Tuesday 3 October
Jack Bates FRPS, MPAGB, member of Selsdon CC and of Mirage, is the judge for the Annual Members' Competition. This event, open to all members, was first held in October 2000 when it replaced the Annual Exhibition

Tuesday 10 October
This evening we are showing a PAGB Recorded Lecture "Creative Colour Part 1" by Ian Platt FRPS, MFIAP, a former President of the PAGB. Some members may remember Ian's last visit to West Wickham in April 1998 when he gave a very well-received talk on Creative Camera Exposures. Part 2 of Creative Colour is to be shown on 8 May 2007 (a change from the date shown in your programme).

Tuesday 17 October
It is the turn of the print workers tonight in the first print heat of the season. The judge is Colin Brownett of Thornton Heath CC. Remember up to four prints in the monochrome class and up to six prints in the colour class can now go forward to the finals.

Tuesday 24 October
An evening with digital expert Tony Riley LBIPP of Reigate PS. An excellent opportunity to have all your digital questions answered.

Tuesday 31 October
A members' evening. Bring along your prints, your opinions and your questions for an informal discussion.

By tradition, we permit ourselves an Opinion at the start of a new season. (At other times, there is no actual rule against having opinions, but there is rarely time for their formulation.) Inspiration often comes from a newspaper headline, in this case SAUDI ARABIA LIFTS PHOTOGRAPHY BAN in The Independent.

Apparently there was a ban on photography in public places, which, along with a rather conservative judicial system, understandably did little to encourage visitors. Now "people can take pictures of tourist sites, architectural landmarks, shopping malls as well as government buildings where there is no sign banning photography," an official said. But permission is still needed to photograph private property or individuals.

Well, it's a welcome move but somehow it is difficult to see Views of Riyadh becoming a frequent feature of club evenings.

Photography abroad, particularly in poor countries, has long had its own etiquette. It is difficult to blame a human subject from trying to obtain some reward for giving something which clearly you think is valuable, his/her image. In much of Africa, an apparent fear of the effect of the eye of the lens is magically removed on receipt of baksheesh.

Photographing transport systems is often seen as a threat to security. Quite recently, the Greeks made it clear that they didn't think their aircraft were suitable subjects for photography.

You don't have to be a paparazzo to get into difficulties when snapping people. Try it with market traders! As for children, unless you have the specific permission of the parents, best to forget it.

And seeking permission would seem to be the best policy for all cases where it is not clear if photography is allowed. The law may not require it, it may reduce the spontaneity of the image and in some cases it may invite rejection. But asking before taking is the polite way, and may keep you out of serious trouble.

Tuesday 5 September
The first meeting of the season. We are in our new home, but the start is traditional. A PAGB slide evening, with this time the 2004 colour slides. It may not be better than a late holiday, but the views are just as likely to excite the imagination.

Tuesday 12 September
Also a first, our first PhotoTask evening. Yes, it was way back in May that Tony Deller set the first task - take photos in contre-jour. Tony even added a translation. Now he will be giving his opinions of your efforts, and as a bonus, the best effort will gain the photographer the privilege of setting and judging PhotoTask 2.

Tuesday 19 September
In "Caught by Digital", Nenne van Dijk FRPS, DPAGB, of Beckenham PS will be showing us more of her atmospheric images. A treat for the artists.

Tuesday 26 September
The competition season begins with the first heat of the Annual Slide Competition. Judging it will be a frequent visitor to West Wickham, John Hill LRPS of Thornton Heath CC.

Elections

Do you fancy some not-so-light reading during the summer break? Possibly you might like to find out more about digital projectors and related topics? If so, the following links should get you started. Happy holiday!

FSLPS Knowledge Centre
A very clear introduction.

AV World
Questions and answers.

Projector Central
LCD v DLP - the battle of the technologies.

Wikipedia
Colour management.

Third Light
Professional colour management.

Computer Darkroom
Photoshop CS colour management.

ICC
International Colour Consortium - the international standards body for colour management.

Colour Confidence
Monitor profiling.

Colour Confidence
Available here - Spyder2PRO for calibrating monitor, projector and printer.

Epson
Specification of the EMP-X3 projector.

ProjectorPoint
Available here - Epson EMP-X3 projector.

Tuesday 9 May
We welcome, as our speaker this evening, Marcus Scott-Taggart on his first visit to WWPS. Marcus, a former Chairman of Tandridge PS, will be talking about the manipulation of colour in digital photography and as an expert in this field, he is exceptionally well qualified to answer all your technical questions.

Tuesday 16 May
Straight lines, curved lines, railway lines, power lines, lines of cars, lines of an illegal stimulant, lines for the offending pupil, lines spoken by an actor, cheap lines in the supermarket, thinking along the same lines, lines of force, linesmen ..... Slides or prints. Judged by Dave Mason in the Set Subject Competition.

Tuesday 23 May
We provide the lighting and props; you provide the cameras and the ideas. The Photographic Workshop.

Tuesday 30 May
The Annual General Meeting.

Tuesday 5 September
First meeting of the new season. Old members, new members, prospective members; hope to see you all then.

Tuesday 11 April
Peter Karry ARPS was the 1995 AP/Kodak Amateur Photographer of the Year. He visits us with his slides to show us some of his ideas in "Creative Colour". Sponsored by Konica Minolta.

Wednesday 12 April
The annual Larter Cup Competition between Beckenham, Bromley and West Wickham is held at Beckenham PS this year. The highly respected judge is Martin Faiers of Selsdon CC.

Tuesday 18 April
This evening we reach the finals of our Annual Slide Competition. As judge, and standing in at short notice, we welcome Ron Edwards ARPS of Beckenham PS. Ron has been a friend of WWPS for many years and we are particularly grateful to him for coming to our rescue this evening.

Tuesday 25 April
At Age Concern, Active Age Centre, Sussex Road, West Wickham, BR4 0JX
Our Print Secretary, Mick White, will be "Back to Basics" this evening with prints and perhaps some digital. It is always interesting to have a talk by one of our members. The Programme Secretary would be pleased to hear from others who may be similarly inspired!

Tuesday 2 May
Rex Bamber FRPS of Croydon CC is the judge for the finals of our Annual Print Competition. Come along to hear the views of this very experienced photographer on our best prints.

The Vic Smith Trophy
The first Inter-Club Digital Competition for this trophy, originally announced as the Federation Inter-Club DigiPro Competition, was held on 16 March at Shirley Methodist Church Hall.

Thirteen clubs entered the competition. Judging was by three top-level judges, each independently marking an image on a scale from 2 to 5 points. No commentary was made by the judges whilst scoring. The total points awarded to each club decided the winner, which was Cheam CC with 142 points.

