Archived Items
13th September 2021
The London Salon of Photography exists to “exhibit only that class of photographic work in which there is distinct evidence of artistic feeling and execution”. The idea that photography should be seen primarily as an artistic medium goes way back into the nineteenth century with photographers such as Roger Fenton: a founder of the Royal Photographic Society. When Thornbury Camera Club exhibited images from the London Salon, we knew that we could expect something other than what has become known as “club photography”. We knew not to expect “chocolate box” landscapes, wildlife or sport.
These were images where the primary intent was to catch (or to create) the mood. This tended to be achieved through monochrome or muted colours. This was often supported by textures added to the image, or of a coarseness or grain imitating the character of over-processed film. Backgrounds made from images of badly plastered walls have become a cliché in recent years. After all, if Rembrandt could get away with textured backgrounds in the seventeenth century, why should we not do the same?
In the discussion which followed, not everyone seemed to appreciate what the Salon members were trying to achieve. Perhaps the difference between these images and those we are used to was uncomfortable. Despite this, there was a feeling that we were being challenged and that can only be a good thing.
The London Salon of Photography exists to “exhibit only that class of photographic work in which there is distinct evidence of artistic feeling and execution”. The idea that photography should be seen primarily as an artistic medium goes way back into the nineteenth century with photographers such as Roger Fenton: a founder of the Royal Photographic Society. When Thornbury Camera Club exhibited images from the London Salon, we knew that we could expect something other than what has become known as “club photography”. We knew not to expect “chocolate box” landscapes, wildlife or sport.
These were images where the primary intent was to catch (or to create) the mood. This tended to be achieved through monochrome or muted colours. This was often supported by textures added to the image, or of a coarseness or grain imitating the character of over-processed film. Backgrounds made from images of badly plastered walls have become a cliché in recent years. After all, if Rembrandt could get away with textured backgrounds in the seventeenth century, why should we not do the same?
In the discussion which followed, not everyone seemed to appreciate what the Salon members were trying to achieve. Perhaps the difference between these images and those we are used to was uncomfortable. Despite this, there was a feeling that we were being challenged and that can only be a good thing.
6th September 2021
For the first time in a year and a half, Thornbury Camera Club was able to meet face to face. In some ways things were back to normal: in other ways, the club has moved on and learned from its period in lockdown. This time the meeting was held as jointly live and over Zoom. While most members came to Turnberries, nine joined the meeting over Zoom. While most of the evening consisted of speakers in Turnberries, one talk was given over Zoom from the presenter’s home.
As this was the first meeting of the year, the members of the committee were each invited to introduce themselves by giving a short talk to show off their photographs. The talks started with a regatta at Oldbury: the images of yachts and boats changing as the tide came in. The talks went on to include images of bicycles and birds; a squirrel in the Rocky Mountains; a Police Museum and the tabloid press in Wapping.
The evening concluded with a presentation to Andy Gillingham. Until he stood down at the last AGM, Andy had been secretary of the club for 35 years. A remarkable achievement.
For the first time in a year and a half, Thornbury Camera Club was able to meet face to face. In some ways things were back to normal: in other ways, the club has moved on and learned from its period in lockdown. This time the meeting was held as jointly live and over Zoom. While most members came to Turnberries, nine joined the meeting over Zoom. While most of the evening consisted of speakers in Turnberries, one talk was given over Zoom from the presenter’s home.
As this was the first meeting of the year, the members of the committee were each invited to introduce themselves by giving a short talk to show off their photographs. The talks started with a regatta at Oldbury: the images of yachts and boats changing as the tide came in. The talks went on to include images of bicycles and birds; a squirrel in the Rocky Mountains; a Police Museum and the tabloid press in Wapping.
The evening concluded with a presentation to Andy Gillingham. Until he stood down at the last AGM, Andy had been secretary of the club for 35 years. A remarkable achievement.
23rd August 2021
Over the summer, Thornbury Camera Club has arranged outings to local places of photographic interest from Portishead to Clifton. For the last of these summer outings, the club came home to Thornbury.
