During meetings, members are requested to ensure that their mobile phones remain silent and, if it is absolutely necessary to remain in contact, that any conversation is conducted outside the room. It would be greatly appreciated if members could help to wash up after refreshments and help to put away chairs etc. at the end of each evening.
PRACTICAL NIGHT
Usually, on the first Monday of each month there is a designated Practical Night. This can take the form of a still life photo shoot, a product shoot or, most often, a portrait night using a model.
In the case of a portrait shoot, the Studio Secretary arranges for a model to attend in exchange for a fee or a set of photographs – whichever the model requests. (In the case of a request for photographs, it is expected that each photographer donates two 25x20cm prints (unmounted), as soon as is practicable after the shoot).
The studio – lighting and background are set up at the beginning of the evening and the lights are metered ready for use. A pair of infra red triggers is provided by the club and these fit onto the hot-shoe of each photographer’s own camera. Pairs of photographers are allotted a certain amount of time with the model (depending on the numbers taking pictures on the night). In their ‘time slot’ each pair can change the lighting system, the background and request that the model change outfits. Those not taking photos at a particular time, will be asked to remain in the screened off area, so as not to distract photographers or model.
At the end of the evening, all members are expected to help with the dismantling and storage of the equipment.
COMPETITION NIGHT
Each month, usually on the last Monday, we enjoy a competition evening, when members have the opportunity to submit their photos to be judged by their peers, and to have them criticised in a constructive and informative way. Hopefully, this will help to improve the standard of each member’s photography.(The Club’s competition year runs from January to December).
The rules of the Monthly Competition are detailed below:
There are 6 categories :-
Snapshot - Any subject, colour or mono – unmounted, maximum size 7”x5” (17.5x12.5 cm), full negative uncropped, this means that the photo should not have been manipulated in any way – it should be exactly as shot.
Print Sections:
Mounted (flush or window mounted) colour or mono print, trade/home processed or digitally printed - any size to a maximum 50x40cm. Maximum mount size 50x40cm Prints should be titled on the back of the mount.
Monthly subjects:
Practical Night - any interpretation of monthly studio subject.
Monthly theme - Photograph depicting monthly subject (see list of monthly themes). N.B. entries must be relevant to set subject - points may be deducted or print disqualified from competition for failure to depict theme.
Monochrome- Black and white or toned mono-chrome print of any subject. Monochrome means black, white and one other colour or a toned image e.g. sepia etc.
Open - any subject - monochrome or colour.
Nature - flora or fauna, weather etc.
No member shall be entitled to take part in any Club competition or exhibition or other activity unless his/her subscriptions have been paid. This means that, if you wish to submit pictures for a monthly competition, and will be absent on the night, you must arrange for the person who brings your photos to pay your subs for that night.
Monthly Competition - Judging - Marking System
The monthly competition is judged by all fully paid up members present on the night. Each member awards between 1 and 10 marks for each picture (except for their own entry).
Marks should be awarded bearing in mind the following criteria:-
a) Does it depict the subject (if themed)?
b) Is it sharp – where it should be sharp?
c) Is it well exposed?
d) Is the composition good?
e) Is it well presented?
The marks are entered on the scoreboard and totalled. During this process one of the members gives a critique of the whole entry and members are encouraged to express their opinions. (Critiques should always be positive, informative and encouraging).
First Place photos are awarded 5 points, 2nd place = 3 points 3rd place= 2 points and all other entries are awarded 1 point. The points accrued by each entrant are recorded and used to establish the trophy winner for each section and for the ‘Photographer of the Year Cup’ which will be presented at the Annual Awards Evening – usually held in April.
Prints awarded 1st, 2nd or 3rd place are eligible for consideration for display on the club’s website.Winners are encouraged to let the webmaster have a jpeg file (Maximum size 5MB) of their winning entries. Arrangements can be made for non-digital prints to be scanned?
The Club also has an Annual Competition which follows a slightly different format and the rules are as follows:-
Only prints which have not previously won classes in the Annual Competition will be eligible.
Print Section – Categories
Pictorial/Atmospheric – should be a picture rather than a strict representation of a subject. The portrayal of the effects of light and atmosphere is more important than the subject itself.
Portrait – this can be a single person, group.
Record – the principal aim is the accurate representation of the subject - so that, if the subject were to be destroyed, it could be rebuilt using the photograph.
Open –any subject matter in either colour or monochrome.
Monochrome -Black and white or toned mono-chrome print of any subject. Monochrome means black, white and one other colour, or a toned image e.g. sepia etc.
Natural History -Flora or fauna, weather etc.
Each competitor may enter up to 3 prints in each category minimum photograph size = 25 x 20 cm including mount, maximum size = 50x40cm including mount.
Members will be issued with an entry form on which to enter their name and to list the category and title of each photograph. The title ONLY should appear on the rear of the mount. There must not be any sticky tape or velcro or any other material on the back of the mount which may damage other prints.
The Annual Competition Entries are generally required early in February. They are collated and forwarded to the outside judge who will return with them the following month to give his criticisms and adjudication. Trophies are awarded to the winners of each category, and certificates are awarded to 2nd and 3rd place, and to those whose images have been Very Highly Commended, Highly Commended or Commended by the judge. The Annual Awards evening generally takes place in April.
OTHER EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS occur during the year, and each has its own set of rules which will be made available at the time.