West Wickham Photographic Society’s entries and marks were as follows:

Total score 115 points which gained us 13th place!

Tuesday 14 March
Derek Forss, of Dorking CC, visits us with his print and digital show "Photography with Olympus". Prepare to be wowed by the landscapes!

Tuesday 21 March
Slide Heat 4 is the last chance to enter your pictures in this year's competition. The judge is Les Worger from Kingston CC.

Tuesday 28 March
An evening devoted to wildlife photography. A PAGB recorded lecture by Colin Smith FRPS will be followed by a members' discussion. Come prepared!

Tuesday 4 April
Print Heat 4 gives print workers a last opportunity to enter their work in this year's competition. The judge is Bob Turner FRPS from the Surrey Photographic Association. View some of Bob's images of Mauritius and Sydney.

Chairman Tony Deller writes:

'The Society has done extremely well in the Federation of South London Photographic Societies Competitions having got through to the semi-finals in all three classes.

On Wednesday 8 February, WWPS took part in two of those semi finals - the Colour Prints and the Monochrome Prints.

First was the Colour Prints match with Orpington. The judge, John Butler ARPS, DPAGB of Tonbridge CC, made it a very close-run thing. Despite our winning the plus point and both the certificates, our score totalled only 69 points against Orpington's 70 points.

Our opponents for the Monochrome Prints were South London. In this competition, we only managed one of the certificates but our scoring was more consistent. South London achieved 67 points but West Wickham gained 73½ points. So we go on to the Monochrome Final on Finals Day.

Our semi-final for the slides takes place later this month. We wait with bated breath.

Congratulations to all our members who have been involved'

You can see all the details and follow our progress on the FSLPS website.

Tuesday 14 February
We welcome as our speaker this evening Mike Birbeck FRPS, DPAGB of the Disabled Photographers' Society. Mike has been in a wheelchair since a flying accident in 1982, but this has not prevented him from becoming a distinguished photographer. For many years, he has been a leading figure in the DPS and is currently their President.

Tuesday 21 February
A Members' Evening, particularly for slide workers who can bring along their slides with their questions and contributions for an informal discussion.

Tuesday 28 February
The judge for the Series 6 Slide Competition is Gerald Kitiyakara LRPS, of Carshalton CC. Gerald, a well-respected judge, is always a most welcome visitor to West Wickham. He still plays a valuable part in the work of the Federation of South London Photographic Societies and is currently the treasurer.

Tuesday 7 March
Slides of the PAGB Print Competition for 2004 (not 2003 as shown in the programme).

Tuesday 10 January
Welcome back after the Christmas and New Year break. This is a Members' Evening, primarily intended for the informal discussion of members' prints, but it will probably extend to other areas!

We understand, as they say in the media, that a proposal for a new internal competition with a difference - working title Phototask - will also be discussed.

Tuesday 17 January
Monica Weller ARPS of Bookham CC will be talking to us about "My Sort of Pictures", mainly mono, with a few colour prints.

"I love photographing people. Everything I do now has evolved from a photo I took of a family in a boat in the Outer Hebrides ....."

Tuesday 24 January
Regular judge John Hill LRPS of Thornton Heath CC visits us for Slide Heat 3.

Tuesday 31 January
The recorded lecture "PAGB Awards - One Club's Experience" is an introduction to the standard of work required to achieve these increasingly popular awards. Numerous examples of work at Credit, Distinction and Master levels are shown by the members of Dumfries CC, which has gained more awards than any other club. Over 200 slides, approximately 90 minutes.

Tuesday 7 February
On his second visit to West Wickham, Gordon Roots LRPS of Bookham CC judges Print Heat 3.

How have our members spent the summer break from the weekly club routine? Many - perhaps most - will have filled their portfolios with the photographic harvest, ready for the struggles in the winter competitions.

But the break also gives an opportunity for reflection and thought. In this digital age, photography has probably become more accessible and popular than ever.

There was a massive response to a competition organised in association with BBC Four's A Digital Picture of Britain. In this programme, some of today's leading photographers were given a digital camera (selected from the wide range of types available) and invited to produce images of Britain's urban, rural and industrial landscapes. As a follow-up to this programme, advice on how to take good photographs was also provided.

Another and more dramatic illustration of the changing public approach to photography was provided by the London bombings in July. For the first time, at least in this country, a national disaster was recorded by its potential victims. With a camera built into a mobile phone, the ability to record events as they happen has been greatly increased.

And yet how much of this potential has been attracted to the world of club photography? In our area, only about 1 in 1000 adults is a member of a photographic organisation. Now, there's a thought.

Tuesday 20 September
David Wood ARPS, DPAGB of Beckenham PS is a regular and welcome visitor to West Wickham, usually as a judge. This evening, he comes in one of his other roles, as Chairman of the RPS Colour Group. If you have ever wondered about the role of the Royal Photographic Society or have any questions about it, this will be an opportunity to hear from someone in a good position to know many of the answers.

He will be bringing with him images from the Group's 2005 Exhibition (not 2004 as shown in the programme) and his digital projector.

Tuesday 27 September
Slide Heat 1 is the first competition evening of the new season so let's hope for a good and stimulating entry. The judge was to have been Ian Brash of Selsdon CC, one of the newer and younger judges, who was well received on his West Wickham debut last season when he judged a print heat.

Unfortunately, Ian is unable to make it on this occasion. However, Jack Bates FRPS, MPAGB, also of Selsdon CC, has very kindly agreed to step into the breach. Jack is well known to many members as the Secretary of the FSLPS. He is an experienced and active photographer.

Tuesday 4 October
A Photographic Clinic when we rely on the collective wisdom and knowledge of members to help answer the problems presented by other members. Can be one of the most rewarding occasions when the club offers support and advice.

