Eastbourne Photographic Society
Information Pack
for
New Members
For a printable version click HERE
Dear New Member
On behalf of the Committee and the wider membership I am very happy to welcome you as a new member to Eastbourne Photographic Society. I hope that you will be able to take a full and active part in our programme and that you find what we do to be enjoyable and fulfilling.
We are a diverse group of people bound together by a common interest… a passion for photography. That is not to say that we are all experts; indeed we are not, far from it. We represent all shades of abilities, from Beginners whose knowledge and experience are just starting to develop, through Improvers who know a little more, to an Advanced group who think they know quite a bit! So don’t be concerned that you might know very little about our hobby; that will change… maybe slowly, but it will change. If you already do have photographic experience then maybe you will be able to help us by passing on some of your expertise to other members.
We pride ourselves on being a warm and friendly group. If you want to know anything, just ask anyone. If they cannot help, they will be able to introduce you to someone who can. Meanwhile, this information pack will help you to learn what we get up to. You will soon get into the swing of things… you are one of us now!
Trevor.
Chairman.
Welcome to EPS,
As you will see, this year’s programme consists of talks from visiting speakers, and competitions for prints, slides and digital images. Attached are sheets from the various secretaries, [Geoff Clarke for digital, Robin Stevenson for slides and David Rossiter for prints] which explain the detail of each of these competitions and what needs to be done with regard to the various image groups.
When you feel you are ready to take part in competitions you will be advised by the relevant secretary which group of workers you should join, i.e. Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced, in relation to your experience and by showing some of your recent images. You can compete in one or all sections [prints, slides digital] as you wish.
There are also external competitions with other clubs affiliated to the Kent County Photographic Association; [see attached sheets from Monica Crum, the External Competition Secretary].
In the Programme booklet you will see that there are also focus groups which operate on different evenings of the week, once a month, and are relevant to certain members e.g. Tips and Techniques for members to learn or improve certain techniques or to exchange ideas, the Portrait Group for those specialising in this area [this is a very small group which needs to be booked in advance with John Staples], and the Digital group [see Geoff Clark] for those wanting to improve their computer skills in Photoshop. All these are extra to the programme and therefore carry a charge to cover the cost of hiring the necessary facilities on these evenings.
The club also has social activities during the year, and Marion Creed, our social secretary will keep us informed of what events and outings are being organised. [See attached sheet.] During the summer the club does not meet on a regular basis in the hall, but we have a programme of summer walks for photographic opportunities, which will be made available before the end of the season.
On club nights Committee members wear identity badges and are always ready to give help and advice or point you in the direction of the member who can best help you.
We also have a club website, www.epscameraclub.co.uk , which is kept up to date by our webmaster Alan Clark and which contains the programme and other information,
Sheila,
Membership Secretary
Print Competitions for 2007/08
Print competitions are very popular with the members, and long may they remain so. There are six preliminary competitions [numbered 1 – 6 in the programme] in each of which members can enter a maximum of two prints. This makes a total maximum of twelve prints in the season, which equates with maximum totals for the slide and digital projection competitions. Of course members do not have to enter maximum numbers of prints in the season. You may decide to enter one print or no prints at all… it is entirely up to you how you work within the set limits.
We all know that it takes a little bit of courage to make that first entry. The thought that your image is going to be put up on a stand, under a bright light, for all to see and for a visitor to comment on, can be more than a little daunting. But when you do it you will get a real buzz and go away with some helpful suggestions on how you can improve. Furthermore you can rest assured that no visitor is going to make any put–down remark about your work.
There are no restrictions at all on how you take your photograph and capture your image. That can be done on film negative, on film slide or in a digital camera. As long as the end product is a mounted print, it is eligible. You can do your own prints or have them done commercially… no distinction is made.
Competition Classes
We have three ability classes… Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. If you have not already been placed in a class, bring along some of your photographs in an envelope and have a word with the Print Secretary who will be glad to advise you and place you in a class. Points gained in these classes [each print is marked out of 20], are aggregated and posted on the Notice Board.
We also have Open classes in which anyone can make an entry. They are titled Nature, Portrait, Record, Small Prints, [look at your Programme Booklet for guide lines and definitive rules]. Points gained in these Open classes are aggregated and contribute to the scores gained in your ability class. Do remember that you are limited to a maximum of two prints in total on each Print Competition evening.
Mounting your Prints
Mounting prints on mount board enhances their appearance and helps to protect them. Although there are no rules governing the colour of mount you choose for your work, it is generally regarded that white or slightly off white is best for photographic work. Nevertheless we do occasionally see black and sometimes brown mounts at Club competitions.
