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WELCOMETOOURSPRING NEWSLETTER
Welcometoour20th newsletter.Itwaslovelyto seesomanypeopleenjoythesceneryin Salfordatourlatestresidentialweekend.Itisa fascinatingplacewithsomeamazing architectureandwehadsomegreatworkshops whilstexploringManchester.
Thisnewslettershowcasesthreeofour memberswork,soIhopeyouenjoyreading abouttheirphotographyjourneys.I’malways delightedthatourmembersarehappyto volunteeranarticleforthisnewsletter,please thinkaboutsubmittingsomethingyourself.
Thenewsletterasalwaysshowcasesour residentialweekends,ourRollright,VAGSouth WestandVAGNorthaswellasafewextra articles.
Ihopeyouenjoy
CarolPaesARPS
“MYARPSJOURNEY”
It’softensaidthatapanelfindsyouratherthan viceversa.It’strueinthiscase.11longyears afterIwasawardedmyLicentiateI’vebeen waitingforinspiration,asign,forapaneltoslap meroundthechopsanddemandit’sassessed.
WhatCanISay-ItWasAWindyDay I’mafirmbelieverinusingtechnologyinthe creativeprocess,andsosince2019I’vebeen happilyexperimentingfocusstackingflowers,
insects,landscapes,etc.,untilIhadaseriesof lightbulbmoments…
WhatCanISay-BeeingBusy WhathappensifIstackoutsidewhenit’swindy? ShouldIthrowawayastackofirisesbeing servicedbyabee?WhathappensifIpostprocessmultiplestackstogether?CanIstack motion?CanIstackhandheld?HowcanI integrateitinmyoverallcreativeprocess?Can IuseitinconcertwithHDRand/orpanoramas and/ortiltandshiftorfisheyelenses?So muchtoexplore!Andlet’snotforgetblend modes!
AshestoAshes,FunktoFunky Theproblemwas,althoughIwasenjoying caffeine-fueledfiddling‘n’diddlinginmy“man cave”,howcouldItakeadvantageofthe technicalimperfectionsincomputerprograms tocreateanimpactfulandvisuallycohesive panelthatwouldseriouslyappealtothe
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artisticallyminded,thegreat‘n’thegood,aka ourrespectedassessors?IrealisedthatifI usedmyphotosofanabstractnatureasinputs totheaboveexperimentationsthenIcould createsomereallyinterestingabstract“stuff” thatlookedunrecognisablefromtheoriginal ingredients!
TheStream
Althoughmyinitialexperimentationsledto someveryintriguingmontages,theapproach wasflawedduetoitsrandomresults.Theuse ofvarioustechniques,withdifferenttypesof donorimages,hadproducedaplethoraof delightfulabstractimages,butwithlittle cohesionintermsofform,colours,textures, etc..
CravingdirectionIenteredasmorgasbordof printsintoanAdvisoryDayin2022,headed-up byChrisPalmerFRPSEFIAPDPAGBAPAGB.I receivedexcellentpositivebutrealistic feedback,givingmedirectionandinspiration formyongoingjourney.
Concentratingonasubsetofapproaches, furtherdabblingprovidedbetterqualityand moreconsistentresultsthatweretestedat anotherAdvisoryDayin2023.Iwasvery gratefultoVivecaKohFRPSFIPFwhoprovided verypositive,supportive,andhelpfuladvice.I wasmakingprogressatlast.
Irealisedthatbesidesconcentratingona consistentapproachIalsoneededtocuratemy donorimagestoenhancetheconsistency.I discoveredthateach(normallylatenight) creativesessionresultedinadistinctivesubset ofresults.Combiningthesetworevelations gavemetheimpetustocreateaconsistent
panelthatalsoprovidedenoughvarietytogive balanceandinterest.
Aftercreatingmanymorecandidateprints, gratefullyreceivingadvicefromJohnHumphrey FRPSandMikeKitchingmanARPS,and agonisingoverwhichprintstoincludeandin whichposition,Ieventuallycommencedthe assessmentprocesstosubmitthefollowing panel,entitled“Serendipity”:
MyStatementofIntent:
Iamfascinatedbytheserendipitouswayin whichcarefullychosenphotographs,withtheir imperfections,canbeblendedtogetherina varietyofwaystocreatecompellingand
imaginativemontages,unrecognisablefrom theirorigins.
Thispanelaimstoillustratetheresultsof transformingphotographsintoastrikingand distinctivepanelthatisharmonious,balanced, andrichinartisticelements.
Influencedbyartisticstylessuchasgeometric abstraction,abstractart,andcubism,myvision istoinspirefellowphotographerstoenjoy experimenting,tocreatepanelswherethe resultsaretypicallyfascinatingandalways unique.
SerendipityPanel
Hopefullyviewerswillappreciatethatthefirst andthelastcolumnsareslightlydarkerand havemustardovertones,thus“bookending”the panel.Pairsofprintsendeavortobalanceeach other.Patternspersistacrossthepanel.Some havebrushstrokeswhileothershavetextures. Thereare3Daspects.Theyallenjoycharming facetsthatarepart‘n’parcelofthetechnical imperfectionsintegraltothecreativeprocess.
