RPS Southern Region Spring Newsletter with updated and corrected event dates

Royal Photographic Society SOUTHERN REGION NEWSLETTER SPRING 2021

© Chris Tank

Spring 2021 Newsletter

Contents Page

Welcome …………………………...……..…….. 02

Successful Events ……………………………… 04

Members Gallery …………………..…………. 06

Events Diary ………………………..…….…….. 10

Southern Region Society Representatives ……………………..……….. 13

Why Volunteer …………………………….…… 14

Southern Region Special Interest Groups Representatives ……… 15

How to photograph smoke …….………… 16

Useful Links ……………………………..………. 21

pg. 1

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS

Spring 2021 Newsletter

Welcome

By Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS (Regional Organiser)

We have had a great start with online events and the Region's first Online Advisory Day. The Advisory was a great success. We will be holding more Advisory days and lots of events in the future, please do visit our Southern Region events web page.

What’s new There have been lots of exciting changes to the newsletter. The newsletter will be featuring some of the below: 

Members Gallery: In this section we are looking for members to share their photographs and photography stories with the Region. Please email your work to southern@rps.org by 28th May, for your work to be considered for the next newsletter.

Images should be sized at 1200 pixels at 100 dpi and maximum 2 images per member with 50 to 100 words accompanying the images. Please send images as attachments not embedded with the email. Please note, photographs sent to be included in the next Newsletter may be published in the future Newsletters.

      

Photography articles Articles on any workshops (where possible to do so) Quick Tips either on Photoshop, Lightroom, Snapseed Photography ideas: what to photograph, photography projects Our committee members talk about their volunteering experience Your questions and answers regarding photography (send questions before hand) Your photography journey with the RPS and what inspired you: to add your story in the Newsletter please email southern@rps.org your ‘RPS Photography Journey’ by 28th May (maximum 500 words)

Please do visit our website and Facebook, Meetup and other social media platforms.

I look forward to meeting you all in person soon. I wish you all the best with your RPS Assessments, and Photography adventures. Take care and be safe.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

WELCOME

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS

Bhupinder Ghatahora would like to invite the Southern Region members to talk about their photography or their photography projects.

If you would like to share your work with members across the Region and have your work published in our next Newsletter, please send your Image (100 dpi with 1200 pixels at the longest side) along with a description (50 – 100 words approx.) to southen@rps.org by 28th May 2021.

Please send images and word documents as attachments, do not embed text and images in the email.

Please note, photographs for Newsletter submissions will be reviewed and it is not guaranteed all will be published. The selected photographs will either be published in the next or future Newsletters.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

SUCCESSFUL ONLINE EVENTS Sony Event – Organised by David Ashcroft LRPS On the 22nd February 2021, the Southern Region supported by Sony Cameras UK hosted an online event with Glyn Dewis (photograph below).

Glyn is a fantastic portrait photographer and is probably best known for his portraits of World War II veterans. He also runs courses, publishes tutorial videos and lectures to photographic clubs. His website can be found here: https://glyndewis.com We had an attendance of 280 from the UK and the rest of the world. It was a very enjoyable event where Glyn talked about his portraiture and what he has found to photograph during lockdown. He has turned his hand to landscape photography, and he was honest to say he still has a lot to learn!

When he talked about his WW II project it was most moving and he showed several short videos that were both moving and uplifting.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable event, and we hope to continue with further events of this type.

David Ashcroft LRPS

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

SUCCESSFUL ONLINE EVENTS Southern Region LRPS Advisory Day – Organised by Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS On 27th March 2021, we had our first online Advisory Day with Stewart Wall our Accessor for the event. It was a great success with positive feedback from the day. The event started with a brief introduction of the Licentiate criteria and how it will be used during the advisory session, followed by the portfolio reviews.

I personally, found the session highly informative and interesting. I will try to have more Online Advisory Days in the future for the Region. I would like to say big thank you to Stewart Wall and all those who attended the event and made it a successful day. Please read below the feedback from the event: “Overall, I found the event to be very professionally managed, expertly delivered and a great learning experience. Organisation and communication were spot on.

We had very clear and timely instructions beforehand (e.g., resending images, the Zoom link) and were kept fully informed in the run up. The session itself started promptly at 10 a.m.

Personally, I thought the feedback sessions were excellent. Stewart was consistently supportive and constructive. We were given quality time and received specific positive feedback, suggestions for improvement and genuine encouragement.

Stewart had clearly put time and effort into preparing for the session and his Lightroom demos to support his guidance were very useful. And he drew Richard (who sat in with Stewart on the day) in regularly to offer confirmation and additional observations.

