FOCUS CERPS WINNERS 2018 AND 2019
John Coumbias
20 Dec 1947 - 7 Sept 2020 RIP
Edenvale Photo Club Newsletter - SEPTEMBER 2020
Sharing Visual Art since 1950
02 / August 2020 COVER IMAGE BY DAVID WOLSTENCROFT..... and the story behind the shot The photo was taken at the model shoot at Cecil’s place. We were setting up the lights and I needed a model to check the lighting. I volunteered John, so there was lots of laughing and joking, hence the big smile. That image is one of the “test” shots. I really like the image. I think it portrays the true character of John. I just wish I had more. He is in a better place but he is sorely missed.
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 /August 2020
DEAR MEMBERS It is only fitting that this newsletter is dedicated to John Coumbias. John has been the one solid rock in the club. His steady and conservative nature has guided and nurtured the club to where it is today. A lot of what John did, either directly or through his guidance or advice was often behind the scenes. His years of experience in just about every club situation have been invaluable to the successful running of the club. Most of you know John from outings and workshops. He was always there with advice, guidance and teaching whenever required. One thing that has remained in my memory is when John arranged a photo shoot to Rondebult bird sanctuary. He arranged it solely to teach, He did not even bring his camera. Such willingness to give really struck a chord with me. That is John. I know the club will not be the same without John. His influence will live on in the club and will always be the base on which decisions are made. We will persevere. We will continue to make the club one of, if the not the best in the country, but we are poorer without John. John, we still rely on your guidance and wisdom. We know you are looking after us. You are not in sight, but always in our minds. May you continue to see the light all around. Chairman: David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
Your are missed by all and your legacy lives on. Dave
04 / August 2020
Committee Members Chairman:
MEETING TIME AND PLACE 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 18H30 FOR 19H00 EDENVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE COR. VAN RIEBEECK & 2ND STREET, EDENVALE
David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
Salons, Judges and Outings: John Coumbias 079 1732 825 jcoumbias@telkomsa.net
Marketing and Secretary: Natasha Bird 082 920 8898 mnktrad@mweb.co.za
Newsletter Editor & Graphic Design: Hanli Smit 083 253 1034 hanlis54@gmail.com
Treasurer: Ted Kinsman 083 461 2350 tkinsman@global.co.za
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
ALL CLUB MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Training: Robbie Aspeling 082 309 7470 rob@raphoto.co.za
05 /August 2020
IN THIS ISSUE We Dedicate this Newsletter to our Dearest Friend
John Coumbias WINNING IMAGE 9 Sept 2020
9 SEPTEMBER WINNERS Page 30
HOW AMAZING THAT JOHNS IMAGE WAS THE WINNING IMAGE ON HIS LAST EVER CLUB ENTRY
23 SEPTEMBER Winners Page 16
06 / August 2020 PAST MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
JOHN COUMBIAS It is with a heavy heart that we pay tribute to our dear friend John Coumbias Where do we start... How do we begin to describe our wonderful friend and pay tribute to him and his legacy? John Coumbias a Legend in his own life time and the Stalward of Edenvale Photographic Club. We want to take this oppertunity to thank his Family for sharing him with us, he was our father and leader at Edenvale Photo Club and we will sorely miss him and all the wonderful outings he lead. I think the Eulogy written by his Family and presented at his funeral will most probably best sum up this great man and his life. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US USE YOUR CITATION IN THIS TRIBUTE TO JOHN
07 / August 2020 This is a speech we truly never wanted to write. Where does one begin and end in trying to convey the memory, the person, let alone a dad. Our father: He was a Son. A Husband. A Father. A Grandfather. He was wise and humble. His passion and love of life was evident in his big smile. He was a realist, an optimist and an extremely hard worker. He was a master griller and world class photographer. Our dad was born in Alexandria, Egypt on 20 December 1947, followed thereafter by his brother, Chris Coumbias in 1950. Having completed his education at technical college in Alexandria, he left his family and brother and came to South Africa in 1966. An engineer by trade, he started working at Platona Zabethoulakis where he met Theo Thoma, who would become his business partner from 1 February 1975 when they bought out the business, renaming it General Precision Engineering. Our dad had a brief short first marriage that culminated in my birth in 1970. In 1974 he met our mom Marcia, and they got married on 