At our 14th March meeting we had a presentation from Julia Lloyd-Parks on African Wild Dogs from her recent trip to Africa and a review of images from a club trip to Sutton Benger RFC

Julia's images of Africa Wild Dogs

© Julia Lloyd-Parks

© Julia Lloyd-Parks
 
© Julia Lloyd-Parks

A selection of images from the club shoot at Sutton Bender RFC
© Amanda Gregory

© Helen Day

© Pam Bamford

© Philip Male

© Rob Macklin

© Ann Horne

© Tony Bamford




 


 

 28th March - This evening we covered two topics - our January photos and our photo challenge for the later I

Here's a selection of January photos...

© Amanda Gregory

© Dave Eagle

© Derek Liversidge

© Helen Day

© Julia Lloyd-Parks

© Lesley Cadger

© Rose Porfirio


...and a selection of images from our 'I' challenge

Icy Cold © Craig Puris

Illumination © David Sage

Illusion © Graham d’Aucourt

Ireland © Pam Bamford

Ibis © Philip Male

Iguana © Rob Macklin

Island © Sue Power

Iceberg © Tony Bamford

Ice © Helen Day

Our next meeting is on Thursday 14th April in the Manor Room at Lacock Village Hall

15th February 2024

 

This evening was given over to the subject of composition in photography and was led by a talk from Danny Wooton, of our own parish. He listed the following "rules" (which are actually more "mild suggestions") with examples:

  • Rule of thirds
  • Central composition and symmetry
  • Foreground interest
  • Frame within a frame
  • Leading lines
  • Diagonals and triangles
  • Repeating patterns and leading lines
  • Negative space
  • Left to right
  • Balance between elements in the scene
  • Golden triangles
  • Golden ratio
  • Human interest (to give scale in vistas)

Then recommended this link:

https://petapixel.com/photography-composition-techniques/

The evening continued with our chairperson showing a number of (credited) images from the internet, with groups of members discussing what compositional tools had been used in each.

The evening was rounded off by reviewing images taken last December:

© Amanda Gregory

© Caroline Howe

© David Liversidge

Fogbow over Avebury stones © David Sage

© Phil Selby

© Philip Male

© Rob Macklin

© Sue Power

 

Our next meeting will be on February 29th.

3rd February - Rugby photo shoot

 

Our club secretary, Lesley, arranged for members to have a photoshoot at her local rugby club in Sutton Benger. The match saw the local side pitted against Pewsey Vale. Despite international rugby on the television that afternoon, there was a good turnout.

Lacock Positive members before the game started

For many of us, this was our first attempt at photographing any sport.  All came away with images which we will review a later meeting (some came away with over a thousand images).  In the end the home team won 33 – 22.

Larry worked his customary magic to add these images into places never seen before.






 


1st February - Tony Worobiec

Our chairperson reminded us about:

  • Rugby photography, Saturday 3rd February
  • Hare photography, Sunday 24th March.

Helen mentioned special offers on entry prices at Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February.

We then spent the rest of the evening listening to an excellent, thought-provoking and informative talk given by Tony Worobiec entitled "Low Light and Night Photography".

Pre-dawn

Tony recommended turning 180 degrees from the rising sun, which gives a view of the Venus Belt, an area of sky which varies from pink to blue.  This can be rendered well in photos.

Rising mist is also visible, especially when there is high pressure and it has rained the night before.  October to February works well for mist.

Corfe Castle, with the Venus Belt © Tony Worobiec

Dusk

Tony discussed using the moon to illuminate a scene (preferably nearly full, although 3/4 will do, from the side, out of shot).

Lighthouse, Burnham on Sea, by moonlight © Tony Worobiec

Horton Tower with moonlight © Tony Worobiec

30 to 40 minutes after sunset, the light in the sky balances the light on the landscape. When looking south (in the northern hemisphere), star trails will be horizontal, when looking north they are the more characteristic circles centred on the Pole Star. 

Balanced light and star trails looking north, Badlands, USA © Tony Worobiec

For pin-sharp stars, either use a short exposure, or a tracking mount.  A tracking mount will blur everything but the stars, so the scenery will require a separate shot, followed by some blending in your favourite image editor.

Tony mentioned the Milky Way starts the evening horizontally, then as the night passes becomes more perpendicular.

Crossover light

When photographing artificially illuminated buildings at night, the lighting on the building remains constant.  To get a good balance between building and the sky behind it, wait for the sky to darken down.  When they balance, this is known as "crossover" light.  Also, don't worry about white balance, just leave it up to the camera.

Tony also mentioned - as he is local to it - Corfe Castle is illuminated at night around Christmas, ending in the first week of January.

Atmospheric decoupling

40 minutes after sunset, or 35 minutes before sunrise, when there is high pressure and no breeze, a phenomenon called "atmospheric decoupling" occurs.  This will cause lakes to become mirror-flat, giving almost pefect reflections.

Bridge at Cordoba in crossover light with atmospheric decoupling © Tony Worobiec


Tony then discussed how an 8 second exposure is needed for fireworks (any longer leads to confusing images), the usefulness of flash (not at full power), and Ulanzi lights which are relatively inexpensive and can be set to produce any desired colour.

He quickly took us through his fairground, cinema and neon images.

Fairground © Tony Worobiec

Our next meeting will be on 15th February.