Finally, I found the event to be a terrific learning experience.

What better way to develop as a photographer than to receive detailed feedback on your images from experts in their field?

Every feedback session offered tips, techniques, and ideas to improve our photography - and of course, we are now better prepared for the LRPS assessment.” (Steven King)

“The photos were amazing and a real inspiration to me. Stewart's comments were insightful and thought-provoking, even though I disagreed with some of them!

Stewart's slide comparing Wendy Davies' submission with the LRPS criteria was inspired, and I will use that idea for my plan. Seeing Stewart make changes to images live in Lightroom was both educational and helpful.

I found this sound bite from an attendee helpful "It's the journey for the LRPS, not the qualification that's important." (Dan Clarke)

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Members Gallery The photograph below has been taken by Glyn Fonteneau ARPS

© Glyn Fonteneau ARPS

This leaf-mimicking Katydid was photographed in Ecuador in 2019. It took several attempts to ensure the katydid was square to the lens so that the antenna and body were both in focus. EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 100mm f2.8 Macro lens, 1/200 second at f22, ISO 100.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Members Gallery The photograph below has been taken by Chris Tank

© Chris Tank

My son is a keen musician and owns a wide variety of instruments and I have enjoyed photographing his guitars, violin and a wide range of brass instruments. I found his keyboard more challenging until I saw an opportunity using the light passing through a venetian blind in our living room.

The pattern of light and shade cast by the blind across the keys added an extra geometric element that made for a successful composition.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Members Gallery The photograph below has been taken by David Ashcroft LRPS (Rocks and stream loch Carron, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland)

© David Ashcroft LRPS I started photographing many years ago when B&W was the norm and colour firm was expensive to buy and process. This obviously has had an effect on me as, today, 98% of my produced images are B&W. I do wish there was a better term than B&W or monochrome for these type of images as the titles do not accurately describe them.

My image is of a small burn alongside Lock Carron in the far Northwest of Scotland. This is an area I love and am regularly drawn back to. The print shows a good range of tones (greys) and to me it takes me right back to the moment of exposure. I see a lot of B&W images at the moment that are harsh, lack subtly and over processed – this is in my option a shame.

I hope you enjoyed this image and if you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.davidashcroftphotography.co.uk

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Members Gallery The photograph below has been taken by Sue Phillips

© Sue Phillips

The dunes of the Namib Desert have been the subject of many interesting photographs which are frequently taken at dawn when the low sun enhances the curves and the shadows.

Drawn by such images I was fortunate to be able to spend time travelling through Namibia in the autumn of 2019. The mid-morning sun was just beginning to flatten the distant dunes when I discovered this beautiful dead tree trunk.

By shooting from a low angle, I have emphasised the contrast between the jagged branches and the smooth lines of the dunes.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Events Diary Planned 2021 Events (All events must be booked via the Southern Region Website)

01 Event: How To Create The Perfect Online Portfolio Date: Thursday 29th April 2021 Time: 11.00 a.m.

Organiser: David Ashcroft LRPS – southernsecretary@rps.org Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: All Photographers and creatives need a website that's attention-grabbing and a joy to browse. Whether you're amateur or professional, you'll have built up a body of work to be proud of, so you need to show it off in the best possible setting.

The event will discuss several pointers as to how to get your work noticed and build a high impact, effective online portfolio.

The event will consist of a talk followed by a Q&A session. The event will be recorded which can be viewed afterwards.

The event is limited to 15 attendees (must book online to attend – see Southern Region events page) Cost: £15 (members), £20 (non-members)

02 Event: Let’s Talk Photography Date: Thursday 29th April 2021 (thereafter every 4th Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.)

Time: 7.30 p.m.

Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS – southern@rps.org Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: This is a perfect place to talk about your photography, your inspirations and ‘thought behind the image’. Every attendee gets 10 minutes approximately to talk about their work (two photographs maximum). The setting will be causal, fun, and inspiring for all those involved, regular meetings every 4th Thursday of the month. Each event must be booked via the website.