Iamhonouredthattheassessmentpanel, consistingofMartinAddisonFRPS,Inaki Hernandez-LasaFRPSFIPF,AndyWilsonFRPS, andTonyWorobiecFRPS,veryablychairedby ChrisPalmer,awardedmypaneltheDistinction ofAssociate.Formeitwasaveryemotional experience–yes,Ishedatear.Myoverriding memorywasofMartinmentioningthatwhile drivinghomeafteralongdayofassessing,he wassurethatmypanelwouldbetheonehe’d rememberthemost.
Whatdoesthefuturebehold?WillIhaveto waitanotherdecadeforanotherrevelation? Willanotherpanel“find”me?Timewilltell,and inthemeantime,andasawell-knownLord says,“thesearchcontinues”.
StevenGalvinARPS http://StevenGalvin.Photography
MANCHESTER/SALFORDDEBRIEF
ThepreambletoourManchesterweekend startedoutquitechaotic,returningfromthe PhotographyShowattheNECwewere sideswipedbyanarticulatedLorrywhichput ourcaroutofcommission(wewereallfineand unharmedfortunately)soconsequentlywe wereleftwithouttransporttogetthe equipmentuptoManchester.Wewerethrown alifebeltbyafriendandfellowVAGmember WendyTaylorwho,asshewasattendingthe weekend,volunteeredtoferryusandthe equipmentuptothehotelinsteadoftakingthe train.
OncewearrivedattheCopthorneandwereup andrunningtheweekendtookofftoaflying startwithapresentationfromVerityMilligan(a ‘LightandLand’leader)onFridayeveningat whichsheshowedaselectionofher outstandingcityscapesofBirminghamtogether withherbeautifulethereallandscapeshotsall ofwhichdemonstratedherwonderfuluseof light.
andeveryonesetoffontheirrespective workshopsortheirownpursuits.
(AnotherVAGcolleagueAndrewLeeminghad verykindlyprovidedawalkaroundmapand detailsofsightsofphotographicinterestin Manchesterforusalltouse).
TherewasalsoMediaCitywiththeImperialWar MuseumandtheLowryBuildingtogetherwith itsbridgesandotherbuildingstoprovidemany photographicdiversions.
WehadthreeworkshopsplannedonSaturday andthesameonSundayandtheteamleaders wereVerityMilligan
WhotookherteamsintoManchestertakingin thejuxtapositioninarchitectureandexploring theNorthernQuarterandcapturingthecanals thatrunthroughthecitycentre.Therewere opportunitiestopracticedifferenttechniques andhoneskillswithregardtophotographing cityscapesandusingthetechniquesshe employswithhercityscapesandeveryone camebacksmilingandfullofpraiseforher obviousenjoymentofherworkandher mentoringofherteams.
AdrianBeasley,anotherlightandlandteam leaderwhooptedtotakehisgroupsaround SalfordQuaysandMediaCityshowinghis methodsforshootingarchitecturalimagesin monochromeandagain,thevalueoflightingin obtaininghisuniquegraphicimages.
Intheevening,hedidanunusualand absorbingpresentationonHighImpactB&W architecturewhichincludedasessionediting imagesfromtheday.Healsohadaprinteron handtoprintsomeimagesfromtheday, somethingthatwasnewtotheweekendsbut neverthelesswasworthathousandwordsin demonstratinghiswork.Adrianhasbeen presentingformanyyearsandhasawayof connectingwithhisaudienceso,oncemore,we hadaveryinstructiveevening.
OurthirdworkshopleaderwasTonyBramley, anoldcolleagueandfounderof'Light Academy'whosebriefforhisworkshopswas photographinginthestyleofSaulLeiter,a pioneerofcolourphotographyinthe40’sand 50’sandaleadinglightintheNewYorkSchool ofphotographywhohadauniqueartisticstyle whichisoftenemulatedbutrarelyequalledand Tonyhas,inmyopinioncaughttheessenceof Mr.Leiter’sworkandfromthemanysuperb imagesthathisteamcamebackwiththatwas ablyshared.Theyalsohadastrokeofluckin thattherewereafewbriefrainshowerswhich allowedthemtograbsomereflections,another ofLeiter’sloves.
Tony'spresentationonSundayeveningwason thesubjectof'Pictorialism’theprecursorof VisualArtwhichemphasisesbeautyofsubject matter,tonality,andcompositionratherthan thedocumentationofrealityandwaspractised bysuchearlyphotographersasAlvinLangdon Coburn,EdwardSteichen,AlfredStieglitz, amongothers.
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Wewereadmirablylookedafterthroughoutthe weekendbytheCopthornestaffandalsothe chefandhisteamwhogaveusavariedbuffet dinneronFridayandSaturdayandwhathas nowbecomeourcustomarySundaysetdinner toroundofftheweekend.
Theicingonthecakewerethe'Showandtell' sessions,alwaysadelightwesawsome excellentworkfromanumberofourmembers bothasprintsandPDI's.andsomeinteresting andcleverinterpretationsoftheweekend challenge'TVprogrammesrepresentedin pictures'withasmallprizeforthewinner, selectedbyyourstruly.
