NEWSLETTER May 2006

NEWSLETTER MAY 2006

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME

JUN 13th: Presentations by Chris Lewis and by Martin Bailey

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

JUN 13th: Wide Angle (click here for full year's programme)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

JUN 13th Meeting

The Meeting (start time 2000hrs) will be at our normal venue (click here for how to find us).

Please try and be on time as we have to keep the main doors locked while we are using the building. However, there is an intercom entry system so you should be able to get in if you are running late.

The main event is a presentation by Chris Lewis. Chris is a videographer who has produced some excellent work. Many of the techniques used by videographers translate across to still cameras so there should be something for everyone.

There will also be a presentation by new member Martin Bailey. This is an opportunity for Martin to introduce himself and to get some feedback from the audience.

The monthly competition theme is 'Wide Angle'. Send digital files to Bob Anthony ( anthonyrez30@tiscali.co.uk ) or bring your slides on the night (let Bob know if you will require a slide projector and screen).

Our own Splash In was held in May and the competition will be judged at this meeting. Send entries to Bob as above.

BSoUP Splash In/Plymouth Diving

This takes place over the weekend of 1/2 July. The boat has been booked and all places are taken on the Saturday but there may be a couple of places on Sunday. However, there may also be cancellations so, If you are interested in diving that weekend, get in touch with Pam Bowden who is co-ordinating our participation. You do not have to be a member of BSoUP to take part and there are some great prizes to be won - check out http://www.bsoup.org/Splash/intro.php

RECENT EVENTS

May Meeting

Presentation by Alan Mildren

Alan Mildren was one of the founding members of BUPG and is well known to many of our members. Always entertaining, he threatened to show us a video of his morris dancing but, fortunately, we ran out of time! However, what he did show was very interesting - starting off with a selection of a dozen still images he demonstrated how these could be transformed by simple fades/dissolves and then by adding music. Plenty of food for thought here for anyone contemplating an audio/visual presentation.

Although Alan had been interested in still photography for many years, he now concentrates on videography and capturing movement rather than the still image. He showed four short videos, all produced to a professional standard and all shot in UK waters. There was some great footage of British marine life such as basking sharks, ling, wolf fish, lobsters and, last but not least, a video of the cuttlefish of Babbacombe.

This video is particularly poignant, clearly showing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat but also highlighting the serious threat they now face from pot fishermen who target them during the breeding season.

This was an entertaining and thought provoking presentation by someone who clearly loves the marine environment and is passionate in his quest to capture it on video. Thank you Alan.

Monthly Competition

The theme was 'British' so there were quite a number of entries and the standard was high. The clear winner was a very simple shot of feeding mussels by Trevor Rees.

Trevor captured this image at Babbacombe using his newly acquired Nikon D50. The simplicity of the image and the beautiful lighting made for an excellent shot.

In second place was a rather splendid lumpsucker by Alan James:

Alan had captured this image on a recent visit to Babbacombe.

In equal third place were Sally Sharrock and Trevor Rees. Sally with a very nice squid and Trevor with a cuttlefish:

MISCELLANEOUS

New Website for Underwater Photographers

A new website, full of good stuff for underwater photographers, can be found at http://www.divephotoguide.com Check it out - it requires registration but is very useful.

BSoUP Competitions

There is no excuse now for not entering the BSoUP competitions as they are now accepting entries via email. Also, our monthly competition programme mirrors and precedes that of BSoUP, so you can try out your images the month before. We have a great deal of talent within the group so why not give it a go? Let's show the London lot what we can do in the provinces! Check out www.bsoup.org for further details.

Arthur