ThePhotographer: Suzy Courtnage
TheImageTitle: Rusty Sea Wall Hooks
AbouttheImage:
This image was taken in Portsmouth near The Square Tower which is part of the oldest fortifications of Portsmouth. I took the image as I was attracted to the texture and colour of the wall and the rust marks running down. Processing wise, I used several adjustment layers to enhance the texture and colours.
Editor DI ONLINE: Melanie Chalk
Contact: dionline@rps.org
Just like academia, the summer vacation is over for me, and more of a structure is returning to our days. Let’s hope the calm days continue postponing the onset of cooler temperatures and wind. I am not ready to pack away the shorts and sandals yet.
In the September DI ONLINE member Suzy Courtnage shares her Photographer’s journey and even though she has only recently joined the RPS she has already had much success with her images. It will be interesting to follow her onward journey to an ARPS distinction.
The Books and Zines Project has been a great success with just a couple more events to complete in 2024, to include a feedback session. Many have
already completed books but some are still in the process, it is a labour of love as well as being an intensive process. You can read of Madeline Lenagh’s journey from the concept of her idea right through to the printing process, an interesting read. David Nicholls tells us of his participation in the activities of DI even though he lives in New York. David was very successful in the Digital Imaging Competition 2024 when he had no less than three images in the final!
It was encouraging to read the positive comments about DI ONLINE in the survey, so hope you enjoy this issue.
Melanie Chalk DI ONLINE Editor dionline@rps.org
I like to think of our Digital Imaging group as a community where we help and support each other on our photographic journey. Certainly that is the origins of DI, so when individuals liken us to a ‘club’ I guess in a way we do fit that label. Equally I’d like to think we go ‘further’ than an average camera club in the programme we offer.
Further in reach – with members around the world and often presenters too. We bring you speakers that camera clubs likely couldn’t afford, or even be aware of. I find it quite interesting to note that often, not long after we have a new presenter that the likes of Camversation or My Photo Club seem to book them. Or pick up our tutor led programmes. Then we hear statements about it costs less on an online group to do this or that. However, I’d like you to stop and consider that it is a numbers game.
Our webinars are free to DI members – funded by your subscription. Our DI workshops run at cost break-even or even a slight loss. Again underwritten by subscriptions. For workshops we have pretty low numbers; perhaps around 12-15 attendees. They are interactive with plenty of time to ask your questions, receive support and feedback. So smaller, comfortable numbers, making you feel like part of the community and not just an anonymous person. You can ask your question without perhaps feeling you don’t want to expose your lack of understanding by asking a question that is read out on your behalf. These online groups are commercial entities, we are not. We are here to serve our members, not our pockets. We are a charity. We are a community.
We hope that you enjoy your membership, feel part of the DI community and value the wider programme of photographic opportunities that we offer.
Hope to see you online soon.
Regards
Janet digchair@rps.org
Firstly thank you to all DI Members who took the time to respond to the survey. We do value your feedback and we are listening.
Overall it seems that we do a good job for the majority of our members but one or two things appeared fairly regularly that surprised us.
The most surprising thing we noted was how often members are telling us they they were not aware of various projects, programmes and events. So we thought it would be useful to address this.
DI communicates regularly with all members who have opted in to accept emails. There are a few things members should check their end if they are not receiving DI emails and notifications.
Firstly your SPAM folder. We know from personal experience that RPS emails often end up in there. You can change your email settings to ensure this doesn’t happen - ‘Google’ to get the answers for what ever email system you are using.
Secondly DI and RPS emails go to whichever email address is registered against your membership details. If that is not your primary or current email then get in contact with membership@rps.org and change your primary RPS registered email to one you use regularly.
Thirdly if you are still not getting regular emails from us contact membership@rps.org to make sure your email preferences are set to receiving emails from groups and regions.
On average you are likely to receive about 2 emails per month from the DI group.
The other way to not miss out on anything that is going on and available to DI members is to read this publication - DI Online. It comes out 11 months of the year and always has full information about everything we are doing that you can engage with.