In all classes there is a limit on the size of mount which you choose. The maximum mount size is 40 x 50 cms. The actual image size, within those same limits, is entirely up to you. If, however you enter work in the Small Prints class the total area of the image itself must not exceed 225 sq. cms.
It is advisable to back your prints with another card to protect them. If you ever think of entering them for external competitions they must be backed.
You will see that practically all entries are made on 40 x 50 cms boards, [even entries in Small Prints]. The reason for this is that the Club’s frames, which we often use for exhibitions, accommodate that size of mount. It also looks better on print nights when prints are displayed if there is a degree of uniformity of mount size in presentation.
There are plenty of members in the Club who are only too willing to give you advice, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Entering your Prints
You need to decide a week before a print competition what the titles of your work are going to be, enter those titles on an entry form available from the Print Secretary and give it to him. The Print Secretary will also give you labels to stick on the back of your entered work. Then bring the mounted prints with you on competition night
Other Club Print Competitions
Towards the end of the season there is an opportunity to enter your best work of the season in the Print of the Year competition. This competition is a print showcase for the club and is a super event. Everyone can enter. The rules for this competition appear in the Programme booklet.
There is a Print Panel Competition later in the season for a minimum of 6 prints on any theme of your choice. There is also a competition in memory of a much loved member who was involved in a fatal road accident. It is called the John Stanley Memorial Challenge Competition and is intended to promote the use of creative and innovative [for you] techniques.
All the rules of competition are included in your Programme booklet.
Print Competition Dates
28th September Print Competition 1
Titles in on 21st September
19th October Print Competition 2
Titles in on 12th October
16th November Print Competition 3
Titles in on 9th November
11th January John Stanley Memorial Challenge
18th January Print Competition 4
Titles in on 11th January
15th February Print Competition 5
Titles in on 8th February
7th March Print Competition 6
Titles in on 29th February
11th April Print of the Year
Prints will need to be submitted at least two weeks before
18th April Slide Themes and Print Panels Evening
Submission date to be announced
ALL ABOUT SLIDES for 2007/08
Whether you’re an existing slide worker or fancy giving it a go, we have a full programme ahead to keep you busy throughout the 2007/2008 season. Like last year, there are four of the normal competitions plus the Slide Themes, Slide of the Year and, John Stanley memorial Challenge competitions. To enter all, you will need between 18 and 23 slides in total; 3 for each of the four competitions plus a ‘panel’ of between 6 and 10 for the Slide Themes competition and one for the JS Memorial Challenge. If, like me, you find yourself scrambling around to find some slides at the last minute, you can plan ahead with all the relevant dates both in the Programme booklet (the little blue book) and below.
Just have a go!
Of course, there is no obligation to submit the maximum quantity and, if you fancy submitting just the odd one here and there, you are more than welcome. Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to have a go – slides are great fun and produce extremely high quality images which digital still cannot match for quality (I’ve risked my life again saying that!).
BUYING SLIDE FILM
Slide film, often called transparency film, is available from Jessops in Eastbourne (you may have to order), The Camera Centre in Hailsham and by mail order in the photo press. If you would like any advice, no matter how seemingly trivial, please do not be afraid to ask. I am Robin ‘the slide bloke’ (or more formally Slide Secretary) and if you are not sure who I am, my picture should be on a stand somewhere along with the other Committee members. Find me and have a chat.
NEW?
If you are new to the club, or have not entered a slide competition before, you will first need to be allocated to a class i.e. beginner, intermediate or advanced. Bring along a few of your best slides and we (that is me and a more worthy photographer than I) will assess you work and decide which class would be best for you. Thereafter, you’ll be able to enter any of the slide competitions either in your allocated class or in an open class such as Nature. Do familiarise yourself with the rules in the Programme booklet which should be available on a table somewhere. If not, ask me for one.
HOW TO ENTER YOUR WORK
Select three or fewer slides and, with a fine marker (CD markers are good) put a round spot in the bottom left corner, as viewed in your hand, the right way round and right way up. Write the title, your class and your name clearly on the mount somewhere. Do not put stickers of any kind on your slides.
Please submit your slides in a slide box also marked with your name and class, usually ONE WEEK BEFORE the competition (but check deadlines below). I will always have the “SLIDES FOR NEXT WEEK” box on a table somewhere and you should put them in this. Please, please try to avoid late entries as I then have to ‘re-jiggle’ the entire show to get yours in.
