FOCUS
Edenvale Photo Club Newsletter - JUNE 2021
Sharing Visual Art since 1950 CERPS WINNERS 2018 AND 2019
02 / JUNE 2021 COVER IMAGE “Hi Beautiful “ by Dave Gordon
Shot by Dave Gordon at the Zimanga overnight hide on my Canon 1DX. Lens 300mm 2.8 IS II. 1/1000 sec, f5.6, ISO 800.
CONTRIBUTE TO FUTURE ISSUES ANY MEMBER CAN SUBMIT MATERIAL FOR CONSIDERATION IN FUTURE PUBLICATIONS PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IMAGES HAVE A MINIMUM RESOLUTION OF 1080 x 1925 pixels. Of course, we also have to adhere to the regulations for data protection and the rights of use according to the copyright law, therefore, we ask you to supply a declaration of consent of the person or website that you extracted your submission from. Please use the following email address to send contributions and consent letters hanlis54@gmail.com Proof reading of this magazine Kindly done by Heidi Broschk
EDENVALE PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
03 / JUNE 2021
DEAR MEMBERS
Chairman: David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
I entered the Witzenberg Salon last night which is the first salon of the 2021/2022 calendar and for the Impala trophy. One of the categories was “My Best Image 2020/2021”. Entries for this category needed to have been taken between 1 July 2020 and 1 July 2021. They mentioned that the meta data would be checked, which if not automated will be a very time-consuming exercise. I also wondered if the image is a composite of various images, would all images used need to be taken in that period? There is no way to check as there is only one set of meta data per image. I imagine the photographer’s honesty would need to come into account here. Apart from that, it got me to thinking. Do I have any images from the last year? With COVID I have not been anywhere, so I racked my brains as to where I had been and what I had photographed in the last year. All the memories came flooding back and I realised that in fact, I have been out and about. As I went through my libraries locating the various images, I also came to the realisation how lucky I am to have been able to travel and see places, even through COVID. It then hit me. I have been and still am, extremely blessed. To be able to travel, take photographs and experience what is out there should never be taken for granted. It is only a small percentage of the population that can do this, so may I never become blasé about it. These moments need to be cherished and remembered; not only for the photographic opportunities but for the people we were with, and the times spent together. Photography can be done alone and often is, but I see it as a social hobby. Meeting like-minded people, sharing experiences, and discussing all things photographic is one of the things that keeps me coming back. I really miss the club evenings. Our club has amazing members, and I am missing you all. I urge you all to keep safe but to also keep shooting. If you cannot get out and go anywhere, then wander in the garden or local park (not alone) and let your imagination loose. Look for shots out of the ordinary to make the viewer think and be inspired. It is not easy but well worth the effort. Keep well my friends. Praying the world returns to normal in the “near” future. Dave
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Committee Members
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID REGULATIONS Chairman:
Treasurer:
Scoring & Promotions:
Ted Kinsman 083 461 2350 tkinsman@global.co.za
David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
Marketing and Secretary: Natasha Bird 082 920 8898 mnktrad@mweb.co.za
Newsletter Editor & Graphic Design: Hanli Smit 083 253 1034 hanlis54@gmail.com
Certificates & Awards Des Alexander 083 226 1452 neoncomp@webmail. co.za
New Members, Social Media & Website Clare Appleyard 083 234 0247 clare.appleyard@gmail.com
MEETING TIME AND PLACE 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 18H30 FOR 19H00 EDENVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE COR. VAN RIEBEECK & 2ND STREET, EDENVALE
Salons, Judges and Outings: Heidi Broschk 079 886 8515 heidib@uj.ac.za
05 /JUNE 2021
IN THIS ISSUE Page 6 Page 16 Page 37
PAST MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY - EVE ARNOLD
JUNE CLUB NIGHT WINNERS
CONQUER YOUR CELLPHONE BY CLARE APPLEYARD
Page 44
PLANNING A PHOTOSHOOT BY HANLI SMIT
Page 48
SALON CLOSING DATES
Page 50
MEMBER FOCUS - MICHAEL BROSCHK by Heidi Broschk
06 / JUNE 2021
Source: Wikipedia
PAST MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
EVE ARNOLD Eve Arnold was born Eve Cohen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the middle of nine children born to immigrant Russian-Jewish parents, William Cohen (born Velvel Sklarski), a rabbi, and his wife, Bessie (Bosya Laschiner). Her interest in photography began in 1946 while working for Kodak in their Fair Lawn NJ photo-finishing plant. Over six weeks in 1948, she learned photographic skills from Harper’s Bazaar art director, Alexey Brodovitch, at the New School for Social Research in Manhattan… Eve Arnold photographed many of the iconic figures who shaped the second half of the twentieth century, yet she was equally comfortable documenting the lives of the poor and dispossessed, “migrant workers, civil-rights protestors of apartheid in South Africa, disabled Vietnam war veterans and Mongolian herdsmen.” Her joyful picture of a Cuban couple with their child was selected in 1955 for the world-touring Museum of Modern Art exhibition The Family of Man and seen by 9 million visitors. For Arnold, there was no dichotomy: “I don’t see anybody as either ordinary or extraordinary,” she said in a 1990 BBC interview, “I see them simply as people in front of my lens.” Arnold was particularly noted for her work using available light, concentrating on the image in the lens and eschewing extensive use of photographic lighting and flash. Of this she said “By the time you set up lights the image is gone” in a Guardian interview in 2000.