Finally our web site is kept up to date with everything we are doing. Please bookmark www.rps.org/di and visit regularly to find out all the good things you can enjoy.
By Suzy Courtnage LRPS
As far back as I can remember I was always the one in the family taking the photographs whether it be at a family gathering or the annual holiday snaps. I never had any formal training or learning but photography became a passion allowing me to explore my creative side while capturing the beauty of the world around me. I enjoyed experimenting with different styles, and discovering my unique perspective through the lens.
I joined a camera club in 2021 after a long period of not using my camera. This gave me the opportunity to engage with fellow photography enthusiasts and more experienced photographers. I was pleasantly surprised that some of my images did well in the regular club competitions.
At the end of the 21/22 Season, I received Best Print for a B&W portrait of a young girl titled - Surprise.
I also received Best PDI for this image titled - Footlights.
This collaborative environment not only fostered my growth but also encouraged me to push my creative boundaries. I learned to embrace constructive criticism, which has been instrumental in refining my style.
I decided to join the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) in early 2023 as they had lots of workshops available and excellent special interest groups. It was then that I became aware of their distinctions. I decided to embark on a journey to gain my LRPS qualification. I achieved this in November 2023 with a panel of 10 images that mainly comprised of images that had done well at my club.
As well as belonging to the Digital Imaging special interest group, I am also a member of the Creative Eye group and in late 2023 I entered the Annual Exhibition.
This was the first time I had entered anything and I was absolutely thrilled to receive a Gold Medal for my image titled - Stairwell.
In this year's exhibition I was honoured to be awarded a Bronze medal for my Lisbon Tram image.
I have a lot to learn and find that by undertaking various projects, it helps me focus my learning. One project was the DI and Landscape collaboration, T-W-T - Architecture. I attended two of the walks, one being the London Bridges and the other Canterbury Town. Anyone who has attended one will know that in the follow up session we all submit several images from the walk and one is then selected to go into a Zine. I was delighted that my image was selected on both occasions.
Canterbury Cathedral View
I also enjoy Nature photography, in particular macro and close up images. I have enjoyed learning the skills necessary for this type of photograph and I have a long way to go but I have been pleased with some I have taken during the summer.
I am currently working towards my CPAGB and looking forward to the new TWT Woodland walks where I hope to gain some new skills. I am also thinking ahead and looking at an ARPS distinction in the next year or so.
Suzy
When, about two years ago, I told a fellow landscape photographer that I had embarked upon a long-term project about the Dutch coast, his response was, “I can’t imagine anything less inspiring.”
But actually, it’s an extremely popular subject for landscape photographers. Wind, tides, sand, and waves sculpt endless patterns, and the light is never the same. This makes it a challenging subject as well. Social media and other publications are filled with atmospheric photos of the coast. So, could I make images that hadn’t been made hundreds of times before?
Working on such a long-term project is an invitation to deepen one’s expressive vocabulary. It wasn’t enough to just register what was happening. My camera needed to look beyond that, to see what it was that was moving me.
At a certain point I had quite a collection of images I liked. I showed them to Theo Bosboom. He said, ‘You need to make a book from these.’ I felt daunted by the idea, but we agreed that he would advise me on the practical issues and do the image selection and sequencing.
Understanding image selection and sequencing was the first big learning curve. Picking a selection of what ended up as 61 images out of a collection of approximately 400 felt like an impossible task. It is storytelling, it’s about directing tension and atmosphere, it’s about how images connect to each other visually. And with each draft version the book came together in a more cohesive and impactful way. I decided to handle the book design and taught myself to use publishing software. I wanted a minimum amount of text that would only enhance the images, not explain them, and a minimalistic design that would be restful and engrossing to leaf through. Shortly after this, I joined the DI Books & Zines project. This has been a tremendous source of information, inspiration, and some excellent peer feedback. It was a huge step to commit to actually publishing the book. A practical voice whispered in my ear: ‘You could just do a zine or a paperback. That’s a much more modest investment.’ But my heart wanted a quality book on good paper, with perfectly printed images and a hard cover. And so, Theo and I paid a visit to his printer. I left that long, inspiring, and informative conversation with stars in my eyes. That’s the kind of book I want!
