Digital Imaging
2009 AGM Report
Minutes of The Digital Imaging Group’s 13th Annual General Meeting
Smethwick Photographic Society Clubrooms
10.30am Sunday 19th April 2009
1. Introduction
The Chairman, Clive Haynes, opened the meeting at 10.30 am and welcomed the 57 members present and thanked them for attending.
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Members Rosemary Wilman, Margaret Collis and Anthony Healy
3. Minutes of the Previous AGM held on 20th April 2008
These were accepted as a true record.
Adoption Proposed – Graham Whistler, Seconded – John Long. Adoption followed by a show of hands.
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Chairman’s Report
Clive Haynes made the following points in his report.
The Group is in excellent health and continues to attract new members. It remains the largest Special Interest Group within the RPS with around 10% of the total Society membership belonging to DIG.
Also once again this year, he asked everyone to take time to think about the future of the Group – and whether or not it still fulfils a specific function, where the Group should be going and what its general aims and objectives should be. With most photographers now using digital technology, what is the future for the group and what can be unique about it?
The committee continues to work hard on behalf of the membership, with many behind-the-scenes activities. Committee meetings, e-mail exchanges, ‘phone calls, telephone conference-calls, meetings at RPS HQ, Fenton House and at other venues are all part and parcel of what goes on beneath the surface. He commented that it was rather like the proverbial swan, all appearing graceful and effortless but with a lot of paddling going on!
The group’s journal, ‘DIGIT’ is fantastic and goes from strength to strength. This high-quality journal is only made possible by the tireless efforts of the Editor, Jim Buckley. However, Jim does not accomplish the entire task alone. The Group therefore extends sincere thanks to Dr David Cooke, who as Assistant Editor, will take over the Editorship when Jim retires from his post at the end of this year. Indebtedness is also owed to the eagle-eyed proof-readers, Elizabeth Restall and Janet Haines. A very big thank-you goes to contributors without whom the whole endeavour simply wouldn’t be possible. Readers are very impressed by ‘DIGIT’ and the publication is frequently the prime reason for joining DIG.
The DIG website has given cause for concern over this past year. The site has been the target of hackers, spammers and virus promulgators. The site needed to be closed and re-opened, then of recent date closed again as more attacks were received. The DIG Forum is now a hidden sub-section within the main RPS website; this affords better levels of protection. Within the same area are the facilities for members to comment on each others work, as in the old Folio, and take part in competitions if they wish. The DIG web-pages will also be an important section within the main RPS site. A new static web site is also in the planning stages just awaiting completion of a new RPS template structure to allow some aspects of the site to be interactive with the main RPS site. It is hoped that this site will be operational in the near future. Management of the website, Forum and Folio is far from simple and the committee is grateful to Maureen Albright for the many hours she has expended on members’ behalf.
Maureen has been instrumental in defending the group from the various attacks and has the latest news about web matters.
John Long continues his role in much needed support for the website, uploading information and bulletins and overseeing Forum and Folio activity.
To communicate better with DIG members the committee is setting-up an e-Group. This is an e-mail messaging service whereby the committee can, from time to time, send information to the membership; it is not a two-way exchange or discussion area. The DIG Forum will remain the proper place to raise matters and discuss news.
One factor for the success of the DI Group is its regional structure. The Regional Groups and regional meetings are the very life and blood of continued good health. Good health can only be maintained with a healthy body and vital organs. The enthusiastic team of Digital Imaging Group Regional Organisers – DIGRO’s for short - are the very essence of this health and vigour. Without the willing enthusiasm of DIGRO’s the group would decline. Clive Haynes said “once again we salute you all.” There remains a need for organisers and a team of people to establish the DI Group’s presence in Scotland, East Anglia and the South-East.
Chris Haydon has been the committee link to the DIG Regions, however, because of health problems, Chris is unable to continue and is not seeking re-election.
The Annual Print Exhibition of Members’ Work continues to be popular and appreciated at the various venues where it’s presented. The touring Exhibition and the Exhibition DVD, mailed to all members with DIGIT, form a great platform to publicise the DI Group. Sincere thanks were expressed to Alex Dufty and his team of helpers. Alex is diligent, ensuring that the exhibition remains on track. For DVD production the Group remains indebted to Graham Whistler and his colleague Gordon Rushton for video editing and production.
