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If you have a message or idea for the club then please post it here for all to see. We won't squirrel it away.

Whether you're a member or non-member we would really welcome any feedback you might care to give.  You can comment on the web site as a whole or perhaps a particular photo.  All comment good or bad is welcomed.  It's just nice to know that somebody is looking and cares enough to say something.

If you have a word of encouragement for any of the members whose work is exhibited here then it will always be gratefully received.

Competition Comment
Hi All,
We have just had our April 08 competition and as the resident judge and member I must say how much I enjoyed the evening.

The expertise and quality of the entries has risen tremendously since our first competition some 12 months or so ago. (and Brian has bought his new DSLR)

On each of the competitions, I’ve have tried to balance my criticism while concentrating on different aspects of creating that special final image, from composition, sharpness, cropping through to capturing something different by waiting for that magical moment of light to work for you, to ensuring you capture the unusual to make your image stand out above all the others.

The committee has long been debating introducing a Group 1 alongside the Group 2 and 3 we have at the moment. With the improvement in the quality of images being submitted at the present time a Group 1 will definitely have to be formulated at the end of the year. This will give a more even and balanced representation of skills within the groups, so long as the number of entries stays high or even increases.

Although I have enjoyed judging and will continue to do so, I feel that from time to time we should, and will, seek to introduce new judges, to give different criticism and views, this I feel is important for the further progression and development (sorry) within the club.

The introduction of Elements and Photoshop to many of the members recently, has led them to display great enthusiasm to carry on exploring the possibilities of working with these programmes, and naturally, a wish to be able to display these new skills.
We should therefore consider introducing a “fine art” category periodically so that they can show off their newfound artistic skills.

Finally just one more comment, I have belonged and visited a “few” clubs over the years but rarely have I found such an enthusiastic and friendly bunch of people to share my passion for photography with….. Thank You.

Geoff B
Posted by Geoff B on 16 April 2008
Colin's robin
I love your robin and would like to pick your brains as I am rubbish at these kind of photos.

What kind of camera and lens did you use? Did you use a tipod? And how long did it take you to get the perfect shot? I imagine that taking an image like this requires a great deal of patience. Lastly, what camera settings were used (Mr.Robin is lovely and sharp, and the background has just the right amount of creamy blurring).

Please don't me tell it was all down to luck.....

Regards, Madeleine
Posted by Madeleine on 30 March 2008
Madeleine,
Thank you for your very kind comments and I will try to answer all your questions.
Nikon D80
70 - 300mm lens
f/5.6
1/100 sec - ISO 400
focal length 300mm
max aperture 5
Metering mode - Pattern
No Tripod
Like a a number of other club members my passion for wildlife photography is very high on my daily agenda. The greatest satisfaction is at its highest when you have stalked your subject for several hours but then to capture your ideal photo is the most rewarding. In this particular situation it was an opportunist moment and with a little crop work and photoshop I was very lucky.
The Robin sat still for about 30 seconds and while standing only 3 - 4 metres away while I rapidly took a few shots.
I have just read a very interesting article on THE FIVE STEPS TO STUNNING GARDEN BIRD SHOTS of which I will get a copy to you.
Kind Regards,
Colin.
Posted by Colin S. on 06 April 2008
Conceptual Photography...
Having spent roughly a year as a fully paid up member of Caston Camera Club I like to think that I've learnt a thing or two about photography (mainly thanks to Geoff, David & Brian).

I now know a little bit about good composition,exposures, shutter speeds, editing, lenses etc., etc., etc. So imagine my consternation after encountering the work of the 'celebrated' photographer Martin Parr.

His photographs are taken in lurid technicolor with scant regard to what would normally be considered as good composition. His subject matter is usually various aspects of working class life, but unlike his predecessors in the field of documentary photography he seems to have little or no respect or empathy for the people he is photographing. To me his work seems to be a crude and cynical form of exploitation.

Naturally, the art world thinks that he's the bees knees and he receives rave reviews from every quarter. He seems to be the photographic equivalent of Tracy Emin, and I don't think much of her work either.

Am I being a complete philistine? Or are there others out there who share my views?

Regards, Madeleine
Posted by madeleine on 20 March 2008
I read Madeleine comments with interest; I personally had never heard of Martin Parr so perhaps I’m the philistine, but her words inspired me to have a look.

His creations reminded me of the many family holiday shots that we are all forced to look at from time to time.
But these were different in that the majority I found were of the “Candid” variety and showed the “Self Gratification” of the human race in different holiday situations and weren’t particularly flattering.

There was some strange picture-cropping going on, that produced some unusual compositions, which made you look at least twice. The photographic quality was at best average, and the colours were as Madeleine said, vivid and garish produced by the film type used.

Is this art or photography? Well to be honest it is a mixture of both neither on their own being particularly inspiring, but together they did make you look, and that alone is an achievement, but still, I can’t help wonder what, if at all, was all the rave reviews for, most likely some over paid “art” critic looking for his latest find declared this work as the “21st Century David Bailey”, then pulls in a fat commission!
Posted by Geoff B on 21 March 2008
I don't have a great problem with Parr's pictures though I hope never to emulate them.

Certainly I have seen a great deal worse imagery which has been absorbed into the history of photography as great.

Not to my taste and not really likely to enhance the reputation of Magnum I would have thought.
Posted by Steve on 21 March 2008
Would you please tell me how to find this wonder work by this super photographer, you have whet my appetite.
Colin
(Just put Martin Parr into Google - Ed)
Posted by Colin on 21 March 2008
It is very easy to tell the right sort of people that a style of 'art' is the next best thing, and they will rave about it, without necessarily thinking about it too much. I'm afraid it seems like bad holiday snaps to me. I definitely don't like it.
Posted by luci on 21 March 2008
I'm amazed that not many of you have heard of Martin Parr.He has been around for ages, not quite as old and distinguished as Henri Cartier Bresson but following in the same footsteps. Simply by looking at other photographers work and commenting constructively helps the creative learning process even if it is not to your taste. Personally I prefer Cindy Sherman's work as her narratives are a lot stronger, but they are not the sort of photos you'd see in the EDP Sunday page. Its all Art but just suited to different audiences. Think of a concept and run with it!


Posted by alison on 25 March 2008
My comments about Martin Parr seem to have provoked discussion which is very healthy. As Alison quite rightly said, it is important to challenge our own perceptions and explore other aspects of contempary art.

However, I don't think that Parr's images work as documentary photography and he certainly isn't in the same league as Henri Cartier-Bresson who showed true empathy with his subjects.

Many aspects of our modern, consumer driven society are vulgar, lacking in taste and idiosyncratic but Parr's joyless, technicolor visions of hell are a gross exageration of the truth.

On a positive note, I do think that his photography does have a kind of surrealist shock value which is both interesting and thought provoking.

Anyway, I shall bring my Martin Parr 'coffee table book' to the next meeting for anyone who's interested...

Regards, Madeleine
Posted by madeleine on 28 March 2008
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Caston Camera Club - Every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in Caston Village Hall