ON THE NIGHT
Your slides will appear in an apparently random order in the competition. It isn’t really random. I use a large light box to carefully arrange all the slides to avoid those with similar colours, subjects or appearance being shown next to each other. In other words, I will try to put your slide in a natural position in the order to show it to maximum advantage. You may disagree, but I have to make a judgement. If the projector jams, and your slide is stuck on view for a long time, don’t be embarrassed. Judges seem to give more marks the longer they see an image (I think it hypnotizes them)! If the projector chews up your slide completely and spits it out across the floor, don’t look for me as I will have left the room for the nearest pub!
The week following the competition, find the “RETURNED SLIDES” box on a table and retrieve your slides which will have been marked with the relevant score.
Have fun and keep those slides coming!
Best wishes
Robin Stevenson
The Slide Bloke
Sorry I look so stern in the picture. It’s my passport photo and you know they shoot you if you smile these days! I’m a lot more cheerful in person.
21st September - SLIDE COMPETITION 1
(deadline for submitting slides - 14th September)
12th October – SLIDE COMPETITION 2
(deadline for submitting slides - 5th October)
7th December – SLIDE COMPETITON 3
(deadline for submitting slides – 30th November)
11th January – JOHN STANLEY MEMORIAL CHALLENGE
(deadline for submitting slides – 4th January)
29th February – SLIDE COMPETITION 4
(deadline for submitting slides –22nd February)
28th March – SLIDE OF THE YEAR
(deadline for submitting slides – 14th March)
18th April – SLIDE THEMES & PRINT PANELS EVENING
(deadline for submitting slides – 4th April)
DIGITAL IMAGE PROJECTION
Now this is an area of competition that we can all enter. However you capture your image in the camera, by film or digitally, as long as your finished image is in digital form and can be viewed in a computer, then you can enter it in this competition. This area of competition is ideal for those of you who have only digital cameras. Those of you with appropriate scanning equipment can make use of images captured on film, as well.
In the 06/07 season we were lucky enough to secure an “Awards for All” lottery grant which enabled us to purchase equipment to support digital competition. We really are fully geared up for it… so do have a go.
The Classes.
The entry classes are exactly the same as those for Slide Competitions:-
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
In addition there are the Open classes:-
Nature
Record
Portrait
Notes on the rules and requirements for these classes appear in your Programme Booklet.
Competitions and Entries.
There are 4 Digital Image Projection Competitions in the year, in each of which you can enter up to 3 images only… making a total of up to 12 images for the year. [This equates with image totals for the other modes of competition.]
Entries should be made on a CD, usually a week before the competition. If you are not sure how to do this please have a word with:-
Geoff Clark or Alan Clark or Clinton Taylor and you will get advice. Please give your entries to Geoff or Alan Clark.
Size and Other Restrictions on Entries.
When you view your image the correct way up it should not exceed the following dimensions:-
768 pixels vertically
1024 pixels horizontally
… so please make sure that as you look at your image in its correct orientation that it fits within a rectangle which is 768 pixels high and 1024 pixels wide.
Titling.
When you give your image file a name, please make sure that it is in the form used in the following examples:-
TITLE IN BLOCK CAPITALS by Your Name.jpg
VENICE BY MOONLIGHT by James Bond.jpg
EVENING LIGHT by Sheila Harrison.jpg
Please look at the inclusion of space before and after the word ‘by’.
Please note that the only punctuation is a full stop after your name.
Please note that the file must be in JPEG format and that there are no spaces between the final .jpg and the last letter of your name.
Now what could be clearer than that? Is this being picky? No it isn’t. We need you to observe this style in order to ensure the smooth running of the software which we use to mount our competition on the computer… so try to get it right… but it is not the end of the world if you don’t. It just takes time.
Discs should be clearly marked with your name, date for competition, and the class for which each image is entered. That is a fair bit of information to put on so use a fine marker and write fairly small.
Well there you have it. Anyone who produces images which can be viewed on a computer is able to enter this mode of competition. Rather than just sitting back to view other members’ images, enjoy the buzz you can get by seeing your own work on the screen. No-one, including the judge, is going to make any harsh or unkind remarks about your work. The way to improvement is through getting involved, so have a go.
Digital Image Projection Competitions.
2nd November, ‘07, Digital Projection Competition 1.
Discs in on 26th October
30th November, ’07, Digital Projection Competition 2.
Discs in on 23rd November
25th January, ’08, Digital Projection Competition 3.
Discs in on 18th January
22nd February, 08, Digital Projection Competition 4.
Discs in on 15th February
14th March, ’08, Digital Image of the Year.
