CameraTalk June 2023

PRESIDENT

Paul Whitham APSNZ

m: 021 644 418

e: president@photography.org.nz

SECRETARY

Janet Munnings LPSNZ LRPS

m. 022 163 0379

e. secretary@photography.org.nz

EDITOR & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lee Boddington

c. 021 215 3823

e. leestuartcreations@gmail.com

SUBEDITOR

Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ

t. 06 348 7141 or m. 027 653 0341 e. dilinz@actrix.co.nz

ADVERTISING

Aston Moss LPSNZ

m. 021 272 7866

e. aston.t.moss@gmail.com

NEXT CAMERATALK DEADLINE

25 July 2023

Email your contributions to the Subeditor. Editorial should be sent as Word or .txt files. JPEG images generally should be saved at 300 dpi, compressed to high to medium quality, and sent seperately (not embedded in any document). Include return postage if you wish material to be returned.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Council of PSNZ.

On the Cover:

Mono Workshop by Inger Perkins

In this issue

The June 2023 issue of CameraTalk does not have a specific theme but covers a range of topics:

• Introducing the 69th Natiuonal Convention and speakers.

• Great article, followed by a wonderful review of the Mono Workshop held earlier this year.

• What are FIAP and FIAP, an informative article.

• Canon Online 2023: Round 2 - well done to everyone who took part.

Our next Issue (August 2023): As ever we are happy to hear from all members with ideas and articles.

Photograph by Sara Varenne

A Note from the President

As you read this, winter will have arrived across the motu. Given how wild the weather has been over the first half of the year, who can say what we are in for? Kōwhai trees in both Christchurch and Upper Hutt are already in flower it shouldn’t be happening for a couple of months.

The AGM at the end of April was attended by a similar number to the previous year and in my opinion ran reasonably well. Two motions were discussed and voted on, even though neither the mover nor the seconder attended the meeting. Both proposals were defeated by large margins.

Prior to the AGM, and even at the meeting, it became obvious that we need to tighten up the process about how motions are accepted and then discussed. We are going to review the bylaws and set out a process that everyone can understand.

The AGM resulted in some changes in the faces on Council, and these are outlined later in this issue. As is common in recent years, the organisation did not fill all of the positions. Council met following the AGM, and I am pleased to report that Caroline Ludford LPSNZ LRPS was appointed as Vice President. At the same time, Chryseis Phillips relinquished the secretarial role to look after membership, and we welcome Janet Munnings LPSNZ LRPS as the new secretary.

Finally, in terms of appointments, Lee Boddington has agreed to look after both the editorial and layout duties of CameraTalk

The North Island Convention held in Whangārei at the start of May was a great success, with everyone having a good time. The weather gods gave us a short reprieve from the rain, just long enough to run most of the field trips. Waka Kotahi reopened State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills the week of the convention, making travel a lot easier. Driving through the area really gave you an idea of the size of the issues they had faced.

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo opened the weekend with a challenge to capture his city photographically and then put up a $100 prize for the best image. The competition was judged by me and awarded to Bob Scott APSNZ for his image of the Canopy Bridge at night.

I commend Whangārei Camera Club for

hosting a great convention as well as running an excellent salon. They also ran an informal social event on the Friday night, and everyone who attended appeared to enjoy it.

Now that the Regionals have been run we are going to review them, as both attracted much lower numbers than we had expected, or had in the past. I can think of a number of reasons why this might be so, but we need more concrete evidence. Therefore, we will be surveying both attendees and the general membership as part of this exercise.

We will also be looking at the future shape of regional salons. Anyone who has run one of these will know that most of the revenue comes from digital images, but the majority of the costs are associated with the prints. At present digitals essentially subsidise prints and we have to ask if this is sustainable long term.

With the regional conventions out of the way, attention is now switching to the National being held over Labour Weekend in Lower Hutt. We are a little behind with planning for the event due to the amount of effort required for the Regionals, and this will have to be addressed going forward. It is clear that relying on one team to put together three conventions in a year is too much to ask and we will need to split out the teams. Nonetheless, the main speakers are in place and the programme will be revealed over the next two months, with registrations opening at the start of August.

As the weather gets colder we are sometimes less inclined to get outdoors with the camera. Winter is a great time to practise new skills indoors or to catch up on YouTube. I hope everyone stays healthy and warm through it.

Paul Whitham APSNZ

Key Dates for the Diary

June 15

June 16

June 16

June 24

June 25

June 30

July 15

July 17

July 31

July 31

August 1

August 1

Entries for Nelson National Triptych open

Submissions for 2023 PSNZ Honours open

Entries for Trenna Packer Salon close

Entries for North Shore Salon close

Canon Online Round 3 closes

Entries for National Portrait Competition close

Entries for Nelson National Triptych close

Entries for Creative Focus open

Submissions for 2023 PSNZ Honours close

Entries for National Photojournalism Competition close

Registrations for National Convention open

Entries for PSNZ Sony National Exhibition open

August 1 Entries for National Interclubs open

August 4 - 6 Night Photography Workshop with Kevin Clarke, Christchurch

August 6 Entries for Creative Focus close

August 12 - 13 Judge Training Weekend - Cambridge

August 25

August 30

August 30

September 9

October 19

October 20 - 22

Canon Online Round 4 closes

Entries for PSNZ Sony National Exhibition close

Entries for National Interclubs close

Macro Workshop with Gail Stent FPSNZ

Convention Fieldtrips

National Convention. Lower Hutt

November 10 -12 ICM Workshop with Judy Stokes APSNZ

Club News

If your club has information or events that you would like to share, email the details to Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ at dilinz@actrix.co.nz

69th National Convention

By Richard Passey

We have a great convention lined up for you, with the two following speakers as well as Rachel Gillespie, Brigit Krippner and Annette Johnston FPSNZ to enlighten you.

