NEWS 2021 - 2022
(Publicity Officer's Column)
HPS Summer social visit - Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - 26 June 2022
June 28th proved to be an excellent choice of date for our summer social to Rye Harbour with blue skies, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. Members Sally, Paula, Mandy, Richard, Peter, John, David and Jane arrived as bright as the skies we were blessed with and set off on a leisurely walk towards the sea - passing but avoiding the temptations and culinary delights of the new visitor centre. This was a first visit to Rye for Mandy whilst for Richard it would be a first visit to the Castle - providing legs and energy levels remained for the afternoon.
Early sightings of reed bunting, oystercatchers and avocets kept people busy with cameras whilst the much rarer nesting Little Terns provided tantalising flight views if not photo opportunities. Other interest was found in the shingle vegetation of the reserve with yellow horned poppies and Viper's Bugloss in full flower. The ( probably ) photographic highlights, and frustrations, of the morning included endless attempts of Common Terns in flight from the hides with one amongst us racking up some 1,100 images of her own before lunch.
After a light refreshment in the Visitor Centre we continued to Castle Water Hide where we were welcomed by a very confiding Chiff Chaff. On the journey we enjoyed views of Marsh Harriers ( a first for Peter ) being harried by lapwings and oystercatcher in addition to a range of butterflies and swathes of pyramidal orchids. Butterflies included Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small skipper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Marbled White together with the day flying Six Spotted Burnet moth. From the hide, nesting Little Egret and the ubiquitous Cormorants kept the cameras busy and a Pochard made a special appearance for Sally. After a brief stroll to the Castle for Richard we set off back for the cars - an enjoyable day spent in good company.
Meeting 17h March 2022 - Members lecturettes
Round the World in 66 days - by Dave Brooker
This Round the World trip took place in 2019 and whetted the appetite for travelling once again, a pleasure that has until fairly recently been thwarted by the pandemic. Images from this memorable trip charted their initial 5 days spent in Dubai and Singapore, featuring the iconic Burj Kalifa and Dubai Canal followed by Singapore's famous Clarke Quay, Botanic Gardens and the Raffles Hotel - topping off this leg of the adventure with the allegedly obligatory Singapore Sling.
Members were transported around the world on a photographic whistle stop tour taking in Melbourne and its famous Skydeck, New Zealand (North and South Islands) with images from the Sky Tower, Auckland, Napier, Dunedin and Wellington. Visits to both Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers followed with images and commentary unfortunately confirming the damaging effects of climate change. Day 45 of this Golden trip saw a flight to Sydney-to the beaches of Bondi and Manley as well as the unmissable Opera house. Hawaii offered up the volcanic landscapes of Maui whilst San Fransico yielded visits to Alcatraz and the famous Pier 39 - together with its equally famous sea lions. Washington and New York followed with photographic memories of the Capitol building, Madison Square Gardens, Central Park and a solemn reminder of the events behind America's Ground Zero Monument.
It must indeed have been with mixed emotions that, after 66 days of globetrotting, Mr and Mrs Brooker eventually found themselves back in the bustling Metropolis of Crowborough. What a brilliant way to celebrate a Golden Wedding (gentlemen please note).
Foxy - Hand fed - hand held - by Mike Powell
Mike's presentation centred upon the relationship which he had formed over a period of time with a wild fox - subsequently named Foxy. Essentially noticing this shy, entirely wild fox visiting his garden Mike had spent many months building its trust and confidence - a trust which, he emphasised was necessary from both sides. Wanting to photographically document this budding relationship had presented a number of technical problems - not least because all of Mike's displayed images had been taken in complete darkness. This period of building a relationship had also necessitated use of a tiny hand held camera since use of a more professional DSLR type and tripod, together with its powerful flash would have meant the end of Foxy's visits and a perceived breach of any trust so far developed between the two of them.
This idea had begun upon discovering a bag of rubbish, inadvertently left out overnight, strewn across Mike's garden by a nocturnal vulpine visitor. Over a period of many months Foxy eventually became so tame as to take food from the hand, even entering the back door to collect his chicken suppers. Whilst acknowledging that many of his images might not be photographically perfect Mike had no desire to subsequently manufacture images in post-production that were not true to the documented story of his relationship with Foxy.
The trials and tribulations of this wild fox provided a moving account of the relationship built between two beings. Foxy had even assumed a much wider social media presence with many people - Foxy's Friends - asking daily about his wellbeing. Following his assumed passing Mike confirmed that Foxy's friends still continue as a social group offering support to many going through difficulties in their lives.
Meeting 10th March 22022: Print Competition Finals
Judge - Rosemary Wilman Hon. FRPS APAGB AFIAP AVPE
All of the printed images displayed were the result of four earlier qualifying rounds and represented one of the Society's major competitions of the year. Judge Rosemary Wilman commented that it had been an absolute pleasure for her to have been invited to view and judge this HPS Print Final Competition - these images being the "creme de la creme" having been chosen by other judges from earlier rounds to progress through to the final. With a very healthy number of entries overall for Rosemary to comment upon before making her final selection of placements and commendations eleven images were submitted in the Development Class and 39 within the Advanced Class. Of particular note was the performance of Derek Gell who was successful in achieving a clean sweep in the Development Class being awarded first, second and third places. All placements and commendations are set out below - those images which were highly commended are annotated HC.
Development Class - 11 images
1st. Storm at Newhaven - Derek Gell
2nd. " Ah peaceful" - Derek Gell
3rd. Rock Pipit - Derek Gell
HC Wasp Spider - Derek Gell
HC Green veined white - Brian Gell
Advanced Class - 39 images
1st Sweet pea impressions - Louise Pemberton
2nd Small pearl bordered fritillary - Phil Smith
3rd Misty woodland - Liz Scott
HC Free - Jack Taylor
HC Summer Fantasy - Liz Scott
HC Battle of wills - Pat Broad
HC Arum Lily - Liz Scott
Congratulations and thanks to all of those Members whose images had made it through to the Final and whose prints had made for such an enjoyable, high-quality competition. Particular praise to all who received placements and commendations from the judge.
Winning images from these Print Finals can be viewed on the Hailsham Photographic Society website
Meeting 3rd March 2022: Projected Digital Images (PDI) Competition - Round 4
Judge - Bob Webzell ARPS EFIAP
Round four of the Society's Projected Digital Images Competition attracted a very healthy 59 entries overall with 22 in the Development Class and 37 in the Advanced Class. Judge Bob Webzell, a regular visiting judge for HPS, had the enjoyable if difficult task of selecting those images to go through to the finals later in the year. His dry humour, coupled with an informed but practical critique of all entries resulted in the following selections for the PDI finals.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - 22 entries
Ice Face - Sally Watson
Old Martello - Diane Bickerstaff
Above and Below - Mike Powell
It's a wonderful world - Graham Wilkinson
Albert Hillman Cup ( Advanced Class ) - 37 entries
Wreck at Sennen Cove - Rob Shepherd
The Bleak Forest - Piers Hamilton
Mayday sunrise - Pete Preston
Sweet Pea fire and ice - Louise Pemberton
Common Blue on grass - Alan Cork
Barn Owl study - Colin Chrismas
As always congratulations to all of those Members who entered images for the scrutiny of judging with particular mention to those whose PDI's were selected to progress through to the finals. All selected images can be viewed on the Society's website.
Meeting 24th February 2022: Print Competition Round 4 - Judge June Sharpe ARPS
Round 4 of Hailsham Photographic Society's Print Competition attracted a healthy 45 entries although only six had been submitted in the Development Class. Judge June Sharpe ARPS, on her first visit to the Club to act as a judge, provided an excellent, instructive and informed assessment of each print. June's style ably coupled a technical narrative with advice, suggestions and constructive comment- interspersed with a good sense of humour. Those images selected to proceed to the print finals later in the year are detailed below.
