WELCOMETOOURAUTUMN NEWSLETTER
Well,wehavehadagreatSummerand Autumnandonlynowarethenightsdrawing inandtheweatherturningcolder.This actuallymakesforsomegreatphotographsas IrecentlyfoundoutwhenIvisitedWestonbirt ArboretumduringtheGloucesterResidential weekend.
controversialAIgeneratedimagesconstructed byanappfromabriefwords-onlydescription. “Hyperrealisticbeachsceneflatsandsmall wavesgirlwithkite”producedaplausibleJack Vettrianostylebeachscene.John’sgrandson tried“strawberrypoisondartfrogultrarealistic octane”whichresultedinjustthat!“Constable oilpaintingstyleheavyhorsejumpsoverlock gates”wasabitofadisappointment–the horsenotactuallygettingofftheground.
PerhapsAIdoesn’tyetunderstandhorse jumping.“Galleonsstormysky”wasallit neededtogiveusacoupleoftallships,and “Ghostlypirateship”wascertainlyspooky. Love‘emorhate‘em–itwassomethingwecan alllookforwardto(orNOT!).‘Midjourney’is thenameoftheapp,accessibleviaanother platform–theapp‘Discord’.Thepictures producedbyAIweresurprisinglyconvincing, albeitthatnoteveryonewasactually convinced.[Disclaimer–Ionlyreport,neither recommendingnorotherwise.]
TheresidentialweekendinGloucesterwasa resoundingsuccessandthereisanarticle explainingwhyfromMikeKitchingmanLRPS.
TheRollrightgroup’sactivitiesareexplainedin twoarticlesbyBarryBarkerFRPS.
WendyMeagherLRPSupdatesyouonour PrintExhibitions-whereandwhenyoucan viewtheimagesthatwereincludedinour SquareImagesmagazine.
Wealsohavegreatarticles:fromGerryCoe FRPSabouthislifeasaphotographer,from AnnaStephensonFRPSandfromJanBeesley ARPS.
Pleasecontactmetoarrangetoshowcase yourworkinafutureeditionofthisour membersnewsletter.
Happysnapping! CarolPaesARPS
JohnTimbrellhadaselectionofstreetimages, focussingonpeoplemoreengagedwiththeir phonesthanwiththerestoftheworld.Itis surprisinghowoblivioustheybecomeand eventhedogontheleadseemedresignedto being“Phubbed”.
MikeKitchingmangaveusatasterofwhat mightbefoundinNewcastleatthe plannedVAGspringgathering–lotsto photographaroundthere.ThenClaire CarrolltookusonatourofBerlin–the architectureofthebuildingsand undergroundsystem.Itwasalldonewith hermobilephone,avariedcollectionof graphicimages,shinyangular constructions,wetandwateryonesand creativemultipleexposures(usingtheapp ‘AVGCameraPro’).
Whatathoroughlyenjoyabledayitwaswith aneclecticmixofimagesandsomestirring discussion.StartingwithPDI’s,JohnCredland setthetone,lullinguswithsomerestful imagesofStoweParkandariversidewalk, thenambushinguswithsomechallengingand
RayHigginbottomreturnedtothespooky themeinhisessayonDeraiderzMarrionnette TheatreandWorkshop,ÎledelaBarthelasse, Avignon.I’dlovetogoheresometime,it lookedabsolutelyfascinating,withnearlife sizepuppets,allmadeandcostumedonsite, ugly/beautifulcaricaturesandgrotesques,and fabulouslight.VivBlewitshowedusalighter sideofAvignon,thecoloursandtexturesof windowsanddoors,plussomefunpicturesof granddaughterenjoyingViv’shat-box collection.
JohnHammonsbroughtalongseveralofhis books,thelatestbeinghis“MadeinScotland” andshowedushisICMimagesfromthe NorthernIsles.Someofthebeachshotshad thelayeredcomplexityofaMarkRothko painting,andtheabstractthrough-the-wet-carwindscreeninvitedcomparisonwiththeAI imagesshownearlier.Ithinkthatmostofus knewwhichwepreferred.
NatCoalsoncompletedthePDIshowwithhis workonthehistoricglasscollectionof LeamingtonSpacommissionedbyBID,an organisationpromotinglocalbusiness interests.Themuti-colouredabstractmacro studieswillprovidebackgroundsandtextures forBID’sadvertsandpublications,plusof course,thebasisofartpiecestheNatcanoffer inhisgallery.Amostinterestingapplication, promotingseveraldifferentfacetsofthetown.