This year the Digital Group had a completely new venture. Maureen Albright masterminded an AV competition for youngsters. The RPS ‘IRIS 25’ as it is known attracted 79 entries from around the world and gained enthusiastic support. For four years Maureen and her Wessex DI Group have also been organising the UK leg of the International “321 AV competition”, working closely with many other Photographic Organisations all around the world.
In April 2008 the group organised a Digital Portraiture and Digital Workflow weekend at West Dean College, West Sussex. Graham Whistler led the course, aided and abetted by the DI Group Chairman.
In November, the group was well represented at the ‘Think Photo 08’ Exhibition at the National Motorcycle Museum, adjacent to the NEC. The DIG stand had many features to interest visitors and as Chairman of the DI Group Clive Haynes gave a talk about Digital Infrared Photography.
In January this year, Graham Whistler and his wife, Wendy, led a DI Group inspired expedition to India. The trip was a great success and it further publicised aspects of the DI Group’s activities.
In February, we had a presence at the Focus on Imaging Exhibition at the NEC when, as part of the RPS series of talks, the DIG Chairman gave a short lecture.
Looking ahead to later this year, as part of the RPS, ‘Real Thing’ series of events, the DI Group has engaged DI/Photoshop special-techniques and amazing manipulations specialist, Steve Caplin to present an outstanding day. The event will not only feature a workshop lecture by Steve but also include his advice and ideas about images we submit electronically. The title is: ‘Reality and Illusion’. The date is Sunday, 25th October and the venue is The Old School House, Oldbury, West Midlands. The committee is indebted to Jim Buckley for organising this much-anticipated event.
All the above activity wouldn’t be possible without the unstinting enthusiasm of the committee. Clive Haynes went on to say that apart from those already mentioned day-to-day activities are only made possible by key members. Bob Pearson as Group Secretary, deals with numerous queries and enquiries, liaises with the RPS HQ in Bath and keeps the committee on track. Elizabeth Restall as Group Treasurer maintains a close-eye upon income and expenses and is ready to bring to the committee’s attention any trends that look unfavourable.
Tony Healy, down there in Australia, maintains contact by e-mail and ‘Skype contributing to the committee’s wider appreciation of matters digital.
Despite his very demanding role as President of the RPS, Barry Senior, Past Chairman of the Group, continues to maintain a close interest in the group activities. Barry’s is keen to respond to discussions and his input is always valuable.
One final item brought to members attention is the continuing attendance at RPS Advisory Board meetings by John Long and Jim Buckley. John is the DI Group Representative and Jim Buckley attends as one of the six Representatives elected by RPS members. Clive Haynes thanked them for this duty, serving as it does to maintain the group’s close contact with the heart of the RPS.
Regrettably because of health problems, two committee members are not seeking re-election. Thanks were given to Chris Haydon and Cesi Jennings for contributing to the well-being and stability of the Group throughout this past year.
Despite the fact that the Digital Imaging Group remains the most successful and also probably the most vigorous and the most widely represented Special Interest Group within the RPS, the following questions need to be asked:
Does the Group continue to fulfil a specific function?
Where we should be going?
What are our general aims and objectives?
What is the future for our group and what can be unique about it?
The Chairman ended his report by reminding members present that these are questions about which the committee would really appreciate their views later on in the meeting.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Elizabeth Restall, DI Group Treasurer, drew members attention to their copy of the Income and Expenditure Account for 2008 (Appendix 1). She reported that the total income for the year 2008 was £11,553.80, of which £10,108.42 was derived from subscriptions; and a total expenditure of £11,206.80, of which £7,133.12 was for the publication of DIGIT. The total cost of producing four editions of DIGIT was £3,500 less than for the previous year. This has been achieved by moving away from a small printer with plenty of flexibility to a printer with modern equipment. The first one to be tried disappointed on quality and a second change, with an excellent deal negotiated by Jim Buckley with Ian Allan Printers, who print the RPS JouÚÆrnal, ensured a saving of just over £600 on the Autumn and Winter editions. Best prices are achieved on multiples of sixteen pages, and Ian Allan have special arrangements for posting bulk mailings that are not available to smaller printers, so we have saved several hundred pounds on postage for each addition. The Committee feels that these changes have led to a significant improvement in cost reduction, and at the same time, increased quality.
