the lens 694 - wordpress.com · the lens - july/august, 2013 page 3 members gallery . . ....

THE LENSPublished bi-monthly by the

AUSTRALIAN PORTFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Vol. 69 No. 4 July/August, 2013

You Buy My Flowers by Colin Barnes - Circle 6, Folio 603Brushtail Possum by Martin Finzel - Circle 16, Folio 272

The Lens - July/August, 2013

President’s PenSpring has arrived, new growth is starting to

appear, and by the time you receive this we will havea new government. Although everything is new, it isreally the same, a performance we have seen regular-ly for a long time.

Things change, but they stay the same. But it isnice to see the new growth developing.

Likewise, in our photography we get new ideas,try new things, and make progress.

Though sometimes our progress appears to begoing the wrong way. Usually a little experimentingthough will fix things. After all the best way to learnis to try things out.

For the past 6 weeks I have joined the ranks of afew other members, on the recovery path.

I had a fall and broke a wrist, plaster for 6 weeksafter an operation to reset it, now a week later I amslowly learning how to use it again. It helps meunderstand better the recovery process of othermembers I know of, with knee replacements andrecovering from accidents.

Happily I am still in a position to go on a plannedProbus trip next week for a week in the FlindersRanges.

As I will be in Arkaroola on voting day I had tovote early, so now definitely ignore all the noises onthe radio and TV and phone calls.

It can be nice to waste a candidate’s timepleading for your support, then after a few minutestell them you have already voted.

A similar technique can work with unsolicitedphone calls. The pity is that the calls will still come,at least the election has a deadline, and we can relaxagain for a few more years.

In recent months there has been much concernamongst International Photographers about the use ofcomputers.

VIGEX became aware one of the medal winners

had used a photo taken from the internet which helater modified. As a result he was disqualified and noaward made for that medal.

It later transpired that he had used the same printin a number of other exhibitions with similar success.Reports of other examples have since been received.The problem is to have someone who knows of theoriginal print to see the fake, then report it.

But it is not only photographers suffering, I hearda news report last week of some etchings having beendigitally reproduced and sold as original prints pulledby the artist. But of course these forgeries have beengoing on for years.

A word of caution for digital camera users,remember the shutter has a limited number ofoperations before it may fail, some figures quoted are150,000 shots.

While this may sound a lot, I have found I maytake several hundred pictures at a family functionover a few hours.

I heard two "senior" photographers talkingrecently about how many thousand pictures they hadtaken on overseas trips.

Without the limits of 36 exposures on filmphotographers tend to go mad, taking multiple shotsof everything that may ultimately be of interest. Iwonder how they sort through all these pictures whenthey get home. If they ever actually do.

Gone are the days when a friend down here,retired newspaper photographer, would go to thecricket for the day with 24 plates for his SpeedGraphix, and get pictures of the bails flying throughthe air.

Will I follow my own advice in the FlindersRanges next week? Probably not.

Jim Thyer

VALEIt is with sadness that we learned of the recent

death of Charlie Snook - a very long time member ofGrafton Camera Club and member of Circle 20.Charlie was a dedicated and enthusiastic photographerwho over the years was a former club President formany years and inspired many by sharing hisknowledge of photography. He will be sadly missedby his family and many photographic friends.

New member- Mrs Helen Armstrong, 7 WongaWay, Wollongbar, 2477. Helen joins Circle 9.

Circle changes- Martin Finzel’s new address is112/57 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, Vic, 3806, phone 039796 1437. Martin has made a move to Victoria fromKing Island. We wish you well in your new home.

New e-mail addresses are- Charles LeFevre- [email protected]. Elaine Stokman- [email protected]

Divisional Secretary’sReport

Circle 26 - Commercial/Home Processed Small Colour Prints

Secretary - Helen Mackenzie-

Folio 3261st Ingrid Taylor Tea Party2nd Elaine Stokman Foreshore Find3rd Colin Barnes Smile-A-While

Folio 3271st Helen Mackenzie Matterhorn2nd George Phelps Left on the Shelf3rd Martin Finzel Hot3rd Colin Barnes Desert Voice

Jean Trollope and Martin Finzel are now back inthe swing of the circulating folios after their respectivebreaks. Looking forward to hearing how Martin is settlinginto suburbia. Colin Barnes is enjoying his time in AliceSprings catching up with old friends and making new.

Folios seem to be moving well, despite a fewadjustments due to LOA members, though we manage toget there!. Entries are top class, at times, very difficult toseparate in awarding scores. Keep up the good work,everyone.

Helen

Circle Reports continued


Members Gallery . . .