All those images which score maximum points in the lead up competitions, plus two others of your own choice from those which you have entered during the year, can be identified for entry into the Digital Image of the Year on 14th March. The Secretary will already have them on computer so entry is merely a matter of identifying your 2 free choices.
Each year Eastbourne Photographic Society enters several external competitions, i.e. competitions in which we compete against other photographic clubs.
EPS is a member of the Kent County Photographic Association (KCPA), a group of 48 photographic clubs from Kent and East Sussex. As members of the KCPA we are eligible to enter their annual print and slide competitions, and compete against approximately 30 of the KCPA clubs who participate. EPS has entered these competitions since joining the KCPA three years ago. The Annual Print Competition is for the Ross Cup. The Annual Slide Competition has two sections, the Handley Shield for colour slides and the Carter Cup for monochrome slides.
EPS is also a member of the Sussex Photographic Federation (SxPF), which has 22 photographic clubs in Sussex as members. The SxPF also holds an annual print competition and an annual slide competition for these clubs to enter. EPS has always participated in these competitions. They are sometimes referred to as the Sussex Print Convention and the Sussex Slide Convention.
Inter-club Competitions
In addition to these county competitions, EPS also takes part in ‘friendly’ competitions for prints and slides with other local photographic clubs, often in a three-way battle.
The panels of photographs for the EPS entry to all the above competitions are chosen from the work of club members by a small (and changing) selection committee. As External Competition Secretary, I will be delighted to receive work from club members from which to make our selection. I will ask for work, when required, at club meetings. I promise to take great care of any work given to me and return it as soon as the selection has be made, or when selected entries are returned from competitions.
This is a relatively new annual competition, now in its 3rd year. It is an open competition, so individual club members may enter up to six images of their own choice. There are different categories. Entry forms will be available from me, usually in May, and are also down-loadable from the KCPA website.
Whilst not a competition as such, EPS members may also choose their own work, prints and/or slides, to enter for possible selection for the KCPA Exhibition. However, entry must be made through EPS, so work is collected from club members and delivered to the KCPA as a consignment. There are different categories of entry, and full details are on the entry form, which will be available from me later in the year. The closing date for entries is usually in January.
Please support these external competitions.
They act as a showcase for the talented photographers we have in EPS and help to raise the club profile. Please put work forward for selection and please try to attend the competitions, to support EPS, and also to enjoy seeing the work of photographers from other clubs.
I will keep club members informed of the dates and venues of competitions, the titles of the entries selected, competition results, and where applicable, availability of entry forms and rules. I will do this by announcements at meetings and information on the notice board and in the newsletter.
If you have any queries please ask me.
Thank you for reading this.
Monica Crum
External Competition Secretary.
Dates of External Competitions:
2007
29 September KCPA Handley Shield and Carter Cup Competition
20 October KCPA Digital Imaging Competition
3 November KCPA Ross Cup Competition
2 December SxPF Slide Competition
2008
1 February Inter-club Competition:
(Eastbourne v Bexhill v Hailsham)
16 March SxPF Print Competition
28th April - 26th May KCPA Exhibition
Useful websites:
KCPA www.kcpa.co.uk
SxPF www.sxpf.org.uk (still under construction)
Social Events
Throughout the year a number of social events are organised for the members. These include the Christmas dinner, the end of season Awards dinner and the summer BBQ. There are also a number of photographic outings, for example during last season there were specially arranged visits to Mc Beans Orchid greenhouses, the East Sussex Wild life Park, and a night shoot at the Redoubt [with Scottish Pipers in full regalia] These are organised specifically for the members and are excellent opportunities for those able to go.
Other Events
There are a few events that are different from the usual evening competitions.
The John Stanley Memorial Competition
The Panel Competition
All members are encouraged to enter and information about what is involved will be made available beforehand.
Keynote Speaker
Every year we invite one or two keynote speakers of international repute to give special lectures about photography and/or wildlife.
The Committee
Committee members are here to help the smooth running of the club and are elected representatives for whom you vote. Any member can stand for office. This year’s Committee is;
President John Duke
Chairman Trevor Wood LRPS
Vice Chairman Geoff Clark
Secretary Alan Leslie
Treasurer John Staples ARPS, APAGB
Social Secretary Marion Creed
Print Secretary David Rossiter
Slide Secretary Robin Stevenson
Digital Secretary Geoff Clarke
External Competition Secretary
Exhibition Secretary Roger Scott
Publicity Secretary Bryan Hepnar
Membership Secretary Sheila Wood
Librarian Tim Creed
Quartermaster Clinton Taylor
Projectionist Chris Hall
Newsletter Editor Ted Sturgeon LRPS