RPS Visual Art Group Newsletter No. 13, May 2022

May 2022 No. 13

WELCOME TO OUR SPRING NEWSLETTER We hope that 2022 is proving to be a successful one now that the world is opening up again and travel is becoming much easier.

In this issue of the newsletter, we have an article on Mark’s Harem - who knew there was such a thing in the VAG! We have details on the residential weekends from Mike Kitchingman LRPS, the Northern group from Brian Law ARPS and the Rollright groups activities from Barry Barker FRPS. Wendy Meagher LRPS updates you on our Print Exhibitions - where and when you can view the images that were included in our Square Images magazine which you should have all now received.

women, by Mark Deutsch. There are four of us (but judging by the sentence above there could easily have been up to 6 more!) and we were affectionately named by Andreas. We gradually came into being over the course of a few VAG weekends and I was the last to join when I went on my first residential to Weymouth.

(I fear I am making it sound like there is some sort of initiation ceremony and rules of membership – this is of course not the case although a certain sense of humour and a degree of irreverence are definite common denominators! Rest assured there is certainly no mating or servitude!)

We are also delighted that Steve Le Prevost FRPS had written an article for our newsletter, please have a look at his lovely ‘Artwork’.

I have also included details of a lesser know technique called Pep Ventosa - perhaps you would like to try?

I hope you enjoy my inaugural newsletter.

Carol Paes ARPS

HAREM (in former times) the separate part of a Muslim household reserved for wives, concubines, and female servants. the women occupying a harem; the wives (or concubines) of a polygamous man. a group of female animals sharing a single mate. "the dominant bulls gather a harem of anything from two to ten cows"

Of course, it was photography that brought us together and it is photography that binds us and we have found great common interests and bonds on the weekends away with the VAG group. During lockdown we started monthly Zooms which we have continued even though we are once again allowed freedom of movement.

We have enjoyed bouncing ideas around and have found encouragement and inspiration from each other when it was lacking in ourselves.

When I was invited to write about our merry band for the newsletter, it was suggested that perhaps I should omit that we are called the “harem” but then I thought, no! It’s our name, it’s our harem and we are proud members!

The announcement of each new VAG weekend spurs us into a frenzy of activity - each of us making sure the dates are blocked off, that everyone sends the form off in good time and has chosen the right workshops on the right day. Such is our enjoyment of the weekends, and each others company, we have started adding an extra night and staying over on the Monday night too. There is a certain youthful exuberance about the whole thing – and let’s face it - we could all benefit from a bit of that!

We are led, if indeed anyone could “lead” this bunch of assertive, headstrong, independent

I have included some images from each of us from some of the workshops we have enjoyed.

I’m not sure how well known it is within the RPS VAG but there exists a harem: Mark’s Harem.

May 2022 No. 13 They have all been wonderful and it is a testament to the VAG that each residential weekend offers such an excellent range of workshops.

My images are from Martin Addison’s workshop in Buxton. He talked about many tricks and techniques from panning and random camera movement to lens-less and (deliberately) out of focus images. But it was the use of curves in post processing that unleashed a psychedelic frenzy in my imagination!

I have been attending the Visual Art weekends since they went to Paris way back when. I was in the Travel group then and I think they joined up on the Visual Art weekend. I was so inspired by meeting photographers who were creating images that I enjoyed, that I joined the Visual Art group. I have been to most weekends since then. It was at Alnwick that I first met Carol and Sam. Mark offered me a lift to save on too many cars going to workshops. The next weekend was in Weymouth when I met Claire.

It was at one of the subsequent meetings that we were nicked named “Mark's Harem”. Not PC but the name has stuck.

I had no idea that moving sliders that I had previously thought were solely for subtle adjustments could produce such incredibly vibrant and delightfully unrealistic colours! I was unstoppable and not a single shot from that workshop escaped a vigorous and ruthless curve treatment!

