Mel

The courses are run in the village of Lacock (a National Trust village), Wilts, near Chippenham, where Chris lives with his wife Pam. The course literature includes a list of accommodation that’s available, in the area, and, also, an offer from Chris and his wife to ferry attendees from Chippenham railway-station (on the line from Paddington) to their chosen lodgings. I did, in fact, travel on the train and, upon arriving at Chippenham, I was met by Pam Burfoot, who drove me to Bowden hill (high above Lacock) and to the B & B, Lower Bowden Lodge that I had booked there. Before leaving me, Pam said that, in the morning (the first day of the course) and if I wished, Chris would pick me up, on his way into Lacock, and drive me to the course-venue, the Manger barn, which is a centuries-old National Trust property. The barn is next to Lacock Abbey, where William Henry Fox-Talbot (there’s a museum, dedicated to him, in Lacock) produced the first photographic-negative and the abbey is the only National Trust property, Chris told me, where the public is allowed to take photographs, of the window that appears in Fox-Talbot’s negative.

The first morning of the course was spent with Chris explaining basics of studio-lighting and showing and demonstrating equipment for us. Obviously, lights were included in this demonstration and other items, e.g. umbrellas, reflectors, snoots, softboxes etc were, also, included, if not in the first session, then, as the course proceeded. Chris Burfoot was ever present, during the course, explaining, instructing and, generally, being helpful for all of the attendees, who were ten in number.

Laura

Lunch followed and that was provided, on site, and then, if you wished, you could stroll, outside, in the village, where there were lots of tourists and everyone was looking at the well-preserved Lacock, which is a favourite for film-makers, with both Pride and Prejudice and the BBC’s Cranford having been filmed there.

In the afternoon, we had our first practical session and the chance, once Chris had given us a demonstration, to take pictures of a model, Mel. For all of the practical sessions, Chris would set up a “shoot” (although, at one point, he gave us a free hand to use the equipment as we saw fit), take pictures of the model (displaying, to us, the results), then, invite us to photograph the layout (of lights etc), so that (at a later date) we had a means of recalling how a certain shot was achieved, and, finally (after all of these steps had been taken), we, the students, would take our own photographs, with the model (Mel and, later, Laura, also) being patiently compliant with our demands for good photos. Throughout the course, the company Fotospeed was in attendance, with a printer, and, at Chris’s request, they printed out shots, so that we could see how various different poses and set-ups looked. At the end of the course, everyone got a Fotospeed goodie-bag, which included samples of their paper.

Chris Burfoot's granddaughter

The second day (and, again, Chris gave me a lift, from my B & B to the barn) was, again, a mix of instruction, from Chris, on what equipment to use and why, and practical sessions, with the two models, Laura and Mel, being available for us to photograph. On the last afternoon, Chris and Pam’s daughter came along, with her children, and the two youngsters were, also, available, as models, for us.

Chris Burfoot's grandson

Finally, in late afternoon, the end of the course arrived and Chris marked this with a presentation, of certificates, to all the students. I got my certificate first, as I had a train to catch, and Chris kindly arranged for Laura, the model, to give me a lift to the station.

This was a very informative course, with good opportunity to take pictures, which we were all allowed to keep and, as you can see, I have used some of them to illustrate this article. I was impressed, not only by Chris Burfoot’s knowledge and ability as a teacher, but, also, by the friendliness that I encountered, so I would have no hesitation in recommending the course to others.

John Fogarty
July 1st 2010

Friday 16th April – RON TEAR ARPS MPAGB, MAGGIE TEAR LRPS CPAGB – THE LARGE PRINT SHOW

Ron and his wife Maggie will be bringing their Large Print Show to Norfolk. Some of the pictures are 3 foot in size so it really is a “large” show. Their images will cover Wildlife, Landscapes, Cityscapes, Candids, Travel and a variety of other subjects. They are very experienced photographers who have a real passion for their work. It is going to be a very entertaining evening and you are welcome to join us.

