FOCUS Sharing Visual Art
September 2019
The Official Digital Newsletter for Edenvale Photographic Club 2018 -CERPS -Winners
Proud Member of the Photographic Society of South Africa www.pssa.co.za
CONTENTS: Page
3
Chairman’s Chat
Page
4
Winning Images 11 Sept. 2019
Page
11
Winning Images 25 Sept. 2019
Page 16
Past Masters of Photography Lillian Bassman
Page 20 Page 21
Submission Procedure for Club evening entries Member Focus Brian Kleinwort
Page 23
How to replace a dull sky of a Landscape image
Page 24
Cover Story - Brian Kleinwort
Page
How to Join the GPU
Special Subject winner - Dave Wolstencroft
26
Committee Members Chairman: David Wolstencroft 083 229 8066 davewol@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson: Scoring & Promotions
Heidi Broschk 079 886 8515 heidib@uj.ac.za
Treasurer: Ted Kinsman
083 461 2350 tkinsman@global.co.za
Marketing: Natasha Bird 082 920 8898
mnktrad@mweb.co.za
Salons, Judges and Outings: John Coumbias
079 1732 825 jcoumbias@telkomsa.net
Certificates & Awards Des Alexander
Page 27/28
AGM and other Special Notices
Tribute to Neil Lane
MEETING TIME AND PLACE 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 18h30 for 19h00
EDENVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE Cor. Van Riebeeck & 2nd Street Edenvale
083 226 1452 neoncomp@webmail.co.za
New Members, Social Media & Website Clare Appleyard 083 234 0247
Newsletter : Hanli Smit
083 253 1034 hanlis54@gmail.com
Chairman’s Chat This year is racing towards the finish line. Before we know it 2019 will be history and our pens and keyboards will have to get used to 2020. There are still some exciting events to look forward to this year. Firstly CERPS. This is the local congress for the Combined East Rand Clubs which include F-Stop (Kempton Park), Benoni, Boksburg, Springs and of course Edenvale. It is taking place in Benoni on 19th October at the Northfield Methodist Church. The program and details have been published but are also be available in this newsletter. Please attend. There is a wide range of speakers, prizes are up for grabs and the interclub competition results will be announced, which we won in 2018. The national interclub competition results have not been published at the time of this going to press. Not sure why, but EPC has never done exceedingly well in this arena. Let’s see what 2019 brings. We are waiting for the results of the national newsletter competition as well. We are all wishing Hanli success. It is well deserved. Our annual awards evening will be held on 27th November at the Edenvale Community Centre. There will also be a standard club evening following the prize giving. This evening also includes supper with a few bottles of complimentary wine. It is our final meeting of the year. In closing, I would like to remind you of the AGM which will be held prior to the club meeting on 13th November. All relevant forms and documents will be circulated at least 2 weeks before the meeting which will include the notice of the AGM, Agenda, Nomination form, Proxy form and previous minutes. Please ensure that your email address is up to date. With only one John’s Jaunt left for 2019, scheduled for 20 October, I would like some ideas to come from the members. We have Northcliff hill on the shortlist. Any ideas are more than welcome. This has been a good year for EPC. Let’s keep the momentum going.
ve Da
1 Star Winners
11 September 2019
NATURE Cheetah Portrait Stephen Kangisser
PICTORIAL No Park Stephen Kangisser
2 Star Winners
NATURE Scrum Time Andrew Mayes
PICTORIAL Winter Beauty Atholene Liebenberg
11 September 2019
3 Star Winners
11 September 2019
NATURE Portrait of a african harrier hawk Guto
PICTORIAL Crystal Rock Mauritius Brian Kleinwort
4 Star Winners
11 September 2019
When members enter Nature and Wild life categories, the entrants warrant that they adhere to the PSSA Nature Photographer’s Code of Ethics and that “the welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph.� Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation. The story telling value of a photograph must be weighted more than the pictorial quality while maintaining high technical quality. Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces like hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible. Photographs of artificially created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to greyscale/monochrome. Stitched images are not permitted. Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed. Images used in Nature Photography competitions may be divided in two classes: Nature and Wildlife. Images entered in Nature sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition above can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.