We are a group and so, in the spirit of democracy (an unusual characteristic, I suspect, in your normal harem), I bring you a few words from each of the concubines, I mean animals, I mean members…and Mark…

Carol set up a WhatsApp group so we kept in touch in sporadically between meetings. It was rarely used except for some Happy Birthday greetings during the year. Then the pandemic struck and we started to meet every month on Zoom to keep our photography going. Someone suggested we photograph to a theme and share the images. This has

May 2022 No. 13 worked really well and we share processing tips too. The group has been useful in encouraging members by looking over panels and making suggestions. Mark passed his LRPS and then Carol went on to pass her ARPS. Currently Sam and Claire are working towards the LRPS and I am very slowly getting an ARPS panel together I have seen other groups work together but this is the first one I have been part of. I have found it very useful to be able to bounce around and keep my photography going when I haven't felt like getting out with the camera.

Caroline Briggs LRPS Living in Guernsey is lovely but due to its natural borders it does limit my ability to explore new areas. The RPS VAG weekends seemed like the perfect avenue for me to explore more of the UK than I had previously.

As Sam mentioned we clicked at our first weekend, with Mark and Caroline also making us a fun-filled, if not a little mad, group. Claire arrived the next weekend and our little group was formed. What fun we have at our weekends – getting up early, enjoying learning new techniques, embracing all new ideas, learning new ways of using our current photography kit, different ways to ‘see’ images or even using phone apps to manipulate images.

The zoom meetings we have once a month now are always full of fun but our focus is

always on photography. We encourage, cajole and support each other with Sam, Claire and Caroline working towards their next distinction and Mark achieving his LRPS since our group has formed. I was lucky enough to be awarded my ARPS last year.

So, the Visual Art group residential weekend has been an amazing find for me. The whole weekend is photography focused but is a great source of excitement, entertainment and photographic joy. Just sharing how to make different images is such fun.

I would like to say thank you to the VAG for organising these residential weekends, thanks to the rest of the harem for being such amazing friends and photographers, and thanks to the UK’s response to covid so that we can enjoy these weekends again! I hope to see lots of you there.

Carol Paes ARPS My first recollection of joining Mark’s Harem was on the weekend in Alnwick. I had recently become a member of the Visual Art Group of the RPS and had eagerly booked myself on to the weekend event.

May 2022 No. 13 I recall entering the bar of the hotel that first evening to meet everyone and took a seat by the window. Carol Paes asked if she could join me and we were soon chatting away - we discovered we were practically the same age, born the same year, with our birthdays literally just a few days apart! We were also booked on the same workshop the next morning. We made our way to listen to the speaker that evening and met Mark over dinner. I recall the workshop being an early start the next morning and meeting Caroline in the reception area. We all chatted as we made our way to capture an early morning sunrise over Alnwick Castle. The second part of the workshop involved exploring various areas of the Northumberland coast line and Mark kindly offered to drive. The four of us instantly formed a rapport.

I recall meeting Claire for the first time at the following VAG event. Mark already knew Claire and she joined us for dinner and talks. Again, we all enjoyed each other’s company and shared our love of photography. We have enjoyed many photography weekends as a group since.

As to the name “Mark’s Harem”… I remember Andreas joking about Mark being surrounded by four women and calling us “Mark’s Harem” we’ve been known as that ever since!

Claire and I are working towards our LRPS. It’s been wonderful for me to have the support and encouragement from Mark, Carol, Caroline and Claire. It’s also been fantastic to see Mark and Carol gain their distinctions. I have learned so much over the years and value the friendship of the group. I feel proud to be part of it.

Sam Ruth

And finally….our leader…

I was initiated into the wonders of the VAG weekend in Cardiff in 2017. Having missed the next one I was looking forward to the trip to Alnwick and found myself at the first dinner sitting next to an engaging lady whose journey from the Channel Islands made mine look local. As we were both on the same workshop the next day with an early start, I suggested we could share transport: Carol had made a new friend in Sam and I had previously met Caroline. My car had enough room for all our kit, so at silly o’clock we all set off. My memories of what we photographed that day are confined to a small boatyard with interesting paint textures and an abandoned sofa on a beach, which Caroline fell upon – well no, not literally – in excitement.

By the time we returned to the hotel we were all firm friends and spent the rest of the weekend taking pictures together, mostly in the rain, happy to know that the others were enjoying the same thing.

