Tuesday 25th September – "A Moment Captured" an illustrated talk by Shirley Hollis

We were delighted to welcome Shirley Hollis to our club meeting tonight. Shirley came all the way from Dunstable to give a talk entitled " A Moment Captured". Shirley has an ARPS and AFIAP and after a brief biographical journey she proceeded to share many of her award winning prints. Throughout Shirley stressed that she aimed to capture that fleeting moment of light, emotion or action. In the break members had a chance to see her ARPS Panel of 15 images, all taken in Ashridge Forrest and all ICM. 
After the break we were treated to an  audio visual presentation of images from Iceland. 
Members very much appreciated the hints and tips and suggestions about how to capture some good images and found Shirley's talk very inspirational.

Kentwell Michaelmas - Saturday 22nd September 2018

Another season of club events started with a welcome return to Kentwell Hall providing a chance to catch up with their amazing Tudors.  They certainly paint a very vivid picture of what life must have been like in the 16th century.  In character all the time and full of fascinating facts about local and national history.
  
We watched food preparation both in the Hall's kitchen for the Gentry and outside for the Estate workers before enjoying our own excellent lunch in the cafe.

Some images from the day are shown below:

Family at Prayer by Roy Scrivener

Plucking Doves for Lunch by Diana Graham

Alchemy by Nick Akers

Good Woman Baker by Christine Alcock

Ladies at Lunch by Roy Scrivener

Spinning a Yarn by Dawn Osborn

Mischief by Graham Jackson

Preparing the anti moth mixture by Francesca Shearcroft

Peeling the Onions by Andy Caws

Keep Your Powder Dry by Christine Alcock

The Shy Embroiderer! by Di Jackson

Kitchen Maid by David Wilkin

Dr. Lee by Di Jackson

Shot Maker by Francesca Shearcroft

Pottage Mass Production by Nick Akers

Mealtime at Kentwell Hall by Diana Graham

Players by Andy Caws

Kentwell Kitchen by David Wilkin

The Alchemist by Dawn Osborn

Relaxing by Graham Jackson

Preparing the Potage by Di Jackson

Tuesday 11th September – Welcome back and Summer Challenge

The hall was buzzing with much conversation as members caught up with each other after the summer break. Subs paid, forms completed and we settled down to watch this year's Summer Challenge entries.
The judges, Michael Paddison, Liz and Nick Akers, had no easy task scoring all the images from 24 entries which ranged from Architecture to Wildlife and from Monochrome to Double Exposures. All the scores were handed in and the results will be announced on 9th October.
Thanks to all entrants and to the judges. 

Tuesday 10th July – AGM, Presentation of Awards, Slide shows and Social.

Over 40 members attended the AGM. No two years at WDPC are the same and this year we had cause for many individual celebrations with several folks gaining both CPAGB and DPAGB awards, one member had several successes in external competitions and several members continue to gain BPE acceptances. Not to mention 19 members having a total of 31 images accepted for the EAF exhibition of which two were selected for the PAGB National exhibition.
The business section of the evening was kept to a minimum as all reports had been sent out prior to the meeting. The new committee was elected.
The trophies and certificates for the Photgpraher of the Year, both print and digital, were awarded as were those for the Image of the Year and the most improved member. Full details can be found on the Roll of Honour Page.
The meeting closed and we were able to watch two slideshows, one showed all the high scoring images from the year, the other captured the flavour of all the club events throughout the year. Members then enjoyed light refreshments.

Sunday 8th July - BBQ

Perfect BBQ weather and over 40 of us gathered at Wells Cole to enjoy a BBQ prepared by the Wells Cole team.  It was a great way to celebrate the end of the season.  We finished the afternoon with a Jenga challenge which for some was a fun spectator sport and for others, a serious competitive knock-out challenge!

Tuesday 26 June - Image of the Year

Bob Good was the judge for our Image of the Year competition.  We had 29 entries in the digital section and 24 in print.

In his introduction, Bob listed his favourite subjects but you can see from his final selection, the images he chose covered a wide range.  Bob held back several images that were in contention before making his final decision.  Congratulations to Andy Lowe for his digital image ‘Fated Funghi’ and to Fred Thompson for his print ‘Female Banded Demoiselle’ - they are this season’s Images of the Year.

Take a look at the winners, runners up and the highly commended images below.

Digital Image of the Year

FATED FUNGHI by Andy Lowe

Print Image of the Year

FEMALE BANDED DEMOISELLE by Fred Thompson

Digital runners-up and highly commended

2nd POPPY LIGHT by Fred Thompson

3rd ARTHUR by Christine Frost

Highly Commended

CHARLIE CHAPLIN CHARACTER by Jan Murphy

A BRUSH WITH A FOX by Robin Orrow

UNLOADING THE MARIT MAERSK by Graham Frost

CHARGING BULL ELEPHANT by Di Jackson

 HAPPY HOUR by Christine Alcock

 Print runners-up and highly commended

2nd OYSTERCATCHERS by Andy Caws

3rd TURNING BACK THE CLOCK by Graham Frost

Highly commended  HARE GROOMING by Caroline Tillett

Mannington Gardens 14th June 2018

Another good turnout of club members plus welcome guests for this our last club event of the season.  Rain held off all day and by the afternoon it was scorching hot and fleeces and jackets were quickly discarded.

Most of us decided to opt for a quick cup of tea or coffee at The Greedy Goose before setting off for some serious photography.  

The gardens had obviously suffered from earlier heavy spring rains and winds but still had plenty of marvellous roses and many other varieties of flowers and shrubs on show.  As well as the formal areas of garden there were many areas of wild gardens and meadows to enjoy.

Everyone met up again for lunch and enjoyed some fantastic homemade, local produce. 

Back to the photography and, after a long day, a final 'cuppa' before making our ways home.

A few of our images can be seen below:

The Path to Mannington Hall by Jan Murphy

Standing Proud by Francesca Shearcroft

Stripes by Tim Leonard

Deer at Mannington by Andy Caws

Pretty in Pink by Christine Alcock

Little Grebe Juvenile by Graham Frost

Mannington Hall Reflections by Jan Murphy

Iris by Di Jackson

Common Spotted Orchid by Christine Frost

Artist at Work by Di Jackson

Colours in Harmony by Tim Leonard

Yellow Roses by Francesca Shearcroft