OurAutumnweekendthisyearisbasedin Cardiffwhichhassomegreatnewandold architectureandplacesofinterestaround CardiffBaytogetherwithsomewonderful seascapesalongtheWelshJurassicCoastand NorthintotheBreconBeaconsandtheBlack Mountains.
We'veprovisionallybookedourworkshop leaders,theyareEdRumbleandTomSullam, bothLightandLandphotographerstogether withJonathanVaineswhomanyofyoumay knowofandisamasterofICMandincamera multipleexposure.
Nodetailsofwhattheyallhaveinmindatthe momentbutI'msureitwillbesomethingto whetallappetites.
DatesforyourdiaryareFridayOctober11thleavingMonday14thandasusual,oncethe broadcastgoesoutlaterintheyear,besureto respondquicklyaswearealwaysbookedup veryrapidly.
Pleasenotethatwehaveanewemailaddress forallfuturebookings; visualarttrips@rps.org.
MikeKitchingmanARPS
PORTRAITOFHABANA
Cubahasbeeninthenewsoverthecenturies forallthewrongreasonsbuttheplaceisalive withrhythmandresilience,andthepeople infectvisitorswiththeirwarmth
Habanaistestimonytoitshistory.Spanish colonialists,Americanpowerplays,adecadent
upperclass,dictatorsandrevolutionhaveall lefttheirmarkinarchitectureandculture,while theposterboysoftherecentCommunistera loomlargeintheshapeofCastroandChe whoseinfluenceisall-pervasive.
Anotherlegacyofthe1960srevolutionand Sovietbrinkmanship–theAmericantrade embargo–remainsinplaceandhasitseffectin continuingenergy,foodandothershortages; internetavailabilityisdodgy,toputitmildly.
Whatdoesn'tchangeistheessentialCubanjoie devivre.Lifeonthestreets–vibrant,colourful andinyourface–constitutesanever-ending theatreofsubjectmatterforphotographers.
ThebeautifulPlazaViejacomprisesanarts centrein18th centurypalaceLaCasonaand barsandcafés,someofwhichhavebalconies overlookingthesquare;handyforsurveying thescene.WhilespaceslikePlazaViejahave beenmeticulouslyrestored,onbackstreets, once-elegant,nowcrumblinghousesofthree orfourstoreysremaintenuouslyupright;they aretestimonytoCuba'sresilienceandthatof thepeople.
AwalkalongthecurvingMalecón(breakwater), onapromenadethatfollowstheseafront, bringsanotherinsightintoCubanlife.People sitonthewalltotalk,read,fishorjuststareinto
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space,andintheeveningsyoungpeople congregate.Infact,lifeplaysoutonthestreets, wherepeoplepopulatethepavementandpass thetimeofday.
GofarenoughalongtheMalecónandyouare rewardedwiththeelegantNacionalHotelde Cuba,builtin1930andreflectingitsstar studdedguestlistthatincludesHemingway, Churchill,FrankSinatra,MarlonBrandoand gangstersMeyerLanskyandLuckyLuciano. Thegardensaloneareworthavisit,with manicuredlawnsthatrolldowntothesea,and abarandtableswithappropriatelystylish–if unhurried–service.
TherearenotmanyshopsinHabanaand transactionshappenthroughgrillsindoors, althoughitisnotalwaysclearwhymoneyis changinghands.Itiswitnesstohowsafethe capitalisthatmoneyisopenlycountedand exchangedonthestreetsbutthepovertyis apparent,andtherearequeuesforbreadand forATMsbecausethegovernmentrestricts accesstocash.
Evenso,Cubansareextraordinarilypositive, resourcefulandcreative;everywhere,yousee peoplemakingandmending,whethercar engines,bikesorshoes.Housesopenontothe street,oftenprotectedonlybystripsofplastic curtain;catchsomeone’seyeandyou’llbe invitedin.Thepeoplearewarmandfriendly, andCubanwomenhavetremendouspridein theirappearance,withbeautifullymanicured nailsandclothesthatshowofftheircurves.
Thecapitalisalsoresoundinglycolourfulwith wallspaintedinfadingshadestocomplement oftenequallyfadingcolouredcars,graffitiand evenhair.Thecityisalivingmuseumforclassic Americancars,aroundhalfofwhicharefrom the1950s,manyofthemkeptontheroad apparentlymorebyluckthanjudgment;given theamountofrustonsome,it’sastonishing
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theyarestillinonepiecebutmodernversions havebeautifulshinychassis.
Musicmatchesthevibrantcoloursandfillsthe city.WhenIwasthereinOctober,several peoplestoppedusinthestreettotellusBuena VistaSocialClubwasperformingthatnight,and eyesurgeonLouisatookustothevenue,a massiveoldbuildingthatwouldneverhave passedahealth&safetyinspectioninthis country!
Twoofusboughtticketstowhatturnedoutto beacompellinglylivelyandenergeticevening–theCubanshaveirrepressiblestyleandrhythm, andwereontheirfeetallnight,andLouisa’slow keydaywearwasrejectedforskin-tight leopardskin.Saysitall.