AfterlunchweweredelightedtoseeJanie ChapmanbackatRollright,showingherhighly creativeprints–layeredmultipleexposures assembledinphotoshop,treestreatedwith ICM,somesubtleflowerpicturesandasetof abstracts.
MaureenTyrrellshowedusafewstudio picturesofdancers,blendinglongexposures andaddedflashasthemodeltookflight.The qualityandskillofthistechnique,fromboth photographeranddancerwasveryevident.
Coviddrop-outsleftusalittleshortonprints fortheafternoon,butJohnCavanabroughthis ARPSpaneltoshowagain,newtosomeofus andwellwortharevisitforthosewhohad seenitfirsttimeround.Theimages,thefine tunedresultsofasixyearprojectonthe townshipsinSouthAfrica,gaveusaninsight intosomewheremostofuswillneversee. IndeedJohnfoundthatthethreatand intimidationoftheplacesincreased significantlyovertime.Weapplaudthe courageandconfidencerequiredtotakeon suchachallenge.
PaulBrewertongaveushislockdownproject, revisitingsomeofhisearly35mmnegatives, scannedandprinteddigitally.Manyofthe originalsstoodalongsidetheirmodern counterpartinvitingcomparison.Thenewer pictures,muchmorecontrastyandbrighter, couldhavebeentakenrecently.Theoriginals havingagedwell,retainedclearandsubtle tones,andwereveryrepresentativeofatime goneby.
Toroundoffandfilluptheafternoon,I broughtalongan(over?)extendedselectionof picturesandportraits,alltakenlastmonthat WBF2022,theWorldBodypaintingFestivalin Klagenfurt,Austria.Mywifehadgivenmea photographer’spassforChristmas2019–and youcanguesswhathappenedtothefestivals in2020and21!Ifinallygottousethepassthis year.Itwasagreatthreedaysspentamong creativeartistsandgregarious,flamboyant youngpeople,eagertobephotographedin theirpaintedoncostumes.
Judgeforyourselfwhatyouthinkofmy pictures.Thetitleoftheimagebelowis‘Major Rollright’–thebackground,moonandsunrise reflectedinhishelmetvisoralltakenatthe Rollrightstonecircleearlyonefrostymorning inJanuary2020.
You’llfindmuchmoreonmywebsiteat https://www.double13.uk/galleries-i/worldbodypainting-festival-2022
GERRYCOE
Ileftschooljustbeforemy16thBirthdayand wenttoworkforaphotographeronthe AntrimRoadatCarlisleCircus,Hisnamewas LionelSalemandheandhiswiferanthe JaymarStudio.Hewasabrilliant,inventive personandhewouldjusthavelovedallthis mobilephotography.IthenjoinedRobert AndersonPhotographyacommercialand Industrialphotographers.Ilearntalotwhile workingthereintheCommercial/Industrial field.
ImovedonandworkedwiththeNITourist boardforawhilebutIwaseventuallyaskedto joinwithLeslieStuartphotographytoruna newdepartmentdoingcommercialand ndustrialworkalongwiththewellknownartist anddesignerRowelFriers.Ieventually decidedtobecameselfemployedandIhave beenworkingasaphotographereversince.
Ialsostartedapictureframingbusinessalong withanewpartnerVictorKennedy.This businessthrivedandandIwasstilldoingmy photography.Weturnedtwofrontroomsof ournewpremisesonBelfastsLisburnRoad intomynewPortraitstudio"LastingImage". TheframingandPhotographybusinesseswere splitintoseparatecompaniesandtheframing wastakenoverbyVictor'ssonCharliewhostill runsthebusiness"Frame&PictureCentre"I retiredfrommystudioabout7yearsago.
Blessings
MywifeandIwereinBolognaandwhilewewere havinglunchInoticedthisman(belowleft) comingalongthenarrowstreet.Justaswe finishedlunchhecamepastourtableandI thoughthewasagreatsubjectforapanelof imagesIwascompiling.
I askedtotakehisportraitandhewasmorethan happy,Ialsoputagoodbitofmoneyinhiscup.I knewwhenItookitthatitwouldbeatricky imagetocleanupthebackground.Allthe processingwasdoneonmyiPhone12ProMax usingdifferentapps,Snapseed,retouch,Image Blender,LightbrushandprobablyothersIhave forgotten.
