PAN & TILT
November 2011
An Amateur Under Water by Paul Sokoloff
Bob opened the meeting with profuse apologies but owing to some misunderstandings the advertised talk would not be taking place because the speaker was currently diving in the Red Sea. So instead, Bob proposed a Workshop on Composition. The members present were divided up into groups of four or five persons. The groups were then given a ‘crib sheet’ on which the main considerations for dealing with composition were listed. Each group were then asked to consider the first item on the list, ‘The Canvas’, and spend a few minutes discussing what were the important points. Bob then invited each group to say what they thought were the important considerations. On this first item discussion ranged around the Greek Golden Ratio and how the modern proportions of screen size were arrived at. Not many members thought the extreme ratios (letter box) were suitable except for special subjects. Members then moved on to ‘Image Position’ and discussed where in the frame the main subject should be positioned, where to put the horizon, use of lead in lines and so forth. This brought on a more lively discussion and several divergent views were expressed. Next on the list was the use of ‘Light and Colour’. The importance of direction of light, use of filters, what subjects benefited from increased saturation and which did not. The final area discussed was the ‘Image’, the shape of the subject(s), there number, variation or repetition, use of differential focusing and so on. Whilst a number of members were disappointed the advertised talk did not take place, the alternative was enjoyed by those present for which we thank Bob.
11th October
Digitally Projected Images Heat 1: Judge, Martin Faires
A good entry of 54 images was received for our Judge to comment on. In his opening remarks he noted that we put our beginners in with the more advanced workers by having only one class. This, he said, made it difficult for him as a Judge because he liked to make more supportive comments on beginners work but be stronger when judging the work of advanced workers. He said he hoped he would not discourage any beginners by his comments. As it turned out, he clearly liked our work the lowest score being awarded was 7 out of 10. Most of his comments were favourable and some almost congratulatory. Twelve images were held back from which five were selected for awards. The results were:
| Place | Title | Author |
| 1st | Frog | Joyce Bernard |
| 2nd | Lonely Tree – Omaha Beach | Tony Warran |
| 3rd | Charlestown Harbour at Low Tide | Tony Deller |
| 4th | Sunset at Lake Vyrnwy Dam | Tony Deller |
| HM | Siobhan | John Hill |
Bob closed the meeting by thanking the Judge for his efforts and thanks to Martin for another faultless evening driving the computer.
11th October
At Woolwich FSLPS Colour Print Heat
Held at Woolwich, this competition was between six clubs. Woolwich had about 17 of its members along with a similar number of visitors from the other clubs which were South London, Mitcham, Orpington, Croydon and of course West Wickham. Ian Brash was the judge and he set to in his usual decisive and knowledgeable style. Landscape seemed to be his main interest. With six clubs involved there were 48 prints to judge which Ian did by commenting on all prints and then reviewing them quickly at the end to award the scores. Eight prints were held back that all scored 10 of which six got Certificates. By chance each club gained a Certificate.
West Wickham’s Entry was:
| Score | Title | Author |
| 10+Cert | Alligator | Mike Spurway |
| 6 | Evening Solitude | Norman Bernard |
| 8 | No Gas | Tony Deller |
| 9 | Siobhan | John Hill |
| 8 | Riding High | Martin Ridout |
| 8.5 | Young Bateleur Eagle | Martin Ridout |
| 9 | McLaren MP4-23 | Mike Spurway |
| 8 | Silhouette | John Hill |
So West Wickham ended up with 66.5 points. The other scores were Croydon 70, Woolwich 66, Mitcham 65, South London 63.5, Orpington 63, which put West Wickham second and thus we go through to the Semi Finals in February.
My thanks to Andrew Herbert for this report.