The Norfolk Photography Group meets at the Church Rooms, Mundesley, Norfolk from 7.30 pm and entrance is Free.

There is ample parking in the Church Car Park opposite.

Please contact the Programme Secretary – Stevi Heath Click to reveal address if you require any further information.

Click to enlarge

The session provides an ideal opportunity for getting great close-up portraits of these enigmatic animals. Our wolves live in 2 large enclosures offering a variety of different picture opportunities. The lack of stand off barriers and wide gauge mesh ensure you can capture photographs without fencing in the way. Each enclosure has a small landscaped mound to act as a background for the wolves to allow ‘clean’ portraits of these beautiful animals.

Our wolves are socialised so will not hide from people taking pictures.

Please contact me for further information.

best regards
Caroline Elliott

tel 0844 414 3012

Danger Unexploded Bomb!

“Right lad, “ said Captain Mannering to Private Jones  (a seasoned member of the local bomb squad)

“At just before midnight,  the shell landed on old McCarthy’s workshop.” Whispered the Captain.  “We know this time to be accurate as the shockwaves created by the bomb entering the house, stopped the clock on the wall.  What we don’t know is if it is still primed or a dud and that’s why the Warden’s sent us in” explained the Captain.

At this point it became all too clear to the Private what needed to be done, and a bead of sweat ran down his forehead.  “Blue, or Red wire, this time Captain ?,” said Jones.

“Red” said the Captain, without hesitation.  Private Jones edged forward with cutters at hand, while the squad moved out to a safer distance.

The silence of the room was deafening, blocking out the sirens and frantic sounds of running footsteps, dogs howling beyond McCarthy’s place.  Jones aimed his cutters – Snip… Booom..!

Mannering pulls out his notebook and jots down, “xxx bomb, type 3 – not the red wire!”

In the 1940’s the life expectancy of a member of the bomb disposal squad was approximately 70 days.  There were no textbooks, or manuals to help dismantle the weapon, only trial and error, until safer methods were discovered later on in the war.

This chilling tale is but one of many war time stories brought to life at the “Forties Experience” last weekend, where a group of loyal volunteers bring the WWII Heritage Site and former U.S.A.A.F 8th Fighter Command H.Q in Bushey, Herts, to life on the last Sunday of every month.

With all entrance fees going to the Lincolnsfield Children’s Charity, the very reasonable £18 Family Ticket, £7 Adult and £3.50 Senior Ticket makes this unique experience well worth a visit if you haven’t been before.

.

The best classics are on vinyl

Not all the tales are chilling, but there is no getting away from the hard facts, that life in the 1940’s was very different than the lives we lead today. This living exhibition, where you can see and touch the artifacts, smell the home cooking and interact with knowledgeable re-enactors, help to remind us of who we owe our current prosperity and freedom too.

Stop and show your photographer's I.D

Could the youth of today, or even many adults, cope without their Facebook, Playstation and virtually no food, as the ration cards were issued. Several television series have offered step back in time/fly on the wall style documentaries on these types of experiences, but there is nothing like experiencing these things first hand.  In fact if you are really keen you can even stay for a weekend for a fuller flavour of the Forties – help in the kitchen and the garden, train with the guards and attend a 1940’s school.  But you had better be good, or the cane’s for you – nothing like three of the best to keep you on your toes (literally) all day.  I suppose that will serve me right for making Bruce Lee stars in the metalwork lesson– whoops that’s another story.

Lots to see, learn and photograph.    Yes you will be pleased to learn that you can photograph everything and even Captain Mannering will stand to attention for you, if he is not off somewhere to defuse something or other.

sustainable transport of the future

Austin 7

A great day out for all and the forthcoming “Forties Family Experience Weekend” on 24th & 25th April 2010 sounds to be even more entertaining than my visit.  Fairground rides, Battle re-enactments, Military & Civil vehicles on display and maybe a submarine.  Jive dancing in the live Music Hall, Woodland war walks and much more on offer.  Join in the fun and come in 1940’s outfit’s, don’t worry if you don’t have any suitable atire, one of the Gran’s in the house will soon help you convert an old striped pillow case into something fit for a King, or Queen.