Kris Anderson

Australian Master of Photography Kris Anderson’s passion for storytelling resonates in his work. With a background as a musician and performer, he built up his career photographing actor and performer headshots, theatre advertising and production images for theatre companies. After many years as a generalist, his love of the performing arts and contacts in the industry led to his specialty field of performing arts photography.

He also has a strong body of work in illustrative photography that frequently explores narratives concerned with modern life, mental health and the impact of technology. He often uses composites to depict these themes in a dramatic way.

A Master of Photography with the now-defunct Australian Institute of Professional Photography, Kris is the 2019 AIPP Queensland Professional Photographer of the Year. His illustrative compositions have earned gold awards at state, national and international levels, and in 2017 he was recognised as the AIPP Australian Illustrative Photographer of the Year.

Kris is one of the four founding artists of The Creative Mix, a fine art print store using images from a collective of photographers and artists selling high-quality prints.

He is also an experienced photographic judge at an international level. He has judged print awards for the AIPP in Australia, the NZ Institute of Professional Photography Iris Awards in New Zealand and the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International awards in Las Vegas. Kris is also a proud EIZO Ambassador.

Kris will be holding a breakout session on how he puts a shoot together and how he processes this to get the end result. There will be limited spaces for this.

Simon Runting

Be prepared to sit a long time in wet and muddy conditions to get the best shots of birds, according to one of New Zealand’s top bird photographers, Simon Runting.

With waders, camouflage net and wet weather gear, Simon goes to extremes to get his breathtaking images. He will construct hides or put his camera on a specially constructed raft to get down to the same level as the birds in their natural environment.

With a background as a news photographer on Fleet Street more than 40 years ago, Simon emigrated from the UK to New Zealand and now specialises in commercial and industrial photography as well as his renowned nature images.

He puts a lot of effort into preparation, including studying the birds’ behaviour and patterns of movement to find the best backdrops to photograph them against rather than randomly walking about. His award-winning images have gained recognition in many international competitions, including winning the nature section of the 2020 Sony Alpha Awards.

Simon is sought after as a guest speaker and runs nature photography workshops. Find him at https://www.instagram.com/simonbirdphotography/.

What a great weekend it is going to be!

Changes on Council

Following the AGM there were a number of new members and changes in portfolios on the Council.

New to Council

Mark Burgess APSNZ has been active in photography for the last ten years and gained his APSNZ in 2022. He has over thirty years’ experience in product commercialisation and market development, focusing on technologies supporting innovation in business.

Mark is active in the photographic community, having served as a committee member for the Auckland Photographic Society, and on the organising team of the Auckland Convention in 2017, Taupō Regional in 2021, and Rotorua National in 2022 (unfortunately, the last two events cancelled due to Covid), where his main responsibility was organising convention field trips.

Having travelled widely throughout New Zealand, Mark has a good understanding of workshop locations. This knowledge, coupled with his experience in organising field trips and skills in mentoring, will be invaluable to PSNZ in his role as Councillor for Workshops.

Richard Passey has been a PSNZ member for 13 years, and a member of the Whanganui Camera Club, Henderson Photographic Society and Waiuku Camera Club since 2007. He has been President of the Whanganui Camera Club and a committee member of all three clubs. He is currently a member of Taupō Camera Club which he joined at the beginning of 2023. His main fields of photography are ICM, multiple imaging, impressionism and abstract. However, he also dabbles in landscape, nature, and family photography with his grandchildren.

Richard brings a wealth of experience to Council as the holder of the Events portfolio. He has been a member of the PSNZ Events Committee since 2022, assisting with the regional and national conventions, and has also been on committees for various other organisations, assisting in running national and local events.

David Vale will be holding the position of Councillor for Communications. He is an Auckland-based photographer who is passionate about the art of urban and landscape photography. He has extensive experience as a committee member across several organisations. He has served on the committee for the Akarana Scout Group for over ten years. He was a founding member of the Enfield Riders Club of Auckland where he was involved in club activities such as web design, event organisation, health and safety, and building relationships with local dealers and other members.

David is currently employed in a leadership position in a large corporate head office based in Auckland and is looking forward to being instrumental in helping other photographers grow.

Janet Munnings LPSNZ LRPS has recently taken on the role of secretary. She has lived in NZ for the last 17 years having moved from the UK with her husband. She has been a member of the Hibiscus Coast Photographic Society, North Shore Photographic Society and Henderson clubs for many years, taking on the role of Secretary, and is a past President at North Shore. Janet is a PSNZ accredited judge and mentor.

Changes in Role

Caroline Ludford LPSNZ LRPS has been given the role of Vice President with a view that she will step into the role of President in 2024.

She joined Council in 2022 to take the role of Councillor for Salons. She is responsible for the PSNZ salons, national and regional exhibitions, inter-clubs and international salons. Caroline has been accredited as a PSNZ Judge since 2017, in both open and nature categories. Until taking up the Council role she acted as chair of the Judge Accreditation Panel and assisted in the PSNZ judge training weekends (now held on zoom).

Whilst living in the Auckland area Caroline was a member of both the Hibiscus Coast Photographic Society and the North Shore Photographic Society. During that time she assisted in the running of the hugely successful North Shore Salon. Caroline now lives on the Kapiti Coast and is a member of the Kapiti Coast Photographic Society.

Chryseis Phillips has been a PSNZ member since 2012 and a member of Council since 2020. Whilst she originally held the role of Secretary, from 2023 she will be relinquishing this position and will assume the role of Councillor for Membership. She was also President of the Aotearoa Philippines Photographic Society (APPS), now known as the Johnsonville Camera Club, for two years from 2014 to 2016.

