RPS Southern Region Newsletter - Nov 2018

Volume 4 | 2018

New slet ter WELCOME

Photo by Sandy Chestnut

Welcome to the final Southern Region Newsletter of 2018.

We've been busy hosting a variety of events for members.

Our regular Advisory Days are proving as popular as ever, with events held across the region. Jana Murray attended the Chichester Day in September and explains in her report what to expect as a panelist at an Advisory Day and why it's well worth attending as a spectator.

Our photowalks continue to enthuse. Read Paul Rigg's report about his recent Salisbury photowalk.

In October we held our AGM and Southern Members had a chance to personally meet Mike Taylor, our new COO. Read more below.

In this newsletter you?ll also find a sneak preview of our exciting 2019 event program and a call for volunteers for the Region.

Best wishes, Paul Cox ARPS, Regional Organiser

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EVENT REPORTS Chichester Advisory Day, 9t h September 2018 Report by Jana Murray From a young age I watched my father diligently working towards distinctions but to be honest I never fully understood just how much work was involved until I attended a Distinction Advisory Day.

the main subject or cropping too much so the image pixelates.

The panel should demonstrate variety ? this does not mean including every type of photography genre (such as a random abstract image). Variety refers to demonstrating an understanding of different techniques such as varied subject matter and lighting conditions, use of different depths of field, focal lengths, small and large subjects and action shots mixed with portraits.

So, what exactly is a Distinction Advisory Day? It?s an opportunity for those wishing to submit LRPS or ARPS panels to seek feedback from qualified RPS Assessors prior to making a formal application. The feedback allows for tweaking of the panel and a greater chance of success.

Editing and printing skills are as important as the images (unless applying for Images for Screen) ? this is a huge subject I won?t go into now. To learn how to successfully edit photos for printing, it?s worthwhile signing up for our ?Camera to Print? workshop in January.

But it?s also an opportunity for those like me, at the early stages of preparing an LRPS panel, to attend as a spectator and soak up all the invaluable feedback imparted to the panelists ? a fast track to becoming distinction savvy.

I thought it would be helpful to share what I learned as a spectator at the Chichester Advisory Day, focusing on LRPS panels.

First and foremost, as a panelist it?s important to read the Distinction Guidelines prior to attending ? it?s the assessor 's job to be honest in order to help, so be prepared.

Finally, the layout of the panel should be visually pleasing and balanced - the panel needs to ?hang together ' meaning it should be carefully sequenced with consideration given to matching colours and tones, where images are placed (left, right, central), the mixed use of landscape and portrait or colour and monochrome. Pairs work well.

Some of the guidelines are fairly obvious, such as photos should be in focus and framed correctly, but others are far subtler.

In summary, an LRPS panel should demonstrate the ability to put together a body of work with a good visual layout.

The LRPS is about photographic competence and not the photographer ?s individual style - photos should be technically good and show a clear understanding of composition, correct use of exposure, focal length, shutter speed and depth of field.

I left the Chichester Advisory Day fully armed with an understanding of what is required, that I simply could not have found anywhere else. I am also now feeling more confident about my LRPS submission.

The standard needs to be consistent across the panel ? there?s no room for even one weak image.

Watch out for simple errors ? this includes sloping horizons, excessive colour grading, 2 sharpening or saturation, the focus not being on 2

Whether you have a panel ready or you are considering submitting a panel, I would really recommend attending an Advisory Day. We have four planned for next year, with venues in Dorset and Hampshire. Check out our 2019 even t pr ogr am below.

Salisbury Photow alk, 30t h September 2018 Report and photos by Paul Rigg LRPS

Eight RPS Southern Region members attended this photowalk which took in the Harnham Water Meadows in Salisbury, made famous by John Constable?s painting of Salisbury cathedral.

As always, available light was the key to capturing good images and as the group set off the omens were not good with grey, flat clouds.

A stop off to photograph the historic 15th century Old Mill Hotel yielded some worthwhile shots and then along the Town Path for some classic views of the cathedral.

through the clouds throwing warm, low light over the cathedral. Many memorable images of the 750 year old cathedral ensued as a reward for our persistence.

