Dartford and District
Photographic Society

Glyn Barham LRPS CPAGB presented a travelling exhibition to the members on Wednesday, 12th November 2008, entitled 'Kent Digital Photographers'.  Glyn explained that the Digital Group formed a learning vehicle for all aspects of digital photography ie enhancing the images etc.  Each member had 4 prints and included the story of the picture and how they arrived at the final print using the plug-ins and tools of Adobe Photoshop.  He explained that the group did not enter competitions as such, but provided the prints for a travelling exhibition that toured Kent for a year.  One of the many interesting points was an image they were given and told to improve and update it rather than leave it as a straight picture.  This allowed the members' creativity to produce some startling and innovative prints.  A very enjoyable and informative evening.

The Concord Trophy was won by Dartford & District Photographic Society on Tuesday, 11th November 2008, judged by Paul Adams DPAGB.  Alan Hills' print 'Lovers in the Mist' received the maximum points.  The results of the competition are as follows:

On Wednesday, 22nd October 2008, the 1st Intermediate Competition took place judged by John Watterson DPAGB from Bexleyheath PS.  There were many subjects put forward for judging in the Digital and Print Images sections, and John conducted a very fair assessment of all entries.  Not only were members judged, but were able to take away with them pointers, and help to aid them in their future competition entries.  Below are the results:

Prints

A very interesting evening of digital images entitled 'My Wicked Wanderings' was presented by John Hedgeley, Tovil Camera Club, 8th October 2008.  Much of the imagery was of buildings in Kent which have long since disappeared together with some that are still standing, interspersed with a witty, knowledgeable and historic account of the objects that were portrayed, including churches, statues, boats and even gravestones.  Once again a very entertaining evening.

'Digital Techniques' was the subject of tonight's meeting, 24th September 2008, and what a very interesting couple of hours were spent by the members.  Roger Force gave a PowerPoint Presentation about cameras, the different types, the type of format to be used for the best lossless images and many other points which some knew and some did not, interspersed with input by the audience.  The second part of the evening Mike Morfett showed us the technique of layers which had been requested by a camera club member.  Altogether, a very satisfying and knowledgeable evening.

Tonight was something a little different.  John Wylie ARPS ABIPP presented Table Top Techniques and members were asked to bring their cameras.  John explained briefly about his CV, which was surprising as when he visited the club previously, it was in the capacity of a judge.  He trained as a commercial model maker but was also a trained engineer, which led him onto becoming a part time college lecturer in photography.  All was revealed as he set up various models of trains, houses and villages, inviting the rest of us to take photographs after giving a short demonstration of how to go about this particular technique.  Everybody enjoyed the evening as it was something out of the ordinary.

Visit to Southwark Cathedral - this took place on Thursday, 4th September on a rather inclement day but that didn't matter as members were escorted around the building.  The guide was knowledgeable and interesting, but photographers being photographers kept disappearing and taking shots.  Everyone had a good time and thanks go to Ron Hart and his brother-in-law for arranging the trip.

The penultimate meeting for this season took place on Wednesday, 27th August 2009 with the presentation of trophies, cups and shields to the winning members of the club.  The results were as follows:

The theme for next year's President's cup is to be 'Sporting Action'

Following on from the exhibition in Dartford Library which was attended by a good number of people, some very complimentary comments were paid to the club's standard and expertise. 

Crayford Camera Club is celebrating their 60th anniversary on September 16th at 8.00pm with an exhibition of their photographs.

Wednesday, 13th August 2008 was a mixed bag.  First of all the Constitution and Competition Rules were ratified by the members.  Then several groups of images were shown after a welcome cup of tea followed by a Bring and Buy sale which helped to raise funds for the club.  There was further information on the Civic Centre Exhibition which will take place from October 2008 - January 2009 with the subject of Aspects of Dartford.  Members were notified about the tour of Southwark Cathedral taking place on Thursday, 4th September 2008. 

The Dartford and District Photographic Society Exhibition was officially opened by Councillor John Muckle (right), on Thursday, 31st July 2008 at 6.30pm in the Sir Peter Blake Gallery, Dartford Library.  Mike Morphett, club president (left), introduced  and welcomed the Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Ian Armitt (centre) to view the images produced by the club members.  From the comments book and remarks made by visitors to the exhibition it appears to be very popular, so much so, that another exhibition of the club's work will be shown in the Civic Centre towards the end of the year.

"My Favourite Picture" 23rd July, was very interesting.  Members of the club produced images of various photographers and their art as well as their own work.  Each person had a story connected with their particular subject, and the knowledge generated tonight was helpful, thought provoking and riveting.  More of these evenings, please.

Wednesday, 9th July was spent in selecting the images for the exhibition to be held in Dartford Library.  Surprisingly it took the whole evening with a short tea break at half time.  However, the requisite number of photographs were finally agreed upon by the members and will appear shortly for the public to comment upon.

