Louth Photographic Society
Many photographers have difficulty choosing the right gear for travel photography. For me it was a choice of camera first, either my Fuji X-T3, or Fuji X-S20. My choice was to take the Fuji X-S20 for the better battery life, improved AF, and IBIS. The PASM dial might be an anathema to some Fuji shooters, but I love it, the C1-C4 custom settings are a real asset, just a turn of the dial to access my settings for birds, mammals, portraits, or landscapes. Lens choice for travel photography can be difficult, as it depends heavily on what you want to photograph, for a holiday in Menorca, knowing that I would be near a nature reserve I had to have the Fuji XF 70-300mm, some photographers may prefer a prime lens for travel, but I prefer the flexibility of a zoom lens, then it was the choice of the Fuji XF 16-80mm f/4, or the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8, I choose the Sigma as it’s a lightweight lens, and the f/2.8 aperture is a real asset for indoor photography. We were staying at the Mar Blau self-catering complex, at the Menorcan resort of Son Bou. The nature reserve ran parallel to the beach, the beach could only be accessed from the resort centre, or from the Cami Cavalls walking trail leading from Son Bou to the Sant Tomas beach and resort. Walking the Cami Cavalls trail was simply amazing, being out in the countryside, walking through the grassed areas of the path the grass was alive with grasshoppers, then as we walked a native tortoise strolled out of the undergrowth in front of us. Other wildlife included various abundant dragonflies, and damselflies, we also saw lizards skittering among the rocks of the boundary dry walls. I’ve been very pleased with my choices of one camera, and just two lenses, these are some of the photos taken with my lightweight travel kit.
Good Morning All Last Wednesday we visited Chambers Farm Wood with a good number of members attending again. It was a wonderful sunny evening but once again very little wildlife, not sure whether the wet and cold weather has played havoc with the wildlife or something else, it certainly wasn’t a cold winter. I have attached a couple of photos that I took on the evening. This week don’t forget there is no meeting on Wednesday 3rd July, but instead our annual meal is on next Friday 5th July at the Royal Oak (Splash) Little Cawthorpe, the food order was taken in on Friday night and everything appears to be correct. We need a judge for the PDI competition to be held Wednesday July 10th if no one fancies doing it I can judge instead of entering. Harry is now accepting your entries for the competition, with the categories of "Local Photojournalism" and "Open". Regards Graham
Several members participated in our group photographic outing, which took place last night to Chambers Farm Wood, near Wragby. These outings are a fabulous opportunity to socialise, and get out with your camera among fellow photographers. Sadly, there didn’t seem to be many insects, or butterflies in evidence. However, in the Butterfly Garden, Graham pointed out a golden-bloomed grey longhorn beetle which I haven’t seen before, and in the meadow Dave pointed out a orb weaver spider spinning a web between tall plants. It was a beautiful warm evening, and it was great to be outdoors.