Ifirstgotintophotographyatthetenderage ofabout12throughenteringacompetitionon BluePeter,thesubjectwastophotographyour Pet,wellatthattimeIdidnothaveapetbut wehadacamerawithaboutsevenoreight framesleftonthefilmsoIphotographed myneighbourspet,thephotoswererubbish butthatgotmeinterestedintaking photographs,soafterupgradingthecamera andthenjoiningsomelocalcameraclubsin BelfastIgotwellandtrulyhooked.
CineMar
ThisimagewastakeninLlanesintheBasque regionofSpain,Iwasoutforawalkwithmywife anditwasabitwetbutaswewalkedalongthe streetwepassedthisoldclosedcinema.Iwas struckbythecoloursanddilapidation.Would havelovedtohavegotinside.Alltheprocessing oftheimagewasdoneinSnapseed,Ienhanced thecoloursandcontrastandnotmuchelsewas donewithit
Sohavingbeeninterestedinphotography sincetheageof12andaprofessionalfromthe ageof16Icouldneverseemedoinganything else.Ihavealwaysbeenattractedtothearts sophotographysuitedme,asIsay"Ican't paint,Ican'tdraw,Ican'tsing,Ican'tdancesoI becameaphotographer"Tomephotography isnotjustajobitisapassion,Ienjoyall aspectsofphotographyandIhavecovered almostallofthem.
andtoseenewpeopleblossomwithhelpand encouragementfromthemoreadvanced members.
Ihavebeenluckytohaveachievednumerous awardsanddistinctionsthroughoutmycareer bothformyportraitureandmydigital/mobile photography.IamaFellowofeachofthefour mainphotographicbodies,Ihavethree FellowshipsfromTheBritishInstituteof ProfessionalPhotographers(BIPP),andothers fromTheRoyalPhotographicSociety, (RPS)TheSocietyofWeddingandPortrait Photographers(SWPP)andTheMaster PhotographersAssociation(MPA).Eachyear theBIPPawardanextrahonourtothe mostoutstandingFellowshippanel,ThePeter GrugeonAward,Iamtheonlypersoneverto havewonittwice.RecentlyIwasalsomadean HonouryFellowoftheBIPP,only25haveever beenawardedinthe120yearhistoryofthe BIPP.MysecondFellowshipfromtheBIPPwas forapanelofimagestakenwithmyiPhone, thisisthefirsttimeanyonefromany organisationworldwidehasreceivedsuchan honour.
Dunedepilat
Again,onaholidaywewerestayinginArcachon nearBordeauxandwetravelleddowntothe DunedePilat,thesearequitespectaculardunes butsoreonthelegsclimbingupthem.Iwasvery luckywiththecloudsandhowthelightand shadowsplayedonthedunes.Notalotdonewith this,abitofdramaandconversionto monochromealldoneinSnapseedThefigures givethedunesagreatsenseofscale.
Afterbeingsomeonewhohandprintedallmy ownworkindarkroomsIquicklyembracedthe digitalage,itismuchnicersittingatmy computerinthelightratherthanachemical smellydarkroom,Istillprintallmyownwork athomeonmyA2printerandIdon'tgetsore legsstandingalldayinthedarkroom.
NowadaysIloveusingmyiPhonetoproduce photographsandnowbyusingappsIcan "PaintandDraw"althoughtherearenoapps thatwillhelpmeto"DanceandSing"WhatI lovemostisseeingsomanywonderful photographsthatareproducedthesedaysby someverytalentedpeoplewhetheritisona mobiledevice,adigitalcameraorevenbackto usingfilmandglassplates.Iamalsoa memberandexPresidentofourlocalcamera club"Bangor&NorthDown"Itisgreattosee somanywonderfulimagesbythemembers
Sheep
Thisimagewastakenwhileoutdoinglandscapes inDonegalwithafewfriendsincludingJoe Cornish.Joeandmyotherfriendswentoffdown toabeachwhileIstayedupinanotherarea.The raincameonandIdecidedtoheadbacktothe carandasIcrossedthefieldsthisbunchofsheep startedfollowingme.
WhenIgottothefenceIlookedbackandsaw themstandingtherewatchingmeandhopeingI mighthavesomefood.Theimageagainwas processedonmyiPhone,IusedSnapseedto enhancethecoloursandthenImoveditovertoa coupleof“arty”appsIfIremembercorrectlyI usedRepixandPaintcanIalsoputitintoimage blenderandusingtheoriginalimage. Itookaway someofthepainteffectsroundthefaces.