May 2022 No. 13 At the next meeting I (a little nervously) (Editor’s note – Really?! That’s news to me!!) introduced Claire, a Rollright friend of mine, to the group and was delighted to find the group dynamic was unaffected. At dinner the then Chairman Andreas – a wit and my friend for over 40 years – couldn’t resist having a dig whilst saying a few words, and so Mark’s Harem came into being. At my age my street cred needed a boost! I have been thrilled to find such friends whose company I enjoy and whose photographic aims closely match mine.

They are supportive and critical in equal measure. They encouraged and helped me choose the panel for my LRPS. We have reviewed and criticised one anothers panels and some of us even arranged a (wet) day in London.

Despite our quite varied areas of specialism, I hope we are now photographically inseparable.

Mark Deutsch LRPS You can see from the contributions above from the other harem members that we all value each other’s friendship and support.

Personally, I think I might need something more akin to professional help over and above the harem’s support to go for my “L” but that is my issue and in no way a reflection on them!

One day people might look back and ask how this quiet unassuming man from Kettering did it. How did he draw a bevvy of such beauties, of such assertive women, of such talented photographers, into his orbit? Perhaps that’s the subject of another article in another newsletter? Over to you, Mark?

Claire Carroll

HAS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GOT DIRECTION? Is it a myth that men rarely ask for directions if lost? I am referring to being behind the wheel here, driving. If you happen to live on Guernsey as I am lucky enough to it’s not such an issue, yes, I get lost daily but within a few minutes I know I will end up along a coastal road and my bearings will return. Can we lose our direction in photography? I do occasionally but it’s usually short lived. I am now creating new work again but spent 12 months or so when the creative juices dried up. When this happens, I look for inspiration online, other photographers, artists etc. In our digital world we have fingertip access to huge volumes of images, total overload maybe but nevertheless it’s a great way to inject motivation into your photography. It may be that a dry period in producing new photography is beneficial and allows us to really take a look at the world with fresh eyes.

My roots in photography started in the mideighties, a borrowed rangefinder camera taken on holiday to Lanzarote grabbed my attention.

I was excited by the way I could totally transform the composition by moving the camera viewfinder, what to leave in and what to leave out and how that can alter and impact the scene in front of you. After returning home I attended a class at the local college covering basic camera use, the course also briefly introduced us to the darkroom.

May 2022 No. 13 Two techniques we experimented with in the darkroom really excited me, the results often transformed the photograph into something a lot more arty. Sandwiching a texture screen with the negative in the enlarger head added a new and quite different dimension to the finished print.

Likewise, during say a 10 second exposure we learnt how defocussing the enlarger head for the last few seconds of the exposure could soften the colours, allowing them to bleed and appear more fluid. Both techniques had the potential to create a print with real artistic feeling and I try to replicate these effects in my digital darkroom today. Before I rabble on any further, I prefer to refer to my photography as ‘artwork’ rather than photography, sure it all originates from photograph/s but for me ‘artwork’ suits better and is more appropriate.

Working towards a photographic distinction can be a good way to keep yourself motivated.

There are several photographic organisations offering these and it can be a very rewarding experience.

The Royal Photographic Society and the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain both offer various distinctions, no matter what level of experience you have in photography you should find something suitable for you, the journey will surely improve your photography.

If the distinction bug bites it can become addictive, my first was in 2004. RPS Associateship followed by Fellowship in 2005.

Luckily both panels were successful first time around and without any hiccups. I’d really enjoyed the process and felt encouraged to continue on the distinctions route.

The panels of work were still life based and were via the Visual Art category. A Masters distinction with the PAGB followed shortly afterwards, each image of your panel is assessed separately and on its own merit for their awards, equally rewarding.

May 2022 No. 13 The only suitable category would be Visual Art, at this time I was a panel member so would have to ensure that my panel would be assessed on days that I was not involved.

Looking back and with hindsight I should have reached out for some input and a second opinion from fellow photographers rather than going alone.

The journey this time was not such an easy ride, there were two or three images that panel members on the day felt could be improved and quite right they were too. The final panel was so much stronger after these changes were made and the distinction was finally awarded. Ten years after receiving my first Fellowship, the second award felt just as special. Is there another Fellowship Panel in me? Never say never, I say.