07 / JUNE 2021 Arnold’s images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (1961) were perhaps her most memorable, but she had taken many photos of Monroe from 1951 onwards. Her previously unseen photos of Monroe were shown at a Halcyon Gallery exhibition in London during May 2005. She also photographed Queen Elizabeth II, Malcolm X, Marlene Dietrich, and Joan Crawford, and traveled around the world, photographing in China, Russia, South Africa and Afghanistan. Arnold left the United States and moved permanently to England in the early 1970s with her son, Francis Arnold. While working for the London Sunday Times, she began to make serious use of color photography. In 1980, she had her first solo exhibition, which featured her photographic work done in China at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. In the same year, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Magazine Photographers. In 1993, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and elected Master Photographer by New York’s International Center of Photography. She did a series of portraits of American First Ladies. In 1997, she was appointed a member of the Advisory Committee of the National Media Museum (formerly the Museum of Photography, Film & Television) in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
She was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003. She lived in Mayfair for many years until her last illness, when she moved to a nursing home in St George’s Square, Pimlico. When Anjelica Huston asked if she was still doing photography, Arnold replied: “That’s over. I can’t hold a camera any more.” She said she spent most of her time reading such writers as Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Thomas Mann and Leo Tolstoy. Arnold died in London on January 4, 2012, aged 99.
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Arnold’s images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (1961) were perhaps her most memorable, but she had taken many photos of Monroe from 1951 onwards. Her previously unseen photos of Monroe were shown at a Halcyon Gallery exhibition in London during May 2005.
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TWO STAR NATURE WINNER 9th JUNE 2021
Cattle Egret for prey Gabor Goshawk searching Peter Duffy Fine Gavin
17 / JUNE 2021
TWO STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 9th JUNE 2021
Donna in blue
Tony Wilson
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THREE STAR NATURE WINNER 9th JUNE 2021
Buffalo up close and personal Andrew Mayes
19 / JUNE 2021
THREE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 9th JUNE 2021
I have seen it all
Kenneth Kubheka
20/ JUNE 2021
10 Nature Photography Tips for Beginners • Plan accordingly. A good pair of hiking shoes or boots can go a long way. ... • Get familiar with your camera’s settings. ... • Bring the right equipment. ... • You don’t need a fancy Nikon or Canon to shoot. ... • Use the rule of thirds. ... • Don’t get too close. ... • Get a new perspective. ... • Patience is key.