In 2010, she completed the NZ Institute of Business Studies’ Freelance Travel Writing and Photography Course with the aim of being a travel photojournalist. However, she has found herself focusing on family portraiture, special events and kindergarten class photos.

When not behind the camera, Chryseis sits behind the reception desk at Hospice Taranaki where she works full-time.

Simon Forsyth has been a member of the PSNZ Council since 2021. He has always been passionate about landscape photography, especially those created in black and white. He also enjoys portrait photography, particularly of families, children, couples and pets.

This year, Simon will hold the Special Projects portfolio. He, together with the other members of Council, will be focusing on how best to commemorate PSNZ’s 70th anniversary. In addition, he will be overseeing the printing and distribution of NZ Camera.

He is a past President and Life member of the Kapiti Coast Camera Club, a PSNZ-accredited judge and a current mentor to several members.

Welcome to our New Patron, Bev Sinclair!

By Maartje Morton, WCC Secretary and PSNZ Treasurer

At the AGM earlier this year, Bev Sinclair was appointed PSNZ Patron following the retirement of John Boyd. Bev has been a PSNZ member and supporter for over 40 years, starting her involvement with it through her membership of the Whanganui Camera Club which she joined when she married and moved to Whanganui.

Some Whanganui Camera Club members were at the time heavily involved with PSNZ; people such as Derek Endersby, Arthur Bates, Vonnie Cave (also a former patron of the Society) were members of the PSNZ Council as well as leading members in the local club. When the editor of the PSNZ magazine NZ Camera resigned, Bev took over the role for eight years. During this time, NZ Camera twice won international recognition in the Photographic Society of America’s international photographic society magazine competition.

Bev has contributed to the organisation of regional and national PSNZ conventions through her leading role in the Whanganui Camera Club. She has been President of the club three times since 1974 and is currently the club’s Patron.

When PSNZ celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003, Bev was invited to collate a comprehensive history of the Society to commemorate the occasion. It was published with that year’s PSNZ Members’ gallery of images. In 2019 Bev also wrote a history of the Whanganui Camera Club, Capturing the Light (the club’s early motto), for its 125th anniversary.

PSNZ was originally a society of clubs and only later included individual membership. Bev feels the PSNZ online magazine CameraTalk has been, like PSNZ print circles and the popular newer independent workshops, a valuable way of connecting individual members of PSNZ and sharing ideas for photography and club organisation.

She looks forward to the ongoing association with PSNZ in her role as Patron.

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Creative Focus Competition

The Creative Focus family is celebrating ten years of outstanding, imaginative and artful photography! Our milestone birthday is in September, and we are planning to celebrate in style.

We will showcase all the inspirational and successful images from this year's competition with our prize-giving at our local Arts and Cultural Centre, Pukekohe. Along with wine, cheese, music, banter, rosettes, certificates and trophies, there will be a digital show of the colourful and imaginative winning images. The top four images from each section will also be printed and displayed in our exhibition. 23 September is the party date come and enjoy the magical world from behind the lens.

All details of Creative Focus Competition 2023 are on our website www.creative-focus. co.nz. There's plenty of time to get those creative masterpieces made. We’re looking forward to seeing your entries!

News from Robin Short APSNZ

Creative Focus 2023!

Nelson National Triptych Salon 2023

By Alison Forbes, Henderson Photographic Society

Have some spare time?

Create a triptych from three photographs and enter it in the Nelson National Triptych Salon! Your three images should together tell a greater story than just one photo on its own. Or use photos of similar or complementary design and colour to create a greater impact.

This salon is for digitally projected images only. Entries must consist of three images on a common background. There is only one category: Open. However, the selectors will choose winning entries for the following Special Awards:

The Meeting The act of coming together not just of people but of creatures, plants, roads, lines, minds.

Work The physical or mental effort directed towards doing or making something. Be it a blacksmith at his forge or a bird building its nest; love it or loath it, most living things undertake work at some time or another.

Monochrome Entries must be black and white or one colour.

The rules are simple:

 An entry must consist of three images on one background.

 There must be a clear separation between each image.

 There must not be a fourth image on the background.

 There must not be any text on the background but text within any of the three images is allowed.

The Presentation Evening at the Seddon Shield Photographic Convention will be hosted by the Marlborough Camera Club on 1 September 2023. Attendance at the presentation is free. For those wishing to attend the full convention, which runs from 1 to 3 September, the normal convention attendance fee will apply.

Please visit www.nelsoncameraclub.co.nz/salon-information.html for the full set of rules and other information about this salon.

AI and Audio-Visuals

By Trish McAuslan FPSNZ AV-AAPS EFIAP/b FAPS Coordinator of Audio-Visuals for PSNZ

AI technology is already here and many of us are using it. There is no point in closing our eyes and hoping it will go away because it is not going to do that. There can be little doubt that AI poses considerable challenges to photography and audio-visuals as we have known them. Consequently, we must all make an effort to understand what it is. We also need to consider what, if any, restrictions we want to place on its use.

In this discussion, I am leaving out much of the impact of Al on still photography and concentrating on the impact of this developing technology on audio-visuals. Generative Al includes tools such as ChatGPT and MidJourney (and many more). These are relatively new software tools that can generate some or all the key media assets that make up an AV, including still images, videos, scripts, voiceovers and music. It is now possible to create an excellent AV using only these tools.

As with all new technologies, there are those who are keen to use it and those who are against it. Do you remember the discussions that used to take place between film users and users of the new digital technology?

Anyone who has been using Photoshop, or any of the several other post-processing applications, have already been using AI technology. Frequently its use allows the photographer to very quickly make changes to an image adjustments that they have been able to make for many years but which have taken considerable time to achieve and may have required a high level of skill. The ability to make a selection of a subject with one click is an example which comes to mind.

