There is a touch of green out there and the road ahead is clear! For the cynics among you this was taken in Wales which is far to the west of the Thames Valley! Hopefully from now on the picture will feature images from TOG (see below). Welcome to a bumper edition!!!! Please read to the bottom as there is a lot on.
We have had a busy few weeks in terms of actual events and, importantly, the planning of future events. They have also been busy in Bristol with the appointment of Dan Jones as our new CEO and Laura Gardner and Janina Pilch as the new Volunteer Support team. Simon Hill has also been working hard on the proposed merger with BIPP and MPA although I believe that BIPP has now pulled out. Bristol is still in the process of recruiting a new Hon Treasurer and Director of Marketing. Lots happening.
Last month I included a list of actual and planned events. From now on I will update and include this at the bottom of TV Times editions. This month we had 2 Zoom presentations 3 F’s (thank you David, Janine and Christine) and the first of a planned series where Special Interest Groups present to the Region given by Karen Knorr – thanks in this case to Karen for the presentation and Khatija for setting it up. Woosehill hosted a well attended meeting featuring a great presentation by Tony Harris. Thanks go to Tony and the Woosehill Organising Committee.
Woosehill
The date for the March presentation has been moved from the 19th to the 26th. You can’t mess with Mother’s Day!
It features Justin Minns the Suffolk based Landscape Photographer. Justin’s clients include the National Trust, British Museum and English Heritage. Check it out and buy tickets at https://events.rps.org/en/4LrdQ66/justin-minns-5a2N4L6ZzUq/overview. £10 (for members) is amazing value for a whole day at Woosehill with one of the UK’s leading Garden and Landscape Photographers.
Other Imminent Events
Our first TOG (Thames Valley Online Image Review Group) session takes place on March 2nd. If you would like to join in the Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83812200644?pwd=VDQ4QWtBaEh5S2NBQ0RmSkxDQm1rZz09 . These sessions are intended to give friendly supportive critiques to images submitted by members. I remind you of the post in the last TV Times
It is planned that the Group meets bi monthly by Zoom to review images provided by members. At each meeting the lead comments will be made by an established CACC ( Chilterns Association of Camera Clubs) Judge or a Committee member with additional comments by members. Meetings will be on the first Thursday of the month with the closing date for submission being the end of the month. The months in which Zoom meeting will be held will January, March, May, July, September and November with the first being March 2023
IMAGES
To encourage members to shoot more often images should be no more than a year old at the date of submission. Copyright remains with the photographer but RPS TV is allowed to use submitted images for RPS TV purposes. There are no categories.
Initially each member may submit up to three images numbered 1-3. Depending on the number of images submitted overall they will be used in that order.
This is not a competition but each meeting will choose an image of the month.
This is meant to be a relaxed forum to gently critique member’s images.
Let me know if you are interested in joining.
If you have missed the submission date for this one why not send images (JPEG 1600 by 1200) to Angela( angela.morgan9431@virginmedia.com) copy to me. If you would merely like to join as a non exhibiting participant the Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83812200644?pwd=VDQ4QWtBaEh5S2NBQ0RmSkxDQm1rZz09
Visit to the Bodelian and walk in Oxford 23rd March
This is now full
Woosehill April 16th
Jonathan Nathan is now a leading Travel and wildlife Photographer from Antartica to Africa. Book tickets here https://events.rps.org/en/4LrdQ66/jonathan-nathan-arps-5a2N4L6a1dF/overview
Vintage Vibes 22nd April Silverstone
There may be a couple of tickets still available. For motorheads who still have a memory! Thanks to the VSCC we have been offered 10 free tickets and press passes for this event (https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/vintage-sports-car-club). Still have a couple of place left – you need £5m of Public Liability Insurance to go trackside.
Bluebell walk April
This could be an opportunity to meet other members and bring along families. The chosen location is Stoke Woods https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.948073,-1.1907994,1402m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en just off J10 of the M40. Meet up at 10am
April 26th Second SIG talk from the Audio Visual Group
Ian Bateman FRPS, Chair of the Audio Visual Group will give a presentation on what they do and also how to go about making an AV.
