This page will give a short report on events and any other business which may be of interest to members. Please note the addition of a new page for members.

All future events are now contained within the events section on this page and what is currently arranged is shown in the latest newsletter.

Images for use on the website should be sent to myself at michael.medley@btinternet.com with the longest measurement of the image being 465pixels in landscape format and no higher than 310 pixelsat 72dpi. A canvas of 465 x 310 pixels is acceptable if the image does not fit the required size. This means any portrait format images cannot be higher than 310 pixels. We reserve the right to resize if required, but no other manipulation of the image will take place. These can be used on the home page, by sending them to me assumes your permission to use them free of charge.Also please include photo honours when sending your name and also website address if you have one for inclusion in the title under the image.

Regarding the frames which the Region has purchased and which are available for hire by Regional Members, the committee has agreed that the cost will be 10p per frame per week for the period of the hanging of the exhibition and is subject to them being available. The hirer to be responsible for arranging collection with any damage to be paid for.

The Regional week away in Wales has a seperate page where the events of the week and images can be seen.

Black & White workshop day with Tony Worobiec

With over 50 members and non members attending, this was a day not to be missed. The enthusiasm and passion for photography was passed on by Tony and all left enthused. A print competition was held with images from field trips judged by Tony and prizes being awarded for 1st, 2nd. and 3rd. Many thanks to Tony for his contribution to the day.

AGM AND Chris Steele Perkins lecture

The AGM was held on Sun. 21^st March. The current committee and Regional Organiser were voted unanimously to continue on for another year.  Despite a small turn out of members it was a useful meeting. Reports from the Treasurer, Webmaster and the RO were given reflecting a busy, successful year. Under any other business some members gave some useful suggestions in particular developing some new postal folio ideas and thoughts on Distinction Advisory days.

Chris Steele – Perkins Lecture 

Chris, a documentary photographer presented his 40 years of photography in an hour’s lecture followed by questions from the audience. This fascinating talk was started with his project about ‘The Teds’. He moved onto poverty and social issues in England and Belfast. Chris feels as an author he delivers ‘what you think is important’ and what ‘things mean to you’ in the photograph. We saw projects from Afghanistan, Japan and Northern exposures from England. The lecture finished on his latest book ‘England, my England’. Chris has a personal viewpoint on the world around him; his images often portray much emotion. His subject matter was rich and varied reflecting upon people and their lives. The lecture was moving and certainly thought provoking in places  

The lecture was held at Plymouth University. We were delighted to be able to share this speaker with photography students and lecturers.

Field trip to Bantham 25th. April 2010

The field trip to Bantham on 25^th April proved to be quite a success, especially as members were able to join the group at different times of the day.  This meant that the people that arrived for the sunset session were feeling fresh and able to keep up the spirits of those wilting from being out all day!
The morning was spent around the beach area, with everyone taking whatever took their fancy from capturing rocks, sand patterns and sand dunes to the small quay in the village.
The weather turned out to be better than forecast and the heavy rain did not materialise, which was lucky or we would have had a few very wet walkers! After lunch, which for many culminated in sitting around on beach chairs with a cup of Gary’s tea, we headed off for our walk towards Thurlestone.  There were about 9 walkers and the walk included going around the church at Thurlestone and a very steep incline to get us back to Bantham.  A very well deserved cup of tea and chocolate brownie (had by some) greeted us on our return in The Sloop Inn.
The evening light was very much enjoyed by those that stayed for the sunset and hopefully some good photographs were taken during the day.

Nature trip to Porthmore 9th. May

Despite a very cold day with no rain a successful nature field trip to Porthmore was completed on Sunday, 9^th May. Adrian Langdon ARPS, a local wildlife photographer lead the trip. A number from Cornwall wildlife trust photography group joined us; some had already spent a couple of hours out photographing trying to catch the early worm!

Plant life is well behind this year so the anticipated range of flowers was not about but a mauve hue of the flower Squill and the yellow blooms of the Broom bush dominated the cliffs.  We did however get great close up views of a hare at Park Head and eventually ascertained that it didn't do a spread-eagled high dive into the Atlantic after it saw us and decided to bolt off the top of the headland toward the ocean.
 There were many warblers singing in the reeds of the valley bottom but they rarely put their heads over the parapet and we just had to listen to their fantastic songs and hope that one would just come into camera view. Some with the extra long lenses managed to photograph a Sedge warbler doing the splits and some shots of Whimbrel that were on the rocky shoreline. The beach for some held some interesting rock patterns and on the cliffs we witnessed the affects of erosion and cliffs on the verge of falling into the sea.

A fascinating walk with much to see and after five hours some visited the local NT café for much needed hot drinks!

Field trip to Wistmans Wood, Dartmoor 

Excellent weather greeted 22 photographers on our field trip out to Wistman’s Wood. We welcomed our President Rosemary Wilman who joined us; a number of new members and a few from further afield. We spread out rapidly amongst the stunted oaks and boulders all trying to capture some images of this challenging wood. Some of us went below the woods down to the West Dart River looking at the flowing water over the boulders. For some a full day was had as the last group arrived back at the cars just after 4pm.

Field Trip to Plymouth Waterfront

 Despite the unpromising dull weather forecast, 15 members enjoyed a sunny day of photography on the Plymouth Waterfront. We started off in the harbour and the old Barbican area, meeting up for lunch in a Barbican pub. Then in the early afternoon there was the opportunity to photograph young artists / musicians at the harbour’s edge and visit the Hoe as well as the Tinside pool. Later in the afternoon some members of the group continued on to the western end of Plymouth waterfront to view the impressive architecture at the old Royal William Yard. This served as the Victualling Yard for the Navy during the 19^th and 20^th C and is gradually being converted into apartments, cafes, galleries and commercial units.

CONGRATULATIONS

I HAVE HEARD OF TWO REGIONAL DISTINCTIONS RECENTLY ACHIEVED,

PHIL GILL RECEIVED AN ASSOCIATESHIP IN NATURE

VIVIEN KENNEDY HOWSE HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR HER LICENTIATESHIP