Thankfully, exactly on cue, as the group approached Constable?s gate, the clouds opened and shafts of late afternoon sunshine broke

The group then retired to The Old Mill to reflect upon our images and sample the real ales on offer.

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Annual General Meet ing, 21st October 2018 We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who attended the Southern Region Annual General Meeting at the Fryern Pavillion, Chandlers Ford, on Sunday 21st October. We were joined by the RPS? new Chief Operating Officer, Mike Taylor, and a representative from the RPS Board of Trustees, Vanessa Slawson. Our thanks go to both Mike and Vanessa for taking time out of their busy schedules to be there with us.

the Region started the year with [slightly] over 1000 mem bers, whereas the end- of- September membership stood at 984. David commented that whilst the trend is downward there are no specific indicators why this should be.

In the second part of David?s presentation he talked about the events, workshops and other activities organised by the Region in 2017/2018 and went on to talk through the planned and potential list of events for 2019, explaining that once com mitment has been given for the potential events they will become part of the planned events for the year. The program is featured in this newsletter.

The meeting started with an introduction from the Regional Organiser, Paul Cox ARPS, and a brief summary of what he described as a ?very satisfactory year ? for the Region for both activities organised and financial management.

Paul introduced David Ashcroft LRPS, Regional Secretary for the next part of the AGM report-back.

David introduced Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS, Regional Treasurer, to report on The Region?s financial position for the year ending October 2018. Bhupinder explained how The Region?s finances are in a healthy condition, ending the year with a small surplus. She outlined the accounts as:

David gave a brief sum mary of the mem bership figures for the year 2017/2018 and expressed how, in general, we are seeing the mem bership reduce steadily over the year. He explained how

Start of year (October 2017), bank balance

£3,842.65

* Expenditure, October 2017 to September 2018

£6,640.17

* * Income, October 2017 to September 2018

£4, 125.36

* * * End of year (September 2018), bank balance

£1,229.17

* Expenditure principally arising from Travel Expenses, Venue Hire, Catering, Speakers, Advisory Days, Events (majority of expenditure from the ?free speaker ?s event?in June 2018), Stationery. * * Income derived from Advisory Days, Events and Membership allocation from H.O of £1,442.72. * * * Excludes any expenses that have occurred, but not yet cleared.

Bhupinder confirmed that the major expense incurred in 2018 was the ?Free Speaker ?s Event? staged at the Ashburton Hall, Winchester, in June. A well-received event featuring three FRPS speakers, the President of the RPS and an extremely well-regarded guest speaker, Graham Harrison. The event was organised as a ?give-back' to the Southern Region membership, and was only possible because of the surplus in 4 4

the Region?s finances at the end of September 2017.

The Regional Organiser then wrapped up the presentations by declaring that, as there were no nominations received for the three regional officer roles, the current officers would be continuing in their roles for another year. He then opened up the floor to questions.

A question was raised regarding the committee?s efforts to increase membership in the Region.

The Regional Organiser explained that he visits Camera Clubs in the region, whenever possible, to speak about the RPS and activities in The Region. He also explained that the Region is seeing an increase in non-member attendance and panel entries at Advisory Days. Further efforts to reach out to non-members include attendance at industry shows such as The London Camera Exchange Show, Castle Camera Show, Richard White Show and the Fotospeed event at Bath University.

A suggestion was made for events to be organised on weekdays, rather than weekends, and a discussion took place regarding the pros and cons of weekday events as opposed to weekend events. The Regional Organiser took on board that there is a case for weekday events and promised to look into how the Region could manage an event on a weekday and experiment with one or two events in 2019.

With no further questions arising The Regional Organiser brought the meeting to a close.

Meet Mike Taylor, new COO, 21st October 2018 Mike Taylor, the RPS?new Chief Operating Officer, kindly accepted an invitation to speak following our Annual General Meeting.

Mike introduced himself to the audience and gave us a brief of his background and described how he came to be the COO of the RPS. He went on to explain that the RPS is in a period of change, with personnel changes, responsibility changes and location changes either in place or ready to be implemented.

One of the main changes will be improving Mike's accessibility to the wider membership and non-members. This will be through a series of interview-based videos of Mike, made available on the RPS website. Mike told the audience that current thinking is that these interviews could be quarterly and will deliver updates and news about the RPS to the viewers. Mike then played the first of these videos to the audience and asked for opinions on its concept and content.