PICTORIAL Mad Science Clare Appleyard
5
and 6 Star Winners 11 September 2019
NATURE Spider on the move Johann Harmse
PICTORIAL Soft as Silk Hanli Smit
Digital Prolab
Large Format Printing Print on Canvas Passport, ID, Visa, Drivers Photo Scan and Restore Old Photos your t e G
ages m i ful i t u a be vas n a c art onto
For personal attention and professional service phone - Rob Ponte 011 455 1243 email: robponte@neomail.co.za
The Photo & Digital Prolab 14 Grobler Rylaan (off Riley Road) Bedfordview
1 Star Winners
25 September
2019
Nature Out of Africa Stephen Kangisser
Pictorial Breakfast Stephen Kangisser
2 Star Winners
25 September 2019
Wildlife: Images entered in Wildlife sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition on Page 7... are further defined as one or more extant zoological or botanical organisms living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat. Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections. Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species. Wildlife images may be entered in Nature sections of salons and exhibitions. Digital manipulation is NOT allowed in this section. PICTORIAL Double Whammy Atholene Liebenberg
3 Star Winners
NATURE Wheres the grub Brian Kleinwort
PICTORIAL Remains Of Angkor Wat Entrance Bianca Holburn
25 September 2019
4 Star Winners
25 September 2019
NATURE Unfolding rose Christa Smith
PICTORIAL The Price of Human Greed Clare Appleyard
5 and 6 Star Winners
NATURE Wings aloft Dino Bottega
PICTORIAL Hey kitty kitty Natasha BIrd
25 September 2019
Past Masters of Photography Lillian Bissman
Lillian Bassman American Photographer | Born: 1917 - Died: 2012 Lillian Bassman (June 15, 1917 – February 13, 2012) was an American photographer and painter. Her parents were Jewish intellectuals who emigrated to the United States from Russia in 1905 and settled in Brooklyn, New York. She studied at the Textile High School in Manhattan with Alexey Brodovitch and graduated in 1933. While there, she met the photographer, Paul Himmel, and they were married in 1935; Himmel died in 2009 after 73 years of marriage. From the 1940s until the 1960s Bassman worked as a fashion photographer for Junior Bazaar and later at Harper’s Bazaar where she promoted the careers of photographers such as Richard Avedon, Robert Frank, Louis Faurer and Arnold Newman. Under the guidance of the Russian emigrant, Alexey Brodovitch, she began to photograph her model subjects primarily in black and white. Her work was published for the most part in Harper’s Bazaar from 1950 to 1965. By the 1970s Bassman’s interest in pure form in her fashion photography was out of vogue. She turned to her own photo projects and abandoned fashion photography
The Misstress of the Darkroom
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
In doing so she tossed out 40 years of negatives and prints - her life’s work. A forgotten bag filled with hundreds of images was discovered over 20 years later. Bassman’s fashion photographic work began to be re-appreciated in the 1990s. She worked with digital technology and abstract color photography into her 90s to create a new series of work. She used Photoshop for her image manipulation. The most notable qualities about her photographic work are the high contrasts between light and dark, the graininess of the finished photos, and the geometric placement and camera angles of the subjects. Bassman became one of the last great woman photographers in the world of fashion. Bassman died on February 13, 2012, at age 94.
Some more Iconic Images from the lens of Lillian Bassman
Lillian Bassman
Lillian Bassman
Specifications for submission of High Definition “E” Photography
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE Maximum Pixel Size = 1080 x 1920 Maximum Data File Size = 2000 Kilobytes (2mb) Jpeg We use 2 Categories at Edenvale for our club submissions 1) NATURE...”na” 2) PICTORIAL....”pi” The image must be named as follows Star Rating_Category_Image Name_Persons Name EXAMPLE:...2_na_hornbill_joe blog (all lowercase)
1. Select Canvas [Frame] Size under the heading “ Image” in Photoshop if you wish to add the border to the image and make your adjustments. If you do not wish to add a border, go to step 2 2. Select Image Size under the heading “Image” in Photoshop – tick the following boxes : Scale Styles, Constrain Proportions and Resample image. 3. The maximum size of the image must not exceed 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high 4. When resizing a horizontal image ( Landscape ), enter 1920 pixels in the Width box and the vertical size will be adjusted automatically if you have ticked the “ Resample Image” box . If the vertical size is 1080 pixels or less, the resizing is correct. If the vertical adjusts to a value more than 1080 pixels ( say 1096 pixels ) then adjust the vertical size to 1080 pixels and the horizontal size will automatically reduce below 1920 pixels if you have ticked the “ Resample Image” box. 5. When resizing a vertical image (Portrait), enter 1080 pixels in the Height Box. The value in the Width Box will change automatically to match the original image if you have ticked the “ Resample Image “ box. 6. The maximum image data file size is 2000 (2MB) Kilobytes in the JPEG format . Note that if a border is added to the image, this must be added before resizing and reducing the file size to a maximum of 2000 Kilobytes to ensure that the image remains within the specified 2000Kb (2MB). 7. It is recommended that the image be displayed in the sRGB Colour Profile. This can be selected in the camera or changed in Photoshop under Edit/ Convert to Profile.