The sun was low in the western sky. Even though it is still August and we still think of this as summer, autumn is coming on and the days are getting shorter. In order to get some light, several members made their way to Mundy Playing fields where such light as was available was not hidden by the buildings in the high street. The playground equipment provided some abstract shapes while others were attracted by the stream and overhanging trees.
Others abandoned the natural light and took a look at the possibilities available in the artificial light of shop windows. Charity shops seemed particularly attractive with the remarkable variety of second hand goods on sale. For some reason ladies dress shoes seemed particularly in evidence. Perhaps COVID has meant people are not going out as much and don’t need party pumps.
At the end of the evening, the group gathered in the Wheatsheaf for a chat and a drink. Then, as if the earlier part of the evening had not been enough, they proceeded to take photographs of each other. The resulting portraits provided much merriment.
Over the summer, Thornbury Camera Club has arranged outings to local places of photographic interest from Portishead to Clifton. For the last of these summer outings, the club came home to Thornbury.
The sun was low in the western sky. Even though it is still August and we still think of this as summer, autumn is coming on and the days are getting shorter. In order to get some light, several members made their way to Mundy Playing fields where such light as was available was not hidden by the buildings in the high street. The playground equipment provided some abstract shapes while others were attracted by the stream and overhanging trees.
Others abandoned the natural light and took a look at the possibilities available in the artificial light of shop windows. Charity shops seemed particularly attractive with the remarkable variety of second hand goods on sale. For some reason ladies dress shoes seemed particularly in evidence. Perhaps COVID has meant people are not going out as much and don’t need party pumps.
At the end of the evening, the group gathered in the Wheatsheaf for a chat and a drink. Then, as if the earlier part of the evening had not been enough, they proceeded to take photographs of each other. The resulting portraits provided much merriment.
The results of Comp 4 (June 14th) - Street Photography and the year end league table
can be found HERE
can be found HERE
9th August 2021
Since we live near Bristol it made sense for members of Thornbury Camera Club to visit our local city for a photography expedition. In particular, they visited Clifton. This is traditionally one of the most affluent areas of Bristol: its affluence based originally on the Slave Trade.
In this occasion, ten members of the club met near the Lookout Lectern on Sion Hill. Some people then headed towards Brunel’s Bridge and the Observatory while others made for the Georgian streets and the small shops to be found there. The old streets and broad pavements make for picturesque scenes where the residents seem to be permanently painting their properties. In places, the pigeons congregate. I suspect the pigeons were already here when then houses were built.
Unlike many city districts, Clifton has open spaces with trees overhanging the gorge. Despite the danger, there is always a temptation to lean over the edge. Some people with a head for heights were photographed perched on a high precipice overlooking the gorge. To be a little safer, the views from the Observatory are excellent.
Throughout the evening, the weather was good with clear light as sunset approached.
Though ten members had started the evening, just three reached the Albion for a drink and a chat afterwards.
Since we live near Bristol it made sense for members of Thornbury Camera Club to visit our local city for a photography expedition. In particular, they visited Clifton. This is traditionally one of the most affluent areas of Bristol: its affluence based originally on the Slave Trade.
In this occasion, ten members of the club met near the Lookout Lectern on Sion Hill. Some people then headed towards Brunel’s Bridge and the Observatory while others made for the Georgian streets and the small shops to be found there. The old streets and broad pavements make for picturesque scenes where the residents seem to be permanently painting their properties. In places, the pigeons congregate. I suspect the pigeons were already here when then houses were built.
Unlike many city districts, Clifton has open spaces with trees overhanging the gorge. Despite the danger, there is always a temptation to lean over the edge. Some people with a head for heights were photographed perched on a high precipice overlooking the gorge. To be a little safer, the views from the Observatory are excellent.
Throughout the evening, the weather was good with clear light as sunset approached.
Though ten members had started the evening, just three reached the Albion for a drink and a chat afterwards.
The results of Comp 5 - (Open) are under the Competitions tab
Steve Wells has updated his tutorial on Colour on the Tips and Tricks page
He has also updated his tutorial on using zoom
A new tutorial of Steve's on Histograms is on the Tips and Tricks page
Steve has put together a tutorial on Panels and Composite Images incorporating many of the tips that Mike Martin shared with us on Monday.