3 September 1977. In 1980 they had my brother Manoli and Dimitri in 1985. There are so many stories we could share about our dad, so many moments that will eternally remain in our memory, but those are our memories and if we had to convey them the sentiment may be lost in translation. So we will speak about him in broad paint strokes, and we will try and convey who he was to us, his family. As Manoli would say, “All of the greatest leaders lead by example� and our father is an example of that. He gave everything he had for our family, as well as for all those that he loved. He appreciated and genuinely loved everyone, despite any differences they may have had. Our dad was a man of complete extremes. Whatever he committed to, he did whole heartedly and with perceptions and viewpoints that were set in stone, even if debatable. Our dad believed in the value of education, and ensured that he provided all three of us with a quality university education. He was relentless in demanding academic excellence, and from an early age, instilled within us an independent and consistent work ethic that has and will stand us in good stead as we go through life. He gave us all he had and prepared us for all that life would bring. In many ways, when I look at the three of us, myself, Manoli and Dimitri, we are who we are because of who he was. He never expected anything but the best from us. We were taught the value of things and to never take anything for granted. We were taught to never give up, to stand on our own two feet and to do what it takes to attain what we wish for in life. In the shock of these past few days, I have had three people, on three independent occasions point out that our bravery, strength and determination are a testament to him. Whether you knew our Dad well or you had just met him, you would know how much he loved his family, and in particular, his grandchildren. His entire outlook on life changed the day he became a grandfather, a role we truly believe he was born for. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for all seven of them.
08 / August 2020 For Andreas, Yianni and Nickolas, their memories of their grandfather will live on eternally in them. There was nothing my three boys couldn’t ask of him, couldn’t do to him. He watched endless reruns of The Jungle Book, Dumbo and Telli tubbies when they were small. As they got older he’d often take them out individually for lunch, share a beer and chat with them. He loved being asked to make a braai for them and their love for pork rashers and copious amounts of seasoning are a direct result of these braais. For Hariclea and Johnny, they’ll remember a proud grandfather who watched concerts, dance recitals and took myriads of photos of their achievements. For Baby Johnny and Erini, their memories will be blurred due to their young age, and as a family, we promise to share our stories, our memories of you with them, so that they too can appreciate the grandfather that you were. Three of his grandchildren carry his name, a name we each were so proud to give our sons. It is a strong name, a victorious name. Today that name takes on an entirely new meaning now. A name that will live on through our three Ioannis. When he started photography, a whole new world opened up to him. He could spend endless hours creating the perfect picture and that patience saw him become a world renowned photographer attaining numerous local and international awards. The outpouring of love and tributes paid by the photographic community lays testament to this. My dad left us suddenly – as in life, unapologetically and on his terms. We are left trying to navigate so many emotions and a sense of loss we cannot even begin to explain. We will never find a missed call on our cell phones, or receive a whatsapp messaging telling us he loved us or get to share a Sunday braai prepared by him. We promise to look after mom and yiayia and be there for them.We will strive to be the best that we can be every day. Now that you are watching over us, we will work even harder to fulfill the dreams you had for each of us, to ensure that we continue the best version of ourselves, and to be people you are proud of. Life is fleeting. There are absolutely no guarantees of a tomorrow. So I encourage each of you, if you miss someone tell them. If you love someone, show it. Be real, be vulnerable, be present. I want to thank each of you as well as those that have joined online for being here today to pay tribute to our dad. Your love, support and messages have meant so much to each of us.
As we navigate a future without our dad, we will draw our courage knowing that he lived life as he wanted to, and to quote his words in closing
- “If I had to go back in time, I would not change anything – it has and continues to be, a wonderful, creative journey.” Eonia sou imnimi mba, kalo taxithi and till we meet again, love you always.
