RPS Landscape Group Newsletter, February 2019

NEWSLETTER February 2019/vol 4/ No 1

The three bridges by Nick Hood

See page 4

CONTENTS 2 3 4/5 6/7 8 9 10/11 12/16 17 18 19 20/21 22

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Editorial Committee news Forth Bridges by Mark Reeves Chairman’s Chat Waiting for the light by Kevin Gibbin E critique circle Annual General Meeting Singin’ in the rain by Mike Prince Members’ Gallery What’s on North Wales event Landscape Group Events Bookings

Submissions The deadline for submissions to the next newsletter is Friday 8th March, 2019. Please note that it may be necessary to hold some submissions for a future newsletter.

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 FEBRUARY 2019 / VOL. 4 / NO. 1

Editorial Happy New Year and welcome to this first newsletter of 2019.

The last newsletter of 2018 was a bumper edition at 30 pages, as I wanted to publish every entry received. However, we’re back to a smaller edition, following the Christmas and New Year break.

Thank you to those who wrote in with comments about articles, and queries, have been passed on— where appropriate. Please continue to comment, positive or otherwise, and let’s see if we can make the newsletter a little more ‘interactive’.

Our second Landscape Conference and Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, with a list of interesting speakers, location shoots and workshop activities. See pages 6/7 for further details. I hope to write a short report for the March edition, so that any developments can be circulated in a timely fashion. See below for more details about the Secretary post. Please consider whether you can help.

Finally, this is the first edition to contain an article commissioned from a Professional Landscape Photographer. There will be many more to follow.

Mike Prince is a well established Landscape Photographer from the North-West of England. I found an interesting comment on his website. “I’m not drawn to sunsets or sunny days with blue skies. I find a meditative peace in simply being in a quiet place, if I end up with a photograph that is a bonus.”

I’ve asked Mike to deal with a frustration for most Landscapers—Shooting in the rain! http://www.mikeprincelandscapes.co.uk Let

me know what you think of this development of mixing Pro articles with Members’ contributions, but PLEASE don’t stop sending your own articles or newsy bits. After all, it is your newsletter!

Regards, Mick Rawcliffe,

Newsletter Editor RPS Landscape Group Secretary - Vacancy.

As many of you are aware Pauline Benbrook is stepping down as secretary at the AGM. We have previously advertised the role in the newsletter but to date have not received any applications. The committee are very keen to fill this role so if your new year resolutions included getting more involved in volunteering this may be the opportunity for you.

The role is one of the three mandated by the RPS for the committee to operate. The role involves setting up and minuting meetings as well as running the new and leaving members programme. The two parts of the job could be run separately and the committee would be willing to hear from two friends or a couple if you would like to do a job-share.

If you would like to discuss the role informally please contact Richard Ellis on landscapef16@gmail.com.

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Committee News Conference arrangements work continues, making preparations for the 2019 Conference and AGM at Malvern.

Thanks to all members who returned their dietary and workshop requirements promptly. All our hotel rooms are booked for the conference, although non-resident attenders to the AGM will be made welcome.

Please see Richard’s inclusion on Pages 10/11 giving full details of the agenda, including Elections and Officer’s reports.

Thanks also to Richard Ellis and Jim Souper for their recce of the area for the photoshoots, arranged for Saturday and Sunday. See Pages 6/7 I will be leading a print mounting workshop, and I hope to make it entertaining and educational, as well as productive. To this end I hope to mount one of your prints, and you can take it home and possibly frame it for the wall? If you are interested, and you have a good image, you can either bring along your print, or send me an image which I will print, colour or mono, glossy or lustre and , in the workshop, we’ll discuss colour of mount, etc before watching the measuring and cutting of the mountboard.

At least one of you will stay interested, Haha.

If you are interested, please send me a low resolution jpeg to landscapenews@rps.org As usual, first come, first served.

Editor.

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Comments to landscapenews@rps.org

NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 / VOL. 4 / NO. 1

Forth Bridges Workshop by Mark Reeves

Saturday afternoon on Edinburgh's Princes Street, just before xmas, really is NOT the place to be - unless you're really desperate for company (and lots of it). So, just a few miles out of town and totally avoiding the crowds, a handful of landscape group members joined local photographer Stuart Sly for a long exposures and low light workshop. Acutely aware that there haven't been enough landscape group events in Scotland, I came across Stuart's work while Googling for potential workshop leaders. So this was his first event for the group and it was definitely a success.

