RCC - Season 2017/18 -3rd Press Release
Apologises in the delay in posting, have been away and not been well afterwards but here is the 3rd press release by Phil Durrell. - Catrin Roberts
RUTHIN CAMERA CLUB SEASON 2017/18 – PRESS RELEASE 3
The cold, dark evening of 28th November was lit up by a superb show “From the Mountains to theSea” by nature photographer Gary Jones, who is based in Buckley. Gary told us that he is self-taught, to which our Chair responded later that he must be a wonderful teacher as well as photographer. Starting with dramatic, full frame images of diving birds hitting the water and taking fish, Gary moved on to birds of prey (including “the best bird in the world” – the sparrowhawk), then Scotland in winter and threw in a few mammals for good measure, all up close and personal. Some, rutting deer, turned out to be a bit too close for comfort! Gary’s skills comprise not just photography but a thorough appreciation of his subjects, together with fieldcraft. With his infectious enthusiasm ever-present, members left after a wonderful evening feeling full of admiration. The annual Bernard Woolford and Gordon Roberts competitions were held on 5 th December, always an interesting evening because they are so different. In the first one, members produce a panel of 3 to 6 prints on a theme of their choosing, whereas the second is monochrome photography, the favourite form of ex-member Gordon. Richard Walliker judged, and obviously liked John Ranson’s style of photography because John came first in both competitions, with his panel “Carnaby Street Greets Christmas” and “Angels Fly Over Regent Street” in the Roberts competition, and not content with that also came third in both competitions. In second place were Annie Davies’ panel and Arwel Williams’ monochrome. Richard also gave one Highly Commended and three Commended in the monochrome competition. Graham Scott-Taylor from Galeri Hafod at Bodnant Garden was the last visitor of 2017 with his hands-on lecture entitled “Wild Light”. After showing a selection of his own work, Graham explained how by using simple, readily available “equipment” such as torches, a table-top and a few items for layout and display, a photographer can achieve surprisingly good and varied results with a little imagination and creativity to produce what Graham calls “lightpainting”. Three brave individuals took on the task, then their images were assessed on screen. Like the talk of two weeks previously, members left the session stimulated into thinking this would be well worth trying themselves, which is very much what being in a photography club is all about. On Thursday 21 st December a group of members and partners will enjoy a Christmas Dinner at Nant y Felin, Llanrhaeadr, and the club will begin its 2018 activities on 9th January.
Phil Durrell (Secretary)
14th December 2017