Development Class - 6 entries
1. City transforming - Nick Ryan
2. Untitled - Richard Goldsmith
3. Mist at Val d' Orcia - Pat Broad
4. Hugh Ford - Liz Scott
5. At rest - Jack Taylor
Well done to all of those Members who entered images for the competition with particular congratulations to those whose prints were selected to proceed to the Print finals. All selected images are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 17th February 2022: Strong Trophy ( Panel Competition for Prints ) - Judge Paul O'Toole
The Society's Strong Trophy competition requires entrants to submit a panel of six prints which display a cohesive theme or story in their presentation as well as showing a high quality of photographic skill within each individual print. With a total of sixteen panels submitted Judge Paul O'Toole was keen to point out the exceedingly high quality of all panels produced, many of which he felt would have won competitions elsewhere. However he was nevertheless required to select winners, a difficult task in such circumstances. Paul's aimiable, constructive, considered and contemplative style of judging, interspersed with his own brand of humour, was especially well received by his audience.
Details of those print panels which received placements or were highly commended are set out below.
1st The Greenhouse - Liz Scott
2nd City of Arts and Sciences - Dave Brooker
3rd Shearing - Richard Goldsmith
Highly Commended Snowdonia - whatever the weather - David Mills
Highly Commended Filtered Images - Keith Deverson
Congratulations to all sixteen entrants and in particular to those receiving placements or commendations
Meeting 3rd February 2022: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 3 - Judge Gary Carter CPAGB
Gary confirmed that he had always very much enjoyed coming to Hailsham where the quality of images submitted was always high and that they ( HPS ) "didn't make it easy" with some exceptional images for him to look at. He was also very complimentary about the Club's new venue and associated facilities at the Hellingly Hub.
This was the third round of the society's PDI Competition and had attracted a healthy number of entries with some 66 images for the judge to go through and offer comments upon. The results of Gary's careful selection of those images that will progress through to the finals later in the year are detailed below.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - 22 entries
1. Calla - Morning Sun - Louise Pemberton
2. Windmill at Dawn - Pete Preston
3. Catch of the Day - David Phillips
4. Eilean Donan Castle - Dave Brooker
5. The Rocks - Peggy McKenzie
6. Love in the Mist - Liz Scott
7. Loch Broom - Dave Brooker
Congratulations to all of those Members who submitted their images for consideration and which had helped make for such an interesting and enjoyable evening. Particular plaudits to those whose entries were selected to progress through to the PDI finals later in the year. All successful images are available to view on the Society's website.
Meeting 27th January 2022 - Chairman's Evening
Chairman Ray Beckwith invited Richard Goldsmith to present his talk with digital images showing Hailsham through the ages.
As a member and Treasurer of the Hailsham Historical and Natural History Society, Richard has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Hailsham and its history. From a Map of 1810 showing barely more than a hamlet bordered to the South and South East by extensive common and, in terms of population, dominated by a Napoleonic Barracks billeting some 1000 soldiers, Richard marched his audience through various key events in Hailsham's history. Early photographs showed its modern public transport infrastructure: Chapman's charabancs- together with Goldsmith senior on the back seat - through to the Red Saloon Buses of the 1920's and 30's. Both companies being taken over by Southdown whose bus station replaced the former Butchers woodyard and was itself demolished in the 1970's when the residential development that we see today ( "Southdown Court" ) was built.
Historic milestones in the Towns evolution were highlighted by Richard through early photographs. The Fairs in Vicarage Fields in the 1870's,the opening of the Hailsham Market in 1868, the 1901 Victoria Memorial Gates, ice skating on the Common Pond in the 1930's and the positioning of "Big Bertha" in the Hailsham Railway Sidings as a deterrent to the invading forces during the war. Each image provided a fascinating insight into the development of the Town - with maybe some wistful thoughts as to buildings and businesses now lost other than through the excellent work of the Historical Society and of Richard himself.
Ray Beckwith - Chairman's presentation
On what is after all badged as the Chairman's evening it was indeed appropriate for Ray to feel that he might indulge himself a little in his presentation. Introducing himself in his usual self-effacing manner as "The Happy Snapper" Ray ably demonstrated his considerable breadth of photographic skills and subjects with a mix of audio visuals ( AV's) and single images. His AV on the seaside resort of Margate, accompanied by the timeless music of Chas and Dave was a particular delight as was that of the fearless Ruth on her maiden ( perhaps only ) wing walking experience - ably captured by Ray with feet planted firmly on the ground and whose greatest peril on that day would seem to have been no greater than in choosing the right music to accompany his AV.
These AVs were interspersed with an extraordinarily diverse range of images: from the birdlife of Sovereign Harbour, from African wildlife through to the melancholic mountain scenery of North Wales, unusual mono treatments of stained-glass windows, architectural studies of Canary Wharf and studio shots of menacing 1930's mobsters. Concluding with a final AV entitled "November in the Highlands" and set to the music of Scottish Band Capercaillie which surely provided all with an incentive to dust off their lenses and get up and out there. Ray rounded off a very enjoyable and successful evening with a Gaellic farewell Mar Sin Leat.
Meeting 9th December: The Stafford Trophy - Monochrome Print Competition. Judge David Eastley LRPS
The Society's annual monochrome competition is one that always proves popular with entrants and this year's was no exception with a good number and wide range of excellent images submitted. Successful Monochromes depend upon the intelligent use of light and tone - about contrast, texture, shapes, shadows and structure. Judge David Eastley had a difficult task in making his final selection from many that were held back for further consideration but confirmed his view of seeking "punch", strength and texture in making his final choice of winners.
1st Sound Mirror- Denge Marsh Roger Scott
2nd Crib Goch and Snowdon David Mills
3rd Reclaimed by Nature David Mills
The following images were Highly Commended ( HC )
Grebes in Harmony Colin Chrismas
Ms. Haversham Phil Smith
Hoboken Train Station ( New Jersey ,USA - in need of renovation ) Carmel Yearwood
Congratulations to all who entered images and especially to those who were successful in receiving placings and commendations. All images are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 2nd December: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 2 - Judge Andy Smith LRPS CPAGB
Commenting that this was his third visit to HPS as a judge Andy Smith was especially complimentary as to the range of subjects and treatments of the images submitted for judging. His approach was to preview all images prior to commenting upon them in detail and making his final selection of those to go forward to the PDI finals later in the season.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - Of the fourteen entries, the following were selected to progress through to the finals.
Red Kite - Chris Bartlett
Trumpeter Swan - Derek Gell
Shattered Dreams - Diane Bickerstaff
Albert Hillman Cup ( Advanced Class ) - Seven images were chosen from the forty eight entries to go forward to the final.
Quayside - Liz Scott
Photographing the sunrise : old style - Ray Beckwith
Delicate Bloom - Fiona Flower
Stillness - Peggy McKenzie
Walking the dog - Roger Scott
Beach Walker - Liz Scott
Commas nectaring on ribwort - Alan Cork
Chairman Ray Beckworth rounded up an excellent evening by thanking Andy for his constructive and detailed comments on all entries and by expressing his view that he was particularly impressed with the standard of entries submitted within the Development class. Congratulations to all members who submitted images for judging and particularly to those whose were selected to progress through to the PDI finals.
Meeting 25th November: Landscape Competition - Judge Keith Gibson
With this being his first "in person" visit to a Camera Club for the purposes of judging since Covid, Keith confirmed that he was delighted to be back at Hailsham and also that he was not a big fan of the Zoom meetings that had become the norm during the pandemic. As someone who primarily produces landscape photography, he was especially pleased to be able to judge HPS's Landscape Photography competition. Results for both Print and PDI competitions are as follows (HC = highly commended)
Print Competition - Results (from 22 entries)
1st Downland Carpet - David Mills
2nd Autumn Light, Derbyshire - Liz Scott
3rd Pools of Light - Jack Taylor
HC Downland Autumn - Pat Broad
HC Ancient Olive Tree - Pat Broad
Projected Digital Images ( PDI's ) - Results (from 21 entries)
1st Val Florentina sunrise - Alan Cork
2nd Mountain Stream - Mike Hammerton
3rd 7 Sisters from Hope Gap - Dave Brooker
HC Final Ascent Mount Blanc - Piers Hamilton
HC Lakeside awakening - Claire Hamilton
HC Misty morning Arlington - Roy Broad
HC Sunset on the River Dart - Piers Hamilton
Congratulations to all who entered images for competition and especially to those who received placements and commendation.
Meeting 11th November 2021: Print Competitions Round 2 with Judge: Stephen Carroll ARPS
Stephen started his critique of the Competition prints by explaining how he likes to spend the majority of his time on each entry to address the subject, composition and feelings that the print conveys. The rest of the time he'll comment on any technical improvements that could be considered by the photographer. Having reviewed the images on display, he felt that he would be able to adopt this approach as the standard is high.