The workshop started on a grey afternoon while there was still what passes for daylight in that part of the world in December. (Please don't write to complain about me dissing Scotland; I'm not. I grew up in central Scotland and totally love the place. It's just a fact that it gets dark pretty early in winter and grey days can be very grey!) But the lack of light wasn't a problem for us as we were all using ND filters for long exposures anyway.

We started off on Hawes Pier at South Queensferry; not a pier in the grandiose Victorian sense, but a slipway which provided good foreground and views of the rail bridge. Then as darkness approached we moved to the Port Edgar marina which, being situated between the two road bridges provided an excellent position from which to capture all three of the magnificent structures in a single frame. Very helpfully, the cloud started to break up a bit at twilight, giving some nice texture in the sky. Although the group comprised fairly experienced photographers, Stuart was able to give helpful suggestions on viewpoint, composition, filters, creating panoramas, ISO and white balance and I am sure we all learned something new. Personally I particularly appreciated Stuart's tip of setting the white balance so as to counter the inevitable sodium glare in the evening sky. Not only did this get rid of the horrible yellow but, if you pushed it far enough, resulted in a beautiful blue sky.

Following this first workshop, Stuart will be leading more events for us throughout central Scotland over the coming year.

Mark Reeves—Landscape Group Events Manager

Mark Reeves 10 mm 140.0 sec at f - 16 ISO 200.jpg

Nick Hood 2.jpg

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Mark Reeves 141.3 mm 5.0 sec at f - 4.4 ISO 200.jpg

Nick Hood 3.jpg

NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 / VOL. 4 / NO. 1

Mark Reeves 10 mm 1.9 sec at f - 16 ISO 200.jpg

Mark Reeves 10 mm 200.0 sec at f - 11 ISO 200.jpg

Mark Reeves 55 mm 90.0 sec at f - 16 ISO 400.jpg

Bridge Mirror by Kara Mudie.jpg

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Cast Aside Web by Kara Mudie.jpg

Nick Hood 1.jpg

Star Bridge Big by Kara Mudie.jpg

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Chairman’s Chat - February 2019 RPS Landscape SIG conference - Photo Shoot

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at the conference – if you have not booked yet then there are still some non-residential tickets available.

For those of you who have already booked we have three options for the location shoot. On the Saturday we will be going out to the Malvern Hills above the British Camp Reservoir. On Sunday you will be able to either go on a guided walk around Pershore or guide yourself on a circuit around Malvern.

Below are some images to whet your appetite.

British Camp

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Pershore

Malvern

Photographs by Jim Souper ARPS and Richard Ellis ARPS Page 7

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My Favourite Image – Kevin Gibbin - Waiting for the light In October 2013 I was on a workshop in Scotland with Doug Chinnery, a group, if I recollect, of six of us. Whilst on Skye we planned to visit the Old Man of Storr; this involves about an hour or more of climbing to get to a suitable vantage point and bearing in mind that we wished to be in position for the dawn this involved a (relatively) early start as sunrise that day was just before 8am. Sadly Doug was unable to accompany us as he had broken his ankle earlier in the year so I volunteered to lead the group as I had been to the Old Man on a previous occasion.

We set off in absolutely awful conditions, rain, hail, sleet, wind and with mud underfoot but eventually got into position overlooking the Old Man. Fortunately the wind was out of the north so was at our backs at this stage otherwise it would have been even more unpleasant – and we waited. And waited. Sleet, hailstorms. Misery. The hour of dawn came and went – and we waited – for about an hour.

Cold, lowering, forbidding skies prevailed; that is if you could discern where sky started.

Then, miraculously, a break appeared in the cloud and suddenly a shaft of sunlight broke through. This coincided with yet another hail shower but this had the beneficial effect of diffusing some of the sunlight and produced absolutely magical, fabulous conditions.

Was it worth the wait? You bet.

Waiting for the light; if ever a photographer’s maxim was borne out, this was the occasion.