Processing photos so they would show up properly in CMYK on the chosen paper was an interesting challenge. Fortunately, my printer talked me through the process, and I had paid attention to Tim Parkin’s advice during the Books & Zines project. Would a single print proof be sufficient? The proof was done on the offset machine and the paper that would be used. It showed that I needed to strengthen and deepen the warm tones more. And do a bit of extra sharpening on the textured images. I adjusted the images, did a last search for sensor spots, took a deep breath, and sent the PDF in the required format to the printer. Two weeks, two versions, and quite a few sleepless nights later, I headed off to Enschede (the printer’s location) to watch the large sheets roll off the litho-press. Each sheet represented eight pages of the book. What an adrenaline-inducing experience! I was so happy to see that all my work on the photos hadn’t been in vain: they all looked exactly the way they were supposed to look.
Now the book is on its way to the binder and I'm looking forward to holding the real thing in my hands. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, filled with learning opportunities and worth every minute. And I’m not finished yet… selling the book will be the next challenge!
Madeline
Just delivered ‘hot off the press’ For more details do visit http://www.lenagh.nl/
Each month we will feature an International Member and learn more about them and their photography. Here Janet Haines poses questions to David Nicholls LRPS
Janet - As an international member how did you become aware of the RPS and what made you decide to join?
David - A weekend workshop with Bryan Peterson in New York introduced me to another expat (besides myself), Candia Peterson (no relation). In the course of conversation, Candia revealed that she was a member of the RPS with an ‘A’ distinction. Although I was aware of the existence of the RPS, I guess I had assumed that it was a Professional Learned Society to which one had to be invited! With that misconception out of the way, I decided to join, considering it a welcome link with the Old Country (and over here, anything with ‘Royal’ in its name is extra posh!!)
Janet - How does living in a different time zone impact on how you engage with the events the RPS and Digital Imaging offers?
David - Through the miracle of Zoom I am able to join many of the online events, for which the time difference works in my favor. I also participate in the Architecture Critique eCircle. The TWT event, especially, was a great opportunity (excuse?!) to spend a weekend in NYC, and I certainly plan to sign up for the Woodland TWT in the Autumn (plenty of woodlands where I live). My main regret is that I cannot participate in the many member-led workshops offered throughout the year. That’s when homesickness kicks in!
Janet - Since joining the RPS and Digital Imaging do you feel it has helped you improve your photography, if so in what way?
David - I think that the biggest improvement to my photography has been the process of working towards a distinction. Once upon a time I went to great lengths to exclude people from my images, mainly because I was aiming for architectural record shots. Lately, however, my work has moved more towards urban landscape and street photography, and a human presence turns the picture into a story. These were the kind of pictures that made up the bulk of my successful ‘L’ panel.
Janet - Please can you show us 2 or 3 of your images and tell us why you are particularly pleased or proud of them?
David - That’s a tough one! I have many favorites, so I’ve chosen three, each from a different genre. The first was a scene in New York’s Rockefeller Center where a family was enjoying the water feature. The boy had had enough and broke through the wall of water, getting soaked in the process. His sister is looking round to see if he’s OK. I thought it very sweet, and I was lucky to capture it.
The second picture is a misty beach scene on Cape Cod, and is an essay in Minimalism. And perhaps it’s an allegory of a couple journeying through life together. Finally, what I self-deprecatingly term, a touch of ‘Artsy.’ This garden ornament was taken at Ringwood Manor State Park on the New York/New Jersey border. It was a bright sunny day, ideal for contrast, and I exposed for the highlights, and further deepening the shadows in postprocessing. I am increasingly working with black and white.
All these photos were a result of the scene in front of me, and the patience to wait for the right moment. When Mark Fearnley was asked to name the most important lesson he’s learnt about photography, his answer was, ‘patience.’ (https://youtu.be/PTix4Tvug0I)
The issues with the recent upgrade of the RPS CRM systems had made it impossible to download ‘new member lists’ But the good news is that this issue has been resolved, we now have the lists. So, as we did in past issues, each month we will welcome and list all new members in these mothly publications. We had to pick a date to start, so this list runs from June to September.