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FOUR STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 9th JUNE 2021
Angry bunny
Christa Smith
22 / JUNE 2021
FIVE & 5 STAR HONOURS NATURE WINNER
9th JUNE 2021
Hi Beautiful
Dave Gordon
23 / JUNE 2021
FIVE & 5 STAR HONOURS PICTORIAL WINNER
9th JUNE 2021
Anchoring the Mist
Natasha Bird
24 / JUNE 2021
SET SUBJECT WINNER TREES 9th JUNE 2021
Adrift
Dino Bottega
25 / JUNE 2021
SET SUBJECT WINNER DOORS 23rd JUNE 2021
Oak Doors and Bicycles
Gary Andrew Peck
26 / JUNE 2021
ONE STAR NATURE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Taking Flight
Hitesh Daya
27 / JUNE 2021
ONE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Lost view
David Morris
28 / JUNE 2021
TWO STAR NATURE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Protective Rhino Cow and Calf Gavin
Duffy
29 / JUNE 2021
TWO STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
What big eyes you have Tony Wilson
30 / JUNE 2021
THREE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Gemsbok Portrait
Andrew Mayes
31 / JUNE 2021
THREE STAR CELLPHONE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Crossed wilt
Caryn Wilson
32 / JUNE 2021
FOUR STAR NATURE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Open Wide
Stephen
Kangisser
33 / JUNE 2021
FOUR STAR PICTORIAL WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Classic Portrait of a Model Stephen
Kangisser
34 / JUNE 2021
5* & 5 Star Honours NATURE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Leopard in dappled light Natasha Bird
35 / JUNE 2021
5* & 5 Star Honours PICTORIAL WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Bella
Vicki Street
36 / JUNE 2021
CELL PHONE WINNER 23rd JUNE 2021
Western Ghat Mountains Vadivelu
37 / JUNE 2021
Written by Clare Appleyard
Conquer your cell phone camera: Part 2
Making the most of apps to edit your cell phone photos In part two of our series aimed at helping you improve your cell phone photography, we’re going to look at editing. Just as processing and editing your photographs is an important part of regular (DSLR/Mirrorless) photography, it is equally, if not more, important for your cell phone photos. There are two ways to edit your cell phone photographs – one would be to transfer from your cell phone to your desktop or laptop and edit using your regular editing workflow (generally Lightroom and/or Photoshop; or a free alternative like GIMP). The second option is to edit your cell phone photos on your cell phone using one, or a combination of, the many apps available on Apple’s App store or Google Play store. This month, we’ll focus on two of the most popular apps to help you get started, and we’ll wrap up our series next month with a few of the more creative type apps.
Lightroom First up is the Lightroom app, which you can download for free for both iPhones and Android phones. If you’re using Adobe’s Creative Cloud system on your desktop or laptop, this is the perfect app to use on your cell phone, because you can sync the photos and any mobile edits to your main computer. When you open the Lightroom app, you’ll see a selection of options at the bottom that look very similar to what you’ll see in your Lightroom Classic desktop “Develop” panel. These include basic functions such as cropping (Crop), adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights etc (Light), white balance (Colour), texture and clarity (Effects) and vertical/horizontal corrections (Geometry).
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WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY CLARE APPLEYARD As an example, we’re going to use an autumnal tree-lined driveway photograph I took on my iPhone SE earlier this year. The SOOC version of this photograph (Figure 1) shows what it the photo looked like before starting with any editing. The first thing I’ll do to a photograph like this is correct the verticals (the trees), using the “Geometry” function. By sliding the vertical slider left and right, you can adjust the trees to the straight vertical that suits you best (Figure 2).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 3 Now, we want to crop the photo to a eliminate the white edges (a result of the vertical correction). Like Lightroom Classic, the Lightroom app allows for fixed ratio cropping (eg 2x3, or 9 x 16) or for custom cropping (Figure 3 left). For this photo, I’ve selected the Instagram friendly 4x5 ratio (which gives maximum photo real estate on the Instagram app) (Figure 3 right).
Next stop would be the “Light” option, allowing you to adjust exposure, contrast, highlights etc, as well as a “Curve” option (Figure 4).
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FIGURE 6 FIGURE 5
For this photo, I’m going to skip this and go to the “Colour” option, adjusting the temperature to a warmer level (+25; Figure 5 left) or cooler level (-33, Figure 5 right).
There are options for colour grading where you can adjust the tones of shadows, highlights and midtones (Figure 6). I decided to stick with the warmer tones and not make any colour grading adjustments.
FIGURE 9 FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8
Under “Effects” you can find your Texture, Clarity and Dehaze functions, and I’ve cranked up the Texture to 35 to really bring out the feel of the crunchy, dry leaves on the trees and road (Figure 7). I’ve also added a dark vignette around the edges, dragging the slider to -60 (Figure 8). Looking at Figure 8, you can now see how different the image looks to the SOOC version (Figure 1).
But what if we looked at some “Preset” edit options? In the menu bar, the Lightroom app offers a number of Preset edits, which each come preloaded with ready set adjustments to highlights, shadows, colour grading etc. Style options include Cinematic, Vintage and Travel categories, each containing several options (Figure 9).
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FIGURE 10
FIGURE 12
FIGURE 11
For this photo, I’ve now selected CN05 in the Cinematic preset, giving an ultra-autumn hue that is currently super popular. As you can see in Figure 10, it’s changed all the leaves to a brownish red colour (vs the original yellowish green tones). It’s fun tapping through all the pre-sets and finding the palette and combination that works best for you and your photo.