The video was received favourably and people expressed the idea and delivery as a very welcome sea change in the way the RPS has been run in the past.

Photographic Society. On the question of improving membership numbers Mike reasoned that the society should not set unrealistic targets, but should plan small and regular increments to the membership, whilst also trying to understand why there is a very small but worrying trend toward membership losses and make plans to arrest the decline.

A question was raised from the audience regarding the potential of a change of direction for new RPS member recruitment through Universities. The concern was that university graduates tend to have specific ideas for photography based on the requirements of their Further discussions included membership and lecturers and exam boards which may have the ideas regarding how the RPS could move forward effect of dumbing down the expansive genres in its quest to reach a wider audience. Mike and experience of the widely sourced current spoke about the possibility of actively seeking membership. Mike replied by confirming that sponsorship from outside normal whilst all directions for member uplift were being photography-based channels, taking advantage 5 considered, there will always be a place for all of the reputation and standing of the Royal genres of photography in the society.

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Mike also spoke about the possibility of actively seeking sponsorship from outside normal photography-based channels, taking advantage of the reputation and standing of the Royal Photographic Society.

for assessment only to have the panel discounted at an assessment. The questioner also commented on the apparent current trend for the removal of experienced Advisors from the panel members and unclear changes in the distinction?s criterion. Mike was unable to provide any clarification on this point but said he would deliver the concern to the Distinctions team.

A question was raised regarding the apparent disconnect between the Advisors giving advice to panel entrants at Advisory Days and the Assessors making assessments of those same panels at Assessment Days. Experiences are becoming more regular where a panel entrant has received positive advice to enter the panel

With no more questions arising, the Regional Organiser then thanked Mike for his time and openness and closed the meeting.

CONGRATULATIONS Many congratulations to our members who have recently been successfully awarded Licentiate and Associate distinctions: Mr Carl Everingham LRPS

Ms Julie Claydon ARPS

Mr Neil Davidson LRPS

Mr Gavin Bowyer ARPS

Miss Esme Lloyd LRPS

Mrs Helen Jones ARPS

Mr Remy Lloyd LRPS

Miss Jannette Ison ARPS

Mrs Dee Maddams LRPS

Mrs Lynne Owen ARPS

Mr Stan Maddams LRPS

Mr Tony Cortazzi ARPS

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Have you ever considered volunteering with the RPS?

maybe idea generation and become a little more involved with the RPS organisation in the region.

We are currently looking to boost our volunteer group with members who would like to play an active role 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 are also actively seeking volunteers to take up the specialist roles of Social Media Editor and Web Editor. If you think you may be suitable for either of these roles and would like to find out more, or you would like to be a general volunteer, please contact the Regional Organiser, Paul Cox, either by email or via his mobile 07748 115057.

We don?t expect volunteers to give up lots of time, or effort, just help out with events and 6 6

UPCOMING EVENTS We have an exciting set of events planned for 2019 including Distinction Advisory Days, monthly photowalks and technique workshops. Have a look at the latest event program below or check out the regularly updated even t pr ogr am on the website where details will be added once available.

2019 Event Program DATE

EVENT

VENUE/ LOCATION

23rd January

?Camera to Print? Workshop

Fryern Pavilion, Chandlers Ford

24th February

Distinction Advisory Day, ARPS & LRPS

Brownsword Hall, Poundbury

8th February

Photowalk: Welford Park (snowdrops)

Newbury

9th March

Photowalk: Old Basing House and Canal

Basingstoke

March, date TBC

?Show Us Your Prints?