It was an honour to be invited onto the RPS Visual Art Panel, this allowed me the opportunity to be part of the assessment team and to see close up some truly amazing photography. It was always a consideration and a hope of mine to take on the challenge of another distinction someday. I’d started to create some artwork based around the Guernsey landscape with the odd cottage or character added in for good measure.

As photographers/artists our work is continually evolving and that has to be a good thing. Delving into new photographic genres, taking a different approach or just looking with fresh eyes can potentially take you to into a new photographic direction.

More recently I have enjoyed injecting a touch of surrealism into my artwork. it’s quite a sideways step for me and has probably helped me refocus and allowed the creativity to roam more freely and moreover without any form of restraint.

Essentially three or four photographs merged into one, my aim here was to create mood, atmosphere and emotion. As the concept evolved, I wondered if there could be some potential for another RPS Fellowship panel.

May 2022 No. 13 giving his presentation "The Seeing Eye" (In which he talks about looking beyond the obvious and includes exploring details, textures and shapes found in both natural and urban environs.

He will also explain various creative techniques such as intentional camera movement and multiple exposures through to the use of creative lenses and filters).

Initially creating artwork that may or may not make much sense in the world of realism seemed odd but it was fun and exciting and also made me realise why I am so passionate about my artwork.

Steven Le Prevost FRPS

SPRING RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND (BRIGHTON) AND AUTUMN TEASER (GLOUCESTER) Full steam ahead for the residential weekends.

Our Brighton weekend will be underway soon and we’ve had a great response. We are fully booked for the weekend and our workshops, one with Paul Mitchell FRPS and the other with Tony Bramley FRPS are also fully booked with a waiting list in case anyone is unable attend.

And then we have Tony Bramley FRPS giving his presentation “Transitional Photography, Suprematism and my Journey to Fellowship of the Year, A world of Non- Objectivity and Approaching Zero Degree”.

Tony Bramley is a “photographer working in a very unique style of abstract photography that most people would not have heard of unless familiar with modern art. After five years of looking for a photographic style that had not been produced before he, in the final 18 months of this period, finally realised where his direction should be.

We’re based in the Jury’s Inn Hotel: which is in the middle of Brighton on the seafront and the Brighton Festival will be fully underway so we’ve allowed time during our busy schedule to give attendees the opportunity of cashing in on some of the many opportunities for candid/ street/night photography.

The late afternoons/evenings will be taken up with all our usual goodies including our customary ‘show and tells’ and talks from Andy Holliman on abstraction, plus our two workshop leaders…….Paul Mitchell FRPS,

Taking the ethos of Russian Avant Garde painter Kasimir Malevich’s ground-breaking dynamic Suprematist work and developing a pure vision within photography. Tony's images are derived from the visual geometry within a

May 2022 No. 13 single photographic image and this nonobjective approach leaves only the essence of the original image.

The final images are very abstract, highly geometric, closer to painted/printed art than photography and take photography closer to what Malevich termed “zero degree”.

Images provide freedom for the existing geometry (photographically) and celebrate the existence and purity of the compositional elements. The compositions explore movement, balance and harmony within the ideology of Malevich’s dynamic suprematism work.

Gloucester Quays and Cathedral There are also numerous places dotted around Gloucester. Slimbridge Wetland Centre is just a short journey away as is the Jet Age Museum with its collection of historic aircraft and for those of us who come along with their better halves but for whom photography isn’t a major consideration there is a myriad of different and unusual shops to explore around the streets adjacent to the Cathedral and some excellent eating places, either for coffee and cake or something more substantial.

Tony's work sits on the very edge of photography it is not everyone's ‘cup of tea’ but a ‘hard shot of vodka’ that provides a very different view of photography” If that’s not enough we have the amazingly creative Jo Teasdale FRPS talking about her two projects “The factory” and her wonderful fellowship panel “My adopted family”, both of which are totally engrossing.

Any of you attending the weekend please do bring along anything you would like to share with us. Any recent ‘L’’, A’ or ‘F’ panels are always welcome but we enjoy seeing any other work that you’re proud of.

