Sharp Focus September 2021

Message from the chairman

One thing that terrifies me as Chairman of the club is that I’m expected to write a photographic related article every month for ‘Sharp Focus’. But this month’s article was a pleasure and privilege. As you all know at the end of this month – Friday 27^th October – we will be holding Interclub, and I want to thank all those involved in making it happen. It was a big commitment for the club to run with it.

First, I want to thank those on the Judging committee that have viewed and chosen the photos that the club will be presenting. As an ‘observer’ on the judging committee I am amazed at the work, discussion, and detail that goes into evaluating each photograph. Thank you to Peter, Lorne, Dante, and Jane for all you have done.

Second, there is interclub itself. I want to thank Keith Lyle for the foundation work he did, as Chairman, when we as a club were asked to host the event. He was the one that made sure that the club was not held responsible for the cost incurred in running the event.

Then a big thank you to Peter Brandt for taking over when Keith stepped down as Chairman. It meant a massive commitment of time and effort from Peter, yet he did it – and we as a club should be very grateful to him for what he has done. I hope I’m not stepping on toes, but I think the person who needs the most thanks is Jane Bursey. Jane’s efficiency and commitment has been the driving force in making sure everything has run so smoothly. She has been involved in every aspect of the event.

The other members of the committee are Derek Goldman and Jorge Rebelo. Thank you both for the commitment and support you have given.

I also want to thank those from outside the club who have given so much help and expertise – Coert Venter who has been Project Manager, and Nicol du Toit who arranged for the judging of the photographs. I have heard that without their help the event would have been so much more difficult to arrange.

Let us all support the work they have done by being there – via Zoom.

Until next time – stay well and keep safe.
Geoff

From your editor

There is no letter from the normal editor this month as Maureen has had some emergencies taking her away from the newsdesk, but you can look forward to her insights and updates next month again.

However, I thought I would take this opportunity to talk again about Zoom workshops. We have allowed the Covidian ennui to envelop us all to no small extent, and I think the underwhelming number of theme entries this month (for an admittedly challenging theme!) serve as a timely illustration. I would love to see us having workshops at least once every two months for the duration of our Zoom-carceration, starting as soon as possible. We have new members who must be bursting with questions and frustration in equal measure, we have senior members who allow the same technical errors to affect otherwise excellent photos repeatedly, and we have huge blanks in our perception of what others are doing, mastering, or struggling with.

I would like to organise a workshop for as soon as possible – normally it is the week after club, but perhaps we can aim for the week before club this time round, in order to not tarry, and then try for at least one more before the end of the year.

So let’s hear it: who is keen on a workshop on Monday 18th (keeping in mind it is submission day as well, so you will need that out of the way in order to relax in the workshop)? Please let me know as soon as possible at the club mail or peter@tincrow.co.za, and also what you would like to cover in the workshop. It’s possible many of you would like to do a workshop on HDR / luminosity blending (I know, that horse has bolted for now, but the knowledge is still out there to be grabbed).

What I would like to hear from you all is:

• • who’s keen for workshops?
  • Monday 18th doable for the first one? If not, then the Monday after meeting (1 Nov)?
  • subject:
    • HDR / luminosity blending?
    • other? If other, suggest something?

Please let me have your feedback as soon as possible; I will need to make a decision by next Monday.

Cheers
Peter

Winners of Image of the Month

Winners of the Theme Image of the Month

Salons

Salon dates for 2021 Salon dates for the following year are available from the PSSA website under the tab Salon Calendar and Results for the Year Ending June 2021, or from www.photovaultonline.com

All the brochures containing details are available on both the PSSA and Photovault websites.

Themes and Outings

Click here to view our themes and outings for 2021.

Formats and sizes of photo submissions, and naming conventions

Click here to find see the specifications for digital and print submissions.

Our committee

Click here to view our 2021 committee or to get hold of them.