Venue TBC

April, date TBC

Distinction Advisory Day, LRPS only

Winchester, venue TBC

5th April

Photowalk: Silchester Roman Wall

Silchester

May, date TBC

Distinction Assessment Day, LRPS only

Winchester, venue TBC

May 3rd

Photowalk: Bluebells in Micheldever Woods Micheldever

June, date TBC

Distinction Advisory Day, ARPS & LRPS

Southampton, venue TBC

14th June

Photowalk: Netley Abbey

Netley

July, date TBC

Underwater Photography Workshop

Winchester, venue TBC

12th July

Photowalk: Newbury Canal

Newbury

September, date TBC Distinction Advisory Day, ARPS & LRPS

Petersfield, venue TBC

September, date TBC Distinctions Explained Day, LRPS, ARPS & FRPS

Winchester, venue TBC

6th September

Winchester

Photowalk: Winchester High Street

September, date TBC ?Lighting? Workshop

Venue TBC

October, date TBC

Photowalk: Autumn Colours at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Ampfield

1st November

Photowalk: Winter woodland at the Vyne

Basingstoke

10th November

Distinction Advisory Day, ARPS & LRPS

Old Basing Village Hall, Basingstoke

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Camera to Print Workshop - 23rd January 2019 Are you new to printing, working on an LRPS panel or wish to deepen your knowledge of colour management and reproduction?

application in photography, camera calibration and settings, monitor calibration and profiles, printer and paper profiling, ?rendering intent?and projection.

"Camera to Print" is a workshop that explains the colour management workflow and why you need it for consistent image quality, be it for prints, projected images or just viewing on your monitor.

Presented by Dave Peckham, a professional commercial photographer with 30 years experience, this workshop will interest both the beginner and the more experienced photographer seeking to improve their colour management and reproduction skills.

This workshop will improve your understanding of colour, colour management, colour reproduction and the related terms. It will cover the digital workflow from camera to print including understanding colour and its

You can sign up for the event on the even t pr ogr am on the website.

BLOGS Out and About in t he Region: Danebury Hill Photos by Jana Murray

Jana Murray is working on a series of blogs about special places to visit and photograph across the Southern region. In her first blog read about what you can photograph visiting Dan ebu r y Hill near Stockbridge in Hampshire.

Her next blog will be about the inimitable Winchester Cathedral. Watch this space.

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MEMBER Q & A Ant hony Topham Interview by Jana Murray

Did you know that the Southern Region has almost 1000 members, yet how many of us know each other? In every newsletter we feature one of our members. Today we meet Anthony Topham.

Q. Wh en did you f ir st becom e in t er est ed in ph ot ogr aph y?

A. I first became interested in photography as a teenager. My late father had a Zenith E SLR, which he let me use on occasions. Then at the age of 16 I undertook a fine arts course in photography in the sixth form, where I learned the basic skills of photography, how to develop B&W film and how to print in B&W. This got me hooked. Having a family early in life took my focus away from photography for a while but I got back into photography in 2006, buying my first DSLR, a Nikon D40x, and it has progressed further as a result.

Q. You r ecen t ly com plet ed t h e RPS Open Un iver sit y Digit al Ph ot ogr aph y Cou r se. Wh y did you ch oose t o sign u p f or t h e cou r se an d w h at did you lear n on t h e cou r se?

A. I was looking for a course that would increase my knowledge of photography both in taking images, and in understanding the camera better as well as how to critique images constructively. As I am a member of the RPS, it was one that was brought to my attention when I was browsing their website.

This course ticked all the boxes for me, although it is predominantly aimed at the beginner, it is also ideal for those who are wishing to brush up on their skills as a photographer.

Q: Wh at did you lear n on t h e cou r se?

A: As a result of completing this course, I further increased my knowledge on how to use the camera and, while I thought I knew a fair bit about the camera, there was plenty I clearly didn?t know. As a result my images instantly became better. I learned how to use Lightroom ?properly?as before I was just ?guessing?. The benefits were obvious to me and many people also started commenting on my work. I have even sold some images in print as a result, something which I could only have dreamed of before the course.

Q. Wh at w as m ost u sef u l abou t t h e cou r se an d w ou ld you r ecom m en d t h e cou r se?

A. The most useful element of the course for me was learning how to look at images in detail and how to critique them in a constructive way. As a result you view your own work in a different way.

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Many people have commented on my images and even gone as far as to say ?I wish I could take photos as good as yours?. I ask to see them and find that their images are very good, and sometimes better, and this is as a result of what I have learned in the course.

This course has given me great confidence in moving forward with my photography and in trying many different things. It?s always ongoing which makes it so much fun.

If you get the chance to do a photography course, then I would thoroughly recommend this one, as it is ideally suited for everyone, regardless of what level of photographer you are. After all, every day is a school day!