New
MEMBER
FOCUS
I have always been an outdoor person, starting off as a fisherman, and I have caught tiger in the Zambezi, big game fish in Zanzibar, and salmon in Alaska. I started birding about 10 years ago, which was the start of my photo journey; family and holiday photos, and snapping birds just to identify them. I now have a collection of nearly 500 birds. I met John at a bird hide in Marievale, and he asked me to come join the Edenvale photo club, which was about 14 months ago. My photo life has exploded - from snap shots of birds to learning photography, to learning what shutter, aperture, iso and all strange things that I suddenly had to deal with! John has helped me in my journey, and it has been a blitz education, in which the club has been my biggest motivator to do the best I can. I have been encouraged by the support given at the club and its activities: still life, portraits, steam engines, Sandton roads, all which were never done or photographed by me before But still, my passion remains true to nature and wild life, birds, animals, and basically just getting out into the bush and sitting in a hide somewhere. My camera bag used to be my pocket, now it fills the boot of my car: two cameras, with different lenses, batteries straps, tripod, and of course, the lunch box with my flask of coffee, boiled eggs, and sarmies.
My next goal would be to become more proficient at what I’m doing and that includes learning all the software, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. The Edenvale Photo Club has become a adventure of skills and people! I have always been a loner and tried to achieve things myself, now I can’t do that and what a joy it is to be amongst friends who will help you move on and share in their achievements, which motivates me. The journey from 1 star to wherever is a giant leap for me. John Jaunt’s have been amazing for me, and the variety has been fantastic. Edenvale Photo Club, keep up the good work.
Brian
Kleinwort
HOW TO REPLACE THE DULL SKY OF A LANDSCAPE IMAGE THE VERY EASY WAY THIS WILL THEN BE AN IMAGE ENTERED AS PICTORIAL AND NOT NATURE Not all images are suitable for this sky-replacement technique It works best on images where the sky is significantly lighter than the foreground, and where the border between the sky and the foreground is sharp and well defined. To get started, we need to select the sky we want to replace. The quickest way to do this is by using the magic wand tool, one of the few situations in which this tool gives good results. With a tolerance of 30 and ensuring that the Contiguous box is checked, click anywhere in the sky area. It probably won’t select the whole sky in one go, but by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the unselected areas, you can add more to the selection until the whole sky is selected. If you look closely you will notice electricity wires, roughly select them and go to Edit> content aware> to select and replace the pixels with similar pixels around the wires. Next we need the new sky, open the image you’re using as a sky donor/replacement, and using the rectangular marquee selection tool, select a large chunk of the sky. Press Ctrl+ C to copy this to the clipboard. At this stage also make a duplicated layer of the sky to become the reflection in the water. The duplicated sky can be flipped vertically via the menu withEdit > Transform> Flip Vertical.
Once you have the flipped sky in the position that you are happy with, you need to work on the transparency of this level. In this image the transparency of the reflected clouds was set to 72% Also make sure to use a soft brush and the eraser tool and remove the clouds from the grass and other areas of the landscape. When you select your donor sky make sure the sky matches the light of the landscape. In this case the bright clouds looks as if it could have been there to create the light tops on the mountains as it was not a completely dark donor sky.
PLEASE NOTE THIS TYPE OF IMAGE MUST BE ENTERED UNDER PICTORIAL OR ALTERED REALITY IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ALL THE IMAGES MUST BE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS OWN WORK DO NOT BORROW FROM GOOGLE ALWAYS READ THE RULES WHEN YOU ENTER SALON OR ANY OTHER COMPETITION REGARDING MANIPULATION AND EDITING
Cover Story
BRIAN KLEINWORT This image worthy of a travel postcard was captured by Brian Kleinwort. This image of the Crystal Rock, Mauritius is a natural rock formation which is large, situated off the south-west coast of Mauritius. It is located close to the Le Morne mountain.
Special Subject - Photo Journalism WINNER - Dave Wolstencroft TITLE - Downhill Bend
Let us introduce to you: “Global Photographic Union”, shortened as GPU John Coumbias is the National Representative in South Africa At the outset, it must be said that GPU is not a replacement for local “club” photography where photographers attend on a regular basis and take a full and active role in their “club” or for regional, federation or national level photography. GPU is formed for those photographers who wish to take part in a truly international organisation where photographic art allows and encourages cultural exchange. GPU operate its own distinctions scheme where photographers collects points from acceptances, mentions and awards in international exhibitions ; members can apply for GPU “crowns” without further submission of work or gaining more “acceptances”.
A different system of GPU titles, based on stunning photo collections, are: Aphrodite, Hermes and Zeus. So, what does GPU offers to prospective members? What do you get for your money?