Looking forward to Autumn

Situated a short distance from the city centre, the hotel we’ve booked is ideally suited to our needs with an excellent meeting room and dining areas and also boasts a swimming pool and gym should you wish to keep in trim. We are currently scouting around for workshops and speakers and I’ve already recruited Vanda Ralevska for a talk. She takes the most wonderful ethereal images which are a delight.

But it’s early days yet and I’m in talks with some exciting photographers to fill our workshop slots….one of whom is Benedict Brain, who is tentatively on board.

As a taster for our Autumn residential weekend, we are holding it in Gloucester this year with its wonderful Cathedral, (one could spend a whole weekend here alone exploring its many different areas both around the cloisters and all through the upper floors).

There is also Gloucester Quays, (another wonderful place for all sorts of photographic opportunities). With its selection of tall ships and the looming warehouses staring down over the water it’s a place which you’ll find equally enthralling, I’m sure.

Benedict is a UK based photographer and journalist. He graduated with a degree in photography from the Derby School of Art in 1991 (now University of Derby). He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and also sits on the society’s Distinctions Advisory Panel.

Until recently (July 2018) Benedict was editor of Britain’s best-selling consumer photography magazine, Digital Camera. As a journalist he met and interviewed some of the world’s greatest photographers and produced articles on a wide range of photography related topics,

May 2022 No. 13 presented technique videos, wrote in-depth features, curated and edited best-in-class content for a range of titles including Amateur Photographer, PhotoPlus, NPhoto, Professional Photography and Practical Photoshop. He currently writes a regular column, The Art of Seeing, for Digital Camera magazine .

Benedict is also a tour and workshop leader for the UK’s premier landscape photography tour company Light & Land.

Those of you who have booked for Brighton, we look forward to seeing you there and we hope this taster for Gloucester whets your appetites for Autumn.

Mike Kitchingman LRPS

ROLLRIGHT VISUAL ART GROUP Review 19th March 2022 The Rollright VAG meeting last month was an opportunity for members to show off their work. We had an excellent and varied selection of high quality photography.

Ray Higginbottom kicked off the pdi section with his abstracts of texture and rust in beautiful natural light, then Viv Blewett showed her project on traditional games remembered from childhood and resurrected during lockdown. Andrew Marker's Tuscan landscapes were breathtaking, Colin Lamb gave us a fascinating insight into the craftsmanship of the Hart Silversmiths, and Carol Curd also presented her creative and stunning landscapes. Wendy Meagher gave us much to reflect upon with her essay on windows, and Claire Carroll's studies of pelicans, dynamic and full of movement showed the birds in quite a different, and rather frantic light.

A good friend of mine from way-way back, David Hatful showed his immaculate monochrome darkroom prints of images taken on his morning lockdown walks. In contrast, Richard Ellis presented trees and woodlands in subtle gentle colours, and Andrew Marker some delicate print versions of his Tuscan landscapes. Rosemary Gibbs displayed the eclectic range of pictures required for an LRPS distinction and Fellow Dennis Anguige a varied and graphic set of architectural studies.

Bob Bracher's prints admirably challenged the need for focus and sharpness with another

creative body of work, presented in his inimitable and light hearted style. David Townshend also explored some boundaries, showing multiple exposures and constructed images from his recent exhibition on the Norfolk coast. I contributed my infra reds taken on a fiercely sunny afternoon in Dunnerdale in the Lake District, and a notvery-interesting shot of Bamburgh Castle, where thereby hangs a tale.

A special thank-you to the last to show, Robert Herringshaw. His moving, very current and sadly all too relevant images from Ukraine, showed disquieting and sinister pictures from Chernobyl contrasting with the delightful friendly people and city of pre-conflict Kyiv. His thoughts and observations were expressed on many of the pictures in the form of a haiku poem. I'm sure it gave us all pause for thought, and perhaps a reminder to count our blessings and hold those dear to us a little closer.

Rollright VAG is open to all, not just RPS members but anyone interested in the Art of photography. Our next meeting is on 28th May when we will have three guest speakers, Viveca Koh FRPS FIPS, Philip Joyce FRPS, and Ashley Franklin ARPS, ABPPA, APAGB, BPE1*. The following meeting on 27th August will again be a members' day.