TheimageagainwasprocessedonmyiPhone, IusedSnapseedtoenhancethecoloursand thenImoveditovertoacoupleof“arty”apps IfIremembercorrectlyIusedRepixand PaintcanIalsoputitintoimage blenderandusingtheoriginalimage.
Recently,IwastheUKNationsWinnerwiththe topscoringimageinthetheWorld PhotographicCup.Ihavehadmanyofmy imagesacceptedintotheRoyalUlster Academyannualexhibitionforartistsofall disciplinesandmanyofmyimagesareheldin privatecollections.Ihavebeenaskedwhat awardamImostproudof,wellallofthem reallybutprobablytheHonouryFellowship fromtheBIPPasthisrecognizesnotonly photographicabilitybutalsotheinfluenceone hashadonotherpeopleovermanyyearsand thededicationtophotography.
Amsterdam
AwayonaphototriptoAmsterdamwithagroup offriendsIwasveryinterestedinthearchitecture aroundtheEyeFilmMuseum.Iamalways lookingforunusualangles.Thisimageincludes partoftheEyeFilmMuseumandtheAmsterdam LookoutAgaintheimagewasprocessedonmy iPhoneusingSnapseed,RetouchandlightBrush
Iamcurrentlyworkingonaretrospective portraitexhibitionofimagestakenoverthe last40yearsorsooflocalandinternational celebritiesIhavehadthepleasuretohave photographed.
AsIsaidaboveInowconcentrateonMobile PhotographyusingmyiPhone12ProMax.I startedwithaniPhone4andhavestuckwith iPhoneseversince.Ihavegotusedtothe manyappsontheappstorealthoughnow Iprobablyonlyusenomorethanten.
JANBESSLEY-EXHIBITION
DuringtheCovid-19restrictionsmanyofus tooktotheonlineworldoftalksand workshops.Theonlineplatformprovideda uniqueopportunitytoexpandourcreative horizonsandconnectwithothersacrossthe globe.Havinglongbeendrawntoabstraction inbothartandphotographyIwaskeento delvedeeperandwasluckyenoughtobecome partofanintensiveyear-longexplorationof photography,art,abstraction,andcreativity underthetutelageofValdaBaileyandDoug Chinnery.
IfeelIhavebenefittedhugelyfromthedigging moredeeplyintothecreativeprocessand fromthesupportandguidanceofValdaand Doug.Ithasalsobeenwonderfultosharethe experiencewiththeothers,tomakenew friendsandtobeinspiredbytheirthoughts andideas.
WithparticipantshailingfromtheUK,theUS, CanadaandEurope,theCovid-19pandemic hadinadvertentlyprovidedaunique opportunitytobringtogetheragroupoflikemindedphotographersnotjustforadayora week,butforafullyearofintensivestudyand practice.
Theculminationofthisamazingexperienceis tobeanexhibitionorourwork,hereintheUK. Formanyofus,thisexhibitionwillbethefirst timethatwemeeteachotherinperson.
TheexhibitionisentitledAbstractRhythmand BlueNotesandisacelebrationofphotographic expressionism.
Theexhibitionwillhighlighttheworkof14 emergingandestablishedartistsandwill includeworkbyValdaBaileyandDoug Chinnery.
Inadditiontotheexhibitedartworks,therewill betalksandworkshops toattend.The exhibitionwillbeheldat TheHorsebridgeArts Centre inWhitstable,KentfromNovember1628,2022. Fulldetailsofalltheartistsand eventscanbefoundontheexhibitionwebsite at https://arbnexhibition.co.uk
JanBeesleyARPS
ReminiscencesofGloucester
Thebuild-upforourGloucesterweekendwas allrunningsmoothlyuntil,attheeleventh hour,oneofourworkshopleaders,Paul Gallagher,sufferedabackinjuryandwasn’t surehewouldbeabletoattend.
BeingthesortoffellowheisIknewthatPaul wouldattendifhepossiblycould,evenatthe risktohisownhealth,butIwasalsoaware thatthingscouldtakeaturnfortheworseand Iknewthatnoneofuswouldwishtoputhim inthatpositionso,outcametheaddressbook andmobileandafterafewfraughtdaysa goodfriendoftheVAG,MartinAddison, steppedinandsavedthedayandpresented uswithasuperbtalk,hurriedlyputtogether withhourstospare,togetherwithtwo excellentworkshopsovertheweekend.