By April 30th submit images for TOG2
May 24th Studio Model session
We are arranging a studio session with a professional model in a pro studio with guidance and lighting by a pro photographer. This will be limited to 10 participants who will be split into 2 groups with each group having a 1 hour session using flash the other hour will involve talking about model photography and a demo of continuous lighting. Cost will be £15 per head and it will take place in Maidenhead.
June 16th to 18th Creativity Weekend with Paul Hill and Maria Falconer
I need firm interest on this by the end of March if it is to go ahead
2nd Creativity weekend with Paul Hill FRPS and Maria Falconer FRPS
Fast and Furious
Date June 16-18th
Again this year we will host a creativity weekend in Maidenhead.
Maria writes
‘This fun packed weekend of photography provides EIGHT fast paced challenges for you to get your teeth into.
We don’t want to spoil the surprise by giving the challenges away but suffice to say that there will be a wide range of technical and creative briefs for you to dive into. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a highly skilled technical photographer or a creative genius, you just need to be enthusiastic and willing to get out of your comfort zone. This ‘hot house’ weekend of photography is a wonderful opportunity to dip your toes into some unfamiliar photographic approaches as well as taking a fresh look at the more familiar. And of course there will be plenty of input and support from your tutors Paul and Maria.
So come along and be inspired, challenged and surprised at how much you really can achieve in just two action packed days. ‘
This will start with an optional get to know you BBQ on Friday the followed by 2 days of bespoke exercises with feedback from Paul and Maria on the Saturday and Sunday. Cost £110 per person Numbers limited to 12.
July Thames Cruise Maidenhead
This is embryonic. The idea is that we have an evening cruise along the Thames with food. A social occasion with the opportunity to shoot locks and one of the most attractive stretches of the Thames (I’m biased) along Cliveden reach. Probably 6.30 to 10. Costs will depend on demand and we have no date as yet. Chance to meet other members and some Committee members (I haven’t asked them yet!) Just drop me a line if you are interested.
I repeat this every time. We are hard at it trying to organise events for you all. Let me know if you think we are on the right track and any ideas that you would like us to explore. Without feedback it is tricky. Anything that you could perhaps 'host' with us organising the publicity especially welcome, we are a community so join in – it can be fun.
The link to our Facebook page is at the bottom of this missive it would be great if you signed up as when something comes up and we have limited time we tend to post there or on Instagram or TikTok. Please spare a minute or two. We are also in the early stages of trying to link up with other RPS regional and special interest social media links based on an idea from Steven.
Thames Valley is a large region and the Committee is determined to provide opportunities to TV members. Remember to stay in touch by following our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds.
https://twitter.com/rpsthamesvalley
https://www.instagram.com/rpsthamesvalley/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpsthamesvalley
Gareth Hughes
Regional Organiser
gareth@ibraudit.com
078-9988-2501
Upcoming events
March 2nd Zoom TOG (see below)
March 19th Woosehill - Justin Minns Landscape
March Shuttleworth Collection
March 22nd Bodelian Library
April 16th Woosehill – Jonathan Nathan Travel and Wildlife
April 26th Zoom SIG 2 AV
April 22nd Silverstone
May 4th Zoom TOG
May 7th Bluebell Walk
May 21st Woosehill - David Keep Underwater and Sport
May 24th Studio Model Session (Maidenhead Max 10 cost £15)
May 31st Zoom SIG 3
June Creativity weekend (Maidenhead Cost £110)
June 28th Zoom SIG4
July Cruise Maidenhead Cost tba
July 6th Zoom TOG
Sept Santa Pod Date to be decided
Sept Stowe
Sept 7th Zoom TOG
Oct Advisory Day Weston Turville (details in due course)
Nov Autumn Leaves
Nov 2nd Zoom TOG
Nov 12th AGM