The event is limited to 10 attendees (must book online to attend – see Southern Region events page for full details) Cost: Free pg. 10

Spring 2021 Newsletter

Events Diary Planned 2021 Events (All events must booked via the Southern Region Website)

03 Event: An Eye For An Eye – Dave Peckham ARPS talks about his work Date: Saturday 24th April 2021 Time: 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

Organiser: Dave Peckham ARPS – davepeckham@mac.com Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: RPS volunteer Dave Peckham introduces the images that made up his ARPS Panel – see Southern Region events page for full details Cost: Free

04 Event: Snapseed HDR Date: 6th May 2021 Time: TBA Organiser: Antony Topham – atopham9@gmail.com Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: see Southern Region events page for full details Cost: Free

05 Event: My Path To Infrared Photography Date: 20th May 2021 Time: TBA Organiser: David Ashcroft LRPS – southernsecretary@rps.org Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: see Southern Region events page for full details Cost: Free pg. 11

Spring 2021 Newsletter

Events Diary Planned 2021 Events (All events must be booked via the Southern Region Website)

06 Event: Let’s Talk Photography Date: Thursday 27th May 2021 (thereafter every 4th Thursday of each month at 7.30 p.m.).

Time: 7.30 p.m.

Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS – southern@rps.org Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: This is a perfect place to talk about your photography, your inspirations and ‘thought behind the image’, regular meetings every 4th Thursday of the month. Each event must be booked via the website.

The event is limited to 10 attendees (must book online to attend – see Southern Region events page for full details) Cost: Free

07 Event: Light Painting With Mobile Phones Date: Thursday 10th June 2021 Time: 7.30 p.m.

Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS – southern@rps.org Location: Online – Zoom link will be provided once the event has been booked Details: see Southern Region events page for full details Cost: Free

08 Event: LRPS Advisory Day Date: July 2021 (TBA) Time: (TBA) Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS – southern@rps.org

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Southern Region Society Representatives Southern Region Officers Regional Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ABIPP, ARPS, ASWPP – southern@rps.org Southern Secretary: David Ashcroft LRPS – southersecretary@rps.org Southern Treasurer: Trevor Judd – southerntreasurer@rps.org

Area Coordinators 

Basingstoke & Southern Region – North Area



David Ashcroft & Bhupinder Ghatahora – (emails as above)



Bournemouth & Southern Region West Area



David Peckham ARPS – davepeckham@mac.com



Channel Islands



Eric Ferbrache ARPS – rpsciorganiser@gmx.com



Salisbury & South Wilts Area



Paul Rigg ARPS – paulrigg@outlook.com



Southampton & South and East Region Area



Paul Cox ARPS – southernevents@rps.org

Specialist Volunteers   

Web Editor: Chris Tank – southernweb@rps.org Publishing Editor – Position vacant Social Media Editor – Position vacant

Volunteers 

Salisbury & South Wilts Area



Anthony Topham – atopham9@gmail.com



Southern Region West Area



Glyn Fonteneau ARPS – info@sabreswitch.co.uk

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Why Volunteer I have been an active RPS member for nearly 19 years and it is not long ago that I decided to be a volunteer for the Society. I was the Region’s Treasurer for about five years before taking on the role as Regional Organiser in October 2020. Earlier this year I was also appointed as a Distinctions Licentiate Panel Member. This has been a rewarding opportunity for me, I owe a big thank you to the RPS for giving me this extraordinary opportunity.

Through my years as a volunteer, I have met like-minded people who are extremely passionate about photography either as their profession or as a hobby. It has been an interesting and a rewarding journey for me. I would like to thank the Southern Region Committee Members for being an outstanding supportive team. (Bhupinder Ghatahora)

Call for Volunteers Would you consider volunteering with the RPS and being part of the Southern Region?

We are currently looking to boost our volunteer group with members who would like to take an active part in the organisation of Southern Region events / Advisory Days and workshops. If you think you would like to give some time to the RPS as a volunteer, then please get in touch. We do not expect volunteers to give up lots of time or effort, just help with events, generate ideas, and to get a little more involved with the RPS organisation in the region.

Specialist Roles Volunteers Needed We are actively seeking volunteers to take up the specialist roles of Publishing Editor / Communications Editor and Social Media Editor. If you think you would be suitable for the role and would like to find out more, please contact the Regional Organiser, Bhupinder Ghatahora, either by email (southern@rps.org) or phone 07798 913218.

Role of Publishing Editor / Communications Editor: To publish / distribute newsletters frequently, gathering information for the newsletter, researching and developing articles.

Role of Social Media Editor: To manage Southern Region Social Media platforms by updating these with events, updates and Region’s news.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Southern Region Special Interest Groups Representatives The Southern Region has three Special Interest Groups with a presence in the region. Below are the contacts for those groups should you wish to join or need further information on the group and what is happening in the area.

You can also visit the main SIG page on the RPS website, here: https://rps.org/groups/ where you will find more information on these and all other Special Interest Groups in the RPS.