09 / August 2020
HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER
FRIEND
10 / August 2020 ANDREAS, Icon, Teacher, Role Model, Entrepreneur, Lover, Carer, Photagrapher. Pappou, how can I find the words to describe the man you are? You left us so suddenly and so quickly that I am left speechless and heartbroken. They say a picture has a thousand words but you, Pappou, have a thousand pictures. As we all know, photography was my grandfather’s life. As long as he was either taking photos, editing them or talking about them, he was the happiest man on the planet. In the beginning I used to love sitting in his photography room while he explained and showed me his latest shots he had taken on his Kalhari trip but, just as every other family member in the Coumbias household experienced, you soon became trapped in that room and would instantly regret going in. Hours and hours would pass and every time you tried to leave he would pull you back in to show you more photos. My brothers and I would always laugh and place bets to see who would be his next victim. This was almost always our poor impressionable girlfriends who had to go through their initiation. But before his photography career started, my grandfather played an instrumental role in my upbringing. I was raised in his house where we would watch movies together, play with legos, kick a ball around and swim in the pool. I can’t even count the number of times I forced my grandparents to watch jungle book or telletubies with me. Maybe that’s the reason he kept me in his photography room for so many hours. Delayed justice I guess. Papou, I can’t describe how much I am going to miss you. I’m going to miss our trips to the mall where I’d order a spaghetti Bolognese and a raspberry ice tea before we went to watch the latest action movie. I’m going to miss braaing pork rashers and chops whilst drinking a DosM with you. I’m going to miss waking you up everytime you dozed off on the couch. But most importantly I’m going to miss being around you, being with you and being able to talk to you. Mark Twain once said that the fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. I can certainly say, without a doubt, that my grandfather, John Coumbias, lived his life to the fullest and to the best of his abilities as he enjoyed every moment of it. This is accentuated and evident by all the lives he has touched and by the memories he has engraved in the thousands of souls that have encountered his presence. Papou, this is not goodbye but rather an until we meet again. You are not gone and you will not be forgotten because your essence will live on through the people struck by the wake of your life. I think it is only fitting that I leave you with a quote from one of our first memories together where Winnie pooh said to piglet “The most important thing is, even when we’re apart...I’ll always be with you” I love you Papou. May you rest in peace.
11 / August 2020
12 / August 2020
John
Coumbias
WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY NATASHA BIRD
BIOGRAPHY My love of photography began at a very young age, albeit not seriously initially as I dedicated my youth and time to establishing my career in Engineering. Photography however has always been a part of my life and I am now very passionate about my wonderful hobby. The first camera I bought was a Nikon FT2 in 1970 and I am proud to say that I am still a dedicated Nikon user 50 years later, now using a Nikon D500. Among my favourite lenses is the Tamron 18400mm which is very versatile as well as the Nikon 110mm Micro, the Tamron15-30mm wide angle and the Tamron 150-600mm telephoto lens. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INTERNATIONAL International Honours Awards & Recognition: Hon CPE. (Honorary Campina Photographic Exhibition) GPU (Global Photographic Union) (Zeus) • This distinction, awarded by the Global Photographic Union is an international accolade which recognizes a photographer for successfully having completed a rigorous panel submission over three stages. The Aphrodite, Hermes and finally Zeus distinctions require various genre photographic panel submissions which are then judged by an international committee. It is a major accomplishment and takes many years to collate quality images worthy of these titles AFIAP - Associate Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique FIAP Blue Badge for Best Author on seven occasions: • This International accolade is awarded to the overall salon winner in any particular year: 3rd Danube Exhibition 2014; 1st Vision Zero International Salon 2014; Avante Garde International Digital Salon 2015 and the 3rd Olympic Photo Circuit 2015; 2017 – Invited