Kevin Gibbin December 2018-12-28

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For the Landscape Special Interest Group News Letter.

E-Critique circle.

Following the success of the print circles we are delighted that Gerry Phillipson LRPS, volunteered to set up an e-critique circle. The circle, which has been running for several months, allows members to get constructive feedback on their digital images by the circulation of an electronic image rather than a physical print. Gerry is now looking for more members to join the circle to bring the number up to 10. There are 4 places available. If there are more that 4 requests for membership we will operate a waiting list until we have enough members for another circle.

The essence of the way that the circle operates is that members will submit their image by the end of the month. The circle co-ordinator will then circulate a folder with all the images which each members will receive. Each member will then write a critique of each photograph and circulate it to the group. In this way it is hoped that the photographer will develop a broader photographic base. To participate in the circle it is essential that your anti-virus software is up to date.

The circle will operate monthly.

This what two members of the group say about their experience of using it: Our Landscape Special Interest Group’s on-line critique circle provides interesting and useful feedback for landscape images which we share monthly. Other similar groups share printed images which, in my experience, introduces delays through the postal system. We are also able to interact individually between the monthly rounds with shared experiences and subjects of common interest. Work with overseas members would not be practical for a print circle.

Members submit images captured from diverse locations and the multiple feedback provides valuable support for appreciation and improvement at all levels. Unlike competition entries we can present work that is experimental and exploratory which expands our own ideas and thoughts.

Ed Mills, LRPS

I joined the Landscape Group digital critiques circle as a way to improve my photography, to try and develop my critiquing skills and to learn from other, more experienced, photographers. I also just enjoy looking at other people’s work. It has only been a few months, but I have benefited greatly from the criticisms of group members in two ways. Firstly, from good, considered feedback on my images and secondly from recommendations. E.g., one person suggested I look at the work of Joan Kocak. I hadn’t heard of Joan before and I am really glad I found out about her amazing work.

Fiona McCowan LRPS If you are interested to join the circle please contact Gerry at phillipsongerry@gmail.com. Gerry will then send you further details.

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AGM – Royal Photographic Society Landscape Special Interest Group AGM agenda.

At our conference in March 2019 we will be holding our AGM. The agenda is below. Full details can be found on the RPS website under Group>Landscape>About us>AGM 2019.

To submit a motion to the AGM you need a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must be paid up members of the RPS and the Landscape SIG. Motions should be sent no later than 23 Feb 2019 to landscape@rps.org.

If you would like to stand for a named committee position or the member without portfolio roles please complete the nomination form on the website. The form can be found at the RPS website under RPS>Group>Landscape>About us>AGM 2019>nomination form.

Additionally, if you would like to join the committee as a member without portfolio we will also be accepting nominations on the day of the AGM. The committee are very keen to encourage women to be candidates for these and all positions.

The reports of the Officers are on the website. The Treasurer’s report will be posted on the website before the AGM once it has been approved by RPS HQ. AGM AGENDA 3 March 2019 @ 11.45 am Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern See next page

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1

Welcome

Richard Ellis

2

Review of the Landscape Special Interest Group - Q+A

3

Financial review - Q+A

4

Vote to accept the committee reports – opportunity for questions

4

Election of committee for 2019

Richard Ellis

John Urquhart, Treasurer

Chairman Secretary Treasurer Events Manager Events Manager professional Events Manager member led Newsletter editor Website editor Magazine editor Committee Member (w/o portfolio) x 3 nominations for these positions will also be taken from the floor so this is an opportunity to sample committee life before taking on a full role.

The committee are very keen to encourage candidacy from women for all positions.

6

Adoption of the accounts for 2018

7

Vote to accept that the Chairman will be the representative from the Landscape SIG who attends the Advisory Board or equivalent

8

Vote on a motion to amend the constitution job titles from Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to Chair, Treasurer and Secretary

9

AOB

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Singin’ in the Rain (and snow) by Mike Prince They say beauty is only skin deep and nowhere does that wise view apply more clearly than in our landscape. Most of us have dipped a pebble in a stream to better show the colours of the minerals. Although the physics is different, a similar experience can be found by looking at the landscape in the rain. To my eyes, the summer sun shows the beauty of our landscape only as far down as the skin; a surface and very immediate beauty. The pinks of dawn and the oranges of dusk capture an occasional fleeting moment. However for most of the British isles, the more usual (statistically speaking) conditions are of cloud and in wild areas, rain, drizzle and mist. These conditions show the daily beauty of our special landscapes and in my opinion, deserve to be valued far more than they are.

