DIG News - November 2016
‘Silvered Dreams’ by Janet Haines ARPS This past months DIG Forum winner.
CONGRATULATIONS The process for confirming Distinctions is not concluded on the day of Assessments but each panel that passes from any LRPS or ARPS Assessment day has then to go to Council for ratification. That can put a short delay in the official announcement of achievements. This month I know that there are several in the pipeline but the results have yet to be ratified. That leaves us with just the one special DIG member to congratulate this month. So a big well done to ‌ Dawn Black ARPS
Den Haag, Netherlands >>>>>>>>>
One of the achievements from last months list was Paula Fernley LRPS. Me and My Panel – Paula Fernley LRPS (DIG Western Centre Organiser) Having endured a horrible experience at the hands of the PAGB, I decided that maybe I should try my hand at an LRPS. Various friends had achieved this, and with their encouragement I decided to try too. My panel was a selection of my favourite shots taken over the past few years. I booked in for a half-hour advisory session at the Photography Show with my selection. When it came to the day I was very nervous, but on the whole it went quite well.
The assessor suggested I remove one of my Cuban street scenes, but other than that he seemed happy and suggested that I should submit the panel for my Licentiateship. I changed the suggested Cuban shot, and found a suitable replacement.
I carefully calibrated my computer and monitor and then the files were printed by a local firm, (Focal Point in Exeter). They did a superb job, and the results were all I could have hoped for. Up until this point I hadn't much experience of printing, so this was a useful learning curve to go through. After my previous unsatisfactory experience I wanted this time to be sure that my panel was going to be seen as I wanted it, and not through the vagaries of someone's uncalibrated projector. A friend at my local club showed me how to mount neatly and professionally. It wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought it would be!
My big day arrived, and with my new print box in my hands, I delivered my precious cargo to RPS headquarters in Bath. I then had to patiently wait for my turn to arrive. The assessment of my panel seemed to take longer than everyone else's, and then the panel left the room for a rather lengthy discussion. Eventually they returned with the decision that nine of the photographs achieved the required standard, but one needed to be changed, and therefore the panel had been referred.
The reason given for referring one image was that the background was too light and distracting. This I find baffling and annoying as the assessor in Birmingham had complimented me on how well I'd handled the difficult lighting in this very shot. At lunch, this was discussed with the chair of the panel, who simply commented that judging was subjective! As the RPS has a clear set of objectives for each level I found this very disappointing. In fact it discourages people from taking photographs in realistic situations, because in realistic situations you have to deal with the light you are given. I agonised for some time over the choice of replacement. Eventually I resubmitted my allotted three choices. I had worked on the background of my failure to make it less bright and distracting but it still wasn't approved. Above is the successful panel and below the shot which was considered of insufficient quality. I will let you judge whether you think my rejected shot should have been included or not.
Cigar Man
FORUM It’s slightly embarrassing to win the Forum comp myself this month, but I do try to keep in touch and put work regularly onto the Forum. So thanks to those who voted for me. ‘Silvered Dreams’ – how can one ever fail when shooting this amazingly beautiful model, Fredau. If I take 500 images of her in a session then those that aren’t any good are never down to her but to me. She is that good. This shot had sat in the library for ages and only recently I decided to play with it. As normal for me I applied several layers, one of which was a grey layer, to which I then heavily applied noise. This was to create the silver dusted look I hoped to achieve. A white layer gives me the dreamy high key look. Opacity levels get adjusted and masks to brush parts through. As is my style I like to leave texture on the body to give it an art feel, rather than making it a background texture. Just this week I printed her on the Permajet Portrait white paper: my favourite paper for portrait work. For me an image is never finished till it is printed and mounted. Now she is ready for our gallery wall.
2nd place went to Jack Bolton with his super work ‘Pool Gate’. This was very popular with the members when Jack posted it in the ‘Images for Discussion’ section recently.
..... And just one point behind Jack with her work ‘Off the Rails’ was Paula Davies
TUTORIALS FROM KEN PAYNE The email I got from Ken Payne this past month provided information about a super new tool – but let him tell us and show us all about it….. Greetings Members – I now have Elements 15 and Adobe have added a new Perspective Crop Tool. Using this tool with Elements XXL4 Plugin, life just gets easier. If you would like to watch it then please click HERE. This link will take you to my personal website. RUN TIME 4 mins 9 secs Best regards Ken
As Ken mentions the XXL4 plugin for Elements in the above video I thought it would also be useful to understand a little more about that, so followed his links and went hunting for you. As it looks rather interesting and covers not only Elements but other products as well it is worth taking a look HERE.
MEMBERS GALLERIES This months Gallery links are so very different and show the diversity of DIG members work. One for the train buffs and the other for the abstract workers.
‘My APRS Panel’ from David Ryland is a set of mono images entitled ‘ A Celebration of Steam’. Entered into the Applied category it shows people, trains and activities from various events and locations.