to Mongolia to accept Gold Medal Award in French Salon and participate in the Inner Mongolian Naiman Chinese Exhibition; 2017 – Silver Medalist – Nature category - in Trierenberg Super Circuit 2018 - Guest speaker at the Hellenic Community of Alexandria Teatro in December - made 3 presentations to attendees 3rd Exhibition Mystic 2018; 2nd Danube Digital Circuit 2017 Romania; 2019 – Received my 7th FIAP Blue Ribbon at the 64th PSSL (Photographic Society of Sri Lanka) in the annual competition and exhibition of photography 2019 and recognized by Global Photographic Union as the National Representative for South Africa 2019 – Received the Genius G.APS Distinction from Agile Photographic Society, Bangladesh and in March 2020 the Artisan A.APS Honour 2020 – Awarded my 8th FIAP Blue Badge in the 13th NBPC International Salon of
13 / August 2020 JUDGING, COMMITTEES & MEMBERSHIPS Judging International: I have been honoured to judge 8 International Salons (photographic competitions) • Miroc (2020/ 2019 / 2018 / 2016 / 2015) • Camera Obscura (2019/ 2018 /2017/ 2016) Judging South Africa: In 2015/ 2017/ 2018/ 2019 I have been instrumental in arranging and co-ordinating seven International Salons for my home-based club, Edenvale Photography Club. I have been honoured on many occasions to review many Photography South Africa Honours Panels (images submitted by members for PSSA accreditations) Over the years I have judged many National Salon photographic competitions and am still actively involved to this end. Club Membership: I am a Committee member of three local photography clubs namely, Benoni Camera Club (13 years membership), Jabula Photographic Club (18 years membership) and Edenvale Photography Club (24 years membership), which is my home club. I have many years of dedicated service at each club where I assist with members growth; judging and inviting guest judges to visit these clubs and judge competition evenings; planning of outings and workshops and sharing my knowledge to help other photographers grow their skill sets and abilities. It gives me great pleasure to see other photographers grow and develop their passion. GOALS Photography has evolved greatly in the last decade. I recall digital photography started in 2007 at Benoni Camera Club and the transition from slides to the digital world has been very enjoyable. I see photographs everywhere, even in my sleep… Photography is my passion, my hobby and even though I am extremely dedicated and I don’t miss any opportunities to shoot, I never want it to become a career. Too many photographers lose their passion when it becomes a job and they need to earn a living from their images. I am an engineer by profession and still manage my clients daily but always endeavour to find a healthy balance in all I do. Earning a club award is just as special an accomplishment as winning an International medal in a recognized salon. Every moment is important and I will continue to strive to keep being patient and practicing my art. I don’t have one favourite genre but enjoy them all, landscape, portraiture, street photography, nature and travel – any image with good light is beautiful when it captures that magic moment. My photography has taught me many lessons and my advice to new photographers is to be patient, enjoy your hobby and any awards that follow are a bonus. I am always learning, always wanting to try something new and I admire all photographers for their dedication and love of the craft. If I had to go back in time, I would not change anything – it has and continues to be, a wonderful, creative journey.
14 / August 2020
John
Coumbias
15 /August 2020
16 / August 2020
ONE STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Lion at sunrise Peter Fine
17 / August 2020
ONE STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Spring has sprung Peter Fine
18/ August 2020
TWO STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Pretty me
Tony Wilson
19 / August 2020 COMPOSITION 101
TWO STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Anyone for wine
Tony Wilson
20/ August 2020
THREE STAR WINNER 9 sept
Treading Lightly
Stephen
Kangisser
21/ August 2020
THREE STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Nicole
Stephen
Kangisser
22 / August 2020
FOUR STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Blue eyed Angora kid Christa Smith
23 / August 2020
FOUR STAR WINNER 9 Sept
Nature vs Man
Clare Appleyard
24 / August 2020
FIVE & 5 STAR HONOURS WINNER
9 Sept
Grass Tapestry
John Coumbias
25 / August 2020
FIVE & 5 STAR HONOURS WINNER
9 Sept
Chanel No 5
Robbie Aspeling
26 / August2020
JOHN COUMBIAS As you all know, after his family, John’s passion is photography.