The key elements are to keep the photographic equipment and the photographer as protected as possible and to learn to embrace rather than resent the conditions. Keeping the photographer warm and comfortable, while of the utmost importance, is for another article. Suffice to say that the Outdoor Industry caters for all such needs and as with all things you get what you pay for so visit a specialist retailer.

High Dam - Finsthwaite (continuous rain, no wind) There are two aspects to protecting the camera: 1. Keeping it dry while reaching the location and 2. Shielding it during use.

There are as many variations on carrying a camera as there are photographers but when out in wild places, I find a backpack works best. Whether you use a specialist photo backpack, a photo insert in a regular backpack or just stuff you camera in your rucksack, the common magical ingredient is the dry bag. If you aren’t familiar with these items, they are fully waterproof nylon bags with a completely waterproof roll over closure. They were designed to keep things dry when capsizing in a boat or canoe so are at home in the rain.

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Whatever kind of camera bag you use and however much the maker guarantees the level of water resistance, use dry bags as the final line of defence and you will reach your location with dry camera equipment. These bags can be found in outdoor shops, sailing/ canoeing shops or online. I use some branded Exped but there are many variations.

Once on location, the real problems begin and the well planned photographer strides ahead.

In terms of frequency of use the next most important item is another dry bag, this time big enough to cover your camera and the biggest lens you’ll be using while on a tripod.

A dry bag has two specific advantages in this situation.

Firstly it is completely waterproof (unlike stuff sacks) and secondly the roll down buckle closure allows it to be fastened under the tripod head preventing it from being blown away. One should of course bear in mind that anything placed over the camera adds to the wind resistance and increases the possibility of camera and tripod being blown over.

The next part of the kit for me is a simple water resistant camera cover. I use one branded Movo but others of similar design are readily available.

I’ve had a couple of examples of those with a clear plastic window and in both cases the window has gradually become clouded. I might be unlucky This simple cover has elastic drawstrings at front and rear with a Velcro opening to allow for tripod attachment. It allows the camera to be used while rain is falling.

Virtually essential to the use of such covers and in my view absolutely essential to making photographs in the rain is the lens hood. So often these seem to be lost or even left unopened in the original packaging. Not only do they keep all but the worst rain off the front element, they help reduce lens flare and increase contrast when shooting in brighter conditions. As a final and potentially huge bonus, they help to absorb impact if the lens or camera and lens are dropped. My advice is use one all the time, every day.

Apart from a few specialist and clumsy items, the use of a lens hood precludes the use of filters other than screw in. For wet weather I keep a set of polarisers and ND filters in each screw size for all my lenses. In conditions of wind and rain, the use of square filter systems multiplies the problems.

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Firstly they provide an unprotected and enlarged surface upon which for raindrops to land. Secondly, if the wind is severe the square filter acts as a small sail and tends to increase vibration. This is particularly important if making long exposures.

Glen Etive – The Scoop (driving wind and rain)

Once in position, with rain falling, some delicate manoeuvring is called for. An umbrella is the solution to most issues but does require some practice to master the juggling required. As it is so often windy when raining, I’d recommend a specialist umbrella rather than a standard golfing version. Specialist options such as the Gustbuster or Stormshield have vents which allow winds to blow through the umbrella. I carry a full size or telescopic according to the likelihood of use. The Fulton Stormshield also has a non conducting fibreglass shaft which is claimed to be safe if lightning is present. I’ve never tested the efficiency of that claim however. The greatest advantage of the umbrella is that it allows the use of square filters even when it is pouring with rain. The fun starts when trying to hold an umbrella while changing lenses or filters in a gale force storm. It can be done but practice is required. In extreme conditions the additional wind resistance of the umbrella can blow you right off balance so much care is required. A patient assistant is invaluable in this instance.