Monstiteria Mystique by Wayne Taylor - Circle 14, Folio 147

The Seed by Martin Finzel - Circle 26, Folio 304

Bryce Scene 1 by Judy Heath - Circle 21, Folio 539

Mono Lake Morning Light by Judy Heath -Circle 6, Folio 604

Dianne by JeffMonro - Circle 2,

Folio 713

Path to Enlightenment byTony Lockerbie - Circle 2,

Folio 722


Circle 2 -10” X 8” B & W PrintSecretary - Keith Smith-

Folio 7321st Tony Lockerbie Old Sheep Yards2nd Jeff Monro A Tribute3rd Peter Robinson Nesting Pluver

Folio 7331st Jeff Monro Nature Lesson2nd Tony Lockerbie Jincumbilly3rd Alan Morcom Lucy & Friend3rd Keith Smith Poplar Maze

Folio 7341st Jeff Monro Abandoned2nd Keith Smith Old Hay Waggon3rd Jim Thyer Old and New

Folio 7351st Keith Smith Harmony2nd Jim Thyer Rocky Coast3rd Peter Robinson Cable Mountain

Folio 7361st Jeff Monro Joovie2nd Jim Thyer Sun at the Light3rd Keith Smith Sand Cricket

Place point score- Tony Lockerbie 51, Jeff Monro44, Jim Thyer 20, Keith Smith 19, Peter Robinson 16, AlanMorcom 7. This is the total point score for the year. Folio736 is the last folio for year 2012-2013. Folio 735 hasbeen lost.

Keith

Circle 7 - General Colour SlidesSecretary - Judy Heath-

Folio 6431st Ian Bock Salisbury Cathedral2nd Peter Robinson Out on a Limb3rd Judy Heath Green Pattern

Folio 6441st Ian Bock Trethevy Quoit2nd Peter Robinson Cloudscape3rd John North Misty Water at S.S. Docky

Folio 6451st Judy Heath The Glass House2nd Stephen Straub Seen better Days3rd Peter Robinson Scottish Stronghold3rd Ian Bock Yellow Peril Abstract

Till next issue, all the best.Judy

Circle 9 - Any type of printSecretary: John Pratt-No report - last Folio 125

Circle Reports

Circle 20 - 35mm Colour Slides - GeneralSecretary - Stephen Straube-Folio 589

1st Athol Blake Steel Grey2nd Pat Murray The Blacksmith3rd David Watts Meeting

Folio 5901st Athol Blake Encircled2nd David Dent Fringed Lillies3rd Stephen Straub After The Storm

It is with sadness that I report the passing of DavidDent. He will be sadly missed.

Stephen

Circle 6 - General Colour SlidesSecretary - Don Estell-

Folio 6231st Dawn Patterson Watcha Want?2nd James Heriot’s Xavier3rd Judy Heath Garden

Folio 6241st James Heriot Surfer2nd David Cooper Gardens3rd Dawn Patterson Poser

Renewals are trickling in.Don

Circle 21 - 35mm Nature Colour Slides/PrintsSecretary - Dorothy Deverell- Folio 563

1st Judy Heath Sunset Storm, Grand Canyon2nd Peter Robinson Rainbow Lorikeet3rd Wolfram Borgis Narcissus Closeup

Folio 5641st Judy Heath Rocky Creek2nd Peter Robinson Brown Pigeon3rd Wolfram Borgis Oriental Lily

Folio 5651st Wolfram Borgis Butterfly2nd Dorothy Deverell Hawkes Head3rd Judy Heath Sussusvlri Scenery

Folios moving smoothly. Still only 5 members.Colour prints accepted as well as 35mm slides.

Dorothy

Circle 24 - Circle SecretariesSecretary - Rita England-

Folio 108 is on its way, and travelling well. It is goodto be able to keep in touch with secretaries in this Circle.

Rita

Circle 14 - Any Type of PrintSecretary - Margaret Gilet-

Folio 1691st Margaret Gilet Harem Girl2nd Wayne Taylor Mr Jones3rd Una Brown Night Scene on the Yarra

Folio 170 Set Subject - Orange1st Martin Finzel Sunset Over Paddock2nd Stuart Gibbons Breaking Point

Wayne Taylor Insideout Umbrella3rd Margaret Gilet Stately Clivea

Una Brown Orange ChairJean Trollope Sweet Tooth

Folio 1711st Margaret Gilet Sofala Man2nd Stuart Gibbons Race to Spring3rd Una Brown Water Skiing

Judy Heath Polar Bear FamilyOnce again the standard of work in this folio has been

remarkably even. This is reflected in the placings. It was apleasure to see the work of some of our members featuredin the last copy of The Lens as well as the new website setup by Wal.

Margaret


General Secretary’s ReportHi Everyone, It is the first day of spring and we have had a very

mild winter here in NSW. I believe that everyone hasenjoyed the same mild conditions. It looks like we canlook forward to some great spring photoopportunities.

Last weekend we held the Western DistrictsInterclub annual event. This involved clubs from asfar west as Narromine, south to Hay and east toLithgow; the weekend was held in Bathurst and wehad great attendance for the two days.

The most disappointing aspect was the difficultyorganisers had in finding judges and guest speakers. Itseems that people who would make very interestingspeakers and competent judges do not like to traveloutside the metropolitan zone.