• For the first time in several years I am pleased to be able to report that the Society’s finances are sufficiently sound to have no doubts about our continued existence. This is not due to a sudden increase in membership but to the fund-raising efforts of several of our members. Eddie and Sandra Gawan organised a stand at a boot sale to which many members generously gave items for sale. We had a stall at the Langley Park Craft Fair where we sold members' surplus photographs. Well done everyone.
• The Committee do not propose any changes in the annual subscriptions.
• The Society must continue its efforts to attract new members.
• By and large, meetings continue to be well attended and our competitions well supported.
• In the inter-club competitions, we held our own against much larger clubs.
• Brian Chaplin, our Programme Secretary and Webmaster, continues to find good speakers to entertain and inform us.
• The programme of monthly social outings, co-ordinated by Bob Zwolinsky, has been well supported. It is rewarding to see pictures taken on these trips appearing in the Society’s competitions. The outings continue throughout the summer.
• Members are reminded of the opportunity to show their images on the Gallery page of the website.
• Encouraged by Eddie Lewis and Mick White, our Slide and Print Secretaries, competitions continue to be an important and flourishing feature of our programme.
• My thanks go to all Committee members without whom the Society could not function, and to those members who undertake the mundane tasks of the meetings. To Eddie and Sandra Gawan who ensure that tea and biscuits (and sometimes cake) are available for interval refreshment. To those who turn up early and put out the chairs and stop behind to put them away afterwards.
• It is nice to be able for once to put before you an upbeat report. If we can gain some new members in the coming year, then the Society’s future will surely be secure.
• Something to think about in the next year. Many of your Committee members have in the past expressed the view that they would like to retire, if for no other reason than that they have held their posts for many, many years. However, the absence of nominees has caused those members to continue in their posts. This is not a healthy situation. Any organisation needs a turnover of its leaders to keep generating fresh ideas. So I would appeal to you, the membership, to consider whether you would be willing to serve on the Committee.
• Finally, as you all know my health has been poor these last few months causing me to have to temporarily stand down as Chairman. I am now on the road to recovery and envisage taking up my full duties in September. May I thank Mick White who took over the Society’s Chairmanship and has, I believe, done a superb job. Also may I thank you the members for your many messages of goodwill. I would also like to express my special thanks and love to Jennifer, my better half, who has been a rock throughout my illness.

Elections

Tuesday 5 April
Print Heat 4
Judge: Gordon Roots LRPS (Bookham CC)

Monochrome - Open

Colour - Standard

Colour - Advanced

Tuesday 12 April
"An Evening with Stephen Crawley" gave us a fascinating insight into the position of digital photography in the commercial world. One of the great features of photography is how, with its fusion of art and science, it attracts people from a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Stephen in fact started off by training to be a doctor but after two years of the course decided that his interests lay elsewhere. He now works mainly in the field of public relations photography, with the emphasis on fine art and antiques.

We were perhaps just a little surprised to learn that he finds he can meet the exacting standards required in this work by almost exclusively using digital techniques. However there was no argument about the quality of the examples which he showed us. We were very impressed. And, who knows, perhaps encouraged to aspire to the same quality in our own work?

Tuesday 19 April
Finals of the Annual Slide Competition
Judge: David Wood ARPS, DPAGB (Beckenham PS)

Tubby Gray Cup (Standard)

Club Cup (Advanced)

Londinium Trophy (Highest Total of Points in the Competition)

Tuesday 26 April
Larter Cup
Judge: Glyn Bareham LRPS (Invicta PC)

Tuesday 3 May
Finals of the Annual Print Competition
Judge: Gerald Kitiyakara LRPS (Carshalton CC)

Kimber Cup (Monochrome - Open)

Grove Plaque (Colour - Standard)

Harlequin Trophy (Colour - Advanced)

Graham Beale Trophy (Highest Total of Points in the Competition)

Tuesday 10 May
This was a nostalgic evening for lovers of black and white photography, impeccable printing and the British seaside. In the first part of "Mono Crone", Trevor Crone (Woolwich PS, Mirage Group and Arena) gave us a tour of the British coast, fortunately without the associated rain, wind and cold. But one could easily imagine the struggle, particularly with a large format camera.

After the interval, it was the turn of the seaside and the ghosts of its past. We saw the quirky, the eccentric and the humorous. Once thronged with visitors, these resorts are now frequently dilapidated and decaying. We recalled the spirit of former times, before the mass migration to the costas and the plages and, later, to countries on the other side of the world. This was truly photography with a caring and loving eye.

Tuesday 17 May
Series 6 Slide Competition
Judge: Monica Weller ARPS (Bookham CC)

Peter's Duck (Open)

Tuesday 10 May
In "Mono Crone", Trevor Crone, of Woolwich PS, Mirage Group and Arena, will share with us his passion for black and white landscape photography. Come along and enjoy an evening with one of the experts in this field.

Tuesday 17 May
The judge for the Series 6 Slide Competition is Monica Weller ARPS of Bookham CC. Let's hope for a good entry in the last competition of the season.

Tuesday 24 May
The idea of a Photographic Workshop was suggested as a way of improving the range and quality of our members' work. It is hoped to provide a basic range of equipment and materials, but if you have any specific requests, please let us know so that we can arrange for it to be available on the night. All you will then need is a camera and your creative enthusiasm!

Tuesday 31 May
The Annual General Meeting again brings the season to a close. The next season begins on Tuesday 6 September. In the meantime, why not take part in our programme of outings of photographic interest which runs thoughout the year?

Tuesday 12 April
Stephen Crawley, based in Wallington, visits us for an evening exploring digital photography in the commercial world.

Tuesday 19 April
The judge for the Slide Finals is a welcome and regular visitor to West Wickham, David Wood ARPS, DPAGB of Beckenham PS.

Tuesday 26 April
This year, it is the turn of West Wickham to host the Larter Cup, an annual competition between us and our neighbours and friendly rivals, Beckenham PS and Bromley CC. The judge will be Glyn Bareham LRPS, from Invicta PC near Maidstone. Glyn is on the KCPA Judges List and will be making his first to our club.

Tuesday 3 May
Gerald Kitiyakara LRPS of Carshalton CC will be the judge for the Print Finals this evening. Gerald is one of the most experienced and able of our local judges and members can look forward to an interesting and perceptive appraisal of the prints.

Tuesday 15 March
In "Fleet Street Memories", Reg Lancaster gave us a fascinating insight into the world of press photography in general, and that of the Daily Express in particular, during the second half of the twentieth century. Reg covered many of the big stories during this time; some emotional, others politically important, a few physically dangerous. A press photographer has to be versatile, ready to record whatever comes his way and, of course, most importantly, able to get his pictures back to his editor. Not a quiet life, but rewarding if you can take the strain!

Tuesday 22 March
Slide Heat 4
Judge: Ann Smith ARPS (Kingston CC)

Standard

Advanced

Tuesday 15 March
As a former Daily Express photographer, our speaker this evening, Reg Lancaster, is well qualified to talk about his "Fleet Street Memories". In addition, Reg has been very active with Orpington Ciné Society (now Orpington Video and Film Makers) for over thirty years.

Tuesday 22 March
Ann Smith ARPS is our judge for the last slide heat of the season. Ann is a member of Kingston CC, where she is the Publicity Officer, and also of Richmond & Twickenham PS. She will be returning later in the year to talk to us about her recent visit to China.

Tuesday 29 March
A chance to see some of the best work of many local photographers when we show slides of the prints from the 2004 Finals Day of the Federation of South London Photographic Societies.

Tuesday 5 April
This evening is the last opportunity for print workers to qualify for the Print Finals this season. Making his first visit to West Wickham as a judge will be Gordon Roots LRPS, the Programme Secretary of Bookham CC.

