RSPB Strumpshaw Fen - Thursday May 16th

Over 20 of us met up for a return visit to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen.  We were a bit earlier in the season than our last visit and following a rather chilly spell of weather there were noticeably fewer birds, flowers and insects. However, with some perseverance, we managed to find some suitable subjects to capture!

A selection of our images can be seen below:

Moorhen Feeding Chick by Dawn Osborn

Landing Gear Down by Jeff Bowley

Nettle Weevil by Liz Akers

Young Bracken Frond by Nick Akers

Wary Pheasant by Jim McConnell

Mute Swan Preening by Di Jackson

Chinese Water Deer by Robin Orrow

Peacock Butterfly by John Kerr

Hover Fly by Andy Caws

Froghopper by Liz Akers

Looking to Land by Jim McConnell

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle by Nick Akers

Swan Stretching Wings by John Kerr

Azure Damselfly by Andy Caws

Shell Ducks in Flight by Di Jackson

Fighting Coots by Robin Orrow

Black-headed Gull in Flight by Dawn Osborn

Black-headed Gull by Jeff Bowley

Tuesday 14th May – A presentation by Christine Hart, ARPS, DPAGB

A good turn out from members to hear Chrissie Harts Presentation about how she achieved the images in her ARPS panel. All the images were takin in her back garden over a 4 month period one summer. They were all fine art rather than nature.
The panel was entitled "A Rabbit in Hole in my Garden". Her statement of intent truly reflected the feel and style of her images, all of which were on display.
After the break Chrissie showed us how she edited her images showing us the original image and then the various techniques she used in photoshop to achieve her desired finished image. 
Most members were able to glean some useful hints and tips about using layers, masks and blend modes within the software.
Her panel can be seen here.
A most enjoyable evening was had by all and I am sure we will be inviting her back.

Monday 13th May – Back to Basics visit to Pensthorpe

On a beautifully sunny morning five attendees and 3 tutors from the Back to Basics course run earlier in the year went along to Pensthrope to put into practice some of the things learnt on the course. There were lots of young birds, ducks, goslings and even avocets to try to capture. The bearded tits were very fast but some folks managed to get a shot of them and even the red squirrels were out in the open in their reserve. A challenge to get them sharp without the netting showing.
Not just animals and birds but lots of flowers out as well.
All in all a good layout. Some of the images are shown below.

Bearded Tit by Ann Barber

By Georgie McCall

Red Squirrel by Francesca Shearcroft

Smew by Jan Murphy

Allium by Jeff Bowley 

Splashing Duck by Kim Scrivener

Mandarin Duck by Jan Murphy

Moon Water by Jeff Bowley

Crane at Pensthorpe by Kim Scrivener

Gull by Georgie McCall

Tuesday 7th May - Jayne Odell 'The Monochrome Effect'

Club members were pleased to welcome back Jayne Odell ARPS to see her latest photography projects and hear the stories behind them.  After referencing the photographers who have inspired her, Jayne showed some of her most successful colour images.  Moving on to the monochrome images, we could appreciate the difference between Jayne's early work and later images which featured more graphic, atmospheric images.

Jayne gave us some good tips on planning for shoots as well as sharing lots of information on the locations and timing of her landscape, seascape and equine photos.  Many of the photos we saw were taken locally, so we have no excuses - we just need to get up early and get out there (says she looking out the window at heavy rain and thinking I'll have another cup of coffee)!

If you would like more inspiration, you can take another look at Jayne's work here http://jayneodell.com/home/4593735163.

Tuesday 23rd April – Macro/Close-up PDI Competition

It was good to welcome an "old" friend to be our judge tonight, namely Roy Essery, MPAGB, who had travelled up from Colchester.
There were 15 images in the Members class and 49 in the Members Advanced. 
Roy spent some time providing helpful critique on the images in Members group. Then after the break he had the difficult task of judging the Members Advanced images. He was very complimentary about the high standard and said it would be difficult to judge this category. None the less his comments along the way were constructive and helpful for all the audience.
Roy then awarded his judges' award, a box of Maltesers, to Christine Frost for her image entitled "Caught in the Web".

All the high scoring images are shown below.

Brimstone on Scabious by Liz Akers 20

Caught in the Web by Christine Frost 20

Drone Fly on Teasel by Christine Frost 20

False Oil Beetle by John Kerr 20

Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn by Andy Lowe 20

Just Plane Leaves by Roy Scrivener 20

Northern Brown Argus by Maureen Campbell 20

Raft Spider on the Water by Robin Orrow 20

Raindrops on Alchemilla Mollis by Di Jackson 20

Small Asian Tree Frog by Jan Murphy 20

Wood White by Geoff Lingwood 20

Backlit Lenten Rose by Andy Caws 19

Cabbage White Butterfly by Caroline Tillett 19

Dew on Moss by Tim Leonard 19

Fly by Andy Caws 19

Key Notes by Sue Baldwin 19

Nigella Seedpod by Pam Rutty 19

Nut Allergy by Graham Frost 19

Tuesday 9th April – Focus on Abstract/Still Life

A challenge to all members to take part in this Focus On, an evening where all those present are the judges and nominate their top 5 images. After many requests there were eventually 42 entries with a very wide range of subject matter. Members had certainly come up with some very creative ideas.
The top 10 entries are shown below.
After the break we were treated to an excellent wild life presentation from Dawn Osborn. She started with some still images and explained how she went about taking her images, many of which were from overseas. However she then showed a slideshow of images taken in the UK, including many  taken in Norfolk. The presentation finished with an amazing slideshow of penguins from the Falklands...now a destination added to several members bucket list.
All were blown away by Dawn's images and someone was heard to remark..."how can you make fungi look so exciting?" Well dawn certainly can!!

1st Glasses in a Glass by Tim Leonard

2nd Rainy Day in Norwich by Heather Ryder

3rd= Mothers Ruin by Andy Caws

3rd= Call of the Wild by Di Jackson

5th Drifts in Blue

6th I've Lost my Marbles by Martyn Anderson

7th Abstract Architecture by Andy Lowe

8th Carnation by Diana Graham

9th An Evening in Venice

10th= Shanghai Skyline with Reflections

10th= Dead Forest by Dawn Osborn