OnthejourneydowntoseteverythingupSally andIwereconfrontedwiththemost horrendousweatherconditionsandweather reports.Myfirstthoughtwas”Yikes,our workshopsareintheForestofDeanandThe Quays”but,asisalwaysthewaywithaBBC
forecastitwascompletelywrong,wegotthe torrentialrainbutnotwhenitmattered.Both SaturdayandSundayhadgloriousweather, justperfectforbothworkshopsandforallof ustogetoutwithourcameras.
OnFridayafternooneveryonegotthemselves bookedinanddowntothebarforour customarywelcomedrinksanditwasgreatto meetupwitholdandnewfacestogetherwith ourtwoworkshopleaders,BenedictBrainand MartinAddison.
Draggingourselvesawayfromthebarwe congregatedinthemeetingroomforourfirst talk,whichwasfromMartinshowingsomeof hisexcellentintimatelandscapeworkand goingthroughhisplanforSaturday's workshopintheForestofDeanafterwhichwe haddinnerandwerebackinthemeetingroom forthefirstofourshowandtellsofthe weekend.Printsfirst,includingsomeexcellent pinholecameraworkandawonderfulpanelof multi-layeredflowersandblossomwhichI’m surewe’llbeseeingasasuccessful‘A’or maybean‘F’panelinthenearfuture.Timeand aprevailingwindwilltell.
Daytwoandthesunshoneagain,perfect weatherforthetwoworkshopsandforthe restofustogetoutandabout.Wehada minibuslaidontoferryasmallgroupof people,(whodidn’thavetheirowntransport), intothecitycentreandbackintheafternoon whichworkedperfectlyandissomethingwe’ll useagainwheneverit’snecessary.
OureveningtalkskickedoffwithRaySpence presentingonalittle-knownaspectof photographywhenitwasinitsinfancy,the “WetplateCollodion”process.Histalk.‘Locked inSilver’tookusthroughtheearlydaysof photographywhenglassplateswereused, exposuretimesweremeasuredinseveral minutesandprocessingrequiredtheuseof poisonsandconcoctionssuchasnitro cellulose(whichwasalsousedinexplosives), muchsaferusingdigitalcamerasI’dsay? Ben’spresentation‘TheArtofSeeing’followed showinghisapproachtoimage-making includingworkfromhislong-runningcolumn inDigitalCameraNewsaswellashispresent work.Thiswasanotherthought-provokingtalk reinforcingtheideasexpoundedinhis workshops.
Afterdinnerweweretreatedtosomemoreof ourmembersexcellentworkinournextshow andtell.Thesearealwayssoenjoyablegiving usallachancetoseewhichdirectionweare individuallygoinginandallowingusto exchangeideas.Alwaysafruitfulexperience. OnSundaythosewhohadsignedupto workshopssetoffagainandtherestofus werefreetogetoutwithourcamerasand enjoytheday.
Lateafternoonandtheworkshopguyswere backatthehotelandconvenedinthemeeting roomintheirrespectivegroupsforade-brief fromMartinandBen.
Thehighlightoftheweekendformewasa presentation,‘MyScenicDetours’fromVanda Ralevska.Vandaspokemosteloquentlyabout herearlydaysinCzechoslovakiaandherlove ofthecountrybutalsoherdeeploveofher adoptedcountryof17years,theU.K.She talkedabouthowCovidhaditsimpactonusall andhowshestruggledtogether‘mojo’back aftertheisolationShefurtherspokeofher loveoftheseasideandherlatenight/early morningwalksaroundBushyParkcapturing thesunrisemists,allaccompaniedbyher wonderfulimages,somegloriouslyethereal, somemorematteroffactbutallthought provoking.Vanda’simagesandwordshada deepemotionalimpactthatI’msurewill remainwithallofus.
Afterdinner,wehadourlastshowandtellof theeveningroundedupbyourownBarry Barker(whoalsorunsourRollrightmeetings). Hisshortpresentation‘ACantoinSurrealist style’tookusintothebizarreworldofDada andSurrealism,instigatedbyAndréBreton andGuillaumeApollinaireandusing inspirationfrom‘LeChantsduMaldoror’by IsidoreDucasse.Itwasaccompaniedbysome ofBarry’ssuperblyprintedandsuitablyoffthe wallimagestakeninwhat,Isuppose,one couldcallashopofcurios.Eachofthesewas coupledwithanappropriatecantopennedby him.And,asanaddedbonus,hehada numberofhislimited-editionbookstohand outthatillustratedhistalk.
