Welcome to the SE region July 2024 Newsletter
1. Introduction
2. What has happened in the SE region since the last newsletter
3. News in the region
4. FUTURE events
5. Planned events for the next 10 months
6. Hello to new members
2. Introduction
I was at a slight loss on what picture to put on the front for this issue, so I used BING.com image creator to put the above together. It is clearly artificial, but that is 1 iteration of a picture responding to my description of a serene Autumn sunrise, a squirrel sitting on a deer’s back and a generally lush surrounding. The pace of AI is almost exponential, and I’m sure a far better image than the above could be produced now. Yet despite this , so far, I have seen images within the RPS environment and my own camera club seemingly unaffected by AI beyond the use of the masking by Adobe and perhaps the generative re move tool. Are we on the edge of a precipice or should we be confident that apparent way we have handled AI so far will continue? What are your views? If you do want to see the picture you will need to open the ISSU version.
3. What has happened since the last newsletter?
Our visit to the British Wildlife Centre in September was well attended. Unfortunately, we had 2 late cancellations due to Covid, but the good news is we are thinking of running another session next year, around June. Is this too soon? As we do not set out to make any profit the event is very good value.
Would you be interested?
If so, click on this email address to Paul Stillman just to let him know. If we get some interest, we will run the event.
At the end of October, Melanie Chalk led a photographic walk around Knole Park, near Sevenoaks. The weather was excellent and it was a good day for walking. I hope to have an image from this event for the next newsletter.
4. News in the Region
The major news from the RPS is the confirmation of the intention to sell RPS House in Bristol as announced in the AGM. They will seek a much smaller permanent location in Bristol, I believe, for their staff, but other requirements will be rented, such as exhibition space and auditoriums for distinction assessments. The intention is to hold a lot more events that formerly took place in Bristol in the Regions.
The next MEMCOM, (regional and group head meeting), is very shortly. This will discuss:
• SLAs update ; this an acronym for Service Level Agreements. The first one, the finance SLA is in draft now
• Roadmap Update – this is the progress on the CRM. (We are currently using Billetto for this)
• Finance Update – all the regional accounts will be amalgamated – this is a big change
• Future Priorities for Region – Post RPS House
5. FUTURE Events
1. Bedgebury Pinetum Autumn Colours walkabout
This is scheduled for next Sunday, 1 0th November. This event is sold out and we are lucky to have David Jenner give us a talk prior to our visit. Bedgebury is David’s second home and he has produced some wonderful pictures.
2. An evening webinar , “The Caring Camera” by Lara Jackson, wildlife photographer Paul Stillman not only works hard for the RPS SE, he is the Nikon Owner, South East Group coordinator.
On, Wednesday 13th November 2024, Lara Jackson is due to give a talk. It will start at 19.30 pm and will be c. 2 hours long.
Paul is asking if any members of the RPS who would like to attend this webinar at a cost of £15pp. If so, then please click on this email to Paul Stillman . He will reply with a Zoom invite and a method of payment.
About Lara Jackson
Lara is first and foremost a conservation biologist, on a mission to raise awareness. She also happens to be an award winning wildlife photographer including a Highly Commended in the 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Her research work has taken her all over the globe, from the dry forests of Madagascar to the tropical rainforests of Belize, and from rhinos roaming the savanna to dolphins gliding through waves. She now lives on the island of Mull in Scotland where she delights not only in photographing the extensive wildlife but sharing it in an ethical and responsible way with others.
6. Planned events and an outline of future events
1. Street Photography in London click event
We have postponed this until 19/01/25. This will appear on Billetto now we have a fixed a date. The plan is to meet in the Brick Lane Coffee shop at 11:30 and photograph the many street opportunities. Sunset is at 16:27, so you may want to stay on and take advantage of the usual great light then .
RPS SE outline programme: February 2025 - September 2025 (Status of event correct as of 05/11/24)
February 2025 AGM 2024 (new) online Planned to be an online meeting
February 2025 LRPS distinction advisory day 2025 online
April 2025 Use your phone as a camera
April 2025 Bluebell Photo Workshop click event 2025
May 2025 Margate click event
Faversham
Kings Wood
Margate
June 2025 Motor Cycle grass track racing Swingfield
June 2025 British Wildlife Centre 2025 Lingfield
July 2025 Banger Racing
August 2025 Broadstairs Folk Week ’25 click event
September 2025 KENT OUTLAW OVAL RACING
October 2025 Birds of Prey
Smallfield
Broadstairs
Lydden
Southborough
The event will be limited to 9 participants and 25 in the audience. The cost will be minimal to participants.
Julie Elmes will be showing you how to use your phone as a camera on location
This is a click event, walking around King’s Wood, near Challock.
This is a street photography and coastal photography day in Margate. We will choose a route and roughly follow this. There will be no fee
This is an idea that we will confirm once we have dates for 2025
We will conform this once we know what sort demand there is
This is a new idea and we will confirm once we have dates for 2025
The colourful Broadstairs Folk week offers so much scope for great images
This is a new idea and we will confirm once we have dates for 2025
This is a new idea which we are exploring at the moment
6. Hello to new members from 03/09/24 through to 02/11/2024 Apologies for those I missed in July and August. I only get a report for the last 2 months.
Mark Sales, Ranil Ruwanpathirane, Suzy Bear King, Timothy Brill, Graham Stacey, Anna Dolgikh, Wendy Ransom, Jackie McCarthy, Lorraine Rowbottom, Paul Davison, Ken Childs, Gareth Owen, Emily Hatton, Rachel Bowen, Paul Curd, Marco Renzulli, Philip Assheton, Stephen Barnes, Joanne Stone, Diana Harris,
Andy Taylor, Ian Surita, Thomas Smy, Dave McQuirk, Vincent Breen, Agnieszka Szuba, Deborah Timperley, Kevin Snow, Malcolm Stoker, Barry Gilbertson, This is the most new members I have seen. This is what the RPS needs to survive
If you have any ideas for the region or want to help, please contact me at southeast@rps.org. John Gough, RPS SE Regional Organiser