To join our mailing list, contact visualartrollright@rps.org .

Barry Barker FRPS

VISUAL ART NORTH - VAN If like us, you feel that the important art and photography exhibitions seem to peter out north of Watford then Visual Art North (VAN) could be the group for you. In May of 2021 a small band of likeminded photographers got together and formed VAN to address this and other perceived problems around the poor representation of visual arts, and photography in particular, in the north of the country.

The aim of VAN is to address this apparent imbalance and provide an improved experience in the area of visual art for photographers in the north of England. A massive undertaking I’m sure you will agree but something we believe in quite strongly.

We are starting as a small group with a vision and a plan which will involve a number of

May 2022 No. 13 events throughout the year; both live and on line. We kicked off with a successful face to face meeting at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in November 2021. The images produced on that day were reviewed and discussed in a followup Zoom event which also included two short talks. In addition, we have two further photography days organised for 2022. The first at the National Glass Museum in Sunderland on the 7 April and the second at Harlow Carr Gardens in May. All being well we plan on running a number of other live events throughout the year. Once again, all in the north and hopefully featuring interesting and photogenic venues.

Whilst we are all keen photographers, we recognise the positive influence that all areas of visual art can have on the way we see and ultimately the photos we produce. We are thus keen to use our contacts and bring in ‘artists’ from other disciplines to show their work, explain their processes and influence the way we all approach our photographic practice. We believe that these interactions, whether live or online will ultimately enrich our photographic experiences and potentially lead to fruitful collaborations.

We are keen to expand the group, both in terms of members and ‘helpers’. Should you be interested in providing suggestions for events, speakers or venues, or lending a hand in any way, then please feel free to contact visualartnorth@rps.org

Mary Crowther ARPS Brian Law ARPS Chris Goodacre LRPS Brad Cheek

EXHIBITION UPDATE Good news, everyone – we have so far secured four exhibition venues to showcase your wonderful Square Images prints. Full details will be on the rps.org website, and on our VAG FB site before each exhibition is due to occur.

Brief details are: 14-24 April @ the Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN, This one has now finished.

8-28 August @ the Edinburgh PS, to run concurrently with the Edinburgh Festival.

8-24 November @ the Handa Gallery, Wells Maltings Trust, Staithe Street, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AN. 5-18 December @ the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street (entrance through the Woodstock Museum, 14 Park Street), Woodstock OX20 1SN. Opening hours Tues-Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 2-5pm; closed Mondays. This exhibition will continue to the end of January 2023.

You should all by now have received your copy of the latest Members’ Print Exhibition 2021 Magazine. Please email Mark Deutsch mrkdeutsch@aol.com if you haven’t. Extra copies are available from Mark at £5 each.

The 2022 Monograph, due to be published shortly, features the writing and photography of Nicki Gwynn-Jones FRPS, who lives in Orkney.

Wendy Meagher LRPS

ROLLRIGHT VISUAL ART GROUP 28th MAY 2022 Three fine speakers will be showing their work and speaking about their photographic practice.

Viveca Koh FRPS FIPF Will bring some of her recent work “A collection of moments” and a mix of older and newer work, some shots taken with an iPhone, in derelict locations, using texture overlays, Lensbaby shots, and studio work using natural and artificial lighting.

May 2022 No. 13 part 1, the pursuit quickly became a passion as Ashley made his way through the camera club world.

She is a self-taught Fine Art photographer, with a special fascination for small details, for lost, abandoned, poignant and generally broken objects, and also for darkness contrasting with light, both in a physical and emotional sense.

Ashley Franklin ARPS, ABPPA, APAGB, BPE1

Philip Joyce FRPS Will present “The story so far…”, the follow up to “Short Stories”, presented at his last visit.

Discussing his pictures and approach to photography, Philip looks at subjects including the Elvis Festival, Livestock Markets, Gipsy Horse Fairs, Pride Events, Crufts, Tattoo Conventions, Oxford University Ceremonies amongst others. With a documentary/street sensibility Philip will talk about engaging with his subjects and adding a personal element through composition and viewpoint.