Good Afternoon All Last Wednesday we had an outing to Donna Nook, A good turnout of members and a pleasant walk along the dunes and back along the beach. I have done a short blog on the evening. I did take the photo of the Oystercatcher last Wednesday, a long distant photo that didn’t come out too badly. This week, 29th June, we have another outing on Wednesday evening, A visit to Chambers Wood near Wragby, if we meet in the butterfly garden for 6.30 and then have a walk to the meadow and through the woods. Chambers wood is heading from Louth head for Wragby right at the roundabout then left at the traffic lights. Continue for about four miles and there is a left turn which I don’t think is signposted to Chambers wood from memory go down the lane and turn right at the next turning for Chambers wood. You may find better directions on the internet or sat nav. The following week, Friday 5th July is our annual meal and then a PDI competition the following week, with the categories of "Local Photojournalism (25 mile radius from Louth)" and "Open" (no limits) You can send entries to Harry when you are ready. It is a competition to be judged by members if we have any volunteers. Regards Graham
On Wednesday night instead of meeting at Church House, about ten members met at Donna Nook and had a fairly long walk firstly behind the dunes which is an area for nature then back along the beach. The weather for once couldn’t have been much better for an evening out. There were some nature photos to be had it was a bit quiet along the dunes but with a good view out to sea, afterwards some of us went for a pint at the Axe and Cleaver.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we had round two of the LPA Battles against RB. RB won the battle on the night but it is the scores that are important this year, Louth scored 159 and RB 165, well done to RB and both clubs had some excellent prints on show. This week we have an outing at Donna Nook, North Somercoates, the weather looks better for this week fingers crossed, so meeting in the main car park at 6.30. Directions are as follows, from Louth head for North Somercoates and at the Axe and Clever head across the junction following the road round a right hand bend the turn left for Donna Nook and the sea. The car park is at the end of the road, easy to find as any further and you're on the beach. More information can be found on the internet under the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Regards Graham
This evening saw the 2nd Round of the LPA Battles, with us Louth head to head with RB Foto, the judge for the evening was the knowledgeable, and competent Martyn Wrigg. The room was packed as the competition began, and it was good to see many RB members attending. About a third of the way into the competition, many of our best prints were being awarded lower points than expected, and RB had 9 "holdbacks", as opposed to our 7 "holdbacks" at the break. After the break Martyn the judge "demoted" English Rose, and Under the Glacier, 2 our "holdbacks" to 17 points, to be fair Christmas Visit to Lincoln Cathedral, and Cleaning Windows "holdbacks" from RB were also demoted to 17 points. The only print of ours to achieve 20 points was Roydon Common Morning by Dave Turner. Overall it was a great competition, with some amazing high quality prints submitted, with the final scores of Louth 258, and RB 265. Congratulations to RB Foto for a well deserved win in the 2nd Round of the LPA Battles. The 3rd Round of the LPA Battles will be held at Barton, on the 24th July, which will see us matched against Barton, and Lincoln.
Good Morning All I had a walk around Red Hill last weekend, there's very little about just yet though, a few insects and flowers but should be a few more about soon. Last week we held our monthly print competition judged by Grahame Dunkin, there were nearly fifty entries and of a very high standard, all the results are on our website. There are no more competitions now until September so plenty of time to get out with your cameras. It will also soon be outing time, an opportunity to go out as a group and share knowledge and with luck some good photographs. This week, Wednesday 12th June, at the club we are holding round two of the LPA Battles against RB, and our judge for the evening will be Martyn Wrigg of Barton. Regards Graham
A print competition was held last night with the categories of “Something Red”, and “Open”. Our judge for the evening was Grahame Dunkin, and he gave a comprehensive, and detailed review of each submitted print. The standard of prints was again very high, the level of competence, and skill of our members seem to be improving with each competition that we hold. A photographic print is a very tactile thing, and when the standard of submitted prints is as high as it is then details matter, an improved or more considered crop of the image, removing, or avoiding busy backgrounds, ensuring that verticals are straight, and toning down bright areas in the background, may have resulted in the print being awarded more points. In the “Something Red” category Graham Harrison was awarded first place for his print titled “The Red Boat”, it is in this image that photographic skills come into play, the boat is deliberately placed in the bottom third of the image, providing the viewer with a contextual view of the Morecambe Bay mud flats, on what appears to be a very dismal day, another photographer might have used a telephoto lens to take a closer image of the boat, but this would have lessened the visual impact of the final print. In the “Open” category Graham Harrison was awarded first place for his “Sand Racer” quad bike print, this time the drama, and speed of the quad bike on the sand is played out against the blurred spectators in the background, again giving a sense of time, and place. Thanks go to our judge Grahame Dunkin, our members for participating in the competition making for an enjoyable evening, Dave Turner for compiling the prints, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
I have been asked to circulate the attached poster about the NELPS latest exhibition which has just opened in Grimsby. The exhibition is open for the next 3 months from 10.00am to 2.30pm daily at the Canopy Community Hub in Grant Thorold Park, Durban Road. Grimsby. The only alteration to the opening times is that the room is in use by another group on Monday and Friday mornings between 10.00am and 11.00am. The Centre has an excellent café where you can get a wide range of light meals, drinks and cakes!