Thepeoplearetheappealofthecountryand aregenerallyhappytobephotographed,
thoughit’sdifficulttopersuadethemtoignore photographersandcontinuewithwhattheyare doing,evenwhenrequestedinbasicSpanish.I suspectthat’spartlybecausemostmuggle (non-photographer)visitorsarehappytohave imagesofpeoplestaringintothecamera, makingathumbsupsign,ratherthangenuine portraits.
Thecityissafeandwalkableandforthose lookingforagrittiertelling,headforSanRafael, whichisastarkerrepresentationofCuban realities,thoughevenhere,peoplearefriendly. Theareaisalsotypicalofthecountry’s contradictions,andamonggreyerstreetsand buildingsisCasaPueyorestaurant–an explosionofgreentiles,floraltablecloths,a timewarpofclocks,nomillimetreofwallspace uncovered.
IthostedPresidentBarackObamain2016, whenhewasthefirstUSpresidentfornearly 100yearstovisitCuba;thisfolloweda2014 dealtonormaliserelations,athawthat,sadly, wasTrumped.
Forphotographythatoutstripsyourpeers’, arrangetovisitHavanaQueensdanceschoolor RafaelTrejoboxinggym,wherethe environmentreflectsanadmirablededication tothecause,whetherwatchingapunchbag
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beingpunishedoranelegantdescentintothe splits.
CubaandCubansareaninspiringexampleof risingabovethelimitationsimposedupon them,andtheyareproudoftheircountry;the Cubanflagappearseverywherefrombarbers totobaccofarms.Thewarmth,colourand rhythmofHabanaanditspeopleare compelling,asIhopetheseimagesshow.Iwill goback.
CatherineChetwyndLRPSROLLRIGHTVISUALARTGROUP
25th May2024
ThenextmeetingoftheRollrightVisualArt Groupison25th May2024inourusual venue
LongComptonVillageHallinNorth Oxfordshire,postcodeCV365JS
LeighPrestonwillshowtheworkof HughMilsomFRPSMFIAPEFIAP
Wehavetwoexcellentspeakerslinedup, andforthismeetingthecostisonly£5. Tea,coffeeandcakesincluded.Please remembertobringyourownpacked lunch.BookonlineviatheRPSwebsiteat thelinkbeloworpayonthedoor.Our meetingsareopentoall,includingnonVisualArtandnon-RPSmembers.Ifyou knowofanyonewhomightbeinterested inwhatwehavetooffer,pleasepassthis
informationontothemandencourage themtocomealong.
FindhisSalon Gallerypagehere
Hughisalsoamemberof theLondonSalonofPhgotography
Leighwrites: It'smyprivilegetobeabletopresent Hugh’spictures-50Yearsofhis stunninglandscapework. Hughisoneoftheveryfew photographersIknowthathavethis unerringabilitytoexpresswhattheyfeel insuchasignificantandindividualway. Hismasteringoftechniqueis onlypartof
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thenecessaryequationhere.Heallows anunderlyingspirittoanimateand inhabithispictures.
Rulesareofnoconsequence,the barriersthatoftendefendother photographersworkarebrokenhere. Whileothersplayontheobviousnotes, Hughlooksfordescantand improvisation,lost,oftenforeboding chordsanddelicatenocturnes.Hugh hasalwaysshownutterconvictioninhis portrayalofthelandscape,andheis widelyregardedasbothamaverickand nationalphotographictreasure.These imagesarelikesouvenirsfromalostera ofphotography,enduring,hardto define,stark,thoughtful&timeless.
AshleyFranklinARPS|APAGB|
BPE2* willpresent
TheWiderWorldofPhotography
Inwhichhewillexplorethehistory,style andimpactofportrait,fashion,industrial, war,pressandsocialdocumentary photographwiththeworkofphotogreats likeAvedon,Bailey,Beaton,Bloomfield, Capa,Contreras,McCullin,McCurry,Karsh, Leibowitz,McCullin,SalgadoandWinston Link.Itpromisestobeaninformative, inspiring,andpowerfulpresentationof world-changingimagery.
Furthermeetingsthisyear
August24th willbeadayfor Members’presentations,andon November23rd ourspeakerswillbeSteveSmithFRPS –Street Photographerparexcelencewill present BriefEncounters Stevesays(withtypicalself deprecatingmodesty)“Iamnot anartist,IamaphotographerI takepicturesofpeopleand placesthatinterestmeandifI cancaptureanimagewiththat littlebitofmagicthenIamhappy.”
AND
IreneFroy
EFIAP,MPAGB,HonPAGBand memberoftheLondonSalonof Photography
SeeherexquisiteSalonGallery page here
Formoreinformationorifyouwishtobe addedto(orremovedfrom)ourmailing listpleasecontact
MYEGGSAREBROKEN
ByNoruInnesNoruInnes(b.1978,Finland)isaScotland basedvisualartistwhoexpressesher ideasthroughphotography.Hergoalisto producethought-provokingandsocially engagingworkthroughconceptual storytelling.Herstyleisoftenminimalistic withformalqualities,incorporating colourfulandplayfulelementstoengage andevokeemotions.
