We had a particularly good attendance at our March meeting, along with a potential new recruit, Jan, who was interested in joining the Ru3a and the Photography for Fun Group. We hope to see her again next month. Judith said that she would go into details about the visit to Nottingham later in the meeting, but first, Terry had a request from the Third Age Trust.

I went into details of the request that photography group members could take pictures of members being involved in Ru3a groups and showed examples of what was required. (Mainly photographs showing one or two people engaged in activities. (Note:  I’ll attach the “request” as a pdf. Please read! If you are in other groups, you could ask people to pose for this.) This fits in nicely with the theme today!

Photos sent in. Theme:  People!

Once again members submitted a wide variety of images which included people. We looked through these and discussed them. Some we noted might have been improved if cropped closer to exclude unimportant areas like too much foreground, or by cropping to improve the composition of the image to use the rule of thirds for example. I showed how the inbuilt Microsoft photo editor was perfectly capable of doing this (and a lot more) and that a similar facility is available on Macs and Smart Phones. (NOTE: Do think about editing your photos before sending them in. Of course, Affinity Photo, Paint Shop Pro are other more dedicated programmes which offer greater facilities such as the use of Layers for a one-off fee, but sometimes, are on offer at a reduced rate. Adobe Photoshop requires a monthly subscription and whilst very good, is not necessary, in my opinion!)

The images shown consisted of several ‘portrait’ types shown at various events, and some Street Photography in a variety of locations. I was pleased to see that a few members had tried this.

Heather had researched information on the legalities of taking images in public places. Unfortunately, the file would not open on my machine at the time. However, I have now converted it to a pdf file, so it is attached to the email. Please take time to read it. It might help if we consider a similar theme in the future.

EPTAS:

We had missed some of Andy Townsend’s photos last month so these were included in this section. He had some good photographs of a visit to Las Vegas which included aerial shots of the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and the ‘Strip’ itself. Well done Andy!

It should also be noted here that I had also missed out Mike’s photos in the people section, so we will look at those next time! I will include a couple on the Website though from everybody.

10 Minute Talk  Judith – Visit to Nottingham

Judith used a PowerPoint presentation to go through the arrangements for next month’s Photoshoot at the Rock Cemetery and the Arboretum in Nottingham. The presentation is attached to the email. Please Read Again

Those that can make it should make their own way by whatever means, and meet at the gates of the cemetery on the corner of Forest Road and Mansfield Road at 1.30 pm. PLEASE NOTE that if you travel by car and park at the Forest Car Park you must get on a tram for one stop, getting off at the High School and walk back and along Forest Road to the meeting corner. You will be fined if you park and don’t use the tram! We will have a guide with us (Yvonne) to take us around the cemetery, and she is aware that some of you may disappear to take photos. Just try not to get lost! It should be an interesting one-hour tour, but after that you can continue at the cemetery if needed, then walk through the Arboretum to take photos. We will meet up again at the Gooseberry Bush pub just around the bottom corner on Peel Street for coffee or any other refreshments you fancy! If you don’t make it no worries! There is a map of the arboretum etc on Judith’s pdf which can be printed or downloaded to your phones for use on the day. If you used the tram, there is a nearer tram stop to get back to the car park, at the University.

We would like you all to come of course but realise for some of you it may not be possible. Before the day, email me to say if you are going to be there, so that we know who to expect! We think we have about ten of you going but please confirm.

NEXT MONTHS THEME:  THIS IS FOR THE MEETING IN MAY  ‘Anything with WHEELS’

This topic is more subject based rather than a testing of a particular camera technique, or compositional style. Having browsed the web looking for examples of WHEELS in photography, there wasn’t very much at all, mostly flashy cars! Fortunately, the BBC came to the rescue, and I was able to show examples from “We set the Theme, you take the Pictures,” a noncompetitive photography page on the BBC website. See here. We set the theme; you take the pictures - BBC News

The examples shown (see pdf) were useful and gave us an opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of photos and the opportunities available for us in this theme. We also were able to see categories of how we can find wheels used in photography which may give you more ideas. All of this is on the attached PDF so do have a look when you need a reminder of what you can do! (You don’t need to send these until MAY!)

Judith & Terry

Next Meeting:  

1.      Photoshoot! Wednesday April 2nd, 2025, VISIT - NO MEETING AT VILLAGE HALL! 1.30 pm Rock Cemetery Gates

NOTE that we have decided to use the photographs taken at the cemetery as potential shots for the September theme rather than show them beforehand. However, Arboretum shots would be suitable for Shots of the Month in May.

2.      Wednesday MAY 7^th, 2025, Brammer room to view Wheels Photographs