Four members of the Development Class submitted prints from which Ah!...Peaceful by Derek Gell and Church Surround by Graham Wilkinson were chosen to progress to the final in March next year.
A stronger entry was displayed in the Advanced Class with twenty members entering. The prints selected to progress to the final were: Battle of Wills by Pat Broad, Langley Point by Ray Beckwith, Sweet Pea Impressions by Louise Pemberton, Japanese Lantern by Keith Deverson, Summer Fantasy by Liz Scott and Arum Lilys also by Liz Scott.
Meeting 4th November 2021: An evening with the Welsh Dragon - Margaret Salisbury - FRPS MFIAP FIPF APAGB FSITTP
With more letters than the Cyrillic Alphabet, Margaret Salisbury has a wealth of photographic experience to draw upon: all of which heralded a delightful evening peppered with many wonderful images.
Her particular love is of photographing people though never classic portraiture. Emphasising that "people are everywhere" Margaret began by showing a range of images from locations as diverse as airports (snippets of lives and observations on peoples) through to the National Eisteddfod and the Appleby horse fair.
Moving at pace to farther flung locations she showcased Venice with a beautiful array of Carnival shots - of beguiling and bewitching Venetian Mannequins resplendent in their lavish carnival costumes bejewelled with a myriad of sequins and beads. Behind each mask, laser like eyes gave a glint of mischief and mystery.
A whistle stop impression of New York via images including its moving 9/11 Memorial, glitzy Bloomingdales Department Store and bustling faceless people was followed by India with its riot of colour and chaos. Many images graphically showing the gulf between the "haves and have nots".
In the second part of her presentation photographs from Ethiopia provided yet further delights portraying local tribespeople, cultures and customs. A number of images perhaps appearing somewhat brutal or unyielding to Western sensibilities such as the whipping ceremony of young women and the bull running by young men but now sadly in danger of dying out entirely owing to outside influences.
Concluding with a look at Village life in Ghana and a focus on her favourite photographic subjects (Children) Margaret's work looked at capturing the individual life of a village before its traditions and way of life were lost for ever. From images of fishing, funerals and family the essence of the place was adeptly unfolded through her photographs.
Always comfortable to be somewhat irreverent about judges and judging, Margaret emphasised the fact that in her view they did not always get things right and that we should all focus on enjoying our own photography - for that's what matters most.
Meeting 28th October 2021: Natural History Competitions
The Society's annual Natural History Competitions always proves popular with members and invariably displays an exceedingly wide range of excellent images. This year was no exception with a total of some 28 projected digital images (PDI's)and 12 prints entered.
Projected Digital Images were assessed remotely by external judge Richard Sharman ARPS who had previously seen all entries and had forwarded his comments to be read out at Thursday's meeting. The following images were placed with an additional 2 being awarded "highly commended " ( HC ).
1st. Marsh fritillaries on Jacob's Ladder - Alan Cork
2nd. Blue tit - John Evans
3rd. Starling - John Evans
HC Harvest mouse - Louise Pemberton
HC Ring tailed lemur - Fiona Flower
Print entries were judged by a panel of three Members of the Society with each print being awarded a maximum of five points from each of the three judges. The results were as follows:
1st. Mating Chalk Hill Blue butterflies - Phil Smith
2nd. Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Dew Soaked - Phil Smith
3rd. Painted Lady Couple - Louise Pemberton
HC. Otter - Peter Stafford
Congratulations to all who entered with particular congratulations to those whose images were selected by the judges for placements and commendations.
All winning images can be viewed on the HPS website.
Meeting 21st October 2021: A Tutorial Evening with Liz Scott ARPS AFIAP and Jack Taylor DPAGB EFIAP
Society Chairman Ray Beckwith introduced the tutorial evening as having been created in response to feedback from the recent questionnaire. Two of our most respected members would lead the discussions.
Liz Scott described how Panels have a heritage within the Society stemming from the late 1970's when Brian Strong was instrumental in creating a trophy for panels, reflecting the interests of several members in RPS distinctions.
Displaying several panels of members work Liz explained the importance of individual print composition to draw and retain the viewers eye within the six images that together, tell a story of a common subject or theme. Prints should preferably be of equal strength, tone and contrast however, where differences are preferred, they can be arranged to good effect by suitable panel composition. Landscapes have a particular consideration in requiring horizons of adjacent prints to be at a similar level.
It is common to see the six prints arranged in two rows of three however examples were shown of three rows of two and one row of six working very cohesively. Mounts should be of the same colour and consideration given to the height of prints within the mount.
The second half of the evening was led by Jack Taylor on the subject of Composition. Showing his own projected images, Jack illustrated a selection of themes that assist in giving balance and emphasise the point of interest within an image. These included the use of leading lines, foreground interest to give depth and recession, position of horizons, use of frames, features to give scale, simplicity and use of negative space, geometry, blocks of colour, depth of focus, portrait versus landscape format, rule of thirds, the golden triangle, the rule of odds and drawing the viewing eye from left to right.
To conclude Jack displayed several images that each used one or more of these features to good effect.
This rounded off another excellent evening that showed the considerable knowledge we have within the Society.
Meeting 14th October 2021: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 1- Judge Faith Lee LRPS
Thursdays Meeting saw Round 1 of the Society's PDI Competition with a good number of entries in both the Development and Advanced classes. Judge Faith Lee ( LRPS ) had the difficult task of selecting those entries to go through to the finals of the competition later in the year. The following images were selected to progress.
Sussex Shield : Development Class - 18 entries ( 4 to be selected )
1. Tortoiseshell on Foxglove - Alan Cork
2. "Baritone" - Piers Hamilton
3. Downland Shadow, a Dancing Mare - Roy Broad
4. Aquilegia - Louise Pemberton
5. Squirrel Nutkin - Louise Pemberton
6. Hungry Honey Bee - Keith Deverson
7. Fiddling Flautist - Alan Cork
Congratulations to all who submitted their images for judging, and particulary to those whose were selected to go forward to the finals of the Competition.
The results of Competition rounds, together with the images selected are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 7th October: "Landlocked Laos-where Buddhism meets Socialism" - PDI Lecture by Jim Holmes FRGS
Jim introduced his talk with a general photo introduction to this landlocked and highly superstitious country which, he explained, was essentially a Communist State. Originally part of Indo China during the French colonial period, Laos is roughly the same size as the United Kingdom but with just 6 million population. Bounded by China, Cambodia and Vietnam the mighty Mekong River forms the country's eastern boundary before entering the South China Sea at the famous Mekong Delta.
Having spent some 15 years in Laos, Jim confirmed that he was happier (much) in warmer climes despite the high humidity. His work as a photo journalist and in making photo documentaries had taken him all over the world on a number of "interesting" assignments - often involving some degree of risk and, on occasions, entailing some 200 days a year on assignments and away from home. Clients have included a number of humanitarian bodies (UNICEF, Oxfam, World bank) in addition to work for Travel Guides covering such countries as Greece, Italy, Cambodia - and of course Laos.
As a photo documentarian Jim confirmed that he never "switched off" and that he was always taking photos. Those used in his lecture covered a diverse range of subjects to give an essence of the country - from aerial views of the vertiginous Karst mountains in the North of the country to the more traditional and westernised views of Laos - Dragon Boat races and resplendent Temples. His presentation touched upon a number of cultural documentaries and interesting insights of the country: from the war with the CIA against communist insurgents and the necessary selling off of cultural treasures to Russia to fund such war. This had in fact led to many of the Laotian Temples falling into decay once the Russian money left although nowadays many have been splendidly restored thanks to the advent of mass tourism.
Part two of Jim's lecture left behind the Laos of the Tourist and focused more upon the underbelly of the country. Images of opium addicts enjoying a smoke, of humanitarian work to clear the country of thousands of tons of unexploded armaments dropped by the Americans, a factory manufacturing a range of prosthetic limbs, huge mining concerns, anti poaching patrols to protect the country's wildlife - all showed a perhaps more authentic and grittier side of Laotian life.
