Outing - Slaithwaite canal walk 14/07/21

On a fine, warm evening 24 members assembled to walk the canal through Slaithwaite and to take pictures. The turnout was no doubt boosted by the prospect of actual meeting friends for the first time in quite a while. A bonus was that three new members arrived to introduce themselves. The strong evening sunlight and deep shadows made for some tricky exposures and there was much muttering about HDR and the like. Later in the summer we’ll see some of the results. Two captures are attached – the first including some recognisable HPIC members and the second portraying a quiet evening stroll along a wooded section of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

HPIC members on the outing

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Talk - Alphamarine Photography: From Dome Ports to Deco Stops 07/07/21

Shrimps that pack a punch with such force as to crack the glass of lenses, creatures with the most potent venom known to man, the sleek outlines of a giant Manta Ray gliding overhead, the vivid colours of life in a coral reef: These were some of the extraordinary images and tales regaled to members last night by Phil Medcalf, BSoUP in his talk “From Dome Ports to Deco Stops”.

Members could marvel at Phil’s images of the magical colours of wildlife caught underwater with the aid of encased cameras, macro and or wide-angle lenses aided by spotlights, in exotic locations such as the Philippines and the Red Sea. Phil gave us an inspiring insight into a new (for some) and exciting world under the sea, describing the physical constraints faced by underwater photographers, the equipment required to overcome the limited and filtered light in a watery world. The photographic equipment and accessories required cannot come cheap. However, Phil’s company (Alphamarine Photography Ltd.) exists to help both the novice and experienced choose the kit best suited to their needs and to provide training in its use.

Are you up to the challenge?

Monthly Challenge – Film Title 30/6/21

With Wimbledon in full swing and pleasant summer weather it was good to see 29 members (including a guest) joining our meeting. Inspiration for this month’s subject came from its choice as a future Interclub ‘set subject’.

A wide range of images were submitted by 22 members with the emphasis on creativity, as the aim was to produce an image recognisably depicting a well-known Film Title. In giving their critique, Sheelagh Davidson and Alan Stopher rose to the additional challenge of researching each of the films in order to give a more complete opinion of the relevance of each portrayal. Ordinarily, text is frowned upon but in this case it was accepted to help the viewers’ recognition of the film title.

As with previous Monthly Challenges, members were circulated with the images a few days beforehand so that they could give their votes for 1st 2nd and 3rd. The outcome was revealed after the critique had been given.

Shown here are the three most successful images on the night giving the club a good start in identifying which one to enter into the Interclub in October.

Congratulations go to the three winners. Well done to all entrants for showing us their carefully thought out images.

A Fistful of Dollars - Graham Sykes

War Horse - Barbara Sheldrake

The Legends of Sleepy Hollow - Mike Hey