Tuesday 25 January
Standing in for Mike Gleave who was indisposed, Ron Driver ARPS of Bromley CC was the judge for Slide Heat 3. Our thanks to Ron for helping us out at short notice and for his valued contribution to an entertaining evening.

Standard

Advanced

Tuesday 8 February
In Print Heat 3, the judge was Ian Brash of Selsdon CC. Ian, making his debut at West Wickham, coped well with a large entry, and retained the attention of the audience throughout the evening.

Monochrome - Open

Colour - Standard

Colour - Advanced

Tuesday 22 February
This was an evening for the alchemists who wished to learn the secrets of the expert and his special brew and techniques. The title was "Lith and the Landscape" but Ian Coulling FRPS, wisely, was not afraid of a digression if the path was philosophically interesting.

Ian described a period in his life which was dedicated to exploring Man's relationship with the landscape. This involved removing the colour by taking a monochrome picture, then, after reducing the number of tones to give a lith print, putting some colour back by selective toning. All of this was expensive, in materials and in time.

The results showed a sensitive awareness of the qualities of light and subtle colour and of the importance of balance in the components of the photograph.

More recently, Ian has extended his landscape to the urban environment where architecture has, to a large extent, replaced the natural features. He has also forsaken the time-consuming and arduous darkroom processes and now uses digital lith printing which he finds can produce the same high quality of image which he demands.

Tuesday 1 March
Record Slide Competition for the Stoke Mandeville Trophy (Open)
Judge: Andy Smith (Photo Digital Club)

Tuesday 8 February
Print Heat 3, with a judge new to West Wickham, Ian Brash of Selsdon CC.

Tuesday 15 February
Members are invited to bring along their slides for an informal discussion. If you would like to hear an appraisal of your work before you enter it in competition, our judge-in-waiting, Tony Deller, will be happy to oblige.

Members will also be asked to decide the subject of next season's Set Subject Competition.

Tuesday 22 February
In "Lith and the Landscape", Ian Coulling FRPS, "with an impassioned eye and a creative sensibility, captures the beauty and variability of nature".

Tuesday 1 March
Andy Smith of the Photo Digital Club makes a welcome return, this time to judge our Record Slide Competition.

Tuesday 8 March
A sporty evening. We kick off with the PAGB recorded lecture "Sport for All" which features the work of Mike McNamee FRPS from the Wirral. In the second half, members are invited to take part in a discussion on sports photography.

Tuesday 18 January
A large audience, no doubt attracted by the opportunity to listen to a computer expert, was present for Steve Wilbur's talk "Digital from Start to Finish". The use of digital equipment continues to advance, as an irresistible tide sweeping all before it. Within a few years, isolated on one or two sandbanks, you will probably find a few souls talking of silver halide photography in much the same way as we think of plate cameras and chlorobromide prints.

Steve started in 1996, that is pretty early in digital history, when equipment was expensive and had a much lower specification than today.

He discussed the basic use of tools in Photoshop and then moved on to more advanced matters such as the treatment of "camera raw" images. This can include digital "development", and it is even possible to change the "exposure", in effect developing the image twice!

Further information about Steve Wilbur and digital photography can be found on Wilbur Imaging and Beckenham PS.

Tuesday 11 January
Members are invited to bring along their prints for an informal discussion. If you would like to hear an appraisal of your work before you enter it in competition, our judge-in-waiting, Mick White, will be happy to oblige. Or perhaps you have a technical problem which you would like solved? For these and many other reasons, this evening could be of interest to you.

Tuesday 18 January
Computer expert Steve Wilbur of Beckenham PS talks about "Digital from Start to Finish". Some prints but mainly a demonstration of techniques with the aid of a digital projector. Steve is a very active member of his club - Vice-President, Programme Secretary, Webmaster and FSLPS Delegate. He also finds time to take award-winning photographs such as "Dune"!

Tuesday 25 January
Slide Heat 3 with KCPA judge Mike Gleave ARPS, DPAGB, former President of Bromley CC, on his first judging visit to WWPS. Another chance for the slide workers to qualify for the final in April.

Tuesday 1 February
An evening looking at, and possibly commenting on, slides of the 2002 PAGB Print Exhibiton.

Tuesday 7 December
In the FSLPS monochrome match against Mitcham, we had a pleasing and comfortable victory by 71+ marks to 63.

Congratulations to Tony Deller, with "Portico British Museum", and Derek White, with "Violin Player", who both gained certificates.

The judge was Ron Edwards of Beckenham PS.

Tuesday 14 December
Print Heat 2
Judge: John Hill LRPS (Thornton Heath CC)

Monochrome - Open

Colour - Standard

Colour - Advanced

Tuesday 14 December
This evening's event is another heat of the Annual Print Competition. The judge, John Hill LRPS of Thornton Heath CC, is a regular and welcome visitor to West Wickham.

Tuesday 21 December
The Christmas Social will follow its traditional mix of light-hearted photographic quizzes, social chat and festive fare. It will then take us three weeks to recover, and therefore we next meet on 11 January 2005, full of good resolutions. We wish all our readers a peaceful Christmas and hope that if you are interested in photography and have not yet joined a photographic society, your first resolution for the new year might be to visit WWPS on a Tuesday evening to see what we can offer.

Tuesday 9 November
Natural History Competition for the Wren Trophy (Slides - Open)
Judge: Nenne van Dijk FRPS (Beckenham PS)

Tuesday 16 November
In a keenly contested FSLPS match against Beckenham PS, we eventually lost to our old rivals but were not disgraced. The judge was Rex Bamber FRPS (Croydon CC).

Colour Prints: West Wickham 64½ Beckenham 67+
Congratulations to Derek White who gained a certificate for "Kerry".

Colour Slides: West Wickham 64+ Beckenham 65½
Congraulations to Alec Mahood CPAGB who gained a certificate for "Brown Birch Bolete".

Friday 19 November
At Mitcham in another close match in the FSLPS Competition, we lost to Cheam in the monochrome prints category. The judge was Peter Morss ARPS (Kingston CC).

Monochrome Prints: West Wickham 66 Cheam 67½+

Congratulations to Derek White who gained a certificate for "Turbulent Clouds".

Tuesday 23 November
Slide Heat 2
Judge: Colin Brownett (Thornton Heath CC)

Standard

Advanced

Tuesday 30 November
In his talk "Birds of the Florida Everglades", Brian Sugden of Old Coulsdon CC, with the photographic assistance of Christine, gave us a fascinating account of the wildlife of a part of the United States much favoured by visitors from this country.

This was an evening which had a wider appeal than just to dedicated naturalists and expert photographers, although there was certainly much to maintain their particular interests. In spite of the title, images of other wildlife were included, ranging from the menace of alligators and snakes to the timid deer and rare otters. But it was the beauty and variety of the birds which made the deepest impression.