A lovely evening weather wise last night, Wednesday, 25th June, a slow walk along the banks of the River Cray; what could be better.  Members enjoyed themselves taking images of very different subjects, and some of the club disappeared into the wide blue yonder to where the Cray joined the Thames.  Hardier members it was rumoured were waiting for a brilliant sunset, whilst others were waiting for a train to pass overhead.  Hopefully, everyone got what they were looking for, and it is with anticipation that we look forward to seeing all the members' images.

Wednesday, 11th June 2008 proved to be a very interesting night with a lot of discussion, pertinent questions and very helpful answers - Digital Update evening.  Images were used as examples for layers, RAW format was discussed in some detail, and proved to many of us how images can be extensively improved.  Recording our images on various drives and how to use the folder system to  prevent our photos from being lost was also considered.  An educational night indeed - let's hope that in the future, and time prevailing, more of these evenings can be held.

The Annual Print Competition was judged this evening (29th May 2008), by Keith Evans FRPS PAGB (Distinction) from Tonbridge Camera Club.  Keith is not only a judge but a lecturer in photography, and provided a well rounded critique of the prints.  This information is helpful  to those of us in the Dartford Club who are relatively new at exhibiting our prints, as well as those members who have been exhibiting for years.  Altogether an interesting and inspiring evening.  The results are as follows:

Prints

Tonight, Wednesday, 14th May 2008, was a little different.  Members were treated to a recorded lecture featuring Irene Froy FRPS EFIAP BPE4* HonPAGB entitled "Chasing the Light".  The images were shot in France and used light as their main subject.  It was interesting to see how lenses were used to bring out the colours of nature together with the soft mists that were encountered just after dawn.  The point was made by Irene Froy that no Photoshop techniques were used to produce these stunning photographs.  Pure camera and tripod technique showed just how with a little patience great pictures can be achieved; altogether a very illuminating evening.

The meeting this week (23rd April) was entitled "Try it this Way" - Photoshop Techniques.  Dave Nuttall showed how the members could enhance their portraits.  This proved a very interesting demonstration showing how effective the old adage "the camera never lies" could be circumvented easily.  This was followed by our President demonstrating how images could be altered in the RAW format, which the newer members appreciated as sometimes RAW seems a complete mystery.  After a well deserved tea break Roger Force lectured the members on housekeeping their PCs which is very important.  After all if a superb image is taken and it cannot be found amongst all the images on the hard drive, or hasn't been saved as a back up, it can quickly lead to frustration.  The consensus of the members was that it was an enjoyable evening and could we have more of these learning evenings in the future.

Tonight, Wednesday, 9th April 2008, the 3rd All Rounder entries were judged by John Wylie, FSAI ABIPP ARPS, a retired City & Guilds Tutor, who has formed his own camera club.  The competition was in two parts, Prints and Digital Images.  The results were as follows:

Prints

Wednesday, 12th March 2008, D&DPS were entertained by John Abrook FRPS from the Orpington Photographic Society with his slides of New Zealand.  He kept us interested with comments and unusual facts relating to the country, its' buildings and geology and I am sure that many of us who haven't had the chance to travel there will have made a mental note to get there one day.

The Crayford Battle which took place at Crayford Camera Club on Tuesday, 4th March 2008 was won by D&DPS; the results as follows:

The 2nd All Rounder - Slides & Digital was held on Wednesday 27th February 2008 and judged by John Yarrow LMPA from Gravesend CC.  John entertained the club with an impromptu chat about his career in the Police Force before judging the entries - he was a Scene of Crimes Photographer before he retired - and the members found this very interesting.  The results are as follows:

Slides

The Battle of the Prints was held at Malling Camera Club, Tuesday 26th February judged by Liz Boud from Tonbridge CC, and the results are as follows:

As can be seen it was a very close result and congratulations to Bexleyheath are in order. The Best Print of the Night was Elephant at the Water Hole by Ian Stone CPAGB, Folkestone CC.

The talk by Bryon Huson, winner of the Pinner Medal for Photography, on Wednesday, February 13th, recounting his Burma Experiences proved to be a very interesting evening.  None the more for the fact that he suddenly appeared dressed in Burmese costume which kept the mind concentrated on the subject in hand.

Bryan's images of the countryside and culture of Burma were preceded by a short informative talk on the recent history that has affected the country from Victorian times up to the present day.  A very interesting evening was enjoyed by all.

The results of the Steve Dobson Trophy held on Friday, 11th January 2008 and judged by Paul Adams DPAGB are as follows:

Dartford win the three-way mono print battle with 140 marks, Photodigital CC came second with 137 marks and Wilmington CC, third with 134 marks.

The first meeting of the New Year kicked off on January 9th entitled 'An Evening with the Programme Secretary'.  This was a fascinating display of stereo photographs and its history from Victorian Times when families used a Bioscope to view pictures, leading up to the present day.  Ron Hart APAGB, the longest serving member of the club - 58 years, gave out special glasses that allowed a 3-D image to be projected onto the screen.  It gave the illusion that one could actually reach out and touch the objects, plants and birds.  The show depicted Hong Kong, Switzerland and family images.  Ron's knowledgeable commentary entertained and enlightened the members, and I am sure they went away with thoughts of 'Can I do that with my digital camera?' ringing in their heads.