MyEggsAreBrokenisanongoing photographicseriesvisualisingtheeffects ofEndometriosis,aconditionsufferedby approximately10%ofwomenof reproductiveage,oneverycontinentofthe globe,irrespectiveofethnicityorlifestyle. Therepercussionscanaffectthemenstrual cycleandfertility,causesevereandintense painandhavesignificantnegative implicationstoaperson’squalityoflife physically,mentally,sociallyand economically.Endometriosisaffects women’sabilitytoreproduceinamultitude ofways.Notonlycantheconditionimpact fertility,butitalsooftencausespainduring orafterintercourse,painduringovulation andcommonlysuggestedtreatments includecontraceptives,hormonal treatmentinducingmenopauseand hysterectomy.
Endometriosis
Withthisproject,myaimistoraise awarenessofthecondition,to undiagnosedsufferersaswellasmedical professionalswhoareoftenunequipped andunspecialisedastothedifficulties
facedbysomanywomenalloverthe world. Theserieswasalsoshortlistedatthe prestigiousSonyWorldPhotography Awards2024,intheProfessionalCreative categorywhichwasaspectacular achievementinfurtherhighlightingthislifechangingcondition.
Iapproachedthetopicthroughaninquirybasedprocess,conductingextensive researchandinterviewingotherwomen livingwiththeillness.Ihaveutilised constructedimagery,usingmetaphorical objectsasamethodtoexaminethis complexsubjectmatter.
MyeggsAreBroken
Myinitialapproachwasquitegenericbutas theprojectwenton,theself-reflecting aspectbecamemoreandmoreimportant, whichiswhyIdecidedtoworkontheseries fromtwoperspectives.Whendepictingthe generalillness,Ihaveutilisedstilllifesand conceptualimpressions,ratherthantaking atraditionaldocumentaryapproach, howeverthethemesarebasedonresearch andexperiencesofthewomenIhave interviewed.Whenconveyingmyown experienceslivingwiththecondition,Ihave takenamorerepresentationalapproach andfeaturedmyselfinmanyoftheimages.
Someoftheimagesarefromavery personalperspectiveandreflectmyown experiencesfromapurelysubjectivepoint ofview,suchastheimagetitled‘2Minutes’, whichdepictsthewarningIgetatnight beforeaflairup.
2Minutes
Myinternalbodyclockwakesmeuptwo minutesbeforethepainstartssowhenI’m awakenedfornoreasoninthemiddleof thenight,IknowthatthisisthetimeIhave untilIbegintosufferfromtheagony,akin tobeingstabbedwithaknife.
It'sGoingtobeHellTonight
Thepainisworstatnight.Beforegoingto sleep,Ioftenstandnexttothebed,staring atitandgivealittlecry.“It’sgoingtobehell tonight”,Isaytomyhusbandandcurlup undertheduvet. Ifeltthatitwasimportant thatI’dphotographmybedasitissuchan importantobjectandplaceinmylife.
Lonelinessisperhapsthewordheardmost oftenwhenspeakingtowomenlivingwith thiscondition.
Confined
Theirsociallifeisdramaticallyreduced, theirfamilylifeandcareersarediminished, makingplansorgoingoutisdifficultwhen theflairupsarefrequent, andsomeare simplynotabletoworkoutsideoftheir homesduetothesymptoms.
IntheUKtheaveragewaitingtimejustto getadiagnosisforthisconditionis7.5 years,fortreatmentevenlonger. Endometriosisisnotconsideredof importanceoranemergencybyhealthcare professionalsalthoughithassuch detrimentaleffectsonthementaland physicalhealthofthepatient. Lackof awarenessisoneofthemainissues preventingcareandprioritisation.Women cannotgethelpinatimelymanner,oratall, becausethehealthcaresystemdoesnot givewomen’sissuesanequalpriorityasto othermedicalspecialties.
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ThefundamentalquestionIwishtoraiseis women’sright,ahumanright,toqualityof lifewhichneedstobetakenseriously.
NoruInnes www.noruinnes.co.uk
NEW VISUALARTLONDONGROUP
Justtoletyouknowthatwearesettingupa newsubgroup,VAGLondon.Ourfirstmeeting willbeon28thSeptember2024attheOld DioramaArtsCentreNW13FE.Itisavery convenientlocationsowehopemany membersandfriendswillbeabletoattend.The meetingswillwelcomeanyoneinterestedin comingalong.Wehavetwospeakerslinedup andmoredetailswillbeavailableshortly.
Ifyouwouldliketobekeptinformedofour meetings,pleasee-mailmeattheaddress belowandyouwillbeaddedtotheVAGLondon list.
Ilookforwardtoseeingmanyofyouatourfirst meeting.
LindaWevillFRPS e-mail:lindawevill@gmail.comCIRCLES
Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationonthe CIRCLESpleasereadon…..
WhatdoyoumeanbyCircles?
Well,theyarepeoplewhowanttoshowtheir printsorimagestoafriendlycircleofpeople andgettheircommentsandconstructive criticism.
WhyCircles?
Well,the5EmailCircles,circulatetheirimages byemailtoalltheothermembersoftheirCircle everymonth,andthePrintCirclecirculates smallprintsaroundbypostinastrongpouch that'sprovided.Theprintscanbehomeor commerciallyproduced.