It was evident that for this type of work, the photographer will not only require skill and patience but, on occasions, physical fortitude, for example to wade through water in order to get the desired result. Judging from his pictures, Brian clearly possesses the necessary qualities.

He has returned to the area nearly every year since his first visit in 1997, and even says that he would like to make his home there. Undoubtedly he has further ambitions in his chosen field of wildlife photography.

Tuesday 9 November
Nenne van Dijk FRPS of Beckenham PS is the judge for the Natural History Slide Competition. "The subject shall be a living organism (other than a human being) .... wild or cultivated."

Tuesday 16 November
Our opponents in this FSLPS Colour Prints and Slides fixture are local rivals Beckenham PS. Experienced judge Rex Bamber FRPS gives his scores and comments.

Friday 19 November
A monochrome print match against Cheam CC, away at Mitcham who are competing against Croydon. The judge is Peter Morss ARPS of Kingston CC.

Tuesday 23 November
Another chance to see if your pictures can win a place in the Slide Finals later in the season. Colin Brownett of Thornton Heath CC is the judge for Slide Heat 2.

Tuesday 30 November
Keen ornithologist Brian Sugden of Old Coulsdon CC makes his first appearance at West Wickham with his slide talk "Birds of the Florida Everglades".

Tuesday 7 December
Our final FSLPS match this year. Tonight we compete against Mitcham with our monochrome prints. The 'supporting bout' is Selsdon v Thornton Heath. As judge, we again welcome Ron Edwards ARPS of Beckenham PS.

Tuesday 21 September
Les Worger of Kingston CC was making his first visit to West Wickham PS when he judged the first slide heat of the season. There was a good entry which he considered carefully, with helpful advice, before announcing his decisions.

Eddie Gawan won the standard class with "From Pole to Pole". Set on a tropical beach, it showed three white boat masts set diagonally in striking contrast against the brilliant blue of the sky.

The advanced class was dominated by entries from Alec Mahood CPAGB who took three out of the four places. The title of his winning picture was "Tranquility", perfectly describing the peaceful evening scene which he had captured.

Standard

Advanced

Tuesday 5 October
In the first heat of the Annual Print Competition, the judge, Martin Faiers of Selsdon CC, was particularly impressed with the monochrome entry. He also declared himself to be 'a sucker for triangles in pictures' and was pleased that we did not ask for marks out of 10.

This was an evening distinguished by a higher-than-usual level of originality in the entry and a general feeling that if this quality of work could be maintained, West Wickham would have a real chance of success in the FSLPS matches.

Tony Deller won the monochrome class with an urban landscape showing a typical run-down area complete with old warehouse, graffiti and the obligatory battered car. Not perhaps a particularly pleasant view, but it conveyed a clear message about the poverty of life in many parts of our cities.

The standard colour winner was Eddie Gawan with a strong portrait of an army officer, full of character and with a square, possibly symbolic, format.

In the advanced colour section, Tony Deller was again the winner, this time with a fine example of how a slow shutter speed can convey a sense of movement and competition in a race.

Monochrome - Open

Colour - Standard

Colour - Advanced

Tuesday 12 October
Members hoping to see immaculate printing and presentation were certainly not disappointed when Patricia Jones FRPS of Sevenoaks CC gave her talk "An Alternative View". The majority of the prints were arranged in panels of six, with each group being the photographic equivalent of the musical 'variations on a theme'. As with musical themes, we admired the ingenuity and creativity used to produce so many striking and attractive results from each starting point.

The themes all sprang from nature - landscapes, trees, water, flowers - and were developed using different photographic techniques, especially the use of light. In Patricia's hands, the camera was shown to be capable of producing a fine display of artistic talent.

Tuesday 26 October
Emphasising the different opinions which judges can hold, Roger Force FRPS of Dartford PS advised members, if they liked a photograph, to keep entering it in competitions. Sooner or later, they would find a judge who agreed with them. Roger was judging the Annual Members' Competition where the three classes are open to all. He was incisive in his comments, challenging members to improve their pictures and explaining clearly how he felt this could be done. He stressed the importance of adding value to a picture, and not being content to leave it at the initial idea.

Chalice Cup (Slides - Open)

Lumière Trophy (Monochrome Prints - Open)

Peggy Howell Trophy (Colour Prints - Open)

Tuesday 2 November
FSLPS Competition
Colour Prints: West Wickham 75 points - Greenwood 70½ points
Colour Slides: West Wickham 71½ points (with a certificate for "Pelican" by Bob Zwolinsky) - Greenwood 73 points

Federation of South London Photographic Societies Competition Away Fixtures
Wednesday 27 October
Monochrome Prints: Croydon 69 points - West Wickham 68+ points (with a certificate for "Turbulent Clouds" by Derek White)
Monday 1 November
Colour Prints: South London 68½+ points - West Wickham 66½ points
Colour Slides: South London 67½ points - West Wickham 64 points

In The Independent for Saturday 21 August, Howard Jacobson wrote:

To resurrect the old controversy, where stands photography? If it is with the artists, and Mr Jacobson is right, how can photographic societies (surely "artists' co-operatives") still exist? And how about one artist judging anothers' work? Can he really be "feigning generosity"?

Tuesday 12 October
Patricia Jones FRPS of Sevenoaks CC makes a welcome return visit with a further selection of her prints in "An Alternative View". Patricia is a very active officer of the Kent County Photographic Association as well as being a distinguished photographer.

Tuesday 19 October
The slide tape presentation of the 2002 London Salon Exhibition shows the work of the leading pictorial photographers. Can almost be guaranteed to provoke strong feelings about the photographs!

Tuesday 26 October
Roger Force FRPS of Dartford PS, the judge for the Annual Members' Competition, comments on some of the entries, announces the results and presents the trophies. Roger's views are always worth hearing, even if you are not one of the winners. A good occasion for any prospective member to make his or her first visit to the club. All welcome, particularly any young enthusiasts.

Tuesday 2 November
Our first FSLPS home fixture of the season is against Greenwood. Colour Prints and Slides are judged by Joyce Rowlands of Carshalton CC.

Federation of South London Photographic Societies Away Fixtures
Wednesday 27 October Monochrome Prints v Croydon. Judge: Gerald Kitiyakara (Carshalton CC).
Monday 1 November Colour Prints and Slides v South London. Judge: Martin Faiers (Selsdon CC).

Tuesday 14 September
In "From Darkroom to the Light", Dave Mason entertainingly described his progress through some of the camera clubs of south London, starting at Greenwich in 1991. He showed some of his early black and white efforts, followed by the results of his discovery of infra-red.

