Sharp Focus August 2024

MESSAGE FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN

August 2024

Hi all

It is exciting how one thing leads to another, and how willing our members are to help and participate. At our Macro workshop on the 6^th July, the subject of our next Theme was raised regarding Still Life/Table Top photography, and the question was asked about lighting the chosen subjects. Within minutes it was agreed that we would hold a workshop on lighting, and set up some tables with items that those attending could arrange as they wished to photograph. To top everything off Johan Kloppers agreed to lead the workshop (only after making sure we would finish in time to get home and watch the Springboks playing Australia – to which we all readily agreed).

Thanks to Betzi for organizing everything, a lot of it on the spur of the moment, and Johan for setting up two examples for us to study – one cleverly set inside a cardboard box lit only by a candle – and then sharing some of his vast knowledge on the subject. What was so significant for me were the discussions that happened around the tables that had been set up to practice on. Questions were asked and answers were tentatively given.

Thanks go to Coral and Ceridwyn for supplying the items for the tables, as well as those, like Margaret, who brought their own material, and everyone who attended and made it a great afternoon. What made it even more special was that the Boks won.

We will be holding our AGM on Monday 30^th September at 7pm at the False Bay Yacht Club. At the meeting I will be stepping down as Chairperson. I have been in the chair for the last three years, and I think it is time to let someone else  take over. It has been a great experience for me, especially being thrown into the deep-end straight away having to host Interclub. I want to thank all of you for your encouragement, help and support.

Geoff

FROM YOUR EDITOR’S DESK

And so September has rolled around again; little though we want to believe it, another year is just about done and dusted. The other day I found myself wondering when I first joined Fish Hoek Photography Club, and why, what I’ve gained from my membership, and many other questions to which I don’t have an answer.

I have always loved photography, even the casual times with a little box brownie given to me when I was still a child. I graduated to more professional looking cameras as they were introduced, and I grew up. On my way to spend time in England I was given a light meter by the man of the moment, which I attached to the camera strap and never used – simply because I had no idea how to use it or why I should.

That stint in Britain and Europe resulted in boxes full of colour slides, which are now stored in cardboard in our ceiling. Again, what does one do with colour slides that mean little to anyone but me and perhaps one or two of my kids? They might not believe that mom was a barmaid in Leicester Square, after my day job for an accountant. The hours combined were 08h30 to 17h00 for the bean counter, then 18h00 to 23h30 lugging drinks around. But the wages and tips from barmaiding enabled me to hitchhike through most of Europe, which I can prove with those boxes in the ceiling!

Then came the interim years filled with family, and when we were finally empty nesters we decided on Fish Hoek as our last landing place. Of course, we knew no one here, but Errol was lucky in that he could join the squash club. Me, I wandered around until I saw the Echo, which provided details of the Fish Hoek Photo Club, and here I am, more or less 16 years later!

Our club has been a support for me both socially and technically. I ‘ve made lovely friends here, and have learned so much over the years including the nuts and bolts of WordPress when I took on Sharp Focus. That was about six years ago, and I’ve very much enjoyed every edition that I could send out, thanks to my guru Peter who never failed to help when it was needed. But I think that after six years under the same editor Sharp Focus could become tedious, and it’s time for a new editor with new ideas.  And so, although it feels like giving a baby up for adoption, my resignation will be tabled at the AGM and I will hand over to someone else.

I owe many thanks to all of you for your appreciation and liking for the mag, and I hope the new editor has the same feeling of accomplishment when she presses the “Publish” button and Sharp Focus sails off into the distant eyes and hands of club members.

Maureen

Winners of Digital Image of the Month – (August 2024)

Please click on images to see titles and photographer names.

Winners of Theme Image of the Month – (August 2024)

Please click on images to see titles and photographer names.