Anyonewhoseinterestwassparkedbythe contentofBarry’stalkandwishestodelve deepermust,Isuppose,investigatehissource material,butitwasafittingfinaletoa weekendthat,Ihope,wasenjoyedbyallwho werepresent.
OurSpringresidentialweekendwillbein Newcastleonthe14th-17thApril2023a greatvenuewhichpromisesplentyof photographicopportunities.We’llbesending outourusualexpressionofinterestin Januaryandwelookforwardtoseeingyou allthere.
RollrightVisualArtGroupmeeting
26th November2022
Wehavetwospeakersscheduledforthe NovembermeetingatLongCompton. Steven Leslie willtakethemorningsession.Isawhim presenthisstreetphotographyatanArena meetingearlierthisyear.Iwasreally impressedandgrabbedthelastremaining copyofhisbook“Sparks”.Stevenisalsoa scriptwriter,anamusingstoryteller,anda highlyentertainingspeaker.Wearepromised a“genrebusting”presentation,withthe followingintriguingdescription.
[My]talkiscalled 'Show&Tell' andisbroadly aboutmy25yearsasastreetphotographer.
Itwillalsofeatureasignificantamountoflies andtallstoriesasIattempttopushthe boundariesofwhatstreetphotographycan encompass!
Iamquitesurethattherewillbeanamusing taletogowiththis.
VerityMilligan fillstheafternoonslot,andthe mentionofhernameatthelastRollright meetingprovokedmany“Oohs!”ofapproval. Sheprovidedthefollowingsynopsisandvery generously,threeimagestotemptyou.
“TheArtofSeeing"
Howwecanuselandscapephotographyto ‘see’ratherthanjust‘look’attheworldaround us.Thistalkwillexploretheideathat landscapephotographycanbeagatewayto engagingwiththenaturalworldusingdifferent elementsasdiscussionpoints,suchaslight, weather,wateretc.,whetherit’slocalor furtherafield.”
ANNASTEPHENSON
Iwasn’tsurehowtostartthisarticle,and then…
ThedeathofHMQueenElizabethIIhasjust beenannounced.
SoitiswithsadnessthatIstart.TheRoyal PhotographicSocietyhasencouraged,enabled andrewardedmeformyphotographicefforts andIsomehowthinkitwouldnotbethesame societywithoutthatRoyalPatronage.But despitethesecondElizabethaneracomingto anendthereispositivenessinanew beginning.Andsometimesitisthatwayin photography.
renewedsenseofvigourandournewfound enthusiasm.
Andwhenyou’vegainedtheultimateF–then what?
Forexample,whenonegainsadistinction–theimmediateaftermathofemotionisusually asenseofemptiness.Afterallwhenonehas workedsohardatsomethingtosuddenlynot dothatanymoreleavesabitofavoid.But thenalongcomesanotheropportunityinthe nextdistinction;andoffwegoagainwitha
I’vefoundthatworkingonindividualprojects, (sometimesmorethanoneatonce)cangive yourphotographyasenseofpurposeandit alsohonesyourcameraandpostproduction skillsbecausewiththatpurpose,comesa concentrationofeffortintobecomingthebest artistyoucanbeortocreatethebestimages youcan.
Anddespitewhatyoumightthinkandwhatwe havebecomeaccustomedto,inthismodern agewithitssocialmediabombardment-it doesn’treallymatterwhatotherpeoplethink ofthem(althoughI’msureweallliketoreceive praisefromourpeers).AsplashofInstagram “likes”ismeaningless.Whatisimportant,is whattheymeantoyou!Whatpartofyoudo theyrepresent?Whatdidyoufeelwhenyou weretakingthem?Doyouwanttohangthem onyourownwall?Didyouenjoytheprocess? Afterall–isn’tthatwhywetakephotographs?
Weallhaveourinsecuritiesandseekingpraise givesusre-assurance.EvenasaFellowIoften doubtmyownabilitytoliveuptomyown expectations–letaloneanyoneelse’s.If someoneelsethinksmycreationsareless thanadequateitcanbeablowtoonesself confidence.Butwhyshouldit?
Andsowecometotheworldofslogans–ploughyourownfurrow,followyourownstar, marchtoyourowndrum….butthebest…..be truetoyourself.Unlessyouhavea commissiontodoforsomeoneelse-why wouldyoutakephotographsthatwerenot truetoyou?Thatdidnotpleaseyoursenses insomeway?Thatsomeoneelsethinksyou shouldtakebecausethatisthelatesttrend? Thatwouldsimplyfitintoacompetition somewherefora“judge”tolookatfor5 secondsanddismissbecausetheblackswere tooblack?