STOP PRESS: Just as I was about to send these notes to CameraTalk, Adobe announced the release of its latest version of Photoshop, including its Generative Fill option which takes

AI to a new level.

Moving on from there is the option to incorporate some of the photographer’s own photographs in a composite image which has been created using AI technology.

Moving on still further are images created totally by the AI software, based on either a verbal or written description, e.g. shoppers in snow, walking past shop windows at night. Depending on the technology, the photographer may be given several options to select from. It could be argued that there is a creative aspect as the photographer has to create the text that will result in an appropriate image.

Generally AVs, at least in photographic circles (including PSNZ), are seen by many as primarily storytelling, using still images taken by the author. However, many stories cannot be told well without the use of third party images; these may be historical images, maps or other images that are not possible for the photographer to take. In a number of salons, including the JSMT, the inclusion of third party images is restricted to about 20% of the total length of the AV. If images created using AI technology are seen as third party images, they would become another tool available to the AV maker.

AI Generated - Shoppers at Night while Snowing

AI and Audio-Visuals cont...

Given the various uses of AI given above, there is a question about when an image is seen as the author’s own work and when it is the result of using AI. At present PSNZ has stated that any images created completely or in part by a text-to-image generator are not allowed in its still image salons. It seems reasonable to accept that images created this way are seen as third party images for AV creation. This could be expanded to include video created using text-to-image generators.

There is also the question of how the use of AI in the AV will be policed. The quality of AIgenerated images is already so realistic that it is sometimes very difficult if not impossible for judges to differentiate between the work of the author and the AI created images, and this is only likely to become more difficult in the future. There are already photographic genres, e.g. nature and PJ, where the integrity of the author is relied on and this may be the way AVs could also go.

There are probably fewer concerns about the use of AI with other media used in AV creation. Music is an important media in many audiovisuals. AI-generated music is not protected by copyright, making it easier for AV makers to add music that suits the mood and pace of the AV. The quality of AI-generated voiceovers is now almost as good as hiring the professional voiceover artists that are commonly used for AVs. This is likely to improve still further in the future. There have never been any restrictions on the source of the script for an AV. Many AVs have been based on the “script” of a third-party poem or music lyrics.

A final comment. The AI-generated images used in this article have all been created using Midjourney. However there is a cost for the use of this software. If you would just like to try it, there are several free options, for example NightCafe. It is fun to start playing with but it may not be long before a photographer will want to move on to use more sophisticated software.

Thanks to Dale Murphy, Chairperson of the APS AV Council, for sharing his research into the use of AI Technology in audiovisuals.

AI Generated in MidJourney - Mountain Landscape at Sunset

Castle Hill: A Great Workshop

By Sara Varenne

A windy gravel road, 10 km after the Castle Hill turnoff, took us to Forest Lodge, nestled in the Craigieburns. Views from the windows of the main living area, over the ranges lying in the distance, were superb. A good start!

To get to the heart of the matter, James introduced the workshop with considerations about what could work and what wouldn’t when we aim at monochrome landscapes.

On Saturday morning, at 6.30 am with a favourable weather forecast, the 20 keen photographers headed to the site of Castle Hill, where hundreds of weathered, sculpted limestone rocks are scattered among golden tussocks. Sunrise was not remarkable, but never mind. After a few moments of frantic research for the ideal spot to put my tripod and the perfect rock to photograph, I just

Twenty of us, including tutor James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b and Nicole Tai, the workshop organiser, assembled on Friday night around glasses of wine and delicious pizzas. Each person introduced themselves to their neighbour and then we took turns to talk about the other member of the pair. What a great and relaxed way to get to know each other. Most of us seemed to expect a new motivation and to find inspiration from this workshop. All in all, everyone expressed a willingness to grow as a landscape photographer.

had to accept what James had told us. It is a challenging place to photograph, and it takes some time to find one’s bearings in the vastness, the business of the place and just relax.

Two hours later, after breakfast, we all gathered in front of the screen. An interesting session about the basics of composition was illustrated by James’ own pics. It was put to the test in the vicinity of the lodge with the mission to take pictures of lines, textures, symmetry and repetition, a fun way to train our eyes to find those essential elements of composition in an image.

Mono Workshop Sara Varenne

Mono Workshop Nicole Tai

Mono Workshop Annikka Pugh LPSNZ

Invigorated by a substantial lunch, we took our photographic gear and headed towards the nearby carpark at “Hogs Back”, a track that allowed the keen walkers to reach the summit overlooking the valley. Some of us chose to go down Tims Stream for the triple challenge given to us: taking a short, a long and an intimate view of the landscape.

Of course, as the day drew to a close, our next photographic session was to lead us to the

sunset place. I was not overly excited at this prospect; the weather was dull and grey, and the clouds were packing up rapidly. Anyway, FOMO was the strongest, and I joined the group. We headed towards Lake Pearson on our way to Klondyke Corner. Ultimately, we stopped at Bayleys Spur above the many channels of the braided Waimakariri River. In a long line along the narrow carpark, a dozen photographers tried to make the most of the majestic landscape in front of them.

Mono Workshop Sara Varenne

Mono Workshop Sara Varenne

Mono Workshop Annikka Pugh LPSNZ

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Castle Hill: A Great Workshop cont...

Gradually the sky changed colours, from pale purple, pink, and yellow to what could be described as a firework of bold and warm colours: gold, bright orange and vibrant red, reflecting in the braids of the river. The bleak sky turned out to be glorious and sumptuous! What a treat! And a good way to learn, or relearn, the importance of graduated filters (and reversed GND).

On our return, we enjoyed a copious dinner and drinks, the conversations revolving around the experiences of the day. Then James projected a few images of his own, not only good ones but also some that in his opinion didn’t work. It was really interesting to discuss these photographs and realise which elements were missing or which ones were spoiling the image as a whole. Another good way to sharpen our photographic eye.