From 1997, trade processed colour prints and, eventually, digital prints allowed him, with some regrets, to give up the darkroom completely. He recounted the stories behind his successes and some of his failures with almost equal affection.

Dave has always been a keen supporter of photographic clubs. Sadly, Greenwich and Aperture are no more, but Dave moved on and is currently a member of (only!) three clubs: Woolwich, Beckenham and Mirage. Include his roles as speaker and judge, visit his website, and you will get some idea of his enthusiasm for photography.

• Alec Mahood CPAGB obtained a Highly Commended Award for his Nature Slide 'Adder (Pelias Barus)' in the KCPA Annual Exhibition.
• The exhibition, which continues at Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley until 25 September, is well worth a visit. The building and gardens are added attractions. Free parking.
• Alec has also had his monochrome print 'Iguana' published in Amateur Photographer (28 August) as an entry in round 6 of APOY. He scored 24 points.
• The club was represented by a small exhibition of prints at the Ripley Arts Centre Annual Garden Party on 28 August.
• Both the Riverside Walk from London Bridge and the outing to Painshill Park were well attended and were enjoyed by all.
• The Treasurer would like to remind members that their subscriptions for the new season are now due.

Tuesday 7 September
Although some members will still be on holiday, the new season begins this evening with the showing of the slides of the PAGB 2001 Colour Slide Exhibition. There is a taped commentary.

Tuesday 14 September
Dave Mason of Woolwich Photographic Society returns with another of his inimitable talks, this time entitled "From Darkroom to the Light". Sometimes provocative, always interesting.

Tuesday 21 September
For the first slide heat of the season, we welcome Les Worger (Surrey Photographic Association and Kingston Camera Club) as a judge new to West Wickham. Please try to ensure that he has a good entry of slides to consider.

Tuesday 28 September
This members' evening takes the form of a photographic clinic for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of your photographic troubles and complaints. Listen to the sympathetic views of our experienced consultants.

Please note that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society will be held at the start of the evening.

Tuesday 5 October
Martin Faiers of Selsdon Camera Club is the judge for our first print heat this season. Martin has been a valued visitor to our club for many years and is an experienced and able judge. He has a declared preference for prints so here is an opportunity to get an expert appraisal of your work.

• Good housekeeping means that there will not need to be an increase in subscriptions for the coming year. But more members must remain a priority.
• The past year has seen a welcome increase in the number of entries in the club's various competitions. In the future, the print and slide secretaries may have to impose limits on the numbers in order to reduce the burden on the judges.
• We did reasonably well in the inter-club events and reached the semi-final stage in the colour print section of the Federation of South London Photographic Societies' competition. Perhaps our current problem in finding sufficient monochrome entries will decline when the digital workers discover the delights of monochrome images.
• Particular thanks are due to Brian Chaplin, our Programme Secretary, for arranging yet another excellent year of meetings including an evening when some members (including your Chairman) found out about the difficulties of being a judge! Brian also acts as our Webmaster and would welcome contributions from members for the pages of the website.
• My thanks to all the members of the Committee for their continued support. Denis Noble has indicated that after several years as Treasurer he now wishes to stand down. We thank him for his service. Eddie Gawan is willing to fill the vacancy and offers himself for election.
• Bob Zwolinsky has become our unofficial trip organiser. Please support the events which he has arranged for the summer break. It's an opportunity to keep in touch, socialise and, who knows, even take some pictures.
• Finally, may I express my personal thanks to you the members for your concern over my recent illness and to Mick White who took over as Chairman during the period of my convalescence.

Elections

We hope that you will have fun developing your photographic skills by learning with other club members in a relaxed environment at venues you might not normally visit. The aim is that by the end of the summer season, you will have sufficient shots for a least one slide or print heat and an entry for the Series Six slide competition.

Crystal Palace Sports Centre, Tuesday 8 June from 6.30 pm
Try to arrive by 7 pm, but as racing will continue to about 8.15 pm it does not matter if you are a bit late. Entrance is free. Take particular care if crossing the circuit and on corners as these are likely accident spots. Always obey the orders of marshals.

Use the Anerley Hill entrance and go straight ahead. You will soon come to the action. And photographing cycle circuit racing is action all the way. You are so close that good shots can even be taken using a wide-angle lens. Your long lens will enable you to compress a head-on view. You can try panning with almost any lens as the riders are so close. Remember the flashgun for fill-in if taking low angle shots and also for a mix of freeze and blur in the same shot. The riders are constantly circling for an hour on a small circuit so there will always be plenty going on near you. Don't forget the potential for candid shots of the spectators for your people portfolio.

A strategy? Walk the circuit first to identify the best positions. Load fast film, especially as the light will deteriorate as the evening progresses. You might want to use a long lens without a tripod for at least some of the time. Start with the long lens, then as the light fades move to shorter lenses and try panning to put the background out of focus. The success rate with sports action can be low, so take plenty of shots to improve your chances. If your digital camera has a long shutter delay, it might be unsuitable for the action pictures.

Painshill Park, Cobham, Surrey, Saturday 3 July at 11 am
Leave the M25 at junction 10. Take the A3 (London) and then the A245 (Cobham). The entrance to the free car park is in Between Street, Cobham, 200 m east of the A245/A307 roundabout. The entrance charge is £6 for adults and £5.25 for concessions.

Painshill Park is one of the 18th century’s great landscape parks. Here history, art, and landscape design come together spectacularly to offer visitors an enlightening, breathtaking and tranquil day out.

We will meet in the café just past the entrance. By the time we finish (back in the café), you should have park landscapes, architectural images, plant close-ups and people shots in the bag!

A Walk on the South Side, Sunday 1 August
A walk from London Bridge Station to Bermondsey, following the river. Architectural photographic opportunities abound, from Victorian wharfs to modern abstracts. While following the activity on the river and the panoramas on the north bank, remember to look closer to hand and take some human-interest shots in the multitude of bars and cafés. Why not try something different, eg film stock/speed, length of lens or view angles, which you do not normally consider.

Catch the London Bridge train at 10.07 am from Hayes, at 10.10 am from West Wickham or at 10.12 am from Eden Park. The group will be in the second carriage from the front. If using alternative transport, meet our train at the subway exit from the platform at 10.47 am. If you miss the train, Bob Zwolinsky will wait in the Upper Crust sandwich shop on the main platform concourse until 11.30 am. Information about the suggested route and refreshment stops will be distributed on arrival.

Treasure Hunt, Dulwich Village, Sunday 26 September at 10 am
This event has unfortunately had to be cancelled. For details of a substitute outing, please click here.

All enquiries please to Bob Zwolinsky, by email or phone 020 8462 4972.