Andyousay"Itisfree"!Sowhat'sthecatch?
Nocatch,itisoneofthebenefitsofyour membershipoftheVisualArtGroup.There's nocostatalltothepeopleinEmailCircles,but thePrintCirclefolkhavetopaytheirown postage,about£5eachtimetheysendthe
pouchofprintsonbyposttothenextpersonin theirCircle.
WhocanjoinaCircle?
Anypaid-upmembercanjoinaCircleifthere's avacancy,andthereareahandfulofspacesat themoment.Membersfromallovertheworld canjoinanECircle,andwehavemembersfrom theUSA,NewZealand,Germany,Switzerland andCyprus,forexample.ThePrintcircleis limitedtotheUK,forreasonsoftimeand postage.
Aren'tpeoplesometimesover-criticaland unkindtonew,inexperiencedjoiners? No,we dotrytohelpnewmembersgetthebestoutof theirphotography.Onenewmemberwent fromnewbietoLRPSinlessthan3years,and triedanumberofherpanelimagesoutonthe Circle,benefittingfromtheirexperience.
I'mbusy.Doesn'tittakealongtimeto commentonsevenoreightimagesamonth? It isreallyuptoyou.Youquicklygetusedto makingcomments.Itdoesn'tneedtobean essay.Twoorthreesentences,iftheymake yourpointconcisely,arebetterthanalong meanderingscreed.Onceyou'vedoneita coupleoftimes,itshouldn'ttakeyoumorethan anhouramonth,unlessyouchooseto.I sometimesfindthatthereisoneimageina monthwhichmakesmewanttosayabitmore thantheothers.
Andwhatistheadvantage? Well,itisreally interestingtoreadwhatotherpeopleseein yourimage.Youdiscoverwhetherthemessage youwantedtoconveythroughyourimagehas reallygotovertotheviewers.Andoftenyou'll discoverthatsomethinginyourimagehas attractedinterestwhenyouleastexpectedit. Andyougettoseeingalotofreallygood images,perhapsnotquitepreparedtotheir best.Severalpeoplemayhavequitedifferent ideasaboutoneimage,andthatmaycomeas asurprise.Ofcourse,ifseveralpeoplereally appreciateyourideasandyourimage,itcan feelreallygratifying,oryoumaygetsomeideas whichyou'dneverhaveconsidered.Andfinally, itisfun.
Well,whatdoIdotojoin? JustemailtheCircles Secretary, Gill@dishart.plus.com andI'llanswer anyqueries,andfindyouaplaceinaCircle.I'm sureyou'llenjoyit.
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NewsaboutthenewRPSCollection andthecontributionnowbeing madebythenewlyreconstituted TyngFoundation.
Youmaywellhavealreadyreadallaboutthis intheApril-JuneRPSJournalvol164/no2, whereRPSPresident,SimonHillHonFRPSin VOICEBOXsuccinctlyputsitallneatlyinto context,inhisarticlesonpages218&220. AsthePresidentreports‘TheNewRPS CollectionwillneverreplacetheRPS PermanentCollection(whichisnowinthe careoftheV&A)butitwill,overtime,become auniqueandculturallyvaluableresourcefor membersofamodernisedRPSandthewider public.‘
EquallythenewreconstitutedTyngFoundation willcontinuetoselectandpurchase representativeexamplesofPhotographic VisualArtandgiftthosetotheNewRPS Collection.
Thisprocess,perhapsanannualone,has alreadybegunandonWednesday10 Apriltwo printswereformallypresentedtothe
PresidentoftheRPS,SimonHillHonFRPS,to formpartoftheNewRPSCollection. Presentattheinformallunchtimegatheringat RPSHouse,wereCEODanJonesandCurator Billy-JayStonemanARPSfromtheRPS; togetherwithJoeCornishHonFRPSwho happenedtobeBristolonthatdayasa memberofaRPSDistinctionsassessment panel.TheTyngFoundationwasrepresented byPaulMitchellFRPS(Chair),MartinChapman ARPSandRobertHerringshawARPS. UnfortunatelyAndrewChapmanARPS(Hon sec)wasunabletobeattendashewasaway onanothermissionbutwaswithusinspirit.
‘TheNewTyngTrustees’underthe ChairmanshipofPaulMitchellFRPShad selectedaparticularlyappealing‘Pictorial‘ imagefromJoeCornish’spracticeasoneof theinitialTyngFoundationpurchases,together withawonderfulprintofaLoriVrbra‘s beautifulimage,‘Resting’,fromher‘MyGrace isSufficient’portfolio. Thishassettheballrollingnicely.Infuture selectorswillbechosenfromarangeof interestedpartiesandaskedtomaketotheir recommendationtotheTyngFoundationwith viewtopurchaseandsubsequentgiftingtothe RPStoformafurtherpartoftheNewRPS Collection.
TheTyngCollection/Foundationwillbe celebratinga100yearsin2027,watchthis spaceforfurthernewsandarticlesabout‘The Tyng’and‘Pictorialism‘,oldandnew.
