King’s Lynn & District Camera Club
Training Programme for 2010 - 11
Club's Training Officer Nigel Downer ARPS
If you have any training requirements please contact Nigel Downer ARPS. (use the following)
LINK to Contact Nigel Downer ARPS.
Quick Link (select one of the following)
1. Can I see some images taken on a previous event run by Nigel Downer ARPS ?
2. Can I see some images taken on a previous event run by Allan Livingstone ?
3. Do you have any Studio lighting training workshops ?
"PHOTOGRAPHING BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES (3) Wicken Fen " Saturday 31st July 2010 with Allan Livingstone.
Allan Livingstone (left)
Saturday 31st July 2010 - Wicken Fen. (FULLY BOOKED)
FULLY BOOKED
We will meet at Tuesday Market place at 7 a.m.
I will happily take 3 or 4 people in my car and if more than this wish to go please arrange car sharing yourselves.
We will be out all day (weather permitting) and expect to walk up to 4 miles. The terrain at Wicken Fen is good though it can be wet in places. Please wear stout water proof shoes. We should see good numbers of dragonflies and butterflies on this wonderful reserve, and we will spend approx. 4 hours here, depending on numbers and photo opportunities.
After lunch at Wicken Fen we will move to Newmarket to try to photograph the colony of Chalkhill blue butterflies on Devil's Dyke. The dyke is an earthwork fortification and is quite steep in places. It is possible to photograph the butterflies from the path on top of the dyke.
A Canon macro lens will be available and I will bring a tripod too.
Please bring packed lunches and liquids.
If things go well we will be away from the cars for at approximately 4 hours at a time.
It is expected we will return to King's Lynn between 5 and 6p.m.
If the weather forecast is poor or it is expected to rain all day the trip will be postponed
As always the trip is FREE but a contribution to petrol costs will be gratefully received by the driver/s I am sure. There maybe a small entry fee to the reserve for non National Trust members.
Allan Livingstone 13th June 2010
What's been done so far July 2009 to 12th June 2010
PHOTOGRAPHING BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES Workshop 2 - Saturday 12th June 2010
With Allan Livingstone
The Broads area 12th June 2010
Is there such a thing as a perfect day? Oh I know Lou Reed sang about one but perfection? Not possible. Anyway what's perfect for one may not be for another.
It is about 3 p.m. on Saturday 12th of June and we are in the Fur and Feather pub in Woodbastwick, this pub is right alongside the Woodforde's brewery. The beer comes straight from a barrel, travels well if not far. The toast is to a successful day photographing Swallowtail butterflies. Every one in the group did this so why wasn't it perfect? Well the weather forecast was so bad on Friday that I nearly cancelled the trip, but the adage if we go we have a chance and if we don't we have none; swayed the decision.
As a result 6 of us met again at 7a.m. Traffic was light and we were at Upton Fen watching dragonflies by 8.30. The first we saw was Norfolk hawker, but unluckily it flew before we could photograph this stunning creature, minutes later we were all in among several four spot chasers and a stunning female black tailed skimmer, a short walk around the reserve was curtailed by a calorie deficit for one. The threat "if you don't feed him you will have to carry him" will linger long in the memory. We hurried back to the cars. I am not one to tell tales, but if you take out Jeff Smith make sure he eats before you leave the car park. From Upton we had a short drive to How Hill nature reserve.
Arriving there just after 11a.m. we were initially concerned by the weather, cold 13degs, 100% cloud, and a brisk if not strident breeze. This was just like yesterday's forecast, hence the lack of perfection. Photographing swallowtails in good weather isn't easy, in a howling breeze near impossible. On what do you focus when a thistle is swaying wildly? Nevertheless patience paid off and after about 3 hours every one had achieved good photographs. Well good on the camera screens any way.
A host of other creatures were pictured, from caterpillars to mating beetles; one or two of us even attempted capturing Norfolk hawkers in flight. That's the stuff of doctorates not O levels in insect photography.
After leaving the pub we had quick walk round Ranworth nature trail in the cold which added little else to the score, but did allow us to walk off the pint.
A reminder to every one if you park in King's Lynn you must be back by 6p.m. We forgot and were still at Ranworth at 4.45... We made it with two minutes to spare. 60 miles in how long?
So maybe it was not perfect but it was still great fun, good company and fine beer.
My thanks to Jeff, Jason, Dennis, Debra and Collette for making the tasks of driving and "leading" such fun. A special thanks to Jason for driving the other car.
My commiserations to Mark that he had to miss such a good day.
Here's to the next fine day out photographing insects, maybe just maybe, that will be perfect.
Allan Livingstone - 13th June 2010
Click on the ABOVE image to see all 21nnn images received from Club members:- Debra Burgess-Lim LRPS, Collette Saxon, Jason Curtis, Dennis Greenwood, Mark Wallis.
PHOTOGRAPHING BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES (1) Saturday 15th May 2010.