He is not only highly regarded locally, but nationally and even internationally. He has been invited to judge in several countries around the world. He has won awards more numerous to mention and is regarded as one of the top photographers in South Africa. With all this attention and achievement, John remained grounded and humble. I first met John when I joined Edenvale Photo Club about 7 years ago. As I became more involved in the club, I got to know John a lot more and our friendship grew. He has always had my best interests at heart, pushing me out of my comfort zone to do more than I thought I could. His advice, guidance, mentorship, and steady calm nature will remain with me forever. He has been a true ambassador, not only for Edenvale, but for photography as a whole. A true gentleman, always putting others firstand always willing to share his knowledge and experience, loved by all. I was always amazed by how many people knew John. Meetings and congresses were always a constant flow as person after person would come up and greet him, shake his hand, and have a chat. John was always smiling. The respect that everyone has for this man is beyond words. I know my life and countless others will be forever better having known John. Rest in peace our friend. David Wolstencroft
27 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS John
Coumbias
28 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS
29 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS
John
Coumbias
30 / August 2020
ONE STAR WINNER 23 Sept
Backward glance Peter Fine
31 / August 2020
ONE STAR WINNER 23 Sept
A Single Bell
Tahlita Verster
32 / August2020
TWO STAR WINNER 23 Sept
Kudu Bull in evening light Gavin
Duffy
33/ August 2020
TWO STAR WINNER 23 Sept
Vulture
Tony Wilson
34 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS
Some of John’s Nature shots
35 / August 2020
THREE STAR WINNER 23 Sept
Orange light
Caryn Wilson
36 / August 2020
FOUR STAR WINNER 23 Sept
the bulls eye
Christa Smith
37 / August 2020
FOUR STAR WINNER 23 Sept
Twin Towers
Clare Appleyard
38 / August 2020
5* & 5 Star Honours Winners 23 Sept
Natal Tree Frog
Vicki Street
39 / August 2020
5* & 5 Star Honours Winners 23 Sept
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Vicki Street
40 / August2020
SPECIAL SUBJECT “ Tools”
Winner
Loose Tools
Dino Bottega
41 / August 2020
SPECIAL SUBJECT “People at work” Winner
Barrista
Peter Fine
42 / August 2020
Closing dates for upcoming Salons 2020/2021 find the information brochures on the PSSA website
2020-10-03 8th Swartland Intl (Brochure available) 2020-10-11 International-circuit Camera Obscura 2020 2020-10-17 1st Eden Photographic Society Salon (Brochure available) 2020-10-24 18th PSSA Up and Coming Competition (Brochure available) 2020-10-31 2nd SAVAS National (Brochure available) 2020-11-07 Midlens 1st Nature National (Brochure Available) 2020-11-14 6th Centurion National (Brochure available) 2021-01-09 4th Brandpunt National 2021-01-16 1st Amber National 2021-01-23 7th PSSA National 2021-01-30 1st Visual Art National 2021-02-13 Bloemfontein National 2021-02-27 Western Cape Photographic Forum International (Brochure available) 2021-03-20 PSSA Up and Coming Competition (19th)
43 / August 2020
PSSA FROM THE PRO Evelyn Gibson It is an honour and a privilege as PRO to write a few words on behalf of PSSA in recognizing and saluting our dear Photography friend John Coumbias who suddenly departed from us very recently. John supported PSSA 100 per cent in every way possible. He encouraged photographers to join our Society. He judged for many clubs as well as judging in our Salons. He also organized his main club Edenvale Photographic Club to, every year, judge in an International Salon run by one of the International Photographic Societies. He was so dedicated and so loved in the photographic amateur world that he was additionally a member of the Benoni Camera Club and the Jabula Camera Club. He inspired many photographers throughout his photographic life just as he had been inspired when he started photography many years ago by photographers that he looked up to. John was a person, when he decided to achieve something he went full out to do so in every way possible. He was a teacher of note and always wanted to help and assist photographers to do better, which he did in many different ways, like aiding them with the set ups in their cameras as well as going out with them to different places and facilitate in their obtaining these WOW shots. He was a thorough gentleman and a gentle man, kind, with a great passion for everything he did around his hobby of photography as well as in his business and especially in relation to his family. He was a perfectionist of note. On a personal note, I judged with him quite a number of times and was also with him at various photographic functions. I always found him to be the perfect gentleman with his huge passion for photography. Thank you John for all you gave back to this wonderful hobby of ours Photography, you certainly will be sorely missed for many years to come but will always be remembered for your photography and the absolute passion you had for it. EVELYN.
44 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS
45 / August 2020 ICONIC IMAGES BY JOHN COUMBIAS
John
Coumbias
46 / August 2020
“John, you always searched for the “beautiful light”. You taught us that if there wasn’t beautiful light, put down your camera and enjoy the friends you are with. We know you have now found the most perfect, glorious light where you are in heaven. This is not a goodbye but rather, until we meet again. When that time comes and we meet up with you again, we know you will once again share your love and light with us.” Natasha Bird
47 / August 2020
JOHN COUMBIAS 20 Dec 1947 - 7 Sept 2020