From Pursuit to Passion to Profession Tells how Ashley, the amateur snapper, became Ashley Franklin Photography offering a wide spectrum of professional services? In

Part 2 charts his journey into the commercial sphere. Ashley says he would not have become a pro without the stimulation and inspiration he picked up as a member of Derby City Photographic, so this presentation is a celebration of the camera club ideal as well as a journey into the world of a professional practitioner with all its perils, pitfalls, triumphs and rewards.

Meeting Venue: Long Compton Village Hall, post code CV36 5JS Doors open at 10.00am for a 10.30 start, and the cost of the day is £13.00. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available, but we are not able to provide lunch so please make your own provisions.

We will accept payments on the door, but if you can, please register and pay through the RPS website using the form below. You do not need to be a member to book and the meeting is open to non-RPS members.

Barry Barker FRPS

May 2022 No. 13

DISTINCTION SUCCESSES We congratulate the following Visual Art Group members on their recently gained RPS Distinctions Rosemary Gibbs, Warwickshire Anne Turner, S. Yorks

LRPS ARPS VISUAL ART

Lorraine Clifton, Surrey Rolf Kraehenbuehl, Gwynedd

UPDATE ON THE CIRCLES "The Visual Art Group gives all its members, free of charge, the opportunity to make new photographer friends, from all over the UK, and occasionally even abroad.

You can join one of our two Print Circles, exchange prints and share comments on them every few weeks. For reasons of postage and loss of prints, the Print Circles are restricted to the UK. If you're interested, just drop me an email. I can find you a place straightaway. Or if you want more information, I can put you in touch with one of the Secretaries who run the Print Circles and you can discuss queries with them.

The Visual Art Group also runs 5 Email Circles, which circulate images monthly, and welcome new as well as experienced members, but, if you are interested, all I can offer you is to put your name on a waiting list, as all 5 Circles are full at the moment. Usually, it might take a couple of months before a place becomes vacant, but I cannot promise. What I can say is that it will be worth the wait!

If you'd just like to know a little more, drop me a line at Gill@dishart.plus.com "

Pep Ventosa is a Catalan photographer /artist who manages to create incredible images made from multiple layers of similar photographs. By doing this the images take on an abstract, surreal effect with a painterly feel.

Pep Ventosa usually creates pictures outside with his initial series ‘In the Round’ featuring trees but you can use his ideas to create any Pep Ventosa inspired image.

AND FINALLY……….LEARN A NEW WORD OR TECHNIQUE I am going to attempt to bring you a new word or technique each newsletter. This one is Pep Ventosa.

The technique is not easy but Caroline Briggs and I have been playing with this technique as you can see.

Perhaps you could also have a go and share your images on the VAG closed Facebook page.

Carol Paes ARPS

May 2022 No. 13

For the third time, the AGM was held online and we thank all of those who participated in the process and elections.

David Wood ARPS has stepped down from committee work after giving 38 years to it, we wish him a very happy and fulfilling ‘retirement’. Robert Herringshaw ARPS has also stepped down from committee work but we are grateful to him for agreeing to continue as our representative and trustee of the V&A Museum Stephen J Tyng collection.

This online process has again proven more successful than physical AGMs in that member participation has been significantly higher and the voting therefore more representative.

Once again, thank for your support, we are committed to providing a full programme of events and publications during 2022/23 and beyond.

VISUAL ART GROUP AGM April 2022

The results of the AGM process are as follows: The conduct of the AGM was approved The minutes of the 2021 AGM were approved The financial report for 2021 was approved The following members were elected as Visual Art Group committee members for 2022/23: Chair John Cavana ARPS Secretary Carol Paes ARPS Treasurer Barry Barker FRPS Membership Mark Deutsch LRPS Exhibitions Lead/Magazine Co-ordinator Wendy Meagher LRPS Exhibitions member Martyn Pearse Web Manager Michael Butterworth LRPS Circles Co-ordinator Gill Dishart ARPS Residential weekends Mike Kitchingman LRPS Committee Member Claire Carroll Committee Member Bob Bracher ARPS

John Cavana ARPS