Documentary Group (Main) 

Christopher Morris – christopher.wmorris@btopenworld.com

Documentary Sub-group (Chichester) 

Jeff Owen – mrjeffowen@gmail.com

Digital Imaging Group 

Barry Senior Hon FRPS – digsouthern@rps.org

Landscape Group 

Andy Mclaughlin – landscapesecretary@rps.org

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

How to photograph smoke

By Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS It is quite easy to take photographs of smoke. I have briefly explained the following tips as a guide to create stunning smoke images. This project taken in 2013, using a Nikon D200 with off camera flash (SB800).

Equipment needed:       

Compact Camera or SLR with manual focus Off camera or 'built-in' flash Incense sticks Suitable plate to catch all the hot ash from the incense sticks Black velvet or similar material (a black card will also work if you do not have any material) Photography Gels Black card or paper to block (flag) unwanted light

Important: Take photographs indoor in a well-ventilated room (not to breezy) to avoid smoke build-up.

When working with smoke, you must take regular breaks as the smoke will begin to accumulate in the room which can be a health hazard. Ensure the environment and location of the setup is SAFE. Setting up the shoot: I have used a Nikon D200 DSLR for the following shots. Pin the black backdrop on the wall or alternatively as I did, rest it against a chair’s back.

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS The off-camera flash was mounted on a tripod and a sheet of black paper was wrapped around the head forming a snoot. This is to avoid light spilling on the backdrop and keeps it directed on the smoke.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

How to photograph smoke The incense stick is placed between the camera and the backdrop. The camera was mounted on a tripod.

Settings:      

Camera settings (fully Manual on SLR): Set your camera on Manual mode.

Set shutter at 1/125 or 1/250, this is a common setting that will sync with your flash.

Set aperture to f8 or smaller like f16 or f22. This will maximise the depth-of-field.

Set ISO to 100 or 200.

Use Manual focus as the auto-focus function may struggle to latch onto the smoke.

Tip to assist focusing. Place an object behind the incense stick (I placed a red pencil behind the incense stick), manually focus on the pencil, then removed it from behind the incense stick.

Light the incense stick and place the flash close to the smoke. Keep safety in mind. Once the above setup is complete, take the photographs. Adjust the flash accordingly to see where it gives the best result.

Tip: Do not look through the viewfinder because you will not see the full length of the smoke patterns.

Follow the smoke with your camera and try to capture the interesting shapes. If you do not have manual settings on the camera, set the camera on Shutter Mode ‘S’ or ‘Tv' and increase the ISO to 320 or 400, this will give you an aperture nearer to f8.

The following photographs were taken by manual focusing on the smoke. The camera was set on Manual Mode, Aperture f10 and Shutter Speed 1/125.

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS pg. 17

Spring 2021 Newsletter

How to photograph smoke Too much smoke can create messy photographs. The key is to slowly follow the smoke / shape to take the photographs. At this point I took off the camera from the tripod and sat on the chair in-front of the smoke.

I handheld the remaining photographs. This gave me flexibility to follow the smoke. My camera setting remained the same throughout the shoot.

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS For the next photograph, I added another Nikon flash SB800 with gels and snoot on one of the flash heads.

The camera settings have remained the same. I used, red, blue and green gels either individually or as combination of two coloured gels placed on each flash head.

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

How to photograph smoke For the next few photographs, I added another Nikon flash SB800 added gels and snoot on one of the flash heads. The camera settings have remained the same.

© Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS I hope this article inspires you all to explore your creativity and your skills as a photographer.

Till we meet face to face, stay safe and enjoy your photography.

Thank you.

Regional Organiser: Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS southern@rps.org 07798913218

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Spring 2021 Newsletter

Useful Links Southern Region Events https://rps.org/regions/southern/southern-region-events-page/

Distinctions Qualifications https://rps.org/qualifications/

Licentiate Assessment    

Dates: https://rps.org/qualifications/lrps/licentiate-assessment-dates/ How to apply: https://rps.org/media/murnekmk/dg001-a-guide-on-how-to-applyjanuary-2021.pdf Requirements: https://rps.org/media/andlqgih/dg002-lrps-requirements-january2021_v3.pdf Panel Members: https://rps.org/qualifications/lrps/licentiate-panel-member-list/

Associate Assessment 

Dates: https://rps.org/qualifications/arps/arps-assessment-days/

Fellowship Assessment 

Dates: https://rps.org/qualifications/frps/frps-assessment-days/

1:1 Portfolio Reviews: https://rps.org/advice

Lockdown & photography guidance https://rps.org/news/bristol/2021/january/lockdown-and-photography-guidance/

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