Critically, ensure that your bag is right by the tripod so items can be reached without having to choose which is covered by the umbrella.

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The Fairy Pools – Skye (storm force winds with horizontal rain)

A few small tweaks make up the rest of the wet weather preparation. Despite all the technological advances, I’ve not found anything better than a piece of Chamois leather to wipe raindrops off filters.

If the rain is blowing horizontally directly at you, there is not much to be done but making repeated attempts after quick wipes will often rescue the situation. I do use microfibre cloths to wipe equipment in the field and despite the specialist ones available, I find little to criticise with the packs sold at supermarkets. Equipment will get wet in bad conditions but whatever can be done to reduce it is worthwhile. Once home, dry everything again and store with silica gel packs.

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Apertures and shutter speeds are best decided according to what other effects are desired (moving water etc). The smaller the aperture does increase the likelihood of water drops on filters being more visible.

Isle of Harris (driving rain from behind) Virtually all the above applies equally to shooting in falling snow, though with additions in the warm clothing requirements.

With falling snow, aperture and shutter speed have a greater effect on the image created and personal preference dictates the degree to which falling snowflakes are clearly defined. In the image - right the intent was to ‘freeze’ falling snow while that below the aim was to capture the movement and direction.

Hodge Close – Lake District (heavy falling snow, no wind)

There is great beauty to be found in inclement weather.

Plan carefully and you’ll return with engaging images that capture the elements at their most powerful.

© Mike Prince Upper Glen Nevis (strong winds and blizzard) Page 16

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Members' Gallery No images submitted

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

Please submit your images as jpegs, sized to 72 dpi and with 1200 pixels along the longest edge.

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 Friday, 8th March 2019. Thank you!

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What's On The Photography Show

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

NEC

The Photography Show will take place from 16-19 March 2019 and is the event for everyone passionate about photography and moving image.

See here for details

Landscape Photographer of the Year 2018 “Take a view” Exhibition at London Waterloo station There is still plenty of time to see the Landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition at London Waterloo station. It is up on the Balcony until 3 February 2019 and is freely accessible during station opening hours.

Provisional timetable for other Network Rail Stations 2019

London Bridge - 18 February to 10 March Edinburgh - 12 March to 26 March Leeds - 28 March to 14 April Manchester - 16 April to 30 April Liverpool Lime Street - 1 May to 19 May Birmingham - 21 May to 9 June Victoria - 10 June to 24 June Paddington - 25 June to 9 July Reading - 10 July to 27 July

Conferences, Fairs and Festivals None to report

See here for details

Don McCullin Hon FRPS Retrospective 5th February to 6th May 2019 Don McCullin is one of the greats. With more than 250 prints—all made by McCullin himself—this Tate Britain exhibition covers his entire career, from early work covering poverty in Britain to photojournalism of wars abroad and his latter interest :Landscapes.

See here for details

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Where Land meets Sea A Talk about Coastal Photography by

Rachael Talibart 11 May 2019

14:00 – ca 16:30

Craig-y-Don Community Centre Llandudno Wales LL30 1TE RPS Members

£10

Non RPS Member

£14

Rachael is a former lawyer turned professional photographer specialising in coastal photography. Her inspiration comes from a childhood spent at the sea and she is best known for her Sirens portfolio, critically acclaimed photographs of stormy seas, named after creatures of myth and legend. This portfolio has won numerous awards and has been published globally.

Rachael has exhibited in major London galleries and in Brighton, Barcelona, New York and Massachusetts. Her limited edition prints appear in private collections in the UK and USA. Rachael writes for photography magazines and is an experienced public speaker. She was described as one of 'the best outdoor photographers working in the UK today' by Outdoor Photography Magazine (June 2016) and she is a judge for the Outdoor Photographer of the Year contest.

Recent awards: Black and White Photographer of the Year 2018 Classic View winner, Landscape Photographer of the Year 2017 Sunday Times Magazine’s Award winner, Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 Enquiries : Rolf Kraehenbuehl Acting Regional Organiser Email : northwales@rps.org Bookings : http://rps.org/regions-and-chapters/regions/north-wales

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RPS EVENTS This list excludes those events which are full at the time of publication

See here for details

Creative landscapes at Batsford Arboretum 01 April 2019

Cotswolds

An informal gathering for a Photo Ramble around the Avebury Stone Circle and then over to Silbury Hill, with Pinhole Photography being the main objective.