By the time we were back for breakfast, the rain had started. Good timing, as James had

On Sunday morning the weather prediction was for persistent rain. At 6.00 am, as we did not hear the splatter of the drops on the roof, some of us headed again to Castle Hill, in the hope of seeing a stunning sunrise. It was not to be, but this second wander around the site at least for myself was more fruitful than the first. Compared to the previous day, I felt a sense of ease among those big boulders, starting to notice things and calmly assess which lens would be appropriate for the type of shooting I wanted to do.

planned a post-processing session for the next two hours, a necessary step in the making of a monochrome image. A look at James’ workflow in Lightroom was followed by an interesting exploration of some essential functions of Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. Projected images of his computer screen illustrated the work being done while we were discussing the process and tricks.

Mono Workshop James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b

Mono Workshop James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b

Mono Workshop Terry Harkin

As is always the case, good things must come to an end, and so began the lugging of bags back to the cars. After a quick shared lunch and some tidying, we parted ways around noon.

This workshop undoubtedly had a positive outcome. We were reinforced in what we had forgotten or neglected to develop along our photographic journeys. Personally, I left the lodge armed with a fresh perspective and of course, a few tips that I cannot wait to put into practice.

Much applause to James whose enthusiasm, friendliness, knowledge and keenness to share

were so much appreciated. And many thanks to Nicole efficient, welcoming, full of humour and smiles.

Mono Workshop Rob Vanderpoel LPSNZ Mono Workshop Rob Vanderpoel LPSNZ

Mono Workshop James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b

Mono Workshop Nicole Tai

A Beautiful Sight: Workshop Review

By Mark Stevens

Wednesday, the monochrome workshop prep began with cleaning sensors and lenses, charging batteries, clearing cards and getting sleeping bags back from the kids. We headed off with the car packed for what could have been a month-long trip. Most of the 11-hour drive was filled with talk about what to expect, with trepidation and excitement.

We arrive at Forrest Lodge, a cool log cabin, unload, settle into our bunkrooms, ready to start. Nicole has done a great job of organising it all and introduces James enthusiastically. We do a quick round of introductions and let it begin. James delivers an overview of the weekend, some tips on monochrome shooting, what to consider when out there in the morning. We have a bit of a chat before the generator is turned off and lights out.

I have a Nikon camera, I love to take a photograph imagination sparks and it just flows. Been given the tools, time to build.

Off to Arthur’s Pass for sunset, hoping for more light, some light. Around the corner and bang you beauty! Time to put the mono in the landscape, despite the colour, the black and white has drama. This is what we are here for, thanks James for putting us here. Back for tea at dark, happy for what I’ve learnt, though head spinning slightly and exhausted. Delicious tea. Time for a social ale and even then, the info keeps coming. Very good talk on PLBs (personal locator beacons) and safety.

Saturday starts early as we head to Castle Hill, anticipating a sunrise and greeted with clouds and no light. Challenge accepted by all. It was hard work, then back for breakfast. Then more tuition – the building blocks – so much to take in. My secretary flat out on notes. Back outside for one hour, 20 photos challenge to push you outside your comfort zone. Awesome!

A lunch break, more tuition then out and about to nearby tracks. James issued another challenge, pushing you again to think, brain hurting and then I remember Kodachrome

Sunday presented possible rain but off to Castle Hill again, just in case. Great shoot, average light, back for breakfast and postprocessing lesson. Brain running on empty by this stage. There’s always something you don’t know. A fantastic weekend, awesome group of people, great location, heaps of food. Really enjoyed the PSNZ workshop and learnt a lot. I’ll leave with three dog nights – the world is black, the world is white, it turns by day and then by night. A child is black, a child is white. The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight.

Mono Workshop James Gibson APSNZ EPIAP/b

Mono Workshop Les Arthur

Mono Workshop Annikka Pugh LPSNZ

Mono Workshop James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b

Mono Workshop Terry Harkin

Mono Workshop Terry Harkin

AV News

By Trish McAuslan FPSNZ AV-AAPS EFIAP/b FAPS Coordinator of Audio-Visuals for PSNZ

Jack Sprosen Memorial Trophy Competition 2023

Firstly a very big thank you to this year’s judges: Bruce Burgess FPSNZ, Shona Kebble FPSNZ and Liz Hardley FPSNZ EFIAP/g MAPS EPSA LRPS. The judges received copies of the audio-visuals early in the week and I know they watched them several times before making their first decisions. On Sunday they met on zoom to discuss the AVs they had identified as potential award winners and to decide on the awards they wished to make.

Congratulations to everyone who was successful. The medal-winning programmes will be shown at the PSNZ National Convention at the Lower Hutt Events Centre from 20 to 22 October 2023. Following the convention, a programme featuring the successful AVs will be made available on YouTube for all members to watch.

I asked the authors of the award-winning AVs

to tell us a little about their AVs.

Winner: Helen McLeod FPSNZ GPSA ARPS for The Revolutionary Journey Winner of a Gold Medal and the Jack Sprosen Memorial Trophy, winner of the Theme Category.

‘Although not a science-fiction fan, I have always loved some of the aspects of Steampunk. I guess it's the surrealist aspect that catches my attention (along with the clothing). It got me thinking about travel and how that might look in a different fashion in the Victorian era. I'm not sure how this concept arose initially to produce this series of images, except that the first image was about escaping the big smoke (a reflection of how I don't like living in a city). The ideas just seemed to keep coming, and I had more than a dozen of them. What to do next? Why, turn them into an AV, of course! This really was just an extension of having fun with the idea.’