Reaffirming that his passion for the job was not as a classic studio or landscape photographer, Jim painted a picture of his style of Documentary photography as someone who endeavoured to enquire further in support of his search for strong images, seeking a level of visual literacy to be explored and pursued. Whilst acknowledging that this may often involve the photographer in taking some risks, he very much enjoyed his work and his travels and through his variety of images, this had led to an evening that was both enjoyable and thought provoking in equal measure.
Meeting 30th September 2021: Print Competition Round 1- Judge Tony Bentley ARPS CPAGB
Thursday's Meeting saw the return of the Society's first "live " Print Competition (Round 1) since the beginning of lockdown in 2020. No doubt echoing the thoughts of many members, Society Chairman Ray Beckwith remarked upon how nice it was to once again be holding a print evening after a Covid enforced break of some 18 months. Judge for the evening was Tony Bentley who confirmed his approach as objectively assessing and offering advice upon all submitted prints but stressed that, at the end of the day, there was always an element of subjectivity involved.
Development Class.
There were six prints entered within this class. Congratulations to new Member Derek Gell whose prints - Sunset at Seven Sisters and Wave at Newhaven,were both selected to go forward to the print finals.
Advanced Class.
With over thirty entries submitted in the advanced class judge Tony Bentley had the difficult task selecting just six to go through but eventually settled on the following images:
Lady of the Lake - Peter Stafford, Venice - Peggy Mckenzie, Sleeping Lady - Bruce Broughton, Balcombe Viaduct - Dave Brooker, The Hothouse - Liz Scott,
Memories - Roger Scott.
Well done to all those who submitted their prints and braved the critical eye of the judge and particular congratulations to those whose prints were selected to go forward. Prints selected to go through to the finals are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 23rd September 2021: Long Exposure Photography - "Mastering the Art of a Different Vision"- Derek Michalski
Originally from Poland, Derek confirmed that he had been given his first camera when he was about 12 years old. In his own words "a cheap plastic Russian made thing" that did at least introduce him to the world of photography. Whilst also a fan of abstract and travel photography his principal, if not overiding passion now was for long exposure photography.
Essentially long exposure photography can be anything requiring a tripod or stablisation, slow (sometimes very slow) shutter speeds and commonly entails use of a remote shutter release, and neutral density filters to balance and extend exposure. Long exposure is commonly associated with and facilitates successful photography of Storms, Solar, Astro, light painting and intentional camera movement (ICM).
A passion for Long Exposure photography was especially evident in the numerous images he showed and the back stories to them. Much, much more than the "classic" LE view of a receding boat jetty in a milky, still lake, Derek's use of this genre was all about the excitement, experimentation and experience. Indeed going so far as to confess that, for him, the final image was almost incidental to the enjoyment of experimentation and of having fun.
Combining the use of infrared with long exposures created some stunning and thought provoking imagery. This approach was especially effective in showing his particular fascination with clouds and the unexpected images that would appear within them. A true "Mastering of a different Vision" from the one actually witnessed.
Use of ICM was also a great way to express thoughts, ideas and meaning - putting something of the photographer into the image. Although Derek did confess that one particular Christmas, and having celebrated a little too much in traditional Polish fashion, the sudden appearance of a distinctive image in the form of a foreboding spectral skull, and arising from this experimental photographic approach, had rapidly delivered him from his rather inebrated state.
Concluding the evening with a number of stunning compilation images - from an infrared, decaying forest of poisoned oaks reaching out with bony fingers to embrace sibling trees, of the many bustling facets of his "Let's go to London" and maybe an even more thought provoking, apocalyptic,"Fire of London 2021" Derek enthused all to go out, experiment and, most of all, to have fun.
Meeting 16th September 2021: "Land of the Rising Sun"- PDI Lecture by John Nathan ARPS
Although John has travelled widely, his stated objective on the evening was to provide his audience with an essence of Japan - Land of the Rising Sun.
As a great lover of travel and photography he quoted Hans Christian Anderson who expounded the idea " To travel is to live" and John's presentation of images from across the country certainly bore out that philosophy. Emphasising that Japan was not especially expensive to visit if you made your own arrangements Members enjoyed an evening of both the iconic as well as some of the more atypical imagery of the country.
Whilst, perhaps surprisingly, Japan's tag as "land of the rising sun" was originally given to them by China the country embodied a lot of symbolism - a fact expressed in many of the images shown. As a country prone to earthquakes, heatwaves and floods Japan provided immeasureable photographic opportunities.These ranged from the more iconic western associations with temples, kimonos and the Bullet Train to lesser known but equallyphotogenic subjects.
Tokyo/Yokohama as a tightly packed city of 35 million people was a modern, quiet, clean city with electric vehicles and few green spaces - the modern conurbation having risen from the ashes of the second World War. Shinto was the original religion of the country but Buddhism had proven a strong presence also with numerous temples throughout the country, many having also been substantially rebuilt after the war. Other delightful images of ladies in traditional Japanese dress, rickshaws and shrines to lost loved ones helped transport the audience momentarily to the far east.
Photographs from the north eastern mountains around Karasawa, the Samurai quarter and the Geisha area fuelled yet more thirst for knowledge of this fascinating country whilst the narrow streets and shrines of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital provided yet more. Yanagawa with its network of canals, and the island of Miyajima, near Hiroshiima with the Torri Gate symbolising the separation between the real and the holy life helped to successfully meet John's stated objective of providing a fleeting essence of this mystical far eastern country.
Meeting 9th September 2021: Street and Urban Photography - lecture by Jerry Webb - MRPS
A self taught British photographer and designer, Member of the Royal Photographic Society and Brighton and Hove Camera Club, Jerry is trained in graphic and web design both of which have helped him with his particular style and approach to street and urban photography. He currently runs workshops in photography at the Phoenix Art Club, Brighton.
His photographic journey began back in 2007, taking photos of animals as he did not have the confidence to shoot people. Over the years he has found ways to include people in his shots favouring use of low or high angles thus avoiding eye contact and to minimise photgrapher intrusion. His images of processions, protests, and passengers in trains displayed a wide variety of styles and subjects varying from wide angle with people subordinate in the frame to others where the human element looms large. Preferring to shoot mainly in black and white, Jerry's images showed a love of taking shots in bad weather, often to the detriment of his photographic equipment.
With Jerry's healthy disregard for obsessing about the technical aspects, Members enjoyed images taken from imaginatively different viewpoints, some with creative distortion or blur and others displaying no fear of taking shots into the light creating an increased sense of drama, shadows or silhouettes.
With a love of chaos and non conformism, Jerry's " LockdownProjects" have included a photographic inventory of all bus stops in his local high street together with a collection of food kiosks from various seaside towns.
Chairman of Hailsham Photographic Society Ray Beckwith thanked the speaker for an excellent evening, observing that whilst many photographers strive to take the perfect shot by following all of the rules of Photography, Jerry's somewhat non conformist approach resulted in capturing images which have energy, create drama, movement and tell a story.
Meeting 2 September 2021: Landscape and Travel - Voyages of Discovery : Colleen Slater ARPS ATC
Society Chairman Ray Beckwith welcomed everyone back for the start of the new season where the plan is to have mainly live meetings. A special welcome was extended to the members for whom this was their first meeting.
We were pleased to also see and meet Dave Briggs as a special guest and the gathering showed their appreciation for his generous bequest to the society on behalf of his late father who was a member of the society.
Colleen Slater has an education in fine art painting with photography as a further option. Her travel photography developed when following interests in trekking and diving, taking her to Tibet, The Philipines, Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, Burma and Morocco. Her interests were shown to be wide scenic landscapes, abstracts of community life, buildings with historical interest, street scenes showing day to day life, transport and portraits both candid and charmingly posed. Members enjoyed seeing a high standard of photography, landscape images made when the light and colours were at their best in early morning and later in the day, black and white processing of portraits and all supported with background stories to further understand and enjoy her voyages of discovery.
In conclusion, and as a lockdown activity local to home, Colleen created abstracts from a Brighton Marina wall that with imaginative thinking, a little processing and an influence from Jan Grey appeared to be mini landscapes.
Ray thanked Colleen for giving our season a good start with her brilliant photography and experiences.
