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The healing power
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LETTER OF THE WEEK W NS A SAMSUNG EVO PLUS M CROSD CARD NOTE: PRIZE APPLIES TO UK AND EU RES DENTS ONLY
Editorial team Group Editor Nigel Atherton Geoff Harris Deputy Editor Andy Westlake Technical Editor Michael Topham Reviews Editor Amy Davies Features Editor Technique Editor Hollie Latham Hucker Jacqueline Porter Production Editor Chief Sub Editor/Features Jolene Menezes Acting Chief Sub/Features Amanda Stroud Sarah Foster Art Editor Steph Tebboth Senior Designer Andrew Sydenham Studio Manager Photo-Science Consultant Professor Robert Newman Hollie Bishop Office Manager Special thanks to The moderators of the AP website: Andrew Robertson, lisadb, Nick Roberts, The Fat Controller
Resolutions
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Contact 01795 662976; support@mags-uk.com
I just felt that I had to write and thank you for your acknowledgement of mental health issues in the 11 January issue. As a PTSD sufferer it rang a bell for me – I was diagnosed after my wife’s sudden and unexpected death and after serving 30 years in a highly stressful role in the emergency services. And I can confirm that without my photography and camera club friends I would not be writing this letter. Having read the article and Paul Williams’ first-class book, it is good to know that I am not alone, and I hope that other readers will be able to come to terms with what life throws at us and get out with their cameras, and help them on the road to recovery. David Bish
David related to many of the issues we highlighted in our cover feature above
Win!
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Judges are holding clubs back
progressive new camera clubs are springing up that avoid competitions and indulge more in practical activities instead of sitting in the dark every week like brain-dead cabbages. If only a progressive club would set up near me. John Heywood
mouthful. I am angry at myself for not doing so. The author has only At the beginning of this been with us a few months year our camera club had and has shown great our first heat of our annual promise with her wildlife Image of the Year images. As we have struck competition. To put it up a friendship I mildly, the judge had been consoled her by telling her rather scathing with every to take no notice of the image when a print of a ignorant judge as he grey seal was presented to appears not to know be judged. It was a really anything about wonderful and photography, considering skilfully executed wildlife his performance that night. shot, but immediately the I’ve been a professional judge said, ‘What a horrible photographer since 1966. print. I do not want to see I have studied at two this ugly print ever again!’ colleges and have The whole club was experience in many shocked. I wished that I photographic disciplines had not become diplomatic both professionally and for with old age otherwise I my own pleasure. I first would have given him a joined a camera club in
1976, when just 27, never expecting the domineering role that competitions play in the camera club world, and soon came to feel that camera club judges retard the progress of camera club photography, because anything fresh is ridiculed by the judge. Last year we had our Print of the Year final. The winning print was a dinghy on the mud at low tide. In 1980 at a different club a similar print won in a similar competition. No wonder that traditional camera clubs are dominated by senile old men, pandering to brain-dead judges. Youngsters don’t want to know. And no wonder
New year resolutions are often short-lived for a variety of reasons. But my constant three reminders of better performance, some learned the hard way, might be useful as a prompter for others. 1] ‘Dithering means doom’. I’ve lost count of the times when witnessing situations where delay occurs because the lens cap is still on, the camera is stuck in a case, or adjustments have to be made before the shutter can be pressed. What was a great picture opportunity then suddenly becomes a fading memory. 2] ‘Know your kit’. It sounds basic but too few people spend enough time learning how to handle their camera in ways that become second nature. Quiet time spent in non-shooting situations helps to raise familiarity with controls and options. 3] ‘Stay on watch’. Picture opportunities can unfold when least expected. Develop the ability to think quickly in order to produce a memorable shot from a photo opportunity rather than an ordinary snapshot. Colin Lester
Catalina
In response to the letter by Gerald Peppiatt regarding upgrading to Catalina (AP 18 January), be warned. I upgraded with ongoing problems. My 27in iMac crashes every day and when I restart, the mouse and keyboard freeze. After three or four restarts, it works. I can no longer activate some older apps. I would re-install the older OS but in order to back up
22 February 2020 I www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