Silver Medal: Trish McAuslan FPSNZ EFIAP/b FAPS AV-AAPS for Where Hot Water Meets Rock, winner of Documentary section.

‘I have always been interested in the volcanic landscapes of central New Zealand. During several visits to Wai-o-tapu, Orakei Korako and Waimangu, I have photographed the different colours in the rocks and water. When we were unable to travel during Covid I decided to find out the origin of these colours and to use this information and some of the images to create a documentary AV.’

Bronze Medal: Bob McCree FPSNZ for Whakaari White Island

‘After a visit to White Island about ten years ago I became fascinated with the place and had hoped to revisit it. This, obviously, was thwarted by the events of 2019.

‘As a tribute to the events of that year and to the people who died there, I wanted to make this audio-visual. As with all my AVs the accompanying music is the most important consideration in the mix and it took some time and research to find an appropriate piece. I chose the Mahler 5th Symphony Adagietto for this AV as I feel it conveys both the grandeur of the place and the sombre mood following the fatal event. As with all of Mahler’s music, particularly his symphonies, mood and feeling form the predominant aspect and, in choosing this music, I was able to give such a suitable and sympathetic context. In the second half of the AV, I blended the soundtrack of a volcano at two points in the AV to emphasise the developing and ultimate overwhelming tragedy of this event. Hopefully, I have conveyed these aspects of what is now a sacred and sad place.’

Bronze Medal: John Hodgson AV-EFIAP EFIAP/b AV-MAPS FAPS for Seeing is Believing.

‘A camera talks about experiencing considerable opportunities to take images, both in Australia and overseas. With the onset of Covid, however, restrictions start to bite. Those restrictions eventually result in photography only occurring inside the front gate of its owner's property. The camera spends more and more time hunkered down in the dark and becomes deeply depressed.’

Merit Certificates

Sheryl Williams APSNZ for A Floral Rainbow

Sue Morton for Lunar Lunacy

Jocelyn Barrett PSNZ SM for Ghost Chickens

Commended

John Smart APSNZ for Korako

Bob McCree FPSNZ for Sunset Poem

Alistair McAuslan APSNZ AV-AAPS for Wrangel Island

Alistair McAuslan APSNZ AV-AAPS for Novice Nuns and Monks of Myanmar

Glyn Hubbard LPSNZ for Ohakune’s Jolly

Carrot Space Rocket

Jocelyn Barrett PSNZ SM for Jazz on the Wire

Success in International Competition

Special congratulations to Bob McCree for success in international competition. Bob gained two acceptances in the Australian Adelaide Fest for Whakari, White Island and In the Bleak Midwinter. Bob also gained an acceptance for Whakaari White Island in the Jurassic Coast International Audio-Visual Salon (England). Well done Bob.

ENDLESS POTENTI AL

STARTS WITH PERFORMANCE

PHOTO CREDIT: JASON CHARLES HILL

North Island Regional Salon

Print Winners

Photojournalism

John Smart APSNZ, Whanganui Camera Club, Aha

Portrait

Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ, Matariki Wahine

Nature

Barbara Lee APSNZ, SPS & FCC, Fantail black variant

Open

Brian Eastwood, Hibiscus Coast Photographic Club, Misty Weiti

Digital Winners

Photojournalism

Paul Glenton LPSNZ, Howick Photographic Society, Engaged in the Experience

Portrait

Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ, The Fisherman

Nature

Aaron Skelton, Whangarei Camera Club, Baron Dragonfly Laying Eggs

Open

Deborah Martin APSNZ, Hibiscus Coast Photography Club, Born to Fly

Digital Winners - Nature

Baron Dragonfly Laying Eggs Aaron Skelton

Digital Winners - Photojournalism

Engaged in the Experience Paul Glenton LPSNZ

Print Winners - Photojournalism

Aha John Smart APSNZ

Digital Winners - Portrait

The Fisherman Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ

Print Winners - Open

Misty Weiti Brian Eastwood NZIPP

Print Winners - Portrait

Matariki Wahine Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ

Print Winners - Nature

Fantail Black Variant Barbara Lee APSNZ

Digital Winners - Open

to Fly Deborah Martin APSNZ

Born

The Ultimate Hybrid Camera.

Powerful performance. Professional build. Compact, lightweight handling. A dream camera for videos and stills.

What are FIAP and FIAP Distinctions All About?

By Ann Bastion Hon PSNZ FPSNZ EFIAP/b MFIAP FIAP Liaison Officer

FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) is an international organisation whose purpose is the promotion of photographic art in all its aspects and through all kinds of photographic events.

The Photographic Society of New Zealand is a member of FIAP and is the operational member for New Zealand. PSNZ administers the processing of any submissions or recommendations to FIAP. Communication with FIAP is handled by the PSNZ FIAP Liaison Officer who can be contacted at ajbastion@ gmail.com.

FIAP offers a range of activities and services throughout the year. They include photographic skill and service awards, known as Distinctions, FIAP Biennials, FIAP Patronages for exhibitions, and FIAP World Cup Competitions for Clubs.

FIAP Distinctions Honours awarded by FIAP are highly appreciated and desired by photographers all over the world. Distinctions are applied for through the FIAP operational member in each country via its Liaison Officer.

FIAP also offers distinctions for Audio-Visual works. Details and application forms for all distinctions can be downloaded here.

Entering International Salons/Exhibitions with FIAP Patronage. There are currently over 500 international photography salons/exhibitions approved by FIAP. Such approval is known as FIAP Patronage and involves salons complying with rules stipulated by FIAP and meeting certain standards. These exhibitions are run as competitions, with the best of the images accepted to be part of the resulting exhibition of photography. Images may also win awards. Acceptances and awards can be counted

towards FIAP Distinctions. When entrants meet the required number of acceptances in the required number of countries etc (as laid out in the rules and regulations) they can choose to apply for a Distinction. PSNZ requires that in addition to these acceptances, the applicants must also have gained at least five acceptances in the PSNZ SONY National Exhibition.