This can be found in the Tips and Tricks page
He has also updated his tutorial on using zoom
A new tutorial of Steve's on Histograms is on the Tips and Tricks page
Steve has put together a tutorial on Panels and Composite Images incorporating many of the tips that Mike Martin shared with us on Monday.
This can be found in the Tips and Tricks page
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Our Tom Crowe entry and results can be found under the Galleries tab |
Andy Gillingham has written some notes on how to show your images at their best when presenting digital images.
This can be found in the Tips and Tricks page for future reference
This can be found in the Tips and Tricks page for future reference
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The Pentaptych pictures for the end of term project can be found beneath the Members' Galleries tab HERE |
There is a link to Digital Camera World cards to download/print on the 'Tips and Tricks' page These are 72 tips on different aspects of photography. |
Thanks to Simon Meeds for an interesting and informative talk via zoom on Creative Problem
Solving . The slides and notes for the talk
and also another section that Simon didn't
have time to cover are in Tips and Tricks HERE
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The results and winning images for Comp 5 (Open) and the final results for the year are under the Competitions tab |
The results for the 3 way Battle held on 16th September were as follows: Thornbury 464 points Crossbow 446 points Sodbury and Yate also 446 points Several of our members gained a maximum score of 20 points so special congratulations to them. Janet has sent a flyer to the membership containing our entry, the photographers and the individual scores. |
Following on from discussions at a recent club meeting there is a link HERE to an article in Amateur Photographer regarding the Law and Street Photography
Mark Hayward has shared with us a post processing site that he uses which is now free to download.
It can be found at http://www.dl-c.com/ - link HERE - (Digital Light and Colour)
Oz Parfitt showed us how he used his images to fill text. His notes on this can be
found on the Tips and Tricks page HERE
Following on from Simon Riches' talk on 'What catches the eye in DPIC,
Rob England has found 3 links on what judges look for in competitions. They can be found
in the Tips and Tricks page HERE
Rob England has found 3 links on what judges look for in competitions. They can be found
in the Tips and Tricks page HERE
3 Way Battle Results for 2018
The results of the 3 Way Battle were:
Thornbury 396 Points
Sodbury and Yate 384 Points
Crossbow 377 Points
A link to our entry is HERE
Updates for this season regarding competitions
There will be no beginners pdi competition (Just one competition for all)
and
The 3 year restriction has been lifted for competition entries
Also, please note the new sizes for pdi competition images for the coming year
- 1600px wide x 1200px high (max)
If you need help with resizing, there is a link to Steve Wells' powerpoint
presentation HERE
There will be no beginners pdi competition (Just one competition for all)
and
The 3 year restriction has been lifted for competition entries
Also, please note the new sizes for pdi competition images for the coming year
- 1600px wide x 1200px high (max)
If you need help with resizing, there is a link to Steve Wells' powerpoint
presentation HERE
George Collett has obtained his CPAGB. The pictures and details can be seen in the
May newsletter update. Congratulations to George.
3 Way Battle Results for 2017
The results of the 3 Way Battle were:
Thornbury 400 Points
Crossbow 386 Points
Sodbury and Yate 379 Points
Congratulations to George Collett, Janet Oxenham, Andy Gillingham and Simon Riches
who each scored 18 points for one of their pictures.
The results for the 3 Way Battle in September 2016 were:
Sodbury and Yate 449
Thornbury 441
Crossbow 428
Congratulations to Sodbury and Yate!
Below are the 3 pictures from TCC members that received the maximum of 20 points each. You can enlarge on the pictures by clicking on them
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Sunlight Through the Window by Janet Oxenham
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Historic Laycock by George Collett
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Lily by Barbara Gibbons
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Barrian Cup 2016
The Barrian Cup was held on Saturday 11th June in Barry. Congratulations to George Collett and Peter Howarth who both scored 19 out of 20 (pictures below). Out of a total of 26 clubs, Gwynfa Camera Club were the winners with 96 points. Thornbury scored 86 points placing us around the middle of the competition.
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Old Boats by Peter Howarth.
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Hunting Buzzard by George Collett
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Click on pictures to enlarge