As a final example of how much you can do on the Lightroom app, I’ve chosen “Selective” to make a selective edit, and then added a graduated effect to the trees in the top of the photo (Figure 11). I’ve cranked up the exposure on this top section to +1.26, giving the top of the photo a lighter, airier feel to it (Figure 12).
Like most software, it takes time to play around to get the effects you’re looking for, and to learn where everything is. It might be frustrating at first, but so was photo editing the first time you tried it on your computer – so, have patience, play around and have fun.
Snapseed The second app we’ll look at this month is one of the most popular independent photo editing apps around, called Snapseed. Completely free and available for iPhone and Android phones, it was an early player in mobile editing and its solid functionality has allowed it to stand the test of time. Let’s dive in with a different photo, for a quick look at what it can do. Figure 13 shows the SOOC shot, a view of the Johannesburg skyline on a cloudy, overcast day. Hopefully, with a bit of editing we can make it pop a little more.
FIGURE 13
When you open Snapseed and upload your photo, the first option you’ll see is a “Looks” menu (Figure 14),with a variety of presets (very like LR) – Portrait, Smooth, Accentuate are some of the options. Play around with these, but we’re going to hit the “Tools” option which will bring up a number of editing options.
FIGURE 14
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FIGURE 15
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 17
Let’s start with “Tune Image” (Figure 15, left). At the top of the image, you’ll see a sliding bar, which opens at “Brightness” at 0 (Figure 15, right). By sliding your finger left and right across the photo, you’ll be able to decrease (left) or increase (right) the brightness. I have a moody edit in mind for this photo, so I’m going to slide the Brightness down to -60 to really make the clouds pop. Now, we want to adjust the Contrast, Saturation, Highlights, Shadows etc and we can access these sliders by either hitting the little slider icon on the tool bar (circled, Figure 16) or by sliding your finger UP or DOWN on your photo. I’ve chosen to increase the contrast, and the ambience, highlights and shadows in this picture (Figure 17). When you’re happy with your edits, hit the tick mark on the right of the bottom menu, and it’ll take you back to the main menu.
FIGURE 18
FIGURE 19
Back at “Tools” again, and I’m going to hit “Details” which allows me to adjust the “Structure” and “Sharpening” on the image. Again, sliding left and right affecsts the intensity of what you are adjusting, and up and down (or clicking the slider icon) will allow you to swop between structure and sharpening. I’m going to crank up the both structure and sharpening to help give me the gritty city feel I’m looking for (Figure 18). Hitting the “Curves” icon from the Tools section brings up some fantastic curves pre-set options that automatically correct your photo to “Lighten” or “Darken” or a range of colour graded options (Figure 19). I’m not going to use these now, but look at the differences between “Hard contrast” (left on the figure) and filter M02 (middle). Within these curve presents you can fine-tune the curve (by pushing and dragging the circular points on the curve) and even individually tune RGB, Red, Green, Blue or Luminance, all independently of each other (Figure 19, right).
42 / JUNE 2021 I’d like to turn this photo into a black and white image so now, from the Tools option, I’m going to click “Black & White”. On the bottom you’ll now see a range of pre-sets like “Contrast”, “Bright”, “Film” etc (Figure 20). These might work for you, but the best way is to tweak settings individually for your photo. At the top of the screen you’ll see the family “Brightness” slider, which you can slide left and right to adjust the picture brightness. By sliding up and down on the photo, you can also adjust the contrast and grain of your photo. I’m going to add a bit more contrast and also a small amount of grain to the photo (Figure 21). Now, if you hit the little circle icon on the bottom toolbar (Figure 22, indicated with arrow) you can bring up a selection of black and white colour filters (Red, orange, green etc). Play around with these and see how they affect the overall look of your photo. Figure 23 shows the radical difference between selecting the red filter (left) and green filter (right) on this cityscape. For this edit, I’ve chose the orange filter.
FIGURE 21
FIGURE 22
As a final touch, for a completely random bit of fun, I’m going to hit the “Lens Blur” option from the Tools menu. The Radial blur option is what comes up as the default (Figure 24, left), but by tapping the circled dot (see arrow Figure 24) you can change it to a linear blur (Figure 24, right). By using two fingers (as you would to zoom in or out of your cell phone screen), you can rotate the blur lines to the angle you want. Again, tapping the slider icons at the bottom of the screen will bring up options for you to adjust the blur strength, the transition (of the non-blur to blur area) and the vignette effect.