RobertHerringshawARPS TyngTrusteeandVisualArtcommitteeliaison
April2024No.21
SOCIALMEDIAUPDATE
Tohelpdisseminateinformationandpromote VisualArtGroup,wearerampingupoursocial mediapresence.Pleasefeelfreetoregularly visitandfollowoursocialmediachannels, including:
� X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rpsvisualart/
� Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpsvisualart/
� Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ rpsvisualart/
� Website(forcompleteness): https://rps.org/groups/visual-art/
Wewillkeepyouupdatedwiththelatest information,typicallywithbite-sizedsnippets ofnews,withlinksforyoutoclick-throughto gainmoreofaninsightintoourevents, activities,etc..
Occasionallytheremightbepostingsthat althoughnotspecificallyVAGrelatedwillstill beofinterestandrelevanttoourvisually artisticmembers.
WantmetopublishVAGrelatedinformation onyourbehalf?Pleasesendimagesandtext to Steven.Galvin@ProMem.co.uk.
StevenGalvinARPSSOUTHWESTVISUALARTEVENT–MARCH2024
Manythankstothosewhosupportedourevent inMarch.Wehadanexcellentturnoutwith50 photographersfromthroughouttheSouth Westattending.Nodoubtsuchagreatnumber participatingwasduetoourwonderful speaker,VandaRalevska,whosereputation precedesher.
Vandatalkedaboutherlovefornatureandthe greatoutdoors.Havinggrownupinan industrialareaofformerCzechoslovakia,she soonlearnedtoappreciatethebeautyofthe naturalworld,awayfromthehustleandbustle ofabigcity.Shesaidthatforher,beingopen mindediskeytoherphotography,aswith expectationsthereisalwaysadangerof disappointment.Shedoesnotusuallyplan
whatshewouldliketocaptureunlesssheis workingonaproject.
Oneoftheprojectsshesharedwithuswas “ThamesEstuaryLandscape”whichshe describesasasymbiosisofthenaturaland humanworlds.Thisisafascinatingareafullof historywhichalsoincludesanabandoned historicfortwithaveryspecialaddress-No.1, TheThames.TheprojectofVanda’sthatreally capturedmyownheartistheoneshe dedicatedtothecityshehasalwaysloved,the cityshealwaysgoesbackto.“FromPraguewith Love”–isadeeplypersonalandatruly beautifulodetothecitysheloves.
Theafternoonwastakenupwiththe“Showand Tell”session.Asusual,wesawagreatvarietyof projects–somenew,someoldbutallequally fascinating.
BryanRadfordopenedthissessionwithhis presentationentitled“Nature’sArtistryinthe UnderwaterWorld”.Theimagesshownwere scannedtransparencies(slides)taken underwaterduringthelate1990s/early2000s–powerful,amazingimageswhichresultedfrom aconfluenceofhispassionforboth photographyanddiving.Bryantalkedabout thedifficultiesofworkingunderwaterandwith film,whereyouhavetobothcarryyourown light(flash)andyouarelimitedwiththe numberofpicturesyoucantake.Theyare stunningimages,sometakenmorethan30 yearsagothathavestoodthetestoftime–they arestillbreathtakinglybeautiful.
RedfishbyBryanRadford.
HerearesomemoreimagesfromtheShow& Tellsession:-
TumultbyStephanieThomas.
WithherprojectnamedTumult-Stephanie ThomastookustoScotlandtotheIslandof HarrisandLewis–powerfulblackandwhite photographyofdramatic,stormyseas.
Afternoonshadowsonthefaçadeofthe MuseumofModernandContemporaryArt (Rijeka,Croatia).
NigelDutttalkedabouthisworkillustratinga bookforanaward-winningRakupotter,Tim Andrews.
SheilaHaycoxARPS–Lightandwaterwith delicatereflections(OportoTerminal, Portugal).
OurnextmeetingwillbeonSaturday,22June 2024atWoodburyVillageHall.Thiswillbea
April2024No.21
daydedicatedtomembers’presentationswith printsbeingshowninthemorninganddigital workintheafternoon.
MarijaLeesLRPS SWRegionVisualArtOrganiserVAGEXHIBITIONSREPORT
2024Exhibitions
ThenewExhibitionseasonisunderwayand membersareinvitedtoputthefollowingdates intheirdiaries…..
LandmarkArtsCentre FerryRoad,Teddington,TW119NN 19th-28thApril(Admission£4)
MarkDeutschwillbeattendingtheopening nightonbehalfoftheVAG,whichisby invitationonly.Preparationshavebeen completedbytheteamandallisreadyforthe generalopeningtothepublic.
TheRiverfrontArtsCentre Kingsway,Newport,NP201HG 3rd-30thMay(FreeAdmission)
TheCourtyardGallery CoreTheatre,Solihull,TheatreSquare, Touchwood,HomerRoad,Solihull,B913RG 13thAugust-9thSeptember(FreeAdmission)
Thevenueshavebeenpostedonlineby MichaelButterworthandtodatethereareno amendments.DigitalPostershavebeen preparedandSteveGalvinhastakenoverthe postingtosocialmediasitesinordertocoordinateinformationinatimelymanner.This bynomeanstheonlywayyoucanfindout abouttheexhibitions-westillprovideall informationaheadoftimeontheRPSVAGweb pagesandofcourse,inthenewsletters.
