NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2009
FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME
SEP 8th: No Meeting
OCT 13th: Monthly Competition - Available Light
British Portfolio Competition
Foto Forum - Open - Arthur Kingdon
Presentation TBN
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Oct 13th: Monthly Meeting
The Meeting (start time 2000hrs) will be at our normal venue - The Casson Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway, BS34 5DQ (map) It is easiest to access it via Durban Road, off Highwood Road - you can turn right at the traffic lights if coming from the Gloucester Road direction. The Casson Centre is the left hand part of the Patchway Community Centre, immediately next door to the Patchway Town Council Offices. There is off road parking adjacent to the Centre and further spaces along Rodway Road, near to the local Spa shop.
The monthly competition theme is 'Available Light'. Send your digital files to Bob (anthonyrez30@tiscali.co.uk ) and please include BUPG on the subject line. Unsure about entering? Even if you don't feel you have any winners, send some in to benefit from the audience feedback - it's an ideal way to learn.
It's portfolio time again and this time the subject is 'British'. Send your entries to Bob (as above) and if you need any guidance on how to put a portfolio together take a look at http://www.bupg.co.uk/nl0908.htm (this also includes a Foto Forum on Available Light).
There are several options available for a presentation and this site will be updated when a decision has been made.
RECENT EVENTS
August Meeting
Monthly Competition - Animal Behaviour
There were quite a number of entries for this competition and the standard was high. However, many fine images failed to get a vote if the 'behaviour' aspect was not immediately apparent. With only six seconds per image, it was not always easy to pick out any 'behaviour'.
| Arthur Kingdon was the clear winner with eight votes with this image of grunts interacting (mating or aggressive behaviour?). This was taken during a Jim Abernathy shark trip! |  |
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An image of stingrays gathering at dawn in Grand Cayman by Tamsin Eyles was equal Second with two votes. |
| Also with two votes and equal Second was Anna James with this sweetlips and two cleaner wrasse. |
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Anna also picked up a vote with this image of a lion fish about to have its supper. It was not easy to appreciate this image in the short time it was on screen, otherwise I'm sure it would have had more votes. |
| Arthur Kingdon also had one vote for this tiger shark as did... |  |
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....Rob Kemp with these schooling banner fish, |
| Jan Davies with this well lit partner shrimp/goby, |  |
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and Rick Ayrton with a freshwater snail from Cromhall. |
BUPG AGM
The Treasurer presented the 2008/9 Accounts which showed a small profit for the year and, based on this, he felt no rise in subscription was needed. Copies of the Accounts are available direct from the Treasurer.
With no other candidates for the Committee posts, Arthur Kingdon (Secretary), Jim Drake (Treasurer), and Bob Anthony (Competitions) were re-elected.
The format of our competitions was discussed at length and it was agreed that:
1. The time limit of two years on entries for the Monthly Theme Competition shall remain, other than for an 'Open' theme when there will be no time limit. Note: Portfolio and Print competitions remain unrestricted.
2. Pool shots will be allowed when the Monthly theme is 'Open'.
3. Our rules on image manipulation will mirror the BSoUP rules which currently are unrestricted.
4. Voting for the Monthly theme competition will be by a show of hands for the best image only, other competitions by paper vote.
5. The BUPG Splash In for 2010 will be held over the weekend of June 5/6th at Fort Bovisand. Anyone wishing to boat dive should contact Discovery Divers to book individual places on their shuttle. Shore diving is also available and accommodation is available via Discovery Divers for those who wish to do both days.
The format of our meetings was discussed and it was agreed that the present format should continue.
The Secretary acknowledged that the website Gallery was well out of date and advised the Meeting that some assistance with this would be helpful. Martin Bailey volunteered to take over this aspect of the website - please comply with any requests from Martin to bring the Gallery up to date.
It was agreed that more diving trips for the Group would be welcome. Please contact the Secretary with any offers to organise such trips.
If you were unable to attend the AGM and have any queries regarding the decisions reached, please contact the Secretary.
MISCELLANEOUS
Wild Photos 2009
I have received details of this event to be held at the Royal Geographical Society, London in October. This event, hosted by Chris Packham, has a sensational line-up of international nature photographers including Daniel Beltra, Niall Benvie, Vincent Munier, Solvin Zankl, Kevin Schafer and a keynote presentation from the world-renowned National Geographic photographer, Michael 'Nick' Nichols. Also presenting their work will be winners from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, the results of which will be announced immediately before WildPhotos. For more info www.wildphotos.org.uk
Keep bubbling,
Arthur