GPU is a truly international photographic organisation – with GPU inspired and managed BY photographers and managed FOR photographers. The management board is currently represented by 8 internationally renowned photographers from 7 countries with members of GPU from 4 continents. Each country has a dedicated GPU national “delegate” who is the local contact point for all issues related to GPU. Every section of photography is encouraged by GPU and equally valued. By this we mean that all the aspects of photography can be found within GPU and based on comradeship and mutual respect by all. Being international it is recognised that it will not be possible for the whole GPU membership to meet regularly but regular meetings will be help on both a national or regional basis where technical and visual presentations and discussion on a range of topics. National/regional exhibitions will be exchanged on a planned basis which will mean that images of the members will be displayed and seen in many different counties.
GPU will make extensive use of the GPU web site where information on events and competitions will be held, members galleries displayed and competition details/results displayed. For more information visit the
website www.gpuphoto.com or contact John Coumbias the local representative. One year membership is EUR 30 Three year membership is EUR 70
If you opt for the one year membership you will have to wait a year and only apply in your second year for their accreditation. If however you sign up for the 3 year membership you can apply immidiately, for more info on the different distinctions visit the website or contact John at 079 1732 825 or via email jcoumbias@telkomsa.net
Special Notices • The AGM which will be held prior to the club meeting on 13th November. • All relevant forms and documents will be circulated at least 2 weeks before the meeting which will include the notice of the AGM, Agenda, Nomination form, Proxy form and • previous minutes. • Please ensure that your email address is up to date.
The Edenvale Photographic Club would like to thank Anne D’Oliveira for being such a wonderful PSSA president in the last two years, and for always committing her time to anything photographic. Anne is not only a fantastic photographer, AV expert, and very considerate judge, but a very supportive and committed woman within the entire photographic community. We have always felt her support at EPC, whenever she drops a quick Whatsapp message to congratulate a member for having achieved something special at club, or simply wishing them ‘happy birthday’. Anne is also always available telephonically, where she is very happy to assist with any PSSA- , salon- and photographic questions. At the recent PSSA a new President, Francois Roux was elected to the helm and thus Anne D’Oliveira’s two year term of office comes to an end. Anne too, is a dear friend of EPC and we would like to commend her for her service and dedication to the growth and development of photography within South Africa. As Dave has said, this is not a good-bye from us at EPC as we hope to see her even more at our club meets as a judge now that she has a little more time available. Please consider becoming a member of the Photographic Society of South Africa (PSSA) there are many benefits to belonging to an organization that focuses on the growth and sustainability of photography clubs within South Africa. www.pssa.co.za As you can see, there are fantastic people within the photographic community that serve selflessly with the sole intent of growing our art. We at EPC salute them! We wish her well on her new part of her PSSA-related journey, Thank you, Anne EPC
It was a sad, sad day indeed, when John Coumbias informed the EPC Committee members and myself that Neil Lane, friend, photographer and judge, had passed away suddenly on the evening of the 20 September 2019. Neil was a member of the Alberton Photo Club, and a renowned judge and a wonderful gentleman. I got to know Neil very well when I joined Alberton as my second photo club. He never had a bad word to say about anyone, and was always smiling, friendly and eager to help in any way or manner, particularly any newbie struggling photographers (of which I formed one). Two of his preferred genres of photography were Sports Photography, and Nature. He had some fantastic cricket photos, one of his favourite sports. I can still hear Neil judge sports photos at club, and he was famed for saying that ‘you are in control of the background of sports photography’. We both agreed to disagree on this topic, and it became a little joke between us.
When choosing judges for the EPC became part of my Committee portfolio – Neil was the one person that I could always count on to come through for the club. Many a time, a judge cancelled in the last minute, and I always knew that I could ask Neil – even a night before – to judge; and not once did he ever let me down! Neil was a dear friend, and I will always remember this tall, smiling man, who had all the time in the world for people
– a true gem of a man. I know that the entire club joins me in extending our deepest, most heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends in this tragic time. Please rest in peace, Neil, your passing is mourned by so many. Your friend, Heidi Broschk Edenvale Photo Club
The Edenvale Photography Club community includes not only our members but also the greater photographic community at large. We celebrate everyone’s achievements and share this wonderful journey together. It is therefore with a very sore heart that we advise of the passing of Alberton Photography Club Chairman, Neil Lane. Over the many years that Neil has visited and judged at our club, he has been instrumental in not only guiding us with his fair and constructive feedback but also in sharing his love of photography so freely with us. Always the gentleman, Neil was not only tall in stature but a great man and we share his loss with his wife Tessa and children. Rest In Peace dear friend. Natasha Bird Edenvale Photo Club Committee and Members