Mysecondprojectalsorevolvesaroundthe
MyFellowshipwasinblackandwhiteand despitemywebsiteandotherimagesbeing fullofcolourIlovethenatureofblackand white.Ithasabeautifulsimplicityand truthfulnessaboutit.Thistimeitisabout capturingthefreedomoftheopenspaceand howthenaturalbeautyofthecoastfeedsboth myinnerpeaceandmysenseofthewild. Twodifferenttypesofimagery-butbothme.
AWARDS:VAGMEMBERS’“SQUARE
IMAGES”PRINTEXHIBITION, 2021/22
ThePandemicpreventedourusualexhibition andawardseventscyclebut,finally,theday arrivedwhenthe2021Awardsweretobe conferredonthosewhowereabletoattend theeventonSaturday,24th September.John CavanaARPS,ourVisualArtChairman,handed outthewell-deservedcertificatesto:
PhillipDoveLRPS,NoBatteriesRequired (CarolPalmerARPSSelector’sAward)
LindaClareARPS,LightOnWhite (HighlyCommended)
RosemaryGibbsLRPS,WithinIce (HighlyCommended)
JohnFosterARPS,WindowDressing (Commended)
duringtheRPSVAGGloucesterResidential Weekend,inOctober.
Thoseawardwinnerswhocouldnotbe present,werecongratulatedandrecognisedby allpresent:
FredBarringtonFRPS,RunningMan (GoldMedal)
RogerWottonFRPS,StrangersInThe Night (JayCharnockFRPSSelector’sAward)
AntonyLong,SeekingStability (NatCoalsonARPSSelector’sAward)
SueSearleLRPS,Daisies (HighlyCommended)
JohnBullLRPS,SpiralStair (Commended)
JoséClossreceivedherCommendedAwardfor herimage,MisbehavingAtTheRoyalAcademy,
Afterheartfeltapplause,everyoneproceeded totuckintoawonderfulandconviviallunchat BistrotPierre,situatedoppositeGalleryPhotiq, whereour‘SquareImages’PrintExhibitionwas beingheld.Wethankgalleryowners,Natand RuthCoalson,forgraciouslyhostingthispart exhibitionwhichendedonFriday,15th October.
EXHIBITIONNEWS
Pleasenotethatexhibitiondetailscanalsobe foundontherps.orgwebsite,aswellasonour VAGFBpage.Wherethereisapartexhibition, thephotographers’namesandprinttitleswill bepublishedonthesamesites.
We’reexcitedtoletyouknowthatall145ofthe VAGmembers’‘SquareImages’printswillbe exhibitedattheHandaGallery,WellsMaltings, StaitheStreet,Wells-Next-the-Sea,Norfolk NR231AN,fromTuesday,8th Novemberto Wednesday,23rd November.Opendaily, 11-5pm. Thenextexhibitionofall145printswillbeat theSoldiersofOxfordshireMuseum,Park Street,WoodstockOX201SN(entrance throughtheWoodstockMuseum,14Park Street).Wearefortunatethatthiswillruninto nextyear,withabreakoverChristmas.The startdatewillbeTuesday,6th December, endingonFriday16th December;startingagain
November2022No.15
onTuesday,9th Januaryandendingon Thursday,16th February.Open:Tues-Sat,11-5; Sun,2-5pm;closedMondays.
SELECTIONDAY,SUNDAY27THNOVEMBER
ThiswillbeheldattheDeddingtonArmsHotel, Deddington.TheSelectorsareVivecaKoh FRPS,PhilipJoyceFRPSandMartinAddison FRPS.WearethankfultoMartinforbeingable tostandinforCliveHaynesFRPS,who unfortunatelyisnotabletoattenddueto familyillness.
Onefromeachprintentrywillbe selectedtogoforwardtomakeupthe2023 VAGMembers’PrintExhibition.Andeachof theseselectedimageswillappearinaspecial editionoftheVAMagazine.
MONOGRAPH&VISUALARTMAGAZINE NEWS
BotharedesignedbyPaulMitchellFRPS.The GuestEditorsfortheVAMagazineareLinda WevillFRPS,NickiGwynn-JonesFRPSandRay HigginbottomARPS.
The2023Monographfeaturedphotographer willbePaulMitchellFRPS.Weexpectthistobe publishedin2023.
