell and John Buxton, who each wrote a few lines to accompany their images, and to all who have contributed this month.

As a follow-up to the report on June's Lee Filters Factory visit, I have included a short article on my first experience of their new ProGlass IRND filters. I hope it is of some interest and that it may prompt some of you to contribute articles on practice and technique.

Finally, congratulations to Simon Street, whose image above won a Selector's Award in this year's Digital Imaging Group Projected Image Competition.

With kind regards Jim Souper Newsletter Editor

04 Lee ProGlass IRND Filters: a Basic Test 06 Members' Gallery Three pages of members' images 09 What's On A selection of exhibitions and events of possible interest to group members.

10 Events Details of group events and new event categories

Submissions The deadline for submissions to the next newsletter is Friday 6th October, for publication in the week commencing 9th October.

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

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017/ VOL. 2 / NO. 7

Chairman's Chat Preparations are well underway for our conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the beginning of November and there is still the opportunity to book a space. We are looking forward to meeting you all and to seeing your work, sharing some photo locations and hearing some excellent speakers. The papers for the AGM can be found on the Landscape SIG section of the RPS website under About Us. As part of the preparation for the conference and AGM, we are looking to plan the programme for 2018. One theme keeps coming back, and that is the need to get more volunteers to contribute to the running of the group. About 4% of the membership is helping to run the group - a percentage that, if it doubled, would enable us to offer a far more varied and geographically dispersed programme.

There are several areas where you can help: Contributions to the newsletter – everyone can do this – send us a short article about an area you have visited, a photograph you really like or some new equipment you have bought. Please send your contributions to Jim at landscapenews@rps.org.

Lead a field trip – most of you can do this. We need people willing to give up a day to show members a part of the country they know well. It could be a trip to beauty spot, a part of your local park, a river or just somewhere you find interesting. Mark, our events manager can help you organise your event. Please email him at rps.landscape.events@gmail.com I am delighted to announce after our last appeal for a volunteer treasurer, John Urquhart stepped forward and is making an excellent job of getting to grips with our finances. We welcome John to the committee.

We would still like someone with expertise in desktop publishing to help with producing a magazine of member’s work. Also, an individual who fancies organising an exhibition of members' work.

Please step forward and join us if either of these two roles are for you. You can email me at landscapef16@gmail.com. These latter two roles are probably not for everyone, but in amongst our 700+ members there must be someone who would like to take on this challenge.

Our third print circle is well on the way to getting started and many thanks to Doug Lodge for taking up the role of circle co-ordinator joining David and Diana.

I hope you are all looking forward to the seasonal change and that getting up for sunrise will be less of a hardship.

Kind regards Richard

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

News Round-Up Black+White Photographer of the Year 2018 Entries are now open for Black+White Photography Magazine's annual competition.

The deadline is midnight GMT on Monday 30 October 2017.

Fotospeed Foto Fest 2017 Fotospeed host FotoFest 2017 in The Edge Building at the University of Bath on Sunday 10th September.

There are four speakers - Colin Prior, Ben Hall, Paul Sanders and Martin Hartley. A day pass to the event is ÂŁ45.

The Black+White Photographer of the Year will be chosen from three category winners: The World of People, The World Around Us and The Creative World.

The market place is open and free to anyone who wishes to visit with or without a ticket for the talks.

See here for details.

See here for details.

Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2017

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.

Entries to the Scottish Nature Photography Awards open on 10th September, closing on 30th November.

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

Last year's competition featured three landscape categories - The Land, Sea & Coast and Urban Greenspace.

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

See here for details.

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.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

Lee ProGlass IRND filters - a basic test

by Jim Souper ARPS During our June visit t o the Lee filters factory in Andover, reported in the last Newsletter, we were shown their new range of ProGlass IRND filters. These have since been released. My birthday present to myself was to replace my ageing Big and Little Stoppers with the equivalent 10 and 6-stop filters from the new range.

More expensive than the existing 'Stopper' range, Lee told us they have almost no colour cast and offer more accurate stop values. While on a short break at Flamborough in August, I decided to put this to the test. Here are five images - one unfiltered, the rest filtered - taken from Flamborough Head.

Colour Cast Correction There are plenty of internet resources suggesting means of correcting the colour cast. I find warming the white balance is an effective first step. Further refinements can be made by tweaking the colour balance. An unfiltered reference shot is invaluable.

You may, of course, choose to keep the colour cast, or simply work in black and white. There are also other filter systems available.

I am sure many among you will have your own methods and techniques. If you have a one you would like to share in the Newsletter, please let me know.

Given changing light on the morning I took these images, the accuracy of the stop values was hard to judge, but my gut feeling is that they are very accurate. However, the improvement in terms of colour cast is evident.

The new filters are, however, significantly more expensive.

Many will prefer to either live with the colour cast or correct it in post-processing.