June 28th proved to be an excellent choice of date for our summer social to Rye Harbour with blue skies, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. Members Sally, Paula, Mandy, Richard, Peter, John, David and Jane arrived as bright as the skies we were blessed with and set off on a leisurely walk towards the sea - passing but avoiding the temptations and culinary delights of the new visitor centre. This was a first visit to Rye for Mandy whilst for Richard it would be a first visit to the Castle - providing legs and energy levels remained for the afternoon.
Early sightings of reed bunting, oystercatchers and avocets kept people busy with cameras whilst the much rarer nesting Little Terns provided tantalising flight views if not photo opportunities. Other interest was found in the shingle vegetation of the reserve with yellow horned poppies and Viper's Bugloss in full flower. The ( probably ) photographic highlights, and frustrations, of the morning included endless attempts of Common Terns in flight from the hides with one amongst us racking up some 1,100 images of her own before lunch.
After a light refreshment in the Visitor Centre we continued to Castle Water Hide where we were welcomed by a very confiding Chiff Chaff. On the journey we enjoyed views of Marsh Harriers ( a first for Peter ) being harried by lapwings and oystercatcher in addition to a range of butterflies and swathes of pyramidal orchids. Butterflies included Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small skipper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Marbled White together with the day flying Six Spotted Burnet moth. From the hide, nesting Little Egret and the ubiquitous Cormorants kept the cameras busy and a Pochard made a special appearance for Sally. After a brief stroll to the Castle for Richard we set off back for the cars - an enjoyable day spent in good company.
Meeting 17h March 2022 - Members lecturettes
Round the World in 66 days - by Dave Brooker
This Round the World trip took place in 2019 and whetted the appetite for travelling once again, a pleasure that has until fairly recently been thwarted by the pandemic. Images from this memorable trip charted their initial 5 days spent in Dubai and Singapore, featuring the iconic Burj Kalifa and Dubai Canal followed by Singapore's famous Clarke Quay, Botanic Gardens and the Raffles Hotel - topping off this leg of the adventure with the allegedly obligatory Singapore Sling.
Members were transported around the world on a photographic whistle stop tour taking in Melbourne and its famous Skydeck, New Zealand (North and South Islands) with images from the Sky Tower, Auckland, Napier, Dunedin and Wellington. Visits to both Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers followed with images and commentary unfortunately confirming the damaging effects of climate change. Day 45 of this Golden trip saw a flight to Sydney-to the beaches of Bondi and Manley as well as the unmissable Opera house. Hawaii offered up the volcanic landscapes of Maui whilst San Fransico yielded visits to Alcatraz and the famous Pier 39 - together with its equally famous sea lions. Washington and New York followed with photographic memories of the Capitol building, Madison Square Gardens, Central Park and a solemn reminder of the events behind America's Ground Zero Monument.
It must indeed have been with mixed emotions that, after 66 days of globetrotting, Mr and Mrs Brooker eventually found themselves back in the bustling Metropolis of Crowborough. What a brilliant way to celebrate a Golden Wedding (gentlemen please note).
Foxy - Hand fed - hand held - by Mike Powell
Mike's presentation centred upon the relationship which he had formed over a period of time with a wild fox - subsequently named Foxy. Essentially noticing this shy, entirely wild fox visiting his garden Mike had spent many months building its trust and confidence - a trust which, he emphasised was necessary from both sides. Wanting to photographically document this budding relationship had presented a number of technical problems - not least because all of Mike's displayed images had been taken in complete darkness. This period of building a relationship had also necessitated use of a tiny hand held camera since use of a more professional DSLR type and tripod, together with its powerful flash would have meant the end of Foxy's visits and a perceived breach of any trust so far developed between the two of them.
This idea had begun upon discovering a bag of rubbish, inadvertently left out overnight, strewn across Mike's garden by a nocturnal vulpine visitor. Over a period of many months Foxy eventually became so tame as to take food from the hand, even entering the back door to collect his chicken suppers. Whilst acknowledging that many of his images might not be photographically perfect Mike had no desire to subsequently manufacture images in post-production that were not true to the documented story of his relationship with Foxy.
The trials and tribulations of this wild fox provided a moving account of the relationship built between two beings. Foxy had even assumed a much wider social media presence with many people - Foxy's Friends - asking daily about his wellbeing. Following his assumed passing Mike confirmed that Foxy's friends still continue as a social group offering support to many going through difficulties in their lives.
Meeting 10th March 22022: Print Competition Finals
Judge - Rosemary Wilman Hon. FRPS APAGB AFIAP AVPE
All of the printed images displayed were the result of four earlier qualifying rounds and represented one of the Society's major competitions of the year. Judge Rosemary Wilman commented that it had been an absolute pleasure for her to have been invited to view and judge this HPS Print Final Competition - these images being the "creme de la creme" having been chosen by other judges from earlier rounds to progress through to the final. With a very healthy number of entries overall for Rosemary to comment upon before making her final selection of placements and commendations eleven images were submitted in the Development Class and 39 within the Advanced Class. Of particular note was the performance of Derek Gell who was successful in achieving a clean sweep in the Development Class being awarded first, second and third places. All placements and commendations are set out below - those images which were highly commended are annotated HC.
Development Class - 11 images
1st. Storm at Newhaven - Derek Gell
2nd. " Ah peaceful" - Derek Gell
3rd. Rock Pipit - Derek Gell
HC Wasp Spider - Derek Gell
HC Green veined white - Brian Gell
Advanced Class - 39 images
1st Sweet pea impressions - Louise Pemberton
2nd Small pearl bordered fritillary - Phil Smith
3rd Misty woodland - Liz Scott
HC Free - Jack Taylor
HC Summer Fantasy - Liz Scott
HC Battle of wills - Pat Broad
HC Arum Lily - Liz Scott
Congratulations and thanks to all of those Members whose images had made it through to the Final and whose prints had made for such an enjoyable, high-quality competition. Particular praise to all who received placements and commendations from the judge.
Winning images from these Print Finals can be viewed on the Hailsham Photographic Society website
Meeting 3rd March 2022: Projected Digital Images (PDI) Competition - Round 4
Judge - Bob Webzell ARPS EFIAP
Round four of the Society's Projected Digital Images Competition attracted a very healthy 59 entries overall with 22 in the Development Class and 37 in the Advanced Class. Judge Bob Webzell, a regular visiting judge for HPS, had the enjoyable if difficult task of selecting those images to go through to the finals later in the year. His dry humour, coupled with an informed but practical critique of all entries resulted in the following selections for the PDI finals.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - 22 entries
Ice Face - Sally Watson
Old Martello - Diane Bickerstaff
Above and Below - Mike Powell
It's a wonderful world - Graham Wilkinson
Albert Hillman Cup ( Advanced Class ) - 37 entries
Wreck at Sennen Cove - Rob Shepherd
The Bleak Forest - Piers Hamilton
Mayday sunrise - Pete Preston
Sweet Pea fire and ice - Louise Pemberton
Common Blue on grass - Alan Cork
Barn Owl study - Colin Chrismas
As always congratulations to all of those Members who entered images for the scrutiny of judging with particular mention to those whose PDI's were selected to progress through to the finals. All selected images can be viewed on the Society's website.
Meeting 24th February 2022: Print Competition Round 4 - Judge June Sharpe ARPS
Round 4 of Hailsham Photographic Society's Print Competition attracted a healthy 45 entries although only six had been submitted in the Development Class. Judge June Sharpe ARPS, on her first visit to the Club to act as a judge, provided an excellent, instructive and informed assessment of each print. June's style ably coupled a technical narrative with advice, suggestions and constructive comment- interspersed with a good sense of humour. Those images selected to proceed to the print finals later in the year are detailed below.
Development Class - 6 entries
- Wren - Brian Gel
- Rock Pipit - Derek Gel
1. City transforming - Nick Ryan
2. Untitled - Richard Goldsmith
3. Mist at Val d' Orcia - Pat Broad
4. Hugh Ford - Liz Scott
5. At rest - Jack Taylor
Well done to all of those Members who entered images for the competition with particular congratulations to those whose prints were selected to proceed to the Print finals. All selected images are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 17th February 2022: Strong Trophy ( Panel Competition for Prints ) - Judge Paul O'Toole
The Society's Strong Trophy competition requires entrants to submit a panel of six prints which display a cohesive theme or story in their presentation as well as showing a high quality of photographic skill within each individual print. With a total of sixteen panels submitted Judge Paul O'Toole was keen to point out the exceedingly high quality of all panels produced, many of which he felt would have won competitions elsewhere. However he was nevertheless required to select winners, a difficult task in such circumstances. Paul's aimiable, constructive, considered and contemplative style of judging, interspersed with his own brand of humour, was especially well received by his audience.