Located in the north Cotswolds, Batsford Arboretum is home to one of the largest private tree collections in the country. It offers visitors year round interest - from the spring blooms provided by the beautiful Japanese flowering cherries to autumn’s spectacular display of colour. Here you can wander through 56 acres of wild gardens, paths and streams and discover the beautiful oriental-influenced statues hidden in glades around the grounds.

See here for details

See here for details

Landscape Group weekend conference and AGM

Castles and Causeways: a day on Holy Island

Avebury Pinhole Photography Field Trip 26th February 2019

01 March 2019 - 03 March 2019 Great Malvern, Worcestershire This will be the landscape group's second conference and AGM and it will be taking place in the scenic town of Great Malvern, on the foothills of the Malvern Hills AONB in Worcestershire. We are putting together another exciting programme of speakers and other events over the weekend with more to be announced in the coming months.

See here for details

Nightshoot 09 March 2019 Bath Explore the wonders of nighttime photography during this creative, hands-on and revealing evening photography workshop. You will learn various creative techniques for working in low light conditions and painting with light.During this workshop you will have the opportunity to photograph some of the renowned landmarks in the historic city of Bath - including Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge

See here for details

Blea Tarn and Langdale 16th March 2019 Lake District

26 April 2019 Northumberland The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is steeped in history which is recorded as far back as the 6th Century AD. Its main attraction is Lindisfarne Castle prominently perched on the highest point of the Island and makes a fabulous backdrop to the many boats and fishing equipment nestled within the small harbour and shoreline. Nearby is the ruined Lindisfarne Priory now managed by the National Trust and made famous by St. Cuthbert - a monk regarded as the patron saint of Northern England.

See here for details (NOW FULLY BOOKED)

Woodland bluebell hunt 28th April 2019

Silverstone

This woodland event, led by Nathan Barry, will be based in several areas of ancient woodland around the Northamptonshire area. In spring, we can expect to find plentiful bluebells, although their peak season is not possible to predict in advance! Aside from bluebells there will be beech, birch, oak and many other varieties of photogenic trees and fauna to capture – perhaps even the occasional deer, for those quick on the shutter.

See here for details

Blea Tarn is one of the easiest of Cumbrian lakes to visit, with a convenient car park on the Little Langdale to Great Langdale road. It has a backdrop of the Langdale Pikes, and is at the very heart of wild Lakeland. The sun lights up the Langdale Pikes and at sunrise and sunset and you can get the most amazing reflections. There is also a woodland to photograph and a small waterfall.

Night-time landscapes and astrophotography workshop

See here for details

See here for details

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8th—10th May 2019 Wemouth

A chance to join a two-evening night-landscape and astrophotography workshop on the Dorset coast led by award winning Ollie Taylor.

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Waterfalls of the Vale of Neath 20th May 2019 Vale of Neath There is nowhere in Wales with as many spectacular waterfalls in such a small area as this part of South Wales known as 'Waterfall Country'. Here, the rivers Mellte, Hepste and Neddfechan have worn away the soft rocks to create steep wooded gorges full of caves and waterfalls. These beautiful secluded woodlands on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, contain a series of picturesque tumbling streams and falls.

See here for details

The Landscape Photographers Calendar Workshop with Tony Worobiec FRPS 09 June 2019 Bristol The purpose of this course is to inspire the participant to recognise that each month in the year offers wonderful opportunities for taking great photographs. It aims to be as broad as possible, and features not just pastoral landscape, but recognises that landscape should also embrace agricultural, coastal, industrial and urban locations.

See here for details

The Art of Monochrome 21st May 2019 Vale of Glamorgan

Black and white photographs have a classic appeal which stand the test of time. Without the distraction of colour, we can introduce an air of mystery and atmosphere into our images, an interpretation of reality. A black-and-white image allows us to deconstruct a scene and to re-explore the basic elements of composition, lighting, tonal contrast, texture and form. Monochrome is also the perfect medium for creating stunning minimalist images.

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.

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

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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.

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