FIGURE 24
FIGURE 20
FIGURE 23
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The blue dot (Figure 25) allows you to move the linear blur anywhere you like around the photo and I’m choosing to keep the main skyline buildings in focus, and blur the bottom buildings and the clouds (Figure 26), giving a fun tilt-shift effect in the final photo (Figure 27). FIGURE 26
FIGURE 25
The more you play around with photo apps, the better your results will be. As with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, there are plenty of online YouTube tutorials showing you how to maximise your mobile app editing. Have fun playing around and next month we’ll wrap up with two additional creative editing apps.
FIGURE 27
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Written by Hanli Smit
PLANNING A PHOTO SHOOT
I am sharing my process with you, which is not to say that it is the only process or that it is the best process. This is just the way I plan my shoots, for both creative and commercial shoots. I believe that planning saves time and money. 1) IDEA It all starts with an IDEA, we get our inspiration or ideas from music, art or even other photographers may inspire us with an image they post on social media or at club meetings. The idea is never to copy someone else’s work but it may spark your own imagination and you can build from there. TAKE CARE NOT TO COPY VERBATIM .... but rather see the style or lighting or concept as an idea to use in your next shoot. Once you have an idea take time to visualise and break down your concept. 2) COLOUR Look at your colour schemes and make sure you put your props and backgrounds together to see if you have colour harmony. Make sure not to mix colours that you know are not complimentary. 3) PROPS / GARMENTS/ ACCESSORIES When you plan a concept, garments and props are very important. If you create an image from a specific era or time in the past, make sure to look at fine detail Ie.:shoes, nails, furniture and seasons. You cannot use a fur jacket and let the model wear open sandals; or use a modern-day table and chair when you are creating an image set in the 1700’s 4) MOOD BOARD Creating a mood board is a very important part of the planning process, it gives yourself, the model, your team and your client a visual representation of what is in your creative mind. It can be created physically or digitally. When you are looking for the visuals of your ideas don’t only look at photography.Look at a wide range of disciplines from painting to sculpture and graphic design. This will help you to get a wider perspective on and about your concept and may even take you on a different path. During this process you may find ideas you might never have considered. 5) STORY BBOARD I am including a template of my Planning Sheet, it saves me time and allows me to focus on the shoot instead of trying to remember all I dreamt up during the planning stages. I will include my scribbles and my final image to demonstrate my thought process. 6) LIGHTING SET UP I use a dressmaker’s dummy to test my lighting set up before the model arrives. Most models charge per hour, so you do not want to waste any time on setting up your lights once the shoot starts. Once the real model is in place you only want to do minor light meter readings and reflector placings for every photo planned. Be mindful of expecting millions of images from a workshop, if you walk away with knowledge and a trick or two learnt that is more important than having hundreds of images that looks exactly like the images of 20 other photographers on the workshop with you.
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PLANNING A SHOOT WITH A STORY / MOOD BOARD Lighting Diagram
Lighting Diagram
Lighting Diagram
Lighting Diagram
Description & List of Props ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Description & List of Props ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Description & List of Props -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Description & List of Props --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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MOOD BOARD In preparation for the congress in Nieu Bethesda I am planning props and workshops relating to the Owl house.
I googled all these images in my search for the idea to represent the art of Helen Martens. She was the reclusive artist that lived in Nieu Bethesda and today her house is a National Monument in the town. The PSSA Congress, Covid-permitting, will be held there on the 26th of September 2021. I am making props that Laetitia Kenny and I will use every day at the Congress during our presentation on portraits.
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Description and List of Props
Lighting Diagram Have you ever wondered what lighting set up was used?....just zoom into the eye of the model and it should tell you what you need to know!! •
Sun shaped head piece with broken
glass, reflecting the mosaic art of Helen Martens •
Fur coat (kindly gifted to me by Moi-
ra) •
Brown “Rembrandt” hand
painted back drop •
Apple...as red as you can find
•
Model with a clear skin
•
Very long black wig..( China Town)
•
Fake snow...( did not happen)
I made this headpiece but decided to paint the cerise pink in a soft gold, which I think was the right decision! I also added another piece to it while shooting, as the gold looked too harsh and was giving me a lot of blown out bright spots.
TAKE CARE NOT TO COPY VERBATIM .... but rather see the style or lighting or concept as an idea to use in your next shoot. Once you have an idea take time to visualise and break down your concept.