Details of those print panels which received placements or were highly commended are set out below.
1st The Greenhouse - Liz Scott
2nd City of Arts and Sciences - Dave Brooker
3rd Shearing - Richard Goldsmith
Highly Commended Snowdonia - whatever the weather - David Mills
Highly Commended Filtered Images - Keith Deverson
Congratulations to all sixteen entrants and in particular to those receiving placements or commendations
Meeting 3rd February 2022: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 3 - Judge Gary Carter CPAGB
Gary confirmed that he had always very much enjoyed coming to Hailsham where the quality of images submitted was always high and that they ( HPS ) "didn't make it easy" with some exceptional images for him to look at. He was also very complimentary about the Club's new venue and associated facilities at the Hellingly Hub.
This was the third round of the society's PDI Competition and had attracted a healthy number of entries with some 66 images for the judge to go through and offer comments upon. The results of Gary's careful selection of those images that will progress through to the finals later in the year are detailed below.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - 22 entries
- How much is that? - Terry Harrington
- End of the Rainbow - Graham Wilkinson
- Western Tasmanian Coast - Peter Parkes
- Almost Down - Chris Bartlett
1. Calla - Morning Sun - Louise Pemberton
2. Windmill at Dawn - Pete Preston
3. Catch of the Day - David Phillips
4. Eilean Donan Castle - Dave Brooker
5. The Rocks - Peggy McKenzie
6. Love in the Mist - Liz Scott
7. Loch Broom - Dave Brooker
Congratulations to all of those Members who submitted their images for consideration and which had helped make for such an interesting and enjoyable evening. Particular plaudits to those whose entries were selected to progress through to the PDI finals later in the year. All successful images are available to view on the Society's website.
Meeting 27th January 2022 - Chairman's Evening
Chairman Ray Beckwith invited Richard Goldsmith to present his talk with digital images showing Hailsham through the ages.
As a member and Treasurer of the Hailsham Historical and Natural History Society, Richard has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Hailsham and its history. From a Map of 1810 showing barely more than a hamlet bordered to the South and South East by extensive common and, in terms of population, dominated by a Napoleonic Barracks billeting some 1000 soldiers, Richard marched his audience through various key events in Hailsham's history. Early photographs showed its modern public transport infrastructure: Chapman's charabancs- together with Goldsmith senior on the back seat - through to the Red Saloon Buses of the 1920's and 30's. Both companies being taken over by Southdown whose bus station replaced the former Butchers woodyard and was itself demolished in the 1970's when the residential development that we see today ( "Southdown Court" ) was built.
Historic milestones in the Towns evolution were highlighted by Richard through early photographs. The Fairs in Vicarage Fields in the 1870's,the opening of the Hailsham Market in 1868, the 1901 Victoria Memorial Gates, ice skating on the Common Pond in the 1930's and the positioning of "Big Bertha" in the Hailsham Railway Sidings as a deterrent to the invading forces during the war. Each image provided a fascinating insight into the development of the Town - with maybe some wistful thoughts as to buildings and businesses now lost other than through the excellent work of the Historical Society and of Richard himself.
Ray Beckwith - Chairman's presentation
On what is after all badged as the Chairman's evening it was indeed appropriate for Ray to feel that he might indulge himself a little in his presentation. Introducing himself in his usual self-effacing manner as "The Happy Snapper" Ray ably demonstrated his considerable breadth of photographic skills and subjects with a mix of audio visuals ( AV's) and single images. His AV on the seaside resort of Margate, accompanied by the timeless music of Chas and Dave was a particular delight as was that of the fearless Ruth on her maiden ( perhaps only ) wing walking experience - ably captured by Ray with feet planted firmly on the ground and whose greatest peril on that day would seem to have been no greater than in choosing the right music to accompany his AV.
These AVs were interspersed with an extraordinarily diverse range of images: from the birdlife of Sovereign Harbour, from African wildlife through to the melancholic mountain scenery of North Wales, unusual mono treatments of stained-glass windows, architectural studies of Canary Wharf and studio shots of menacing 1930's mobsters. Concluding with a final AV entitled "November in the Highlands" and set to the music of Scottish Band Capercaillie which surely provided all with an incentive to dust off their lenses and get up and out there. Ray rounded off a very enjoyable and successful evening with a Gaellic farewell Mar Sin Leat.
Meeting 9th December: The Stafford Trophy - Monochrome Print Competition. Judge David Eastley LRPS
The Society's annual monochrome competition is one that always proves popular with entrants and this year's was no exception with a good number and wide range of excellent images submitted. Successful Monochromes depend upon the intelligent use of light and tone - about contrast, texture, shapes, shadows and structure. Judge David Eastley had a difficult task in making his final selection from many that were held back for further consideration but confirmed his view of seeking "punch", strength and texture in making his final choice of winners.
1st Sound Mirror- Denge Marsh Roger Scott
2nd Crib Goch and Snowdon David Mills
3rd Reclaimed by Nature David Mills
The following images were Highly Commended ( HC )
Grebes in Harmony Colin Chrismas
Ms. Haversham Phil Smith
Hoboken Train Station ( New Jersey ,USA - in need of renovation ) Carmel Yearwood
Congratulations to all who entered images and especially to those who were successful in receiving placings and commendations. All images are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 2nd December: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 2 - Judge Andy Smith LRPS CPAGB
Commenting that this was his third visit to HPS as a judge Andy Smith was especially complimentary as to the range of subjects and treatments of the images submitted for judging. His approach was to preview all images prior to commenting upon them in detail and making his final selection of those to go forward to the PDI finals later in the season.
Sussex Shield ( Development Class ) - Of the fourteen entries, the following were selected to progress through to the finals.
Red Kite - Chris Bartlett
Trumpeter Swan - Derek Gell
Shattered Dreams - Diane Bickerstaff
Albert Hillman Cup ( Advanced Class ) - Seven images were chosen from the forty eight entries to go forward to the final.
Quayside - Liz Scott
Photographing the sunrise : old style - Ray Beckwith
Delicate Bloom - Fiona Flower
Stillness - Peggy McKenzie
Walking the dog - Roger Scott
Beach Walker - Liz Scott
Commas nectaring on ribwort - Alan Cork
Chairman Ray Beckworth rounded up an excellent evening by thanking Andy for his constructive and detailed comments on all entries and by expressing his view that he was particularly impressed with the standard of entries submitted within the Development class. Congratulations to all members who submitted images for judging and particularly to those whose were selected to progress through to the PDI finals.
Meeting 25th November: Landscape Competition - Judge Keith Gibson
With this being his first "in person" visit to a Camera Club for the purposes of judging since Covid, Keith confirmed that he was delighted to be back at Hailsham and also that he was not a big fan of the Zoom meetings that had become the norm during the pandemic. As someone who primarily produces landscape photography, he was especially pleased to be able to judge HPS's Landscape Photography competition. Results for both Print and PDI competitions are as follows (HC = highly commended)
Print Competition - Results (from 22 entries)
1st Downland Carpet - David Mills
2nd Autumn Light, Derbyshire - Liz Scott
3rd Pools of Light - Jack Taylor
HC Downland Autumn - Pat Broad
HC Ancient Olive Tree - Pat Broad
Projected Digital Images ( PDI's ) - Results (from 21 entries)
1st Val Florentina sunrise - Alan Cork
2nd Mountain Stream - Mike Hammerton
3rd 7 Sisters from Hope Gap - Dave Brooker
HC Final Ascent Mount Blanc - Piers Hamilton
HC Lakeside awakening - Claire Hamilton
HC Misty morning Arlington - Roy Broad
HC Sunset on the River Dart - Piers Hamilton
Congratulations to all who entered images for competition and especially to those who received placements and commendation.
Meeting 11th November 2021: Print Competitions Round 2 with Judge: Stephen Carroll ARPS
Stephen started his critique of the Competition prints by explaining how he likes to spend the majority of his time on each entry to address the subject, composition and feelings that the print conveys. The rest of the time he'll comment on any technical improvements that could be considered by the photographer. Having reviewed the images on display, he felt that he would be able to adopt this approach as the standard is high.