Unfiltered, 1/80 sec at f16

Lee Little Stopper, 0.3 sec at f11

Lee 6 stop ProGlass IRND filter, 0.4 sec at f11

Lee Big Stopper, 5 sec at f11

Lee 10 stop ProGlass IRND filter, 5 sec at f11 NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017/ VOL. 2 / NO. 7

The screenshot above shows the before and after versions of the image made with the Little Stopper. The original colour temperature has been increased from 5,450 to 7,530

Here I have compared the 'after' version above with the unfiltered version as a reference image.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

MEMBERS' GALLERY Fred Bell "A few from my holiday in Bude, the best place in the UK, I believe, for sunsets. The first from the cliff tops walking into Bude, the second when the sunset is nearly over, hence the blue addition to the sky and sea. The third is from a small cove close to Crocketts Beach in Bude. I am still learning and Cornwall is one of the landscape photographer's dreams. Also (below) a picture of the river Lyn at Lynmouth, during the month of April Practice, practice, practice, using my EOS6D. I hope you like them" Fred Bell

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 you would like to have included in your credit for the image.

The deadline for the next newsletter is Friday 6th October. Thank you!

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

MEMBERS' GALLERY John Buxton "Here are five recent photos from locations not far from my home at Hurworth-on-Tees. It is just so nice to live within 40 minutes drive of two National Parks (North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales), a Ramsar wetland site of international importance, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (Teesmouth); the North Sea coast and a UNESCO Global Geopark (North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Cleveland Way at Carlton Bank, North York Moors

"I don't have any distinctions, but being a member of the RPS has improved my photography. My photography is purely a hobby that goes with my love of the wildlife, nature, archaeology/industrial heritage and landscapes of the part of the north east where we live. (The Harebells in the evening photo at the South Gare are growing on land reclaimed by the Victorians using blast furnace slag)."

John Buxton

Saltburn at sunset

Harebells & Redcar blast furnace (now derelict) at the South Gare, Teesmouth

Drake Howe at sunset, Cringlemoor, North York Moors

Bowlees Waterfall, Upper Teesdale, North Pennines

Sunrise, the river Tees at Hurworth (five minutes walk from home) NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

MEMBERS' GALLERY A selection of individual images submitted over the summer months.

Morning Stillness, Loch Ard

Making Hay While the Sun Sets

Gold Hill, Shaftsbury

Krka National Park Waterfalls, Croatia

© Cyril Mazansky ARPS

© David Smith LRPS

Motovun Hill Town, Istria, Croatia

© Cyril Mazansky ARPS

© Alan Peacock

Plitvice Lakes Waterfalls, Croatia

© Cyril Mazansky ARPS

Swiftcurrent Lake Sunrise, Glacier National Park

© Cyril Mazansky ARPS

© John Patterson LRPS

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

What's On

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

Exhibitions 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.

Ian Beesley & Ian McMillan: From Salts to Silver Saltaire, West Yorkshire Brand new poems from Ian McMillan accompany images Ian Beesley took of Salts in the 1980’s, and this year. At Salts Mill, Saltaire from 8th to 17th September (during the Saltaire Festival), continuing on weekends only to 29th October.

Sarah Ross-Thompson: The Quiet Landscape Llandudno Sarah combines the vibrant colours of oil-based etching inks with the highly textural nature of collage printing blocks. This collection of limited edition collagraph prints explores the geographic variety of the British countryside: from hidden coves and rocky coastal paths to dense woodland and the vast vistas overhung by massive skies. At the Mostyn Gallery until 1st October.

Paul Berriff: A Life in Pictures Northallerton One of Britain’s most accomplished television documentary filmmakers, Paul is now based back in Yorkshire, photographing the landscape and people around him. At Joe Cornish Galleries from 9th September to 7th October.

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.

Harriet Fraser & Rob Fraser: The Long View Grizedale Forest, Cumbria The Long View combines nature, exploration and art to celebrate the value and beauty of trees, and the importance of the natural environment and our connection with it. Writer Harriet and photographer Rob have spent two years with seven remarkably ordinary trees in Cumbria, creating an exhibition featuring photographic images, poetry, prose, word art and 3D work. At the Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre until 10th October. Will tour in 2018.

Camel: A Journey Through Fragile Landscapes Oxford This exhibition presents sixty-five monochrome prints by Roger Chapman from his major international photography project, premiered at the Pitt Rivers Museum. Until 29th October.

Mike Curry: Fleeting Reflections London An exhibition of photographs capturing reflections cast by the buildings of Canary Wharf. At the Greenwich Gallery from 14th to 28th September.

Michael Cala: Silesia 1975 - 1985 London Michael Cala is considered one of the most important Polish photographers of the last century.

This exhibition will focus on his key black and white series from the Silesian landscape, made during his early career. At the MMX Gallery from 15th September to 4th November.

Illuminating India: Photography 1857 - 2017 London Part of a season of exhibitions and events, at the Science Museum, that celebrates India’s contribution to science, technology and mathematics. From 4th October until 31st March 2018.

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.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

EVENTS 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 (FULLY BOOKED) This day will be ideal for improving your longexposure skills at various interesting locations along the Lancashire coast. See here for details.

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.

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.

Lliw Valley Reservoirs Saturday 21st October, 10:00 to 17:00 Felindre, near Swansea A photowalk to two reservoirs. 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.

Landscape Group Annual General Meeting Sunday 5th November, 10:30 to 13:00

Near Skipton, North Yorkshire The landscape group's first AGM and all members of the group are invited to attend. Members attending are welcome to join us for the conference session with Carol Emmas that immediately follows the AGM. 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.

Dinefr Castle and Cothi Saturday 11th November, 9:30 to 16:00

Near Llandeilo A photowalk around Dinefr Castle and the river Cothi. 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.

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.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7

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

AGM papers can be viewed here.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 2 / NO. 7