All out-of-pocket expenses are covered but thatis obviously not sufficient incentive to travel over themountains - we did have one very competent speaker,David Miller, but the only judge we could get wasfrom the local community, not that this judge wasn'tvery competent but it would be nice to have inputfrom outside the local area.

I am again travelling to APSCON in a few weeks,this time it is being held in Bunbury, WesternAustralia, they have a great line up of guestpresenters, some we never get to see here on the eastcoast.

It has again come to the end of our APPS yearwith all the first place images being sent for judging,this does give Graeme access to lots of images forpublication in future issues of The Lens, however ifyou have a particular image you would like to seepublished please send it along to our editor forinclusion in one of our editions.

Also if you have a particular topic you would liketo send an article in please don't hesitate to contact theeditor, perhaps you have some useful advice that youcould pass on to other members, it would be a changefrom my regular photoshop tutorials - nice to havesomething different.

Speaking of different, I have done a little bit ofprinting on canvas recently.

The printing is relatively easy and you do notrequire as high resolution for a print on canvas but themounting and making the frame with stretcher bars isquite an issue.

There are a number of places now offeringreasonably priced printing on canvas; these printscome back to you all mounted, stretched, and readyfor hanging, making an interesting alternative todisplaying our images.

Again we are seeing some of our year 12 studentspresenting their end of year projects for their HigherSchool Certificate.

These students present some great work, and Ihave seen some great photography as part of thepresentations.

They are also using many different mediums todisplay their photographic works, one student

presented a very interesting body of work printed onPerspex.

The work presented by these young peopleshows great imagination and interesting ways ofadapting to the options offered by modern technology.

With all the new options this digital age offers, Ibelieve photography will enjoy a resurgence with lotsof young people interested in taking it up as an artform.

While some areas of photography, particularly inthe media are moving away from employingprofessional photographers, other areas ofphotography are providing lots of interest to youngerpeople. We tend to scoff about people taking imageswith their iPhone, but the quality of some of theseimages is quite surprising.

It is also quite frustrating when I look at howlong I have spent playing around in Photoshop toachieve an interesting effect to find that a $3 app. onthe iPhone can do it instantly. The current iPhone hasthe same pixel resolution as my first digital SLR - thetechnology is moving at a frightening pace.

The same can be said for movies. I saw recentlyadvertised a limited screening of the Wizard of OZ in3D, I can't imagine how they can take a movie filmedin 2D and so long ago and convert it to 3D. In a fewyears we will have 3D televisions in our homes. Itdoesn't seem that long ago that we got colour TVinstead of Black and White.

The same march of progress seems to behappening everywhere with the Better Photographyand Better Digital magazines ceasing publication,leaving us with just an online version.

While Australian Photography is hanging in, theyhave combined it with their Australian Digitalmagazine. I do miss the print versions of magazines,it does save paper but it is not the same reading amagazine on a screen.

I must stop sounding old and grumpy and thinkabout the benefits, in the old days I would have had tohave this article ready days ago and sent to Graeme bysnail mail, now I can do it at the last minute and sendit through the clouds and he will receive it in about aminute after I finish typing, so I will finish now andpress the send button.

Until next time. Jenny Davidson

COPY DEADLINEArticles are copyright by the contributors but can be reproducedin other Camera Club newsletters provided that acknowledgment

is made both to the author and to “The Lens”.If the words “Copyright by” followed by the author’s name is

printed after the article, the author should be asked for permissionif reproduction is desired.

All submissions for the next issue of THE LENSSeptember/October should be forwarded toThe Editor, Graeme Collins, no later than

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 24 Church Street, Quirindi, NSW, 2343

OR e-mail: [email protected]


Members Gallery . . .

Fungi by Graeme Collins - Circle 9, Folio 102

Surprise, Surprise by Jeff Monro - Circle 2,Folio 719

Nikki by Jenny Davidson - Circle 9, Folio 111

Mitten Monument Valley by Judy Heath - Circle 7, Folio 629

Grand Canyon Rainbow by Dawn Patterson - Circle 6, Folio 600


“The Lens” Tutorial by Jenny Davidson

Convert to B & W or give your images some punchThis quick technique can do two things for you, firstly it is a great way to make an image Black & White - it works wellwith most images then if you change the blending mode you can give your image a lift. You can also change the defaultcolours before applying the gradient filter and get some interesting effects.

This is a reasonable image but it needs a bit of a lift.

Make sure your default colours are Black and White.

Select the adjustment layer icon at the bottom of yourlayers palette, then select Gradient Map.

This will turn your image to a black and white image.

You now have two layers your original and the gradient map.As mentioned this will give you a nice Black and White

conversion.

This may not display the change it has made to the imagebut give it a try it won't work on all images but it does bringout the detail on most images.

If you change the blending mode of this Black andWhite adjustment layer to Luminosity you will see theimage come to life.

Afternoon Walk by Tony Lockerbie - Circle 2, Folio 723

St Marks Square, Venice by Una Brown - Circle 14, Folio 157

Cascade & Tree by Judy Heath - C 21, F 542

Loving Jezebels by Wolfram Borgis - C 21, F 548

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