With Allan Livingstone
at LAKENHEATH 15th May 2010
6 slightly cold and bleary eyed members of the Camera club gathered at 7a.m. for Transport to Lakenheath Reserve. By the time we got there and were ready to move the sun had come out. It took us over 3 hours to walk just over a mile and a half. Although the recent cold weather had delayed the emergence of the dragonflies and butterflies, every one found creatures to photograph. Pride of place probably goes to the four spot chaser and hairy dragonfly we saw. Both were kind enough to sit around as they warmed up in the sun. I think every one has better photographs than I do of a hairy dragonfly. Undoubtedly I will ask for the files and have them converted to slides for inclusion in my talks on wild life. By 11 a.m. the cloud had returned and it was quite cold Interestingly it took us less than an hour to get back to the cars. A couple of us were lucky enough to see golden oriels, the rarest breeding bird in Britain with maybe 2 pairs this year. We all enjoyed the sight of hobbies hawking over the reed beds no doubt chasing the dragonflies we were trying to photograph.
After lunch we ended up at Lynford arboretum where every one concentrated on the magnificent show of bluebells. A brief spell of sunshine brought out the butterflies in force and some were led a merry dance by these flitting from flower to flower briefly nectaring on each. However perseverance paid off and one or two fine images were obtained.
By 3p.m. the cloud had come back in force, and with a 100% grey in the sky it was time to call it a day. It was an almost perfect day but some how we missed the pub on the way home. I would like to thank John; Debra, Mark, Collette and Mike for making it such a successful day.
Report by Allan Livingstone
Click on the ABOVE image to see images (22) received From John Bull LRPS, Mike Brindle LRPS, Mark Wallis, Collette Saxon, Debra Burgess-Lim LRPS
"Training Event - Long Sutton Butterfly and Wildlife Park with Nigel Downer ARPS - 8th May 2010.
Report - also see photographs below)
Twelve of us gathered together in the car park on a very wet and miserable morning to photograph butterflies, reptiles and birds. Although, it wasn't too long before we collected our equipment and quickly made our way to the drier warmer climate of the butterfly jungle itself. Once inside, our lenses misted-up, which meant that we had to wait for about 15minutes for them to clear before we could make a start. There were plenty of exotic and colourful butterflies to photograph, many perfect specimens resting with open wings, allowing us to use our tripods and photograph them under the natural soft lighting conditions.
At 10.45, we were met by Phil Walters, a member of the Green Team at the park, who brought out our first creature to photograph, a very large and hairy Chilean Rose spider. Phil gave us an interesting and informative talk about the spider's origin and behaviour and allowed the opportunity for us to photograph it on his hand. He later invited us to hold the spider ourselves, which one member did. Phil then introduced us to two snakes - the High Plains Rat Snake and a Royal Python. Once again we had plenty of time to photograph them at many angles including close-ups of the head and flicking tongue and macro shots of the boldly patterned skin texture.
We broke for lunch at 1.00 and resumed at 2.00 outside hoping to get some pictures of the raptors. However, the rain had not abated. Although, one of two intrepid photographers managed to get some head shots of the Bald Eagle tethered under its own little arbour. For a short while, a member of the Green Team brought out a Barn Owl for us to photograph.
That seemed to be it, as the weather showed no sigh of breaking and some members of the group we thinking of going home. However, Phil came to the rescue and beckoned us over to a white tent where had arranged for us to photograph two falcons - a hybrid Gyr/Saker Falcon and a Lanner/Peregrine Falcon. We all took shots of these docile hooded birds, getting in close enough for macro images of the feather detail etc. Later, Phil took off their hoods and proceeded to feed them, giving us the opportunity to photograph them tearing away at flesh with their sharp hooked beaks.
Overall, despite the awful weather, it was a very successful day enjoyed by all. We are indebted to Phil Walters for his invaluable help during the day and for his expert knowledge and enthusiastic delivery.
The event closed at 4.00pm.
Nigel Downer, ARPS - Event Leader
Click on the ABOVE image to see images (16) received From Nigel Downer ARPS, Brett Long, Jason Curtis, Graham Marshall.
The Club's training officer, Nigel Downer, ARPS has introduced his new course for later this month "Getting to Know Your Camera No 1"
First course to be held on Wednesday 27th January 2010 at the Parish Council Offices, South Wootton, King's Lynn, PE30 3LJ
The course is aimed at those who may have received a camera for Christmas and would like to know more about its features and how to use them to improve their pictures.
Course Overview:
This taster course is designed for the complete beginner which will enable you to become familiar with the ins and outs of how your own digital camera works, from apertures, shutter speeds, ISO numbers, white-balance, manual and programme modes. You will also gain a better understanding of the basic principles of design and composition and given easy to follow handouts and individual tuition working through the camera's essential controls. Cost £7.50.
LINK to Contact Nigel Downer ARPS.
Photography - Improving your critical skills. (report added 16th Jan 2010)
Report on recent Commentators Training Day
The first commentators training day was held on Saturday 9th January at the William Burt centre in West Winch. The event was led by Bill Day LRPS CPAGB - a first rate photographer and judge from Sheringham.