So let me take the opportunity to welcome all those listed here, but also anyone who has joined the Digital Imaging Group over the last year.
There is lots of information, within these pages, about future events, forthcoming workshops, competition results, as well as links to the DI Webpage. This is where you will find more detail as well as contact information.
You have joined a very vibrant, friendly and active RPS Special Interest Group. We hope you will get involved, perhaps enter the competitions, join our monthly inspiring DI Talks on a Saturday afternoon, or even discover a workshop or project to join and learn new photographic skills. Have you discovered the DI Facebook page?
So enjoy browsing through the DI Online September issue, reading the articles and discovering all the things you can, if you choose, get involved in.
As Editor, of this publication, I am always happy to receive content for articles, perhaps about your journey as a Photographer.
Editor Melanie Chalk dionline@rps.org
ZAIN ALI
YUKAKO AMAMI
SHEILA BALLANTYNE-SMITH
PAT BARBOUR ARPS
MARC BARROT
JIM BENNETT
CLAUDE BENNETT
ADI ALEXANDRU BORDIANU
LESLEY BRAVERY
IAIN BUCHANAN
HAN BULLENS
MIKE CARR
IAN CLARK
PAUL COPPIN
NICHOLAS CORKER
VIVIEN COTTON ARPS
ANN DALLAWAY
ANTHONY EVANS
GRAHAM FRANKS
JAMES GOBLE
PHILIP EDWARD GOODING
MICHAEL GOVAN
ALLAN HIGGINS
DAVID IRVINE ARPS
SUE JOHNSON
DARREL JONES
PETER JONES LRPS
MARTIN KAPP
TREVOR LITHERLAND
DAVID LITTLER
MARTIN MALIES ARPS
BRIAN MENZIES
SCOTT MONETT
STUART MONK
ROBERT MOWAT
ANNE OEHLEN
PAUL PEACH ARPS
MAGGIE RIDGEWELL
CHRISTOPHER SAYLES
SUDIPTA SEN
BENJAMIN SMITH
ALAN SMITH
RON SYMINGTON
STEPHEN TODD
RICHARD TOWNSEND
RICHARD WHITEBREAD
AMIN ZAMZAM LRPS
JIALIN ZHOU
GLASGOW
TOKYO JAPAN
BROMSGROVE
FULBROOK
LONDON
CAMBRIDGE
SHANKLIN
HORLEY
KINTBURY
READING
RUESCHLIKON SWITZERLAND
MANCHESTER
BRISTOL
CANTERBURY
DAVENTRY
LINLITHGOW
STAVELEY
HULL
BURGESS HILL
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA
ROMSEY
EMSWORTH
GLASGOW
HAMILTON
FORDINGBRIDGE
TEIGNMOUTH
HASLEMERE
READING
PRENTON
LANCASTER
MANCHESTER
NORTH WILLOUGHBY AUSTRALIA
MCLEAN USA
DUNBAR
RYDE
BILTHOVEN THE NETHERLANDS
TSEUNG KWAN O HONG KONG
LEICESTER
MILTON KEYNES
RICHARDSON, TX USA
KIDDERMINSTER
MELTON MOWBRAY
HIGH WYCOMBE
CHICHESTER
BASINGSTOKE
WOKINGHAM
LONDON
LEEDS
Are you getting this error message? Having an issue with Scratch Disks which are full? Jonathan will try to help us to understand the problems and find solutions. BOOK HERE
An interesting article from the Guardian Photo Essays When it opens just click ‘I’ll do it later’ to see all the images Defying expectations’: amazing Paralympic photographers with disabilities.