FIAP Information and Activities FIAP News is a digital publication. Produced four times a year, it is full of photos, articles and news that may be of interest to photographers around the world. Contributions are sent in from many nations. The latest edition of this publication is available for download at https://www.fiap.net/ en/fiap-news.

FIAP Biennials are competitions between FIAPaffiliated country organisations. Each country selects images from photographers within its organisation’s membership to represent its country. Different countries host these events each year. Images in the competition itself are awarded points and the full set of images from that country is also awarded points for cohesion, as each country is expected to present a themed set of images. There are awards and placings for the most successful countries and individual awards are also made for specific images.

As the name implies, Biennials are held every second year, alternating between the different Biennials. FIAP offers the following Biennials: colour prints, black and white, projected images, nature colour prints, nature projected images, youth print (two age categories) and youth digital (two age categories). New Zealand participates in black and white print and colour projected image Biennials only.

Preparation for the selection of the set will start at the beginning of the year and will usually take place at the end of February.

The call for entries is made in December of the year prior. PSNZ members will be invited to send in images fitting a chosen theme; the submission information will be sent to members via email each year, along with a flyer which can be found in the members area. It is an honour to have your image selected to represent New Zealand and it is free to enter. A complete revision of the previous regulation has been carried out and data protection clauses have been incorporated. From now on, all works that obtain a total score of eight (8) or more points may be considered for FIAP Distinctions.

The FIAP World Cup is an international projected images competition between camera clubs. Entries to this event are organised by individual local clubs, which enter directly to FIAP, not via the Liaison Officer. Most clubs already hold competitions within their own membership or between local clubs. This is a

great way to have your club team enter a large international interclub competition event. For further details and entry forms please contact me at ajbastion@gmail.com.

The FIAP Photo Meeting is held every second year on the alternating year to the FIAP Congress. Like Congress, the event is hosted by a nation and it is based in a location with photographic opportunities. Whilst there is a formal meeting for officials, the event is largely one involving photography tours.

Both the FIAP Congress and FIAP Photo Meeting are usually held anywhere from June to August. Anyone wishing to attend must hold a FIAP Photographers Card which can be sought regardless of whether FIAP Distinctions are held. There is no requirement to be a PSNZ member to attend. Information regarding the upcoming event will be published in CameraTalk. Anyone interested in attending these events should contact the FIAP Liaison Officer who will send them the applicable documents as they come to hand.

PSNZ Judge Training Weekend

We are delighted to announce that there will be a Judge Training Weekend held 'in person' on 12 and 13 of August 2023 in Cambridge.

This is an opportunity to come and see what the process is for gaining accreditation and see what the judges are looking for when they assess your images. You will gain an insight into what is involved, how to view images, critique and communicate the results to the photographer.

The trainers for this weekend will be Shona Jaray APSNZ and Neil Gordon APSNZ.

The cost is $50 for financial PSNZ members and $85 for non-financial members. If you decide to join the scheme and become a trainee then a refund of $25 will be given once you have completed the training and have gained accreditation.

As this is an in-person course we are able to accommodate up to 30 people so please do not delay as it is on a first come first served basis.

More details of timing and address will follow in an email to all members.

Welcome to Our New PSNZ Members!

Adam Dunn

Anne Barnes

Bruce Duncan

Deborah Jarvis

Donna Saldat

Gary McIntyre

Jakki Guilford

Jodi Duncan

Kushalitha Maduranga

Lex McRae

Liz Espin

Louise Knight

Luke Kerr

Peter Davies

Rachel O'Carroll

Richard Jarvis

Scott Robson

Simon Bradbury

Uwe Duesing

Zhen Yang

Zhuoyang Li

Zrinka Gregoran

PSNZ Canon Online Photographer 2023 Round 2 Results

By John Hawkins, PSNZ Canon Online Coordinator

The Winner!

Congratulations to Nel Davison LPSNZ, winner of the Canon Online round 2 for 2023. There were 103 entries in this round.

Some history about Nel:

I have been into photography for the last six years and just love learning new techniques all the time. I am into most genres but love birds, animals, landscapes and people the most. I am enjoying the editing side of photography a lot more as my knowledge in this area grows, and I love pushing the creative side of my brain that very quickly becomes dormant!

Nel writes about the winning image:

This image was taken at a workshop run by Shelley Harvey BPSA. She is a wonderful tutor.

I edited this one in Photoshop firstly as a single edit and then I decided to have a play with some double exposure via the NIK collection. I was really happy with this one. Thanks to Shyana for being such a beautiful subject to capture.’

The judge for this round was Judy Alley LPSNZ.

An introduction to Judy: It is an honour to be invited to evaluate this round of Canon Online images. Thank you.

I have been with the Photographic Society of New Zealand and Waikato Photographic Society for more than 13 years. I am a PSNZ accredited judge whose love of photography is taking me on a never-ending learning experience.

I am retired now but another passion has been radio and television journalism. I enjoyed more than 12 years with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Macquarie Radio news

network, presenting news, weather and current affairs, ultimately taking on the job of radio news Director.

I also have published a candid photo-book about my son’s successful journey through the ups and downs of nearly a year in Starship Hospital. Documenting this 2005/2006 journey is probably where my love of photography began.

Judge’s Comments

Once some initial choices were made to reduce the Canon Online 103 entries, the heart-breaking difficulty then was having to eliminate great images based on small details that could not be ignored.

My main criteria were the emotional impact of the stories and how photographers chose to tell them. Only then were technical aspects taken into account before an image might reach the final ten. (Nature images have been assessed in Open category.)