Tuesday 11 May
Andy Smith of Photo Digital Club was the judge who had the long and difficult task of looking at and commenting on over a hundred slides in twenty entries for the Series 6 Competition. Members were asked to describe a theme or tell a story in pictures rather than words - a sort of photographic essay. Each entry had to consist of a set of from five to eight slides in which the appropriateness of the image was at least as important as its photographic quality.

The winner was an imaginative treatment of "Shutters" by Bob Zwolinsky who also gained an honourable menton with "Badges" (of cars). Alec Mahood CPAGB was commended for "Birds of the Farne Islands" and for a set of "Winter Cameos"

Tuesday 18 May
In his talk "From A to D to F", Roger Force FRPS, DPAGB described his progress in photography. During a period of over thirty years, he has moved from 'A' (analogue silver based) to 'D' (digital) to 'F' (Fellowship). His interest in photography began with a Kodak Brownie camera and developing films and prints in a tray. Large prints of his early work were compared with modern scanned versions of the same images iewed using a digital projector.

With the advent of digital photography, he was quick to realise the new creative possibilities. This was most clearly demonstrated in the panel of twenty colour prints which gained him his Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. All the images were of reflections in the water that surrounds the Bluewater Shopping Centre.

This was an inspirational evening with one of the leading communicators in the local photographic world.

Where and When
Meet at 10 am on Sunday 9 May in the restaurant at Sheffield Park Station.

Sheffield Park Station is situated on the A275 East Grinstead - Lewes road, about two miles north of its junction with the A272. The Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park is also well signposted, with brown tourist direction signs from the A22 and A23.

What's Special?
Turn back the clock to the dark and difficult days of World War II.

• Prime Minister 'Winston Churchill' in attendance
• Military vehicles on display
• Afternoon band concerts
• UXB and wardens' post
• Mock battles
• Regular steam train services from 11 am

There are plenty of opportunities to take people pictures. Move out of the comfort zone. If people are in costume, they will take it as a compliment if you ask them to have their picture taken.

Don't forget the architecure. Mick is short of these pictures to represent the club in competitions.

Unhappy with the train pictures you took last time? Now you have a chance to put that learning into practice and get better results. If you have that 1930/40 camera in the loft, what an excuse to get it out, preferably use it, or just hang it round your neck so that you blend in. When your pictures are processed, remember to share your experiences and learning with other club members.

Club Competition Ideas
Why not use the day to get a portfolio for next year's record slide competition? With trains, road vehicles, buildings, band instruments, uniform regalia etc, the opportunities are endless. There is so much that the chance of another member taking the same picture is minimal.

Tuesday 11 May
In spite of the name, the Series 6 Slide Competition is for sets of from five to eight slides on a common theme or sequence. The judge will be Andy Smith of Slade Green PS.

Thursday 18 May
Expected to be one of the highlights of the season. In "A to D to F", Roger Force FRPS, DPAGB tells us about his successful journey through the photographic distinctions. Illustrated by prints from his panels.

Tuesday 25 May
The Annual General Meeting rounds off the photographic year. Back on 7 September.

Tuesday 13 April
In the finals of the Annual Slide Competition, the judge was Gerald Kitiyakara LRPS of Carshalton CC. After an absence of several seasons while he was heavily engaged in FSLPS matters, he quickly showed that he had lost none of his judging skills. His masterly and fluent analysis of a photograph which he had only just seen made for an informative as well as an entertaining evening.

Philosophically, he pondered particularly on record photography where, in the choice of view and illumination, the photographer must show added value to the artistic features inherent in the subject.

Although different in their photographic style, both the winning slides were of birds. The standard class was was won by Bob Zwolinsky's "Pelican", a strong and dramatic profile, while Alec Mahood CPAGB took the advanced class with "Tawny Owl", a picture showing great clarity and high technical quality. Alec also gained the highest total of points during the whole of this year's slide competition.

Tubby Gray Cup (Standard)

Club Cup (Advanced)

Londinium Trophy (Highest Total of Points in the Competition)

Thursday 27 April
"Judges are not infallible. If I make a mistake, please feel free to let me know". This was the invitation from Steve Lawrenson ARPS of Reigate Photographic Society when judging the finals of the Annual Print Competition. Happily, no such intervention was necessary. His judgements were clear and fair and his comments helpful. He drew attention to problems arising from both too little and too much control in digital photography. Converging verticals, particularly when near the edge of a print, should be corrected. On the other hand, excessive sharpening of the image was noted in a couple of prints. He observed approvingly that another picture was a "nice piece of fun. I don't think we get enough fun in our photography."

Alec Mahood CPAGB won the monochrome class with his fearsome looking "Iguana" and jointly with Mick White the trophy for the highest points total in the competition. In the standard colour, the winner was Eddie Gawan with "Gladys", a portrait of an elderly lady. Derek White took the advanced colour section with "Quiet Smoke", a peaceful urban composition.

Kimber Cup (Monochrome - Open)

Grove Plaque (Colour - Standard)

Harlequin Trophy (Colour - Advanced)

Graham Beale Trophy (Highest Total of Points in the Competition)

If you have ever wondered about the process of judging photographs, here are some facts and figures which may give you some food for thought. They were obtained as part of a discussion evening for members of West Wickham Photographic Society held on 2 March 2004.

To help members to appreciate at first hand the many problems associated with judging, they were invited to take part in a practical exercise. 17 slides (not judged previously at the club) had been selected as typical of an ordinary club slide heat. Thus there was a wide range of subjects and quality. The 14 members in the audience, none of whom is an active judge, were asked if they would be willing to comment publicly on the slides. Their reaction varied. Some, frankly, were horrified at the prospect; others were less reticent and may even have secretly welcomed the opportunity. Anyway, whatever their motives, six brave souls ("the judges") volunteered to take it in turns to comment, one judge per slide. Two describe below some of their feelings about this process.

Following normal practice, there was an initial run-through of all the pictures so that everyone had an idea of their range and standard. Each slide was then shown again in turn, and, during the judge's comments, members wrote down anonymously the mark (on a scale of 1 to 10) they awarded for each image before the judge announced his/her score.

The marks have now been collated and analysed.

Slides
From the marks awarded by the members, for each slide a mean mark ("average") and a standard deviation ("spread") have been calculated. The highest and lowest marks for each slide were noted, as were the number of members who awarded it their highest mark ("bests") and the number who awarded it their lowest mark ("worsts").