From 1 January 2025 DI will have a subtle change to our subscriptions. Primarily this is driven by two factors -
New members often join both DIG + DI Online so we have a confusing message We need to ensure that printed DIGITs are not subsidised by those choosing to read online
We would effectively have two variants from 1st January 2025:
Digital Imaging + online DIGIT
Digital Imaging + printed DIGIT
£8
£8 + £10 £18
To receive printed DIGITs members will need to pay an additional £10 for 4 DIGITs (2025 price). This will be reviewed annually as print and postal charges increase. If you are already a full DIG member receiving printed DIGIT and you wish to remain so, then you need do nothing to adjust your membership.
This should help with those joining us, not getting so muddled and purchasing both DIG and DIO, as some currently do.
The above process requires little change for HQ other than the way they present the information on renewal notices and the portal listing.
For the benefit of the environment we are asking DI members to make a conscious decision whether they want a printed DIGIT at the time they renew their RPS membership during 2025. But let us please be quite clear we are NOT doing away with printed DIGITs - just asking you to make a decision.
Arena is a collective of photographers based in England’s South and South West. The aim of the group is to encourage print-making, to share and discuss new work and new photographers, to invite speakers who excel in their photographic and artistic fields and to promote constructive debate.
They hold an annual seminar and arrangements are well underway for 2025, it will be held from Friday 14thto Sunday 16thMarch at its usual venue at the Riviera Hotel in Bournemouth. To find out more about Arena and subscribe to their regular Newsletter, GO HERE
has launched its very own, open to all, website, marking the end of the days when users had to rely on Discord to access its powerful AI art generation tool. The new platform offers a streamlined, user-friendly interface designed to make the process of creating stunning AIgenerated visuals easier and more accessible than ever before. This shift allows both seasoned photographers, artists and newcomers to dive straight into the creative process.
Message from David Holz , Midjourney founder, announcing the website launch on Discord
For years, MidJourney’s exclusive availability through Discord was seen as a unique but limiting factor, requiring users to juggle between different channels and commands. Now, with the standalone website, users can enjoy a more intuitive, browser-based experience as well as features like real-time previews, a gallery to display artwork, and direct access to tutorials and updates plus a range of new and enhanced features putting everything under one roof.
At the moment, after sign-up, this is free but beware a subscription of, at least, 10US$ will be required if you wish to continue using Midjourney.
To find out more visit the Midjourney Web Quick Start page - link below. The webpage features a short video, introducing the website and this is followed by clear instructions as to how to create images on Midjourney - or even, combine your own pictures, as image prompts! https://docs.midjourney.com/docs/web-quick-start
Find out how to start - or continue - your Distinctions journey:
Each of the pages below includes handy links to guidelines and genres for distinctions, assessment dates, and a “how to apply” document:
• Licentiate (LRPS) – the process for LRPS has changed – see below for more details.
• Associate (ARPS)
• Fellowship (FRPS)
The LRPS application process has been changed and now uses an online application system for digital submissions – no more prints or books will be assessed.
There’s lots of supporting material and application forms on the RPS website now. Take time to look around and digest the information if you are interested.
The Photobook genre has its own special guidelines and submission process (as opposed to an ARPS or FRPS submission in book form). You can find out more here: Photo books. You might also like to see a talk hosted by Stewart Wall which is both informative and inspiring.
Some genre-specific hybrid Advisory Days for both Associate and Fellowship levels at RPS House are bookable – limited spaces; book here
To help you prepare, you can request a one2one portfolio review – an online session with a panel member appropriate to your genre/distinction. See this page for more information: How to book a one2one.
There has been some confusion over what happens next – someone from HQ will find you an advisor and put you both in touch to arrange a date and to send images/ presentation plan. This can take time depending on how many volunteer assessors in your genre or at your level are available, and you are advised to make your request at least 4 months before an assessment.
Some regions are offering Advisory Days online and in person. Look out on our Facebook group or for broadcasts from your regional group for details, or use this link https://portal.rps.org/s/ event-listing and click the ‘Advisory Day’ button at the top.
You can generally attend as an observer if you aren’t ready to step up yet (usually advertised a week beforehand on the Facebook group). In addition, some Chapters and Regions offer online Distinctions Study Groups. You can find these by searching the RPS website (these are in random date order including past dates, so you do need to be patient).