Put your sunglasses on to view Mike Browns creations – they are wonderfully colourful and wacky. A cornucopia of images from refraction, to compilations, architecture, glassware and fantasy. A world seen rather differently inside Mike’s head. HERE Mike tells me that he also has made a Blurb book containing more of his abstract images. So if you want to this then go to HERE Thanks Mike.
DIG CENTRE MEETINGS IN NOVEMBER & EARLY DECEMBER Just a reminder of DIG Centre meetings that will be worth getting along to. DIG Western Centre contact is Paula Fernley paula.fernley@icloud.com If you have never seen the stunning night work of Stephen Banks then you will be in for a treat. This really is a ‘not to be missed’ meeting.
<<<<<>>>>> Thames Valley Centre have a double bill of top line speakers. Paul Gallagher was a speaker at the 2015 DI Expo and feedback from attendees was extremely positive. Contact their ticket booking Sec tickets@rpsdig-thamesvalley.org.uk
A Very Special Event! Following on from last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thames Valley event where the day included no less than 6 speakers plus a print competition, they have a very special event planned for 20 November at their Wokingham venue. Thames Valley DIG welcome Paul Gallagher ARPS who will be talking about the colour managed workflow, and how to set up monitors and printers to achieve consistent high quality output. Colour profiles and
setting up the software to achieve great output is often not well understood. Paul will be talking attendees through these topics which will be of great benefit to those wishing to achieve high quality results with a minimum of trial and error. Paul Gallagher heads up the Epson Print Academy and runs their workshop ‘Exhibition Quality Printing’. In addition, Mike Jones ARPS will be describing Permajet products that enhance and improve the production of Colour and Black & White prints for competition, exhibition and RPS panels. There will be the opportunity to purchase inkjet media, plus the chance of winning a prize in our popular draw, which will have a range of high value products to be won. Details of this great event can be found HERE <<<<<>>>>> MIDIC – our West Midlands Centre, have an interesting looking meeting. Contact the Centre Organiser Ian Bailey for more information ian.bailey@btinternet.com or book through the RPS Online booking.
<<<<<>>>>> The final meeting to mention is for the Scotland Centre on November 20th at Bridge of Allan Parish Church, FK9 4NW.
DID YOU KNOW? I thought you might be interested to see the distribution of DIG members by RPS Regions. It feels as if having DIG Centres increases DIG membership â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and rightly so as they give a focus and a feeling of community to us all. They run great meetings both inspirational and instructional. However where the Centres are located does not always correspond directly to the Regions that their attendees come from. Taking DIG Western Centre as an example â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they have attendees from SW and Western Regions. Thames Valley is another that crosses borders very significantly.
Whilst we accept that some members do not live conveniently close enough to DIG Centres to attend meetings we nevertheless asked a question in our DIG Survey, the answers to which you may find interesting.
In 2017 we will be putting on our second DI Expo. It will be held on September 23rd at a hotel near the NEC, Birmingham. So in planning your weekends away for next year why not plan a weekend in the area and come and join us at the DI Expo on the Saturday. It will be worth travelling for!
FOCUS ON OVERSEAS MEMBERS
This month we feature a member from Switzerland Rob Kershaw PhD ARPS I always ask for a selfie and rather liked the one he sentâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś.a man of mystery.
A life in photography……………. My passion started with the purchase of a Praktica camera and Paterson darkroom equipment in 1971. The South Liverpool PS fostered my interest, which led me to join the RPS in 1975. I was encouraged to submit for my LRPS with a monochrome panel in 1977, which I achieved. By then I was using a Pentax SP1000 and many Pentax models later I shoot with a K-3. In 1977 I joined ILFORD in Sales and Marketing, which led to a career in imaging of almost 40 years taking me all over the world. Firstly, to Japan for 4 years, back to the UK, when I had the opportunity to gain my ARPS; then off to Switzerland in 1988. My work for ILFORD Switzerland involved many extensive trips to USA, Japan & Asia affording me opportunities for photography over weekends away.
Parliament Erupted Over the years I used both B&W and transparency film, finally moving to digital in 2004. My photographic style is based on lines, shapes & patterns often related to buildings, which was influenced by my time in Tokyo. However, street photography and landscape work are very much part of my photographic interests.
St Bernard Pass
Photoshop & Camera Raw usually come into play to enhance rather than manipulate photos though I am more frequently experimenting with both in camera effects and simple creative montage. Living abroad I am somewhat detached from the mainstream of the Society but am a member of six groups and participate in two e-circles. In 2012 I was a founder member of the Swiss Chapter for which I am Treasurer and local e-circle coordinator. My work has been published and exhibitions shown in Japan, UK and Switzerland. I should acknowledge that I would not have been able to indulge my passion but for the patience & support of my wife! Rob Kershaw PhD ARPS www.robckershawphotography.com
Chrysler Building
Alien Light
Swimming Through Light
Untitled Structure
Paying respects at Sengakuji Shrine
Hope you have all enjoyed this months DIG News. If you have anything you would like included, or something to bring to my attention, then do get in touch.
Regards
Janet Janet Haines ARPS DIG Chair digchair@rps.org