The Group’s balance at the end of the year was much the same as last year, with only slightly less expenditure than income. The Regional Groups were all operating in the black.
The group’s participation in ‘Think Photography 08’ incurred expenditure of £409.25, mostly in travelling costs of members who looked after the stand over the two days.
At last year’s AGM the Treasurer, Dr. David Naylor, introduced an Income Plan and Expenditure Budget for 2008. The estimated income was £11,811.83 and the estimated expenditure £11,370.00. The group fell short on the income by just £258.03 and achieved a modest under-spend of £163.20. A similar plan has been drawn up for 2009 and this is set out on the reverse of the Budget paper. The increase in subscriptions from £12 to £15, agreed by last year’s AGM, will ensure that four editions of DIGIT can be published annually in its current high quality format and the group can participate in events initiated by the RPS.
Questions Arising:
At the end of the Treasurer’s report, and in response to Elizabeth Restall’s invitation for questions for clarification, one question was raised regarding an expenditure item of £250 under the heading DI Groups and whether this amount was available to any DIG Regional Group. The Chairman answered by saying that the £250 is intended as a ‘start-up grant’ for a newly formed DI Regional Group, such as Yorkshire who took advantage of the amount last year. It will be considered upon request (case by case). The intention is to allow a new group to get started by hiring a suitable venue, possible equipment and generating some publicity, etc.
Adoption of Accounts:
Proposed – Glenys Taylor;
Seconded – Roger Norton;
adopted by a show hands.
7. Election of Officers
Chairman Clive Haynes FRPS
Deputy Chairman Graham Whistler FRPS
Secretary Bob Pearson FRPS
Treasurer Elizabeth Restall LRPS
Members
Maureen Albright ARPS
Alex Dufty LRPS
Anthony Healy ARPS
John Long ARPS
Proposed: Paula Davies;
Seconded: Dr Barry Senior.
The Committee was elected en-block by show of hands.
Roger Norton and Dr David Cooke were nominated for the two vacant posts for Committee Members.
Their election was Proposed by Graham Whistler, Seconded by Guy Davies and confirmed by a show of hands.
8. Any Other Business
a. A request was made asking for clearer directions on how to reach the venue to be included in the AGM notice. For next year, more details would be given.
b. Website: Concern about the delay in setting up a new website was expressed. Maureen Albright explained the problems she had been having with hackers. She had been working with the RPS which is developing templates. Dr Barry Senior said that the template facility will be available to all groups and regions and will provide all the facilities required. He also said that the RPS wishes to establish a stronger position on the web; it is currently getting hits of 100,000 a month and the advertising potential from this was significant. The RPS Council is establishing a working party to keep the RPS website up-to-date. Another member questioned whether the template would allow Groups flexibility rather than constraining in the interests of conformity. It is to provide a good image; also it was stressed there was no intention to restrict creativity. It was to provide immunity to hacking, being professional backed by OMNI and a specialist software security company. Dr Senior said there will be training awareness days for all SIGs and Regions at Bath as soon as the templates were available. The Chairman ended this discussion by saying that the concerns had been noted.
Paula Davies proposed thanks to Maureen Albright for all her extra work.
c. Future of the Group (Sunset Clause). In answer to the Chairman’s earlier request, a member suggested that the group is about the better use of digital technology independent of the subject and this was the reason it was such a strong group. It was proposed, therefore, that the DI Group continues. Proposed: Norman Wiles, Seconded: Andy Beel; agreed by show of hands.
d. Workshops: Graham Whistler confirmed he was progressing with future arrangements for practical studio workshops.
9. The Date and Time of the Next AGM
Sunday, 18 April 2010 at Smethwick Photographic Society Club Rooms.
The AGM closed at 11.20 am.