Four members of the Development Class submitted prints from which Ah!...Peaceful by Derek Gell and Church Surround by Graham Wilkinson were chosen to progress to the final in March next year.
A stronger entry was displayed in the Advanced Class with twenty members entering. The prints selected to progress to the final were: Battle of Wills by Pat Broad, Langley Point by Ray Beckwith, Sweet Pea Impressions by Louise Pemberton, Japanese Lantern by Keith Deverson, Summer Fantasy by Liz Scott and Arum Lilys also by Liz Scott.
Meeting 4th November 2021: An evening with the Welsh Dragon - Margaret Salisbury - FRPS MFIAP FIPF APAGB FSITTP
With more letters than the Cyrillic Alphabet, Margaret Salisbury has a wealth of photographic experience to draw upon: all of which heralded a delightful evening peppered with many wonderful images.
Her particular love is of photographing people though never classic portraiture. Emphasising that "people are everywhere" Margaret began by showing a range of images from locations as diverse as airports (snippets of lives and observations on peoples) through to the National Eisteddfod and the Appleby horse fair.
Moving at pace to farther flung locations she showcased Venice with a beautiful array of Carnival shots - of beguiling and bewitching Venetian Mannequins resplendent in their lavish carnival costumes bejewelled with a myriad of sequins and beads. Behind each mask, laser like eyes gave a glint of mischief and mystery.
A whistle stop impression of New York via images including its moving 9/11 Memorial, glitzy Bloomingdales Department Store and bustling faceless people was followed by India with its riot of colour and chaos. Many images graphically showing the gulf between the "haves and have nots".
In the second part of her presentation photographs from Ethiopia provided yet further delights portraying local tribespeople, cultures and customs. A number of images perhaps appearing somewhat brutal or unyielding to Western sensibilities such as the whipping ceremony of young women and the bull running by young men but now sadly in danger of dying out entirely owing to outside influences.
Concluding with a look at Village life in Ghana and a focus on her favourite photographic subjects (Children) Margaret's work looked at capturing the individual life of a village before its traditions and way of life were lost for ever. From images of fishing, funerals and family the essence of the place was adeptly unfolded through her photographs.
Always comfortable to be somewhat irreverent about judges and judging, Margaret emphasised the fact that in her view they did not always get things right and that we should all focus on enjoying our own photography - for that's what matters most.
Meeting 28th October 2021: Natural History Competitions
The Society's annual Natural History Competitions always proves popular with members and invariably displays an exceedingly wide range of excellent images. This year was no exception with a total of some 28 projected digital images (PDI's)and 12 prints entered.
Projected Digital Images were assessed remotely by external judge Richard Sharman ARPS who had previously seen all entries and had forwarded his comments to be read out at Thursday's meeting. The following images were placed with an additional 2 being awarded "highly commended " ( HC ).
1st. Marsh fritillaries on Jacob's Ladder - Alan Cork
2nd. Blue tit - John Evans
3rd. Starling - John Evans
HC Harvest mouse - Louise Pemberton
HC Ring tailed lemur - Fiona Flower
Print entries were judged by a panel of three Members of the Society with each print being awarded a maximum of five points from each of the three judges. The results were as follows:
1st. Mating Chalk Hill Blue butterflies - Phil Smith
2nd. Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Dew Soaked - Phil Smith
3rd. Painted Lady Couple - Louise Pemberton
HC. Otter - Peter Stafford
Congratulations to all who entered with particular congratulations to those whose images were selected by the judges for placements and commendations.
All winning images can be viewed on the HPS website.
Meeting 21st October 2021: A Tutorial Evening with Liz Scott ARPS AFIAP and Jack Taylor DPAGB EFIAP
Society Chairman Ray Beckwith introduced the tutorial evening as having been created in response to feedback from the recent questionnaire. Two of our most respected members would lead the discussions.
Liz Scott described how Panels have a heritage within the Society stemming from the late 1970's when Brian Strong was instrumental in creating a trophy for panels, reflecting the interests of several members in RPS distinctions.
Displaying several panels of members work Liz explained the importance of individual print composition to draw and retain the viewers eye within the six images that together, tell a story of a common subject or theme. Prints should preferably be of equal strength, tone and contrast however, where differences are preferred, they can be arranged to good effect by suitable panel composition. Landscapes have a particular consideration in requiring horizons of adjacent prints to be at a similar level.
It is common to see the six prints arranged in two rows of three however examples were shown of three rows of two and one row of six working very cohesively. Mounts should be of the same colour and consideration given to the height of prints within the mount.
The second half of the evening was led by Jack Taylor on the subject of Composition. Showing his own projected images, Jack illustrated a selection of themes that assist in giving balance and emphasise the point of interest within an image. These included the use of leading lines, foreground interest to give depth and recession, position of horizons, use of frames, features to give scale, simplicity and use of negative space, geometry, blocks of colour, depth of focus, portrait versus landscape format, rule of thirds, the golden triangle, the rule of odds and drawing the viewing eye from left to right.
To conclude Jack displayed several images that each used one or more of these features to good effect.
This rounded off another excellent evening that showed the considerable knowledge we have within the Society.
Meeting 14th October 2021: Projected Digital Images ( PDI ) Competition Round 1- Judge Faith Lee LRPS
Thursdays Meeting saw Round 1 of the Society's PDI Competition with a good number of entries in both the Development and Advanced classes. Judge Faith Lee ( LRPS ) had the difficult task of selecting those entries to go through to the finals of the competition later in the year. The following images were selected to progress.
Sussex Shield : Development Class - 18 entries ( 4 to be selected )
- Female Darter - Derek Gell
- "I Spy" - Jane Phillips
- "CD's" - Diane Bickerstaff
- Dungeness Lighthouse - Charles Folder
1. Tortoiseshell on Foxglove - Alan Cork
2. "Baritone" - Piers Hamilton
3. Downland Shadow, a Dancing Mare - Roy Broad
4. Aquilegia - Louise Pemberton
5. Squirrel Nutkin - Louise Pemberton
6. Hungry Honey Bee - Keith Deverson
7. Fiddling Flautist - Alan Cork
Congratulations to all who submitted their images for judging, and particulary to those whose were selected to go forward to the finals of the Competition.
The results of Competition rounds, together with the images selected are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 7th October: "Landlocked Laos-where Buddhism meets Socialism" - PDI Lecture by Jim Holmes FRGS
Jim introduced his talk with a general photo introduction to this landlocked and highly superstitious country which, he explained, was essentially a Communist State. Originally part of Indo China during the French colonial period, Laos is roughly the same size as the United Kingdom but with just 6 million population. Bounded by China, Cambodia and Vietnam the mighty Mekong River forms the country's eastern boundary before entering the South China Sea at the famous Mekong Delta.
Having spent some 15 years in Laos, Jim confirmed that he was happier (much) in warmer climes despite the high humidity. His work as a photo journalist and in making photo documentaries had taken him all over the world on a number of "interesting" assignments - often involving some degree of risk and, on occasions, entailing some 200 days a year on assignments and away from home. Clients have included a number of humanitarian bodies (UNICEF, Oxfam, World bank) in addition to work for Travel Guides covering such countries as Greece, Italy, Cambodia - and of course Laos.
As a photo documentarian Jim confirmed that he never "switched off" and that he was always taking photos. Those used in his lecture covered a diverse range of subjects to give an essence of the country - from aerial views of the vertiginous Karst mountains in the North of the country to the more traditional and westernised views of Laos - Dragon Boat races and resplendent Temples. His presentation touched upon a number of cultural documentaries and interesting insights of the country: from the war with the CIA against communist insurgents and the necessary selling off of cultural treasures to Russia to fund such war. This had in fact led to many of the Laotian Temples falling into decay once the Russian money left although nowadays many have been splendidly restored thanks to the advent of mass tourism.
Part two of Jim's lecture left behind the Laos of the Tourist and focused more upon the underbelly of the country. Images of opium addicts enjoying a smoke, of humanitarian work to clear the country of thousands of tons of unexploded armaments dropped by the Americans, a factory manufacturing a range of prosthetic limbs, huge mining concerns, anti poaching patrols to protect the country's wildlife - all showed a perhaps more authentic and grittier side of Laotian life.