Wealsohaveaslideshowwithalltheimages, (availableviaalink)ontheVAGwebpagesfor thosethatcannotmakeittoaneventin person.
2025CallforEntriesandExhibitions
Preparationisunderwayforcontacting prospectiveselectorsforthe2025yearsentry. Inthecomingmonths(yesalready!)Iwillbe organisingtheselectionvenueandthe proposeddateswillbefinalisedbasedon
everyonesavailability,butislikelytobe‘Call forEntries’inSeptemberwithselectionsin October.
2025Venueshaveyettobedecidedbut discussionsareongoing.Findingnewvenuesis stillanissue,howeverwestilltrytospread themaroundthecountrysoasmanyofour memberscanreachthemwithouttravelling toofar.
TomLeeFRPS ExhibitionsLead
PEER-TO-PEERGROUP
Justtosortnotetosaywehaveapeer-to-peer groupthatmeetonceamonthonZoom.We areafriendlygroup,heretogivehelpon aspectsofphotography.Severalmembersof thegrouphaveshowedthe"A"and"F"panels forideasonwhatwethinkandmaybehowto improvethepanel.Thisisnotareplacement fortheone-to-oneguidancegivenbytheRPS, butmoreasoundingboardtostartorfinish discussions.AnyoneontheVisualArtGroup Facebookareverywelcometocomealongand joinin.
JustsendanEmailifyouwishtojoin: martin@meves.co.uk
MartinEves
VISUALARTNORTHGROUP
AngleseyPhotoWalkIncludingRNLIBeaumaris Station,
GuestSpeakerDrRolfKraehenbuehlARPS andmore–
Friday21st ofJunetoSunday23rd ofJune2024 –11amto13pm
Twodaysofindulgentphotographyacrossthe islandofAngleseyinNorthWalesstartingon Friday21st June.
Itisawelcomingareathatshouldbeexplored thephotoopportunitiesareboundless. Itonlytakes2or3hourstodrivearoundthe wholeislandforapleasantexcursion,longerif takinginsomeofthefollowing–
·Beautifullandscapes,coastalwalks, castlesandgardens
·ParysMountaintheoldcopper miningareaprovidingarugged backdrop
April2024No.21
·SouthStackLighthouse,Plas NewyddHouseandGardens, BeaumarisCastletomentionafew.
VisualArtmembers£5.00 RPSMembers£10.00 Non-Members£15.00
Bookhere: https://events.rps.org/ 4LrdQ66/5a2NN21xY57 Bookingcloses18thofJune2024
Welookforwardtoseeingeveryone.
vernacularaspartofoureveryday surroundings,whicharearead-outofsocial lifeandculturalvalues.
Hiscurrentworkcentersonthebuiltcoastline andseasidepromenadesasplacesofleisure andrecreation,andtheirartificialsurfaces whichchange.
Ifyouneedmoreinformationplease email: visualartnorth@rps.org
MaryPCrowtherARPS
FINALAGMNOTICEAND COMMITTEEMEMBERSfor2024/25
TheAGMhasbeencompletedandthankyou toeveryonewhotookpart,wereally appreciatethoseofyouwhoaskedquestions andvoted.Thefollowingcommitteemembers areallre-electedforanotheryear:
Chair
MarkDeutschLRPS
Secretary&Newsletter CarolPaesARPS
Treasurer BarryBarkerFRPS
Membership ValGlennyARPS
PublicationsCoordinator WendyMeagherLRPS
DrRolfKraehenbuehlARPS-Seaside
Alittleaboutourguestspeaker-
DrRolfKraehenbuehlisaSwissnational,but hasbeenresidentintheUKsince2005.
HewasRPSNorthWalesRegionalOrganiser from2018-2023.Heiscurrentlystudyingfor theRPSsupportMAPhotographyatFalmouth University.
Rolfisakeenstreetphotographermaking workinlargeBritishandEuropeancities,postpandemichenowmainlyworksinWales wherehelives.Hisphotographicinterests increasinglyfocusontheculturallandscape andhumankind’splace-makingwithinthis environment,withtheexplicitinclusionofthe
ExhibitionsCoordinator TomLeeFRPS
SocialmediaCoordinator StevenGalvinARPS
Exhibitionsmember MartynPearse
WebEditor MichaelButterworthLRPS
CirclesCoordinator GillDishartARPS
Residentialweekends MikeKitchingmanLRPS
CommitteeMembers
April2024No.21
PaulBullockLRPS
BobBracherARPS
Therearealsotwosub-grouporganisers andoneVisualArtGrouprepresentative fortheTyngCollection,heldcurrentlyat theV&AMuseum.Theyare:
VisualArtNorth
MaryCrowtherARPS
VisualArtSouthwest
MarijaLeesLRPS
VISUALARTLONDON-NEW
LindaWevillFRPS
TyngCo-ordinator
RobertHerringshawARPS
Withregardstosubscriptioncosts,wehave decidedwecanmanageourbudgetwithinour currentlevelsofsubscription,sothereisno changeforthisyear.
Hopefullywewillseemanyofyouata residentialweekend,oneofthesubgroup meetingsorputtinganarticleintothe newsletter.