1st - Looking Over Your Shoulder by Nel Davison LPSNZ

The gaze of these eyes seems intense enough to drill into one’s deepest thoughts. Not only are they sharply enhanced by well-controlled lighting and dark make-up, they look out from under the lids as though from a very private place. The loosely draped, pastel tones seem to contribute to a softer aspect of femininity while the background, combined with the title, might be hinting at a shadowy intrigue

While I am not inclined to get near a bumblebee, the sharp detail makes this one worthy of a gentle finger-pat on its side perhaps. It is a curious privilege being able to examine the minutiae of this tiny creature that without such focus, attention to exposure and steady patience would otherwise go unnoticed by people like me. Thank you.

2nd - Bumblebee by Laurie Bonsor

3rd - On the Back Benches by Barbara

Lee APSNZ

The simplicity of your composition is its strength, in my opinion, and the subjects’ eyes draw me in. The smooth, solid surface, so well placed across the composition, visually anchors the little swallows within that shallow depth of focus and juxtaposes with their brightest hues and feathery textures to retain attention there. Capturing their interaction also brings a delightful character and personality to the story

4th - The Girl with Friends by Jennifer Burton

It is not necessarily the girl strolling into the image that strikes me; it is the sharp focus on fabulous colour strutting into a space. The girl in a mask. The girl with blue hair. I wonder where she has been all this time and what has she been doing? Where is she going. I like that you give her all that space to move into and I appreciate the expertise with which you introduce her faceless "friends" there.

5th - Kotuku with Chicks by Toya Heatley FPSNZ AFIAP

The sharpest white lines of the adult’s plumage and curved beak combine with the lines leading into the image from either side to draw me quietly into the kotuku family’s private environment. I feel privileged. It’s a moment that many of us might never come across and you bring it with careful exposure and clarity – and the dedication needed to be there.

The sharp, strong form of the skeletal head placed at one of the strongest points of the composition demands attention. I inspect the aged texture and the curvy forms and soon much softer layers engage my attention. These important aspects of your composition add movement and lead the eye around the image where you seem to suggest degrees of emotional tension. I admire how your creativity has "filled the frame" so artfully

6th - Attention Seeker by Graeme Skinner LPSNZ

It is a surreal feeling to be here at this hour of the day; like breathing in layers of quiet. I love how you have captured the light in the atmosphere of the mountains and the long exposure that softens the water in the foreground. The darker tones of the church stonework and roof and the soft texture of the grasses sit so easily between them. Beautiful.

7th - Tekapo Sunrise by Jenny Mitchell

I am drawn to the sharpest, darkest geometrical features of these human shapes that seem to move with a common purpose in an overflowing sea of dancing light. I admire how you bring that impression in an abstract composition. Your use of light and perspective takes me to the edge of the water where surfers or lifeguards might stumble into the sea or bound back onto the beach. The blue of a summer ocean is an equally effective element.

8th - Blue Wave by Jo Curtis APSNZ

The nonchalant feeling of this young man is palpable. The head bowed to concentrate on his phone, the drift of his cigarette smoke and the toe of his well-worn work shoe turned blindly in our direction, capture the essence of how some might view labourers on work breaks. The lean against the doorway in a gritty and graffitied environment and your own treatment of the image enhances the feeling.

9th - Smoko Break by Rob Vanderpoel LPSNZ

It’s the perspective, clarity and the dreamy, long exposure that invite me down under the wharf to see what I can see. Sharp focus on the first two uprights and the interesting patterns where the light touches the rocks across the foreground is where I begin. It reaches out along the length of the structure where there are noteworthy effects of weather on timber and steel, as well as various outcrops of what might be shellfish that hold my hold my interest and encourage me to stay awhile.

10th - Under the Wharf by Sue Henley

$1199

PSNZ Membership Benefits

• Expert advice to help improve your photography.

• The opportunity to achieve a higher Society distinction (LPSNZ, APSNZ, FPSNZ).

• A complimentary copy of New Zealand Camera, and the ability to submit your images for selection in this annual publication.

• Access to member only resources, including a member only PSNZ Facebook page for social chat and updates with other members.

• The opportunity to enter the Canon Online Competition, with trophies for each round and for the overall winner each year.

• Discounts for Society activities, such as the annual PSNZ National Convention, special workshops, international competitions and much more.

• The opportunity to participate in regional meetings and events, including the PSNZ Workshop Series.

• A copy of our bimonthly magazine CameraTalk, with news, reviews, events and some of the best photography around.

• The opportunity to exhibit your work in exhibitions such as the PSNZ Sony National Exhibition, Regional Salons and other member only online competitions.

• Access to judge training workshops at a reduced rate for PSNZ members.

• Ability to promote your website on our website.

• Receive regular blog posts to stay informed of the latest news on events, activities and special offers.

• Product discounts and savings when offered by our corporate partners and associated companies.

• Discounts for major NZIPP events as a PSNZ member.

Special Thank You

On behalf of PSNZ

A huge thanks to the teams behind the Regional Salons and Conventions

South Island Regional

Penny McCaul and the team from Ellesmere Camera Club

South Island Salon

Organisers: Carolyn Elcock ANPSNZ EFIAP QPSA FAPS, Ian Walls FPSNZ and the team from Christchurch Photographic Society

Selectors: Toya Heatley FPSNZ AFIAP, Caroline Ludford LPSNZ LRPS and James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP/b

North Island Regional

Donna Russell and the team from the Whangārei Camera Club

North Island Salon

Donna Russell and the team from the Whangārei Camera Club

Selectors: Toya Heatley FPSNZ AFIAP, Caroline Ludford LPSNZ LRPS and Aliah Jan FPSNZ AFIAP

HELPING PHOTOGRAPHERS GROW