The means went from 4.14 to 8.07; no surprise here as the slides were very different in terms of photographic quality. However, the standard deviations (0.73 to 1.61) suggested that personal preference of subject matter in some cases may have played a more important role than photographic quality. When one looks at the cases where there was a particularly low standard deviation (and an above average mean), one often finds a picture of a familiar subject which might perhaps, not unfairly, be labelled as a 'holiday snap'. Of course, the members were 'amateur' judges and these variations may not be present with the 'professionals', although one might not be wise to assume that this is always the case. The lower the standard deviation, the closer the marks; probably a value of up to about 1.10 might be thought acceptable. Seven of the slides exceeded this value. Further evidence that this variation can be a problem is provided by the highest and lowest marks. The two slides which were clearly the least regarded by a majority of members gained a lowest mark of 1 but a highest mark of 6, and from more than one source! Only one slide did not appear in the "bests" or the "worsts" but three were placed in both categories.

But then you probably suspected most of this already. It is not unknown for a picture which has failed to find favour with one judge to succeed with another on a different occasion!

Members
From the marks awarded by each member, a similar analysis has been made. The means varied from 4.88 to 7.18 but is the second person a better judge than the first? Their standard deviations were 1.91 and 1.29, highest marks 8 and 10 and lowest marks 1 and 5 respectively. So while the second would probably be more popular with the photographers because the marks were higher, it could be argued that the first was doing a better job because he/she was discriminating between the pictures and making better use of the ten-point scale.

Further evidence of poor discrimination is seen if we look at the numbers of "bests" and "worsts". Four members each scored a total of at least four images as "bests" and four members each scored a total of at least four images as "worsts". One member appeared in both groups!

Of course these members might say that they were trying not to discourage photographers. While this may have some validity for the "worsts", the purpose of most judging, and certainly in West Wickham competitions, is to decide on a winner or the first four places in order of merit. Here surely discrimination is essential.

The Judges
One of the hopes in arranging this evening was that at least some of the judges might discover that they had an aptitude for judging and take it up seriously. There is certainly a need to discover new talent. How then did the judges feel about their evening? The six volunteers were asked this question and were promised anonymity for their thoughts.

Two judges accepted the invitation. Perhaps the others are still in a state of shock and prefer to regard the whole experience as a bad dream and best forgotten as quickly as possible! Anyway, many thanks to "the noble two", and here are their thoughts.

Finally, one thing is acknowledged with gratitude; the devotion of our judges who each year, and often for many years, travel a considerable distance in all weathers for little financial reward. Why? It can only be because of their love for photography and a desire that others should share that with them. A survey of our members' likes and dislikes done a few years ago identified competitions as the favourite item in the club's programme. For that, we owe a great debt to the judges.

Tuesday 13 April
After a break of a few years while he was Chairman of FSLPS, we welcome back Gerald Kitiyakara LRPS of Carshalton CC as a judge, this time for our Annual Slide Competition Finals. The finalists, chosen in the four heats held for both the Standard and the Advanced Class, compete for the Tubby Gray Cup and the Club Cup.

Thursday 15 April
An away meeting at Bromley CC in which Beckenham, Bromley and West Wickham compete for the Larter Cup. The judge for this event, which involves recent monochrome prints and colour slides, will be Keith Evans FRPS, DPAGB of Tonbridge CC.

Tuesday 20 April
A PAGB recorded lecture "From Silhouette to Space Age" by Herbert Jones FRPS, APAGB. Donated by Beckenham PS, this unique collection of 185 slides shows examples of work of some of the early masters, illustrating how photography has changed over the decades, and culminating in the creative techniques presented by photographers today.

Tuesday 27 April
The judge for the Annual Print Competition Finals will be Steve Lawrenson ARPS of Reigate PS. Come along to see the best of this year's prints in Open Monochrome, Standard Colour and Advanced Colour classes.

Tuesday 4 May
The winners of WWPS competitions from September 2001 onwards will be invited to show their winning entries, to reveal the stories behind their photographs and to answer questions from the audience.

Tuesday 9 March
Over the last few years, many experienced photographers have embarked on the transition from a "wet darkroom" to a "dry lightroom", from chemical processes to digital electronics. Only when the change is complete will we be able to appreciate the importance of this development in photography. It is certainly comparable to, if not greater than, the change from making your own emulsion on glass plates to the use of manufactured film. In his talk "Mono, My Way", Alan Thompson FRPS of Dorking CC described his personal journey along this route and showed many fine examples of his work.

These included the use of lith and infra-red film and several methods of toning to get his desired effect. His favourite subject is the misty Surrey hills which feature strongly in his most successful images. He showed appreciative members his two successful Royal Photographic Society panels. That for the earlier Associateship was fairly traditional in its construction whereas only a few years later, the digital prints for the Fellowship showed a marked development in style. Alan had clearly realised the potential of the new technology.

Tuesday 16 March
In the fourth and final heat of this season's Slide Competition, the judge was Les Stotten of Old Coulsdon Camera Club. Les was making his last visit to West Wickham as a judge, having decided, after many years on the FSLPS panel, to take a well-earned retirement. However we shall keep in touch because he has taken over the task of making the slides of the prints from the FSLPS Finals Day, which is perhaps marginally more relaxing than judging! We wish him well and thank him for all his help over the years.

Standard

Advanced

Tuesday 30 March
Judging the final heat of this season's Print Competition, Dave Mason of Beckenham Photographic Society observed that the entries in the standard colour section seemed to show a more adventurous choice of subject than in the advanced group. He thought that if you, the photographer, enjoy your pictures, then that is probably all that really matters.

Monochrome - Open

Colour - Standard

Colour - Advanced

Part 6: What is the truth?
Having produced a print, why not sit back and enjoy it? Unfortunately, most photographers can't resist making a little improvement here and a small change there. If the technology is available, people will use it, especially if they sense that perfection is within their grasp. Rather like cosmetic surgeons, photographers have accepted and used the new tools until we reach a point where a judge was recently heard to exclaim that a print was "too sharp". But we know what he meant. The print did not appear to be real. It may also have lacked the minor blemishes which distinguish the naturally occurring from the manufactured. Perhaps we should accept a degree of restraint in the manipulation of the image.

But it is hard to say of any digital tool that it should never be used. All of them have counterparts in silver halide photography; it's just that they were then more difficult to use. So which tools am I finding most useful and are there any drawbacks?

• Removal of unintended spots. No problems here.
• Cropping. Necessary with most images and of course one of the great advantages of using prints as compared with slides.
• Rotation. Useful if the image has strong features which clearly must be shown as horizontal or vertical. If such a feature is absent, the same operation can be very effective in increasing the dramatic quality of a photograph.
• Adjusting colour balance, preferably using an automatic command. Very useful if the film type and the lighting were not meant for each other!
• Sharpening an image by the judicious use of the unsharp mask command. For an explanation of this unlikely-sounding technique, see H. Baines "The Science of Photography" (Fountain Press, London, 1958) pp 216-219.

Well, that completes the account of my journey through the Land of Gigabytes. Perhaps I shall return in the future on a day excursion and be able to se