The resident Spiv on site can also help you out with a watch or two, or three..

Enjoy your day if you go.

Time to go now – the siren has just started again – could be a long night ahead.

Click on any of the 30+ pictures in the article to enlarge the images taken at the 1940′s experience.

]]> http://www.welwynphotoclub.org.uk/2010/03/31/danger-uxb/feed/ 0 http://www.welwynphotoclub.org.uk/2010/02/16/results-eaf-interclub-pdi-and-print-championships/ http://www.welwynphotoclub.org.uk/2010/02/16/results-eaf-interclub-pdi-and-print-championships/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:13:19 +0000 Paul Lambeth http://www.welwynphotoclub.org.uk/?p=1539 Attached are the results of the EAF Interclub PDI and Print Championships that were held on Sunday.

Both events occur over 2 rounds with the top 10 clubs after round 1 going forward to round 2.
We didn’t make it through to the second round in either event, but we were reasonably well placed in both. Included are our individual results and the results after round 1 (results sheets 01-15)
Also attached are the final results (results sheets 16-25)

A very interesting day out

Hope this all makes sense
Paul

50 Results sheet 01-15 PDI by marks
51 Results sheet 16-25 PDI by marks
54 Results sheet 01-15 Prints by marks
55 Results sheet 16-25 Prints by marks
EAF DIGITAL COMPETITION
EAF PRINT COMPETITION

This collection of thought provoking images showcase some of the finest examples of contemporary portrait photography available today and is well worth a visit.

Entrance to the National Portrait Gallery

Over 6000 entries were submitted from talented amateurs and professionals alike and the judges best sixty are displayed in the ground floor exhibition room.

The First Prize was awarded to Paul Floyd Blake for Rosie Bancroft, 2009,t entitled “On Track for 2012” and can viewed here.

One of the most striking images in the exhibition is that of a lady boxer taken in North London and the story of the aspiring young photographer and more information can be found on this talented individual can be found here.  It remains a mystery that whilst her photograph can be seen everywhere, on buses, magazine’s and the tube station’s, the lady has yet to reappear since the image was published.

Entrance to the exhibition is free and the exhibition closes 14th February 2010 to make room for the next exhibition on the legendary Irving Penn (1917–2009).

Will you agree with the judge’s decisions?  I know that I was surprised by some of the choices and it made me wonder what the other 6000 entries were like.  However, regardless of my personal opinion, the majority of the images on display evoke emotion and engage with the viewer on many levels.  Highly recommended.

By contrast, the tranquil peace of the gallery was soon shattered on re-entering the real world outside, with the “No to the Bike Parking Charges” demonstration just round the corner.  The bikers seemed quite calm, considering some of the road rage exhibited by the drivers caught up in the queues going as far as the eye could see!

No to the Bike Parking Charges demonstration

Time for another coffee.

http://tinyurl.com/yabm27h

Monty

As our 2010 (or is that twenty ten as it seems to be referred to in the media) season kicks off today, we have many guest speakers and competition judges planned for the coming months.  A quick peek at our online diary will provide you with the full details of our club programme until May 2010.

Over the years we have arranged for you speakers and workshops covering a multitude of exciting topics to include:

* Landscapes
* Cityscapes
* Panoramic and spherical photography
* Macro workshops with live snakes, frogs and a vast selection of insects
* Studio lighting
* Printing techniques and photography equipment
* Fleet Street press photographers such as Deborah Brady
* Celebrity award winning photo-journalists such as Dr Mike Maloney O.B.E
* Mounting and framing demonstrations
* Photoshop and Photoshop Elements hands-on tutorials
* Wildlife talks from Richard Revels and other well known speakers

and so much more.