Reaffirming that his passion for the job was not as a classic studio or landscape photographer, Jim painted a picture of his style of Documentary photography as someone who endeavoured to enquire further in support of his search for strong images, seeking a level of visual literacy to be explored and pursued. Whilst acknowledging that this may often involve the photographer in taking some risks, he very much enjoyed his work and his travels and through his variety of images, this had led to an evening that was both enjoyable and thought provoking in equal measure.
Meeting 30th September 2021: Print Competition Round 1- Judge Tony Bentley ARPS CPAGB
Thursday's Meeting saw the return of the Society's first "live " Print Competition (Round 1) since the beginning of lockdown in 2020. No doubt echoing the thoughts of many members, Society Chairman Ray Beckwith remarked upon how nice it was to once again be holding a print evening after a Covid enforced break of some 18 months. Judge for the evening was Tony Bentley who confirmed his approach as objectively assessing and offering advice upon all submitted prints but stressed that, at the end of the day, there was always an element of subjectivity involved.
Development Class.
There were six prints entered within this class. Congratulations to new Member Derek Gell whose prints - Sunset at Seven Sisters and Wave at Newhaven,were both selected to go forward to the print finals.
Advanced Class.
With over thirty entries submitted in the advanced class judge Tony Bentley had the difficult task selecting just six to go through but eventually settled on the following images:
Lady of the Lake - Peter Stafford, Venice - Peggy Mckenzie, Sleeping Lady - Bruce Broughton, Balcombe Viaduct - Dave Brooker, The Hothouse - Liz Scott,
Memories - Roger Scott.
Well done to all those who submitted their prints and braved the critical eye of the judge and particular congratulations to those whose prints were selected to go forward. Prints selected to go through to the finals are available to view on the HPS website.
Meeting 23rd September 2021: Long Exposure Photography - "Mastering the Art of a Different Vision"- Derek Michalski
Originally from Poland, Derek confirmed that he had been given his first camera when he was about 12 years old. In his own words "a cheap plastic Russian made thing" that did at least introduce him to the world of photography. Whilst also a fan of abstract and travel photography his principal, if not overiding passion now was for long exposure photography.
Essentially long exposure photography can be anything requiring a tripod or stablisation, slow (sometimes very slow) shutter speeds and commonly entails use of a remote shutter release, and neutral density filters to balance and extend exposure. Long exposure is commonly associated with and facilitates successful photography of Storms, Solar, Astro, light painting and intentional camera movement (ICM).
A passion for Long Exposure photography was especially evident in the numerous images he showed and the back stories to them. Much, much more than the "classic" LE view of a receding boat jetty in a milky, still lake, Derek's use of this genre was all about the excitement, experimentation and experience. Indeed going so far as to confess that, for him, the final image was almost incidental to the enjoyment of experimentation and of having fun.
Combining the use of infrared with long exposures created some stunning and thought provoking imagery. This approach was especially effective in showing his particular fascination with clouds and the unexpected images that would appear within them. A true "Mastering of a different Vision" from the one actually witnessed.
Use of ICM was also a great way to express thoughts, ideas and meaning - putting something of the photographer into the image. Although Derek did confess that one particular Christmas, and having celebrated a little too much in traditional Polish fashion, the sudden appearance of a distinctive image in the form of a foreboding spectral skull, and arising from this experimental photographic approach, had rapidly delivered him from his rather inebrated state.
Concluding the evening with a number of stunning compilation images - from an infrared, decaying forest of poisoned oaks reaching out with bony fingers to embrace sibling trees, of the many bustling facets of his "Let's go to London" and maybe an even more thought provoking, apocalyptic,"Fire of London 2021" Derek enthused all to go out, experiment and, most of all, to have fun.
Meeting 16th September 2021: "Land of the Rising Sun"- PDI Lecture by John Nathan ARPS
Although John has travelled widely, his stated objective on the evening was to provide his audience with an essence of Japan - Land of the Rising Sun.
As a great lover of travel and photography he quoted Hans Christian Anderson who expounded the idea " To travel is to live" and John's presentation of images from across the country certainly bore out that philosophy. Emphasising that Japan was not especially expensive to visit if you made your own arrangements Members enjoyed an evening of both the iconic as well as some of the more atypical imagery of the country.
Whilst, perhaps surprisingly, Japan's tag as "land of the rising sun" was originally given to them by China the country embodied a lot of symbolism - a fact expressed in many of the images shown. As a country prone to earthquakes, heatwaves and floods Japan provided immeasureable photographic opportunities.These ranged from the more iconic western associations with temples, kimonos and the Bullet Train to lesser known but equallyphotogenic subjects.
Tokyo/Yokohama as a tightly packed city of 35 million people was a modern, quiet, clean city with electric vehicles and few green spaces - the modern conurbation having risen from the ashes of the second World War. Shinto was the original religion of the country but Buddhism had proven a strong presence also with numerous temples throughout the country, many having also been substantially rebuilt after the war. Other delightful images of ladies in traditional Japanese dress, rickshaws and shrines to lost loved ones helped transport the audience momentarily to the far east.
Photographs from the north eastern mountains around Karasawa, the Samurai quarter and the Geisha area fuelled yet more thirst for knowledge of this fascinating country whilst the narrow streets and shrines of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital provided yet more. Yanagawa with its network of canals, and the island of Miyajima, near Hiroshiima with the Torri Gate symbolising the separation between the real and the holy life helped to successfully meet John's stated objective of providing a fleeting essence of this mystical far eastern country.
Meeting 9th September 2021: Street and Urban Photography - lecture by Jerry Webb - MRPS
A self taught British photographer and designer, Member of the Royal Photographic Society and Brighton and Hove Camera Club, Jerry is trained in graphic and web design both of which have helped him with his particular style and approach to street and urban photography. He currently runs workshops in photography at the Phoenix Art Club, Brighton.
His photographic journey began back in 2007, taking photos of animals as he did not have the confidence to shoot people. Over the years he has found ways to include people in his shots favouring use of low or high angles thus avoiding eye contact and to minimise photgrapher intrusion. His images of processions, protests, and passengers in trains displayed a wide variety of styles and subjects varying from wide angle with people subordinate in the frame to others where the human element looms large. Preferring to shoot mainly in black and white, Jerry's images showed a love of taking shots in bad weather, often to the detriment of his photographic equipment.
With Jerry's healthy disregard for obsessing about the technical aspects, Members enjoyed images taken from imaginatively different viewpoints, some with creative distortion or blur and others displaying no fear of taking shots into the light creating an increased sense of drama, shadows or silhouettes.
With a love of chaos and non conformism, Jerry's " LockdownProjects" have included a photographic inventory of all bus stops in his local high street together with a collection of food kiosks from various seaside towns.
Chairman of Hailsham Photographic Society Ray Beckwith thanked the speaker for an excellent evening, observing that whilst many photographers strive to take the perfect shot by following all of the rules of Photography, Jerry's somewhat non conformist approach resulted in capturing images which have energy, create drama, movement and tell a story.
Meeting 2 September 2021: Landscape and Travel - Voyages of Discovery : Colleen Slater ARPS ATC
Society Chairman Ray Beckwith welcomed everyone back for the start of the new season where the plan is to have mainly live meetings. A special welcome was extended to the members for whom this was their first meeting.
We were pleased to also see and meet Dave Briggs as a special guest and the gathering showed their appreciation for his generous bequest to the society on behalf of his late father who was a member of the society.
Colleen Slater has an education in fine art painting with photography as a further option. Her travel photography developed when following interests in trekking and diving, taking her to Tibet, The Philipines, Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, Burma and Morocco. Her interests were shown to be wide scenic landscapes, abstracts of community life, buildings with historical interest, street scenes showing day to day life, transport and portraits both candid and charmingly posed. Members enjoyed seeing a high standard of photography, landscape images made when the light and colours were at their best in early morning and later in the day, black and white processing of portraits and all supported with background stories to further understand and enjoy her voyages of discovery.
In conclusion, and as a lockdown activity local to home, Colleen created abstracts from a Brighton Marina wall that with imaginative thinking, a little processing and an influence from Jan Grey appeared to be mini landscapes.
Ray thanked Colleen for giving our season a good start with her brilliant photography and experiences.