NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2007

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME

Oct 9th: Presentation by John Ruthven, plus Photo Clinic, plus Photoshop Tutorial

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

Oct 9th: Available Light

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Oct 9th: 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 presentation will be by John Ruthven, a freelance film maker who has produced some fascinating work featuring time lapse photography, using a Nikon D70. Note that if John gets a phone call offering him lucrative work, the presenation to us may have to take place another day.

The monthly competition theme is 'Available light' - so, relatively straightforward. Even if you don't feel you have any winners, send some in to benefit from the audience feedback . Send your digital files to our new Competitions Member, Kathryn Rosling(kathryn.rosling@blueyonder.co.uk)or bring your slides on the night (let Kathryn know if you require a slide projector).

We will also be holding a photo clinic; if you have any images that you would like to have critiscised constructively then bring them on the night or, preferably, send them to me via email akdiver48@hotmail.com   If I have the images in advance, I may be able to do some homework on them.

A couple of items have come up recently which suggest that a Photoshop tutorial is required, so I will be covering 'Monochrome Conversion', and 'Resizing' (yes, that old chestnut).

RECENT EVENTS

St Abbs Splash In Aug 26th

A good time was had by all, way up on the north east coast. The weather was excellent and there were even several minke whales for us to see - not underwater unfortunately.  We did see the huge shoal of herring that they were feeding on though.

Although we did not manage to repeat the success of the Plymouth Splash In, Arthur Kingdon took Second Place in the Marine Life Portrait category and Sam Bean, who regularly dives with us at St Abbs, took Second Place in the Humorous category. You can read all about it on the Marine Reserve website http://www.marine-reserve.co.uk/activities/splashin2007.htm  It is worth noting that there were only five entants in the Film section and it has been decided to go all digital next year. This should make a considerable difference, as the cut-off time to enable film processing has been rather restrictive on everyone. Also, there should be more prizes if all are going to be awarded to digital users.

September Meeting

Monthly Competition - Wrecks

This proved a popular subject and there were thirty entries. As might be expected, many of the entries featured well known Red Sea wrecks and some images were very similar. The voting was fairly close but Arthur Kingdon won with an image taken on the Giannis D. This is a 'Magic Filter' shot, using only available light and is a good example of how the filter will give a greater spread of colour than if it had been lit with flash.

Four images tied for Second Place, including this pair showing the stern of the Giannis D. The natural light image is by Pam Bowden (a scan of a slide) and the monochrome version is by Arthur Kingdon.

Pam Murphy's image of a prop on the Umbria also tied for Second Place, as did Alan James' moody, wreck silhouette.

However, another moody monochrome shot by Alan did not project so well, appearing rather too dark to make out much detail. Had it been adjusted to suit the brightness of the projector, I am sure it would have picked up more than the one vote it received.

Bahamas Shark Trip - Tamsin Eyles

Tamsin has recenly returned from a trip to the Bahamas which specifically seeks out a variety of sharks for underwater photographers. She was in exalted company, with the likes of Alex Mustard and Eric Cheng (wetpixel) on board. The trips are run by Jim Abernathey, the renowned expert in this field, on board his boat Shear Water. As a liveaboard, it is smaller than most with very little room for working on cameras and housings and, with fewer cabins, it sells out quickly.

The trips follow a well proven format which has kept all divers safe - so far. The shark experience starts with the 'gentler' species such as reef sharks or lemon sharks, before seeking out the big boys in the shape of oceanic white tip and tiger sharks. Using baited crates at strategic points enables images which can show sharks plus other reef dwellers, such as this excellent shot of a grey reef shark and moray eel. More reef sharks in the images below.

Crates of bait are also used in the sandy shallows - here a crate is being held by Jim Abernathy, with a camera in the other hand, whilst lemon sharks circle around. Looks a bit scary to me!

One of the aims of this trip was to find some oceanic white tips but they proved too elusive this time. Similarly, dolphins were difficult to find and Tamsin only managed a quick snap of one in the distance. However, the tiger sharks did put in an appearance!

Tamsin even had a go at Alex Mustard's technique of slow shutter speeds, combined with accelerated panning and achieved some very good results.

One day of the trip was spent on 'lemon snaps' - this involved positioning yourself at the stern whilst bait was reeled in, just keeping it in front of the lemon sharks. Some very close up imges were possible.

This is just a very small selection of the great images that Tamsin showed and does little justice to the presentation. It is worth mentioning that Tamsin had never even seen a shark until this trip - in at the deep end, or what? She now has a portfolio, full of cracking images of sharks, that will be envied by many. Thanks Tamsin, we think you were very brave.

AGM 2007

The AGM main points were:

Treasurers Report: - The Treasurer detailed the income and expenditure below:

Secretary's Report - The Secretary outlined the succesful bid for the 'Awards for All' grant and the subsequent purchase of laptop, screen and projector. He went on to say that a condition of the grant was that the equipment should be fully insured and this had proved very difficult to obtain. In the end, a broker did agree to provide cover but only if we also took out Public Liability insurance. The premium, at £150, was rather more than we had planned for but we do have Public Liability insurance up to £3 million - whether we need it or not. He reminded members that the equipment is available for any member who wishes to borrow it to give presentations to other groups. The small charge for this will help towards the insurance premium. The Secretary advised members that the most difficult asopect of his role was in filling the program each month and he thanked those who had volunteered to give presentations during the year.

Elections - The Secretary and Treasurer were willing to stand again and, with no other volunteers, were re-elected. The Competitions Member was standing down due to personal commitments in the forthcoming year and he was thanked for his efforts. Kathryn Rosling volunteered for this role and was duly elected.

Subscriptions - The Treasurer and Secretary recommended that the subscription of £20 is unchanged. Although this will not create a surplus it was felt that as long as the membership numbers are similar, it would not be too restrictive. Unchanged.

Competitions Format - No changes were proposed to the Monthly Competition but it was felt that the Splash In needed changing. A change of date to September and a change of venue to St Brides Bay were suggested. The change of venue may be needed anyway as the future use of Babbacombe is uncertain. Our new Competitions Member will consider the suggestions.

Meetings Format - There was general satisfaction with our Meetings, although some of the less experienced members would like more information on basic aspects. The Secretary agreed to look into this but urged that the less experienced should be more proactive and ask questions whenever they needed more information. He highlighted the Photo Clinic session, in January, which had not been well supported by the less experienced.

AOB - As last year, more boat trips for the Group were wanted. The Secretary urged all members to consider organising such trips.

MISCELLANEOUS

Visions in the Sea Conference

Ocean Optics are organising a very special weekend for the underwater photographer. The best in the business will be there giving some great presentations; there will be photo clinics and there are opportunities to win some fantastic prizes.

Check out.http://www.oceanoptics.co.uk/

Arthur