TheMagazineissueNo.161isbeingguest editedbyRayHigginbottomARPSandisdue outtowardstheendofthisyear.
MagazineissueNo.162,guesteditedbyLinda WevillFRPS,isdueoutnextSpring.
Asmentionedabove,aspecialissueofthe Magazineistobepublished,featuringthe selectedprintsforthe2023Members’Print Exhibition.
WendyMeagherLRPS
DISTINCTIONSUCCESSES
WecongratulatethefollowingVisualArtGroup membersontheirrecentlygainedRPS Distinctions
ARPSAPPLIED&PORTRAITUREMay22
DavidJosephIrvine,Hamilton VignanaSharmaRavuri,India
ARPSLANDSCAPEMay22 HoneyWalker,London
FRPSLANDSCAPEMay22
AlanThompson,Dorking
LRPSJune22 LeslieFirbank,Leeds
ARPSVISUALARTJune22 SusannaHoare,Truro KeithSurey,Beckenham
FRPSVISUALARTJune22
FredBarrington,London
AmandaD’arcy,CravenArms Do-WeiJiao,Taiwan ChiWaiSiu,HongKong LindaWevill,London
UPDATEONTHECIRCLES
"TheVisualArtGroupgivesallitsmembers, freeofcharge,theopportunitytomakenew photographerfriends,fromallovertheUK,and occasionallyevenabroad.
YoucanjoinoneofourtwoPrintCircles, exchangeprintsandsharecommentsonthem everyfewweeks.Forreasonsofpostageand lossofprints,thePrintCirclesarerestrictedto theUK.Ifyou'reinterested,justdropmean email.Icanfindyouaplacestraightaway.Orif youwantmoreinformation,Icanputyouin touchwithoneoftheSecretarieswhorunthe PrintCirclesandyoucandiscussquerieswith them.
TheVisualArtGroupalsoruns5EmailCircles, whichcirculateimagesmonthly,andwelcome newaswellasexperiencedmembers.There areafewplacesavailableinbothPrintand EmailCirclesjustnowsoifyou'djustliketo knowalittlemore,dropmealine at Gill@dishart.plus.com "
GillDishartARPS
FELLOWSHIPPEERGROUP
Thisisanonlinegroupthatmeetsmonthly overZoomtoprovideaforumformembers aspiringtoaFellowshipintheVisualArt categorytoshareideasandprogress.Itwas startedbyJanetHainesARPS,thentakenover byDavidRutterFRPSin2021.
Davidwrites:-
'AftergainingmyFRPSinMarch2021Iorganised andattendedthePeertoPeermeetingsfromJune
21onwardstoofferhelpandadvicetoothers workingtowardstheirFellowship.
ItookovertheGroupfromJanetHainesinAugust 2021andtheemailcirculationlistgrewtoabout 65.
ThespiritoftheGroupmeetingsisimportantand theemphasisistokeepitVERYfriendlyasitisnot officialadvicebutmoreakintochumsdiscussing theirphotographicendeavoursoverapintortwo inthelocal-it'sallaboutsuggestingavenuesof changeandnotaboutinstructingwaysforwardsuggestionsarea"whynottrydoingthis"or "haveyouconsideredthis"ratherthan"you oughttodothis"-thereisastrengthinthe collectiveknowledgeofattendeesand encouragementisthebedrockofprogression.'
DavidhasnowrelinquishedthisroleandTom LeeARPShaskindlyagreedtotakeiton.
Tomwrites:
‘IjoinedthegroupshortlyaftergainingmyARPS andthegroupwasinstrumentalinformingmy directiononhowtoproceedwithmyFpanel(now inwaiting).It’simportanttostressthatthisgroup isinnowayintendedtoofferofficialguidance, butshouldbeseenasaprecursortothe1-2-1 processofferedbytheRPStomembers.David hasdoneawonderfuljobandIonlyhopetopush forwardontheworkofmypredecessors’.
Ifyouareconsideringafellowshipbidand wouldliketojointhegrouppleasecontact Tombyemail,hisemailaddressis tomleephoto@me.com
Inlightingforfilm,theatreandstill photograph,a cucoloris (occasionallyalso spelled cuculoris, kookaloris, cookaloris or cucalorus)isadeviceforcastingshadowsor silhouettestoproducepatternedillumination. Itisnormallyreferredtoasa cookie or sometimesasa kook ora coo-koo.The cucolorisisusedtocreateamorenaturallook bybreakingupthelightfromaman-made source.Itcanbeusedtosimulatemovement