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Closing dates for upcoming Salons 2021 find the information brochures on the PSSA website 2021-07-03 1st Witzenberg Photographic Society Digital & Print Salon (Brochure available) 2021-07-17 PSSA National Youth Salon (Brochure Available) 2021-07-31 TAF PDI 11th National Salon (Brochure available) - Click here if you will be entering prints 2021-08-14 Sandton 8th National Digital Salon (Brochure available) 2021-08-21 16th Krugersdorp Camera Club National Digital Salon (Brochure available) 2021-09-11 AFO 10th Digital Salon (Brochure available) 2021-09-18 5th Lowveld National Salon (Brochure available) 2021-09-25 PSSA 20th Up and Coming Salon (Brochure available) 2021-10-02 8th Swartland Salon 2021-10-09 Camera Obscura International Salon Circuit - Edenvale 2021-10-30 5th Paarl National Salon of Photography (Brochure available) 2021-11-06 2nd Benoni PDI Salon (Brochure available) 2021-11-13 OTRCC 2nd National Digital Salon 2021-11-20 Cross Continental Circuit
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Written by Heidi Broschk
Member FOCUS
MICHAEL
B R O S C H K Certificate of Excellence
(PSSA Youth Division) As part of their motivation to encourage more and more people in South Africa to become photographers and join this society, the Photographic Society of South Africa (PSSA) introduced a Youth Programme several years ago– and if you go and look at the Youth tab on their website, the following information will come up: ‘The PSSA would like to encourage young people to develop their photographic skills and as such the Youth Programme was devised. The youth division of PSSA also provides the youth with a platform to measure their skills and compete against other children of their age nationally and internationally. These competitions also provide schools with a means to assess the skill levels of the children external to the school as a means of awarding school colors.” (https://www.pssa.co.za/youth/youth-programme-overview)
51 / JUNE 2021 According to Anne d’Oliveira, past president of the PSSA and Director of the Central Gauteng Region, ‘it is the aim of the Society to instill the passion for photography within the youth and thus through their regional sectors assist with encouraging schools and individual scholars to participate in the activities of the Society. Throughout South Africa there are 100 photographic clubs that are all affiliated to the Society. The youth are provided with a platform by which the Society can measure their skills and provide competitions that they can enter to ascertain their skills levels throughout the country. As the Society offers Honours that can be achieved for their members, so the youth are afforded the same opportunities. Michael Broschk, a scholar, joined the Edenvale Photographic Club to further his skill in the art form of photography in which he had become interested. At clubs, the members are ranked by star ratings and have incentives by which the are promoted from one level to the next. Michael started at the club at the level of 1 Star and through his efforts and dedication has now reached 3 Star status.
Recently he joined a second club to broaden his horizons. Club within the Society are seen to be places of learning and teaching with the photographic circles in order for them to better their abilities as photographers. As an individual member of the PSSA, Michael is participating in an Honours programme and has achieved the first step in what is determined as Diamond Ratings - having successfully achieved Salon (Exhibition) acceptances for his images (15 national acceptances and 15 international acceptances since entering these events since 2018 This is considered by the Society as an exemplary achievement for this age group of photography. In an International Salon he received 4th place in the Junior Category, was the only South African junior in the top 25, and received - besides his acceptances - an Honourable Mention.’ (Letter to DSJ, German School of Johannesburg, May 2021)
Being very ambitious and competitive, Michael entered a colour panel of 10 photos, in order to apply for his Certificate of Excellence, CoE, in May 2021. The CoE is an award that the PSSA Youth Division offers all entrants under the age of 19, in order to recognize photographic skill and successful applicants are awarded a certificate and a badge at a Pass, Merit or Distinction standard. Applications for these awards take place twice a year. (The PSSA adult equivalent would be to get his Honours panel, such as the LPSSA, etc.) Michael thus entered a Colour Panel, that consisted of the following 10 images, which earned him his Certificate of Excellence, with Distinction. This means that he had to have 8 or more photos accepted by all judges. This also resulted in Michael being awarded his Full Colours at school, and he will now proudly sport a Photographic Scroll, and 1 diamond badge (Open) on his school blazer.
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Michael Broschk – Certificate of Excellence (PSSA Youth Division)
Michael Broschk – Certificate of Excellence (PSSA Youth Division)
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54 / JUNE 2021 Michael Broschk – Certificate of Excellence (PSSA Youth Division)
55 / JUNE 2021 Michael Broschk – Certificate of Excellence (PSSA Youth Division)