Q. Wh at do you lik e t o ph ot ogr aph ?

A. I predominantly enjoy landscape photography as I find it calming. It has very much helped me personally during the last year. I find it very therapeutic being at one with nature.

I have done a wedding workshop and an art nude workshop as well this year and have further increased my knowledge on lighting, posing and the use of flash. I am happiest though when I have a camera in my hand, whether it?s my DSLR or my iPhone X, and am able to click away regardless of what I am taking.

Several recent days out have resulted in me taking a completely different style of photography, purely down to the ?boring?location. Instead of going for the conventional "frame the image and click", I've been forced to use my imagination a little more to get a desired effect. As a result of this I've achieved images that I was happy with.

Q. Can you sh ar e t h r ee of you r f avou r it e im ages an d t ell u s t h e idea beh in d t h em .

A. The problem with photography is you have a great many images that are ?favourites?, but I have boiled it down to these three...

My journey in life this last year has been a traumatic one. When I?m out doing photography, I am always looking for peace and tranquility and these 3 images very much reflect this and my idea of wh at it looks like for me.

The calm after the storm? this was taken on the day of storm Eleanor, down in Swanage. We initially were hoping for big crashing waves, however the wind was blowing out to sea. I liked the quietness of the pier and how it looked in the weather, though the sky was clearing. I liked the leading lines and the 10 symmetry of the pier.

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This is a sunrise not far from where I live, in Winterbourne Stoke. It was during the summer this year, and an early start, but I was looking for something that shows off the countryside that I live in. This, I think, very much portrays it and is something I find very peaceful to watch.

The Shad in London, by Tower Bridge. I came by this completely by chance, as I was photographing Tower Bridge. I happened to walk down this street after being in a restaurant iand it was just so peaceful, with no one around, which is very unusual in London. I like how you are drawn through the street, by the leading lines, uninterrupted by anything.

Q. Wh at ?s n ext on you r ph ot ogr aph ic jou r n ey?

A. I have several goals in photography. The main focus at the moment is to achieve the LRPS or ?L?, and this is something that I am currently working on. I have also been asked to do some weddings, having done one this year that I enjoyed immensely.

I am also encouraged by the fact that so many people enjoy my images, and that when they see them, it brings them some sense of well-being, This is something that I could never have imagined a year ago. I would also like to earn a living from it in the future, but for now I?m happy doing a few bits here and there while I continue learning new skills in photography, and perfecting the ones I already have.

If you ?d lik e t o be f eat u r ed in t h e n ext n ew slet t er con t act Jan a at sou t h er n edit or @r ps.or g 11 11

CONTACTS Sout hern Region TITLE

NAM E

EM AIL

Regional Organiser

Paul Cox ARPS

southern@rps.org

Southern Secretary

David Ashcroft LRPS

southernsecretary@rps.org

Southern Treasurer

Bhupinder Ghatahora ARPS

southerntreasurer@rps.org

Basingstoke

David Ashcroft Bhupinder Ghatahora

Emails as above

Bournemouth & Dorset

David Peckham

davepeckham@mac.com

Channel Islands

Eric Ferbrache ARPS

rpsciorganiser@gmx.com

Portsmouth & East Hants

Martin Silman

southernevents@rps.org

Salisbury & South Wilts

Paul Rigg LRPS

paulrigg@outlook.com

Southampton & South Hants

Paul Cox ARPS

southern@rps.org

Ar ea Coor din at or s

Specialist Volu n t eer s Web Editor

Position vacant

Publishing Editor

Jana Murray

Social Media Editor

Position vacant

southerneditor@rps.org

Volu n t eer s Salisbury & South Wilts

Anthony Topham

atopham9@gmail.com

Southern

Paul Berkley LRPS

info@sabreswitch.co.uk

Documentary Group (main)

Mo Connelly LRPS

mmm.connelly@gmail.com

Documentary Sub Group (Chichester)

Janey Devine FRPS

docse@rps.org

Digital Imaging Group

Barry Senior (Hon FRPS)

digsouthern@rps.org

Landscape Group

Jim Souper

landscapenews@rps.org

Region al Special In t er est Gr ou ps

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