Saturday 15th October
Outing to the City of London
Ten members met up at Cannon Street Station on this glorious sunny autumn day. Word was that there was to be some kind of protest gathering near St Paul’s but it was not expected to gather momentum until after lunch, so the party set off as planned. Observing the site of the demolished building across from the Station a good view was to be had of Poultry. We then moved on and up Bow Lane to our first stop for coffee by Bow Church. Then along Cheapside to a brand new shopping centre at the east end of St. Paul’s. First up in the lift to a roof top viewing area where some good views were to be had of the Cathedral and London generally. Being a modern glass building there were lots of reflections to be photographed and much time was spent exploring the possibilities. Avoiding the demonstration forming up in Paternoster Square, we caught the bus to Chancery Lane. Here we explored the photographic opportunities of the High Holborn Tudor Houses and the former Prudential Office Building. Then on to the Citie of Yorke for lunch. Members were taken by the unusual interior of this pub. After lunch several members had to leave the party but the remainder made their way to Carey Street and the Seven Stars Pub. Here we hoped to be introduced to the pub cat who, apparently, was a bit of a character, only to learn that it had passed away only a few weeks earlier. After more refreshments, we made our way along Fleet Street calling in at the St Clement Dane’s Church. Along the Strand to our last port of call, Somerset House, where members watched people rushing through the courtyard water fountains. A great day with many thanks to Jennifer for organizing it.
Photos Tony and Jennifer Deller
Our Leader Walking By Water, photos Joyce Bernard
18th October
Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies by Paul Adams DPAGB
Paul began his talk by saying he hoped his audience would enjoy seeing this show that would be given using conventional slides rather than DPI. The first image up was a map of western Canada showing British Columbia and Alberta. Paul, using the map, outlined the route they took for the 3,000 mile journey across the Canadian Rockies. Starting in Vancouver, we were treated to various views of the harbor, Stanley Park and the City Centre. Leaving the tarmac roads, Paul’s journey followed the Bridge River towards the Bridge Glacier. They stopped by one of the lakes where they had booked a float plane ride which took them over the Bridge Glacier. All the while treating his audience to shots of lakes, mountains, flora and fauna, the journey continued. Next we joined the great Frazer River heading for Prince George Town. Along the way, Paul demonstrated the effect of changing light on the same subject by visiting some locations both in the morning and evening. Jasper was another port of call on the Maligne Lake. In this part of the journey the weather gave sudden showers of rain producing beautiful rainbows. We also got up close to Mount Edith Cavell. It was in this area that Paul demonstrated the effect of using a polarizing filter on surface water. How the colour of the rocks changed dramatically with the filter in use. It was also noted how the lakes in this area were bright blue in colour. We journeyed on to Banff and across the Selkirk Mountains to Revelstoke and its glorious coloured wild flowers. The journey now took us through farmland and vineyards before once again arriving back at Vancouver. Dennis thanked Paul for sharing this wonderful journey with our members.
25th October
FSLPS Round 1 Monochrome Prints: Judge, Martin Faires
A full house for the Society with the visitors from our fellow clubs filling the hall. Our Judge, Martin Faires, had only recently paid a visit to West Wickham to judge our DPI Heat and without much of ado got on with the evening’s task. He commented on one or two images that he thought lacked a certain something when viewed on the table but when on the easel, came to life under the stronger lighting. He thought one or two prints had received a certain manipulation in the computer which he felt could have been done better. One in particular, the author of these notes can confirm, had had no such manipulation as supposed by Martin. One or two of the more quirky images seem to appeal to our judge such as the close up of an abandoned boot left (or placed) on the pebbles of some large beach (Dungeness?). On the whole the scoring was fair and ranged from 6.5 to the full 10 points of which five prints received 10 points and certificates.
West Wickham’s Entry was:
| Score | Title | Author |
| 9.5 | Lincoln Cathedral | Tony Deller |
| 8.5 | Seen Better Days | Mike Spurway |
| 9 | Walking on Ice | Joyce Bernard |
| 7.5 | Snowbound | Martin Ridout LRPS |
| 7.5 | The Body | John Hill |
| 7.5 | Statue in the Camposanto | Tony Deller |
| 8 | Gas Off | Martin Ridout LRPS |
| 7.5 | Not the Fisherman’s Friend | Mike Spurway |
The final scores were; Cheam CC 70.5; Woolwich PS, 65.5+ tie brkr; Bromley CC, 65.5;; West Wickham PS, 65; Carshalton CC, 62; Orpington CC, 61. Tie break prints were used to separate Bromley and Woolwich which Woolwich won and so, with Cheam, go to the next round.