The event was well attended with 11 members who ranged from those with several years experience to those with none.
The day started informally with coffee and chat which was very much appreciated after a trek through the snow to attend the event..
Below left: Bill Day, right: (standing) Mike Brindle
Bill directed the training with input on the tools available to use when commentating, with phrases such as "engage brain before speaking" and the possibilities of using "Kiss Slap Kiss" which certainly brought a smile to everyone's face.
The morning session was spent looking at the "tools" available for the commentator to use when looking at image, this included comments to avoid and the use of humour as a valuable tool.
The overriding message being - to be honest in what you say, encourage the photographer and make positive and constructive feedback, whilst endeavouring to keep personal likes and dislikes out of the commentary - all, which should prove encouraging to the members submitting their work.
below left: Bill Day, right: (standing) Mike Brindle
After lunch the group took it in turns to comment on a selection of images provided by Bill.
This provided an insight into what it would be like to stand in front of an audience and talk about an image whilst trying to incorporate the valuable pointers learnt in the morning's session.
The more experienced members and some of those new to commentating were excellent in their delivery and content which is extremely encouraging for club to be able to call upon more of its members to assist with this part of the club evenings.
Below Left: Bill Beeson, right: Ian Ward
Indeed Ian Ward soon got his chance to demonstrate his newly acquired skills on the following Monday, working with Mike Brindle LRPS who is already an excellent commentator and a good role model, Ian delivered sound commentary which went down well with the members.
The last part of the day was given over to public speaking with each member talking for three minutes on a given subject. This session although nerve wracking, was filled with humour as members delivered their talk... Dave Hennessy had everyone laughing at his antics aboard ship as a sailor in the Royal Navy when he set fire to the galley!
John Bull LRPS spoke at length about weapons and indeed bought a couple of his own which he threatened to use on the group - needless to say we all enjoyed his talk and so he relented.
Nigel Downer ARPS spoke eloquently about Public Speaking, and about his first attempt as a young boy....
And Jo Halpin Jonesvreminisced over music and her earliest memories....
All in all the session went down well and certainly helped to create more empathy with the members.
Overall the training day was extremely successful in building the confidence of club members to a level where they feel able to participate in commentating on club images with some degree of confidence which can only increase with time and practice.
We as a club would like to thank Bill for his time and efforts in leading this informative day...
Our thanks also go to Mike Brindle for organising the successful event, and to Jason Curtis who kindly provided the stand for the prints.
Report and Photographs by: Debra Burgess-Lim - Saturday, 16 January 2010
Added to the web site 28th Nov 09 - The Law and Photographers' Rights in the UK
A Must for all Camera Club Members.
Topics included: Public Places and Events, Privacy and Private Property, Obstruction and Public Order, National Security, Obscenity, Photographs of Children Guidelines, Photographs of Adults Guidelines, Wildlife, Copyright and Trademarks, Bank notes.
The following guidelines are to help you the photographer to understand your rights and restrictions when going about your day to day business of taking photographs. Some will seem obvious, but there may be instances when taking an otherwise seemingly innocent photograph that you find yourself falling foul of the law. It always pays to be cautious. Remember, what is applicable now may not be legally acceptable in years to come............
View full document now (almost 7 pages of information) - Members Only.What's been done so far January to July 2009
1. "Studio lighting" An evening event that was held again at our club room it enables our members to develop further skills using studio lighting. This years event was divided into four sections allowing all the members to participate. We managed to attract a total of five models giving everyone a chance to take some portrait photographs. It certainly was a popular evening and one that is to be repeated in the new club year on 8th February 2010.
2. "Principles of Photography".
3. "Creative Portraiture" This course draws your attention to other aspects of portraiture rather than the standard head and shoulders. Techniques, such as, soft focus, wide apertures and wide-angle distortion effects will be covered. Members were shown lighting from high key to low key, and given practical sessions on photographing parts of the human body, for example, hands, lips, eyes and the neck. Students undertook specific assignment work using both colour and black and white.
4. "Still Life" This practical course involves planning, designing and constructing simple sets suitable for still life photography. You will study simple sets to the more complex and will photograph chosen subjects placed within your designed setting, with emphasis on aesthetics and subject relevance. The course will also touch on still life in advertising and how images work in a thematic context using words, slogans and other text information.
5. "Getting to Know Your Camera"
6. "Creative Close-up and Abstract Photography"
About: Nigel Downer ARPS
Nigel Downer ARPS has been a freelance photographer for 20 years and is Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS). The KL&DCC was very fortunate when Nigel joined the King's Lynn & District Camera Club September 2006. Nigel is also a professional teacher in photography, having been head of the photographic department at Richmond College for 8 years and is currently lecturing part-time at the College of West Anglia.
Interested in any of the following:-
further education/training/outside practical courses/Studio lighting etc - Please contact Nigel Downer ARPS (see below)
Contact: Nigel Downer ARPS
e-mail address (Click icon once and wait).
Postal Address: "Larks Rise", 2 Elmhurst Drive, South Wootton, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 3LA
Phone: 01553 673161