Sharp Focus August 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Greetings, everyone

Well, it has happened! Our first club get-together in the new venue, and I just want to say – it was damn cold! For our next meeting I will be wearing my long-johns, thermal vest, corduroy pants, fir boots, overcoat, hot water bottle and electric blanket. But apart from the cold and a few unforeseen problems, which always come with starting in a new venue, it was a great evening. A big ‘Thank you’ to Coral and Evelyn for the eats and drinks, they helped make the evening very special. But what made it extra special was to see some ‘old’ faces joining us – Johan, Michelle and Stan – their presence added to the celebration of being back together.

As most of you know Jorge Rebelo, one of our committee members, has for years laid out the cups and saucers etc. for when we take a break mid-evening, and then made sure everything was packed away. Unfortunately, due to family commitments, Jorge is no longer able to carry on. Is there anyone willing to take over his role? If you are able to please let me know.

Please remember that when we meet again on the 22^nd August, there is a R10 charge for the refreshments. For non-members/visitors it is R20. The Theme for the month of August is Sport, which means getting out there and photographing people in action. Not like one sneaky photographer, who shall be nameless (hey Lorne) who for Still Life had a leopard lounging in a tree.

At our last committee meeting it was suggested that you the members choose the Themes for 2023. I think this is a great idea so please let me know your suggestions. Once we know them then the committee can arrange them for the year, and organise workshops and outings to fit in with the Themes – again, let me know if you have any suggestions for these as well.

See you on the 22^nd.

Geoff

 

From your Editor’s desk

I can’t even remember how long ago I was bitten by the photography bug, but it’s more than 10 years, that I know. And as soon as friends and family saw my “fantastic” camera, (an entry level Canon with an 18-55 mm kit lens!!)  the requests started.

“Do you think you could take a portrait of little Johnnie please?”

“Would you be able to photograph my wedding? And of course we’re friends, so you would give us a discount, not so?”

“Wow, look at those mountains – why are you using your cellphone camera?”

We’ve all been there, I know, and I’ve learnt the art of refusing gently with a smile.

But every so often I wonder whether my cheap cellphone would take a wonderful landscape. And have found that the answer is “yesss, but …”. Cellphone cameras are wonderful for off the cuff shots when your “big” camera and tripod are safely tucked away at home. But for those of us who want prints of clarity and beauty, the DSLR, a mirrorless, or a sophisticated camera of whatever brand or technology will beat your cellphone into the proverbial cocked hat.

When I started asking professionals this question, the answer was almost always to do with the size of the camera sensor. Whatever upmarket cell you’re using, the reality is that for professional looking images the camera’s sensor is always far bigger than the cell’s, which makes the difference in post processing. And then, of course, you have to take into account the variety of interchangeable lenses for your bigger cameras that can hugely increase the image quality – but can can and will leave you with very sore shoulders from the day’s lugging.

There are other more technical issues between the two, which I don’t have the space or knowledge to go into now, but my rule of thumb is cellphone for quick pics to send to granny; for any other purpose your heavy camera with heavier lens is the answer for increased dynamic range and low light photography.

So what does the future of photography look like? We can’t tell how anything will be in 10, 15, 20 years from now, but one thing I’m sure of – the technology that produces a splendid end product in the photographic world will be something that we couldn’t have dreamed of!

Maureen

 

Winners of Image of the Month

IMAGES BELOW: THE WINNERS OF THIS MONTH’S  IMAGE OF THE MONTH CONTEST – CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE ALL AND VIEW DETAILS

 

Winners of Theme Image of the Month

IMAGES BELOW: THE WINNERS OF THIS MONTH’S THEME IMAGE OF THE MONTH CONTEST – CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE ALL AND VIEW DETAILS

 

Evaluation of Theme Photography
Digital Entries
Title	Category	Author	Star	Score	Award	Points
Autumn glory	Theme	Maureen Miller	3	9	Silver	2
Cloudy morning scape	Theme	Karyn Parisi	4	12	Gold	3
Evening light	Theme	Jane Bursey	3	10	Gold	3
Evening vista	Theme	Ceridwyn Jamieson	3	10	Gold	3
Hazy sunset	Theme	Coral Surtees	4	9	Silver	2
Leaning left	Theme	Greg Williams	1	10	Gold	3
Moody falls	Theme	Dante Parisi	MB	10	Bronze	1
Namib evening	Theme	Didi Franklin	2	12	COM	4
North West Shetland	Theme	Patrick Cardwell	2	9	Gold	3
Northernmost island	Theme	Marielouise Cardwell	2	9	Gold	3
Past piers	Theme	Peter Brandt	MB	12	Gold	3
Rocky shore sunrise	Theme	Derek Goldman	3	13	COM	4
Sunset stroll	Theme	John Douglas	3	9	Silver	2
Waiting for the moment	Theme	Geoff Jamieson	4	9	Silver	2

 

Salons