You can send your booking forms to distinctions@rps.org or by post to head office. As for advisory days, you can sign up to observe an Assessment Day (in person or online) tickets for assessments – currently free.
And don’t forget, as well as projected and printed images, you can also apply for a Film, Digital and Multimedia Distinction at any level, and also a written Research Distinction: Film And Research. The Research page on the website has been updated, and more changes are scheduled for other pages.
If you missed any of the Distinctions Live talks, you can catch up here. (Also accessible via the RPS Distinctions channel on YouTube.) This talk from Stewart Wall gives advice on how to gain your Licentiate.
The Facebook Group RPS Distinctions **Official Group** is still growing after 3 years, with over 5100 members. It includes news from HQ, links for observer places at assessments, and posts celebrating distinction successes to inspire you. It’s a civilised venue to ask questions, share your successes – and disappointments – and ask for critique or expert advice on your proposed portfolio.
If you aren’t sure which genre or level to apply for, you can post 6 images (plus your Statement of Intent if appropriate) and request moderator advice.
Accolade, which celebrates Digital Imaging members’ distinction successes, is useful for insight into the process in many different genres and at all levels. The last Issue 13 of Accolade has been published and issue 14 is in the works. (back numbers also available on the DI Website).
By early October, we will be ready to reveal our plans for the DI Workshops for 2025. It is quite a task, liaising with presenters and agreeing dates and times with busy people, but the plan is definitely coming together now. We are inviting some new presenters, and will be offering some longer term projects taking place over several months. I will be sending an update to all those signed up to the WORKSHOPS MAILING LIST, which gives you priority access to book any workshops you might be interested in joining. So if you haven’t signed up please add your name.
The Books and Zines Project was deemed a great success and we hope to bring you the ‘ NEXT CHAPTER’ with continued support and refresher workshops. We are fully aware that for some it takes considerable time to bring a plan together and produce a book, but we now have many within the group who are very generous with their help and advice to assist those needing the push to complete their book. We are also in talks with Presenters to organise workshops on making a ‘Handmade Book’
I have just uploaded the two RHS/ RPS Collaborative events for 2024/5 promoting the RHS Portfolio Competition This is now become an annual event for DI and the fourth year we have run these advisory sessions and many of our DI members have found these invaluble and gone on to gain RHS Medals for their panels.
We will still be using Billetto in the immeadiate future, as we wait for the RPS CRM to be completely stable and user friendly, before returning, but will continue to keep you all updated on that situation. So at present all upcoming workshops are listed here. Just add a name to the search bar if you are looking for a particular presenter. But this link takes you directly to the DI Page on Billetto.
RE-SCHEDULED NEW DATE
FREE EVENT JUST ADDED
We have two talks coming up in October and November with Cherry Larcombe ARPS. These are part of the ‘From Seed to Bloom’ series, and feature Flower Photography with Cherry’s talk ‘Still Life’ on October 9 and then on November 27 a talk on Triptychs which a great way of displaying your flower images in a cohesive way.
Cherry is a very experienced and creative photographer making beautiful artistic images. She has had success in photographic salons and competitions, as well as being an experienced photographic judge and educator. One thing I am sure she will share, with those who come to view her presentation, is her obsession with buying vases in Charity shops, usually at the bargain price of 50p. You will see many of these finds in her beautiful Still Life Images.
Book ‘Still Life’s with Cherry Here and Triptychs Here
FREE EVENT FOR ALL: Books & Zines Project Participants and DI Members
A chance to find out the criteria for an RPS PhotoBooks Distinction from Paul Mitchell FRPS who sits on the Distinctions panel for PhotoBooks. Saturday October 13 at 14:00
RPS LANDSCAPE GROUP
Do visit our webpage
The members-only link for the DIGIT Archive is to be found in the email message announcing this newsletter.
The RPS Digital Imaging constitution can be downloaded HERE
For everyone’s convenience, we include a list of shortcuts to the main Digital Imaging pages at the end of each Broadcast.
You can subscribe to our email Mailing Lists here to hear new announcements: Garden & Plant Photography Workshops Events DI Competition