However, we are always on the look out for new talent and who knows our next guest speaker could be you.  So if you would like to share with our club members your photographic adventures on a Tuesday evening from 8-10pm why not contact us here and help us in our 2010/2011 programme.  Maybe you are friends with a local photographic studio who would be willing to demonstrate new lighting techniques to our members, or know of an unusual venue that could challenge our technical abilities for a day/evening club outing, contact us today, we would love to hear from you.

In fact, why not pop along to see us on a Tuesday evening, participate with other club members, enjoy the pictorial adventures of our speakers – all are welcome.

We look forward to seeing you soon – Happy New Year.

The landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition runs until 24 January 2010 and details can be found here.

I’m sure, like me, that you will be knocked-out by the quality of the photographs, the huge variety of locations in the UK and the superb way the pictures are presented.   It must surely inspire all of us (yes, even me) to go out next year and take photographs.

One little point I appreciated is that each photograph has a few words from the author telling how or why or where the photo was taken.   I always find this gives me extra enjoyment when viewing a picture and it is a feature that I would like to see at our Annual Exhibition in the New Maynard Gallery.

Ken.

It was our first visit to the area and my first time photographing seals in their natural habitat.

Every year from October to December, hundreds of grey seals leave the North Sea for the safe haven of the sandbanks at Donna Nook to give birth to their pups.  This special time of the year also enables visitors to see at very close distance the world’s third rarest type of seal – the grey seal, of which the British Isles is home to approximately 50% of the world’s population of grey seals.  Donna Nook (which is situated within an RAF bombing range) is considered to be one of the best places to observe these mammals in the wild and the site is now an important conservation area.  The Ministry of Defence and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manage that section of the coast as a nature reserve and permit visitors to enter the beach area for viewing during the birthing season.

On arrival at Donna Nook there are a number of small free car parks and when full due to the influx of visitors at this time of year, the local farmers open up their fields for parking, charging just £1.  There is also a WC on-site and a stand offering tea, coffee, bacon rolls and more, just in case you forget to pack a thermos and nibbles for the day ahead.

The viewing area is just three minutes walk over the adjacent sand dunes to the low level fenced off area on the shore when the seals rest, play and give birth to their pups.  On the day we visited it was reported that there were in excess of 350 seal pups in the vicinity, and families or all generations gathered along the shoreline to feast their eyes on the amazing sight before them.

Volunteer Wardens of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are present to keep a watching eye on the seals and visitors and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  A souvenir hut and information point is also present and the daily seal count plus other facts and figures can be seen at a glance.

In preparation for a visit to the area it is advisable to keep an eye out for the weather before setting out and the link here will keep you up to date with both the seal count and interesting facts on the area.  You may also want to plan your time of arrival and departure based on the tide forecasts, which can be found here.

I am sure Derek will be able to show me a thing or two about Seal photography after his next visit but in the meantime I hope that you enjoy viewing a selection of the images taken by me at the weekend – A fantastic day out – thanks again Derek for your suggestion – only 200 more images to process..

Sometimes a longer lens is advisable..

Please remember that seals are wild mammals and should be treated with caution at all times – no feeding, or touching is advised as the pups could be abandoned if they smell of us. A little light reading about the area and seals at Donna Nook before you go will help you to stay safe, warm and (hopefully) dry and make the whole experience even more enjoyable for you.

So when you are next seeking photographic inspiration – look no further than Donna Nook in the months of October to December.  A truly fabulous day out to be enjoyed by all the family.  No special cameras or equipment are necessary as you are within ten feet of the seals on the shoreline – If  you were looking for an excuse (not that you probably need one) to test out that new telephoto lens, then look no further.

Have a great day out if you decide to go.

A tender moment captured on camera by my daughter, aged 9yrs.

Donna Nook – a photographer’s and nature lovers perfect location.

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