Sharp Focus August 2025

From the Chair

Struisbaai Congress – What an Experience!

What an absolute treat it was to attend the PSSA Congress in Struisbaai! From the moment we arrived, the little fishing town rolled out its charm – crisp sea air, friendly faces, and scenery that begged to be photographed.

The days were packed with adventure: sunrise shoots at the harbour and lighthouse, the fascinating harders trek demonstration on the beach, and guided walks through the historic villages of Elim and Kassiesbaai. Every outing felt like stepping into a living storybook, with locals eager to share their heritage and traditions.

One particularly moving experience was the community portrait photoshoot, where locals – many for the very first time – sat for a portrait. The best part? Each model will receive a printed copy to keep. It was humbling to be part of something so meaningful and heartwarming.

And then came the presentations – wow! Sitting in the audience listening to the legendary Freeman Patterson was like a masterclass in both photography and life. Francois Roux had us questioning the so-called “rules” of judging, Kim Stevens opened our eyes to the beauty in architecture, and Koot Marais showed just how powerful simplicity can be in wildlife photography. Laetitia Kenny’s portraits, Martin Barber’s creative travel photography, Martin Osner’s breathtaking landscapes, Phil Sturgess’ seascapes, and Yvette Jordaan’s mouthwatering food photography all left me in awe.

Evenings were just as delightful – sharing kontreikos, listening to storyteller Piet van As spin his famous Strandveld tales, and celebrating the PSSA’s 70th anniversary exhibition and the Honours Banquet.

Perhaps best of all, I made many new friends along the way – friendships I hope to rekindle at the next congress.

I left Struisbaai feeling inspired, humbled, and grateful to have been part of such an extraordinary gathering of talent and passion. It was more than a congress – it was a celebration of everything that makes photography so magical. Already counting the days to the next one!

Betzi

Month of Photography Cape Town

The inaugural edition of the Cape Town Photography Festival opens in September. and will explore the multifaceted concept of HERITAGE through photography, offering a platform to engage with visual narratives from local, national, and international perspectives via exhibitions, talks and workshops. There are two right on our doorstep!

Attached to the Soil

Peter Glendinning (Michigan, USA)

Portraits of young South Africans and their thoughts on the significance of Nelson Mandela’s metaphor made at his inauguration in 1995 where he likened South Africans to different types of trees which were all attached to the same soil.

Simon’s Town Museum

Opening Wed 3 Sept 6pm. Opening address Peter Glendinning

Frail and Flowering

Margaret Courtney-Clarke is an award-winning Namibian photographer and photojournalist. Her work explores the resilience of communities enduring the rapidly shifting landscapes of Namibia. Curated by Virginia MacKenny.

Margaret Courtney-Clarke will be present

Artvark Gallery. Kalk Bay

Opening 4 Sept 6pm

Salon acceptances – Witzenburg

We had 4 acceptances, Derek, Lynn and Betzi – Moondance by Betzi also received a COM!

Please consider entering a Salon – not only is it necessary for you to progress through the ratings but as the points go towards our standing at a national level, it helps the club. Presently we are 6th out of 17 in the Western Cape and 47th nationally. Due to the rating system it is arguably easier to achieve acceptances if you are a Junior (1,2 or 3 star) but the judges are still quite strict about the basic rules.
So make sure you utilise the PSSA guidelines and pay attention to the following evaluation aspects:-

1. Exposure: assess whether the image has been exposed correctly.
2. Sharpness: assess whether the image is sharp or not.
3. Composition: assess whether the composition of the image is done well. Elements like form, line, shape, balance, colour, light, mood etc. should be considered.
4. Digital processing: assess whether the digital processing of the image has been done well. Aspects like dust spot removal, saturation, contrast, colour cast, over sharpening, haphazard selective processing are to be considered.
5. Impact: assess whether the image has impact. This is where subjectivity comes into play and judges need to be aware of their own preferences so that this does not come in the way of prejudicing the image. Care should be taken if an image comes after a stunning image that as a judge you don’t compare this image up for assessment bearing in mind that if an image comes after

And our own judges recommendation Border control. Just look at the edge of your image for unresolved strays.

Salon deadlines for September 2025. Full list here

2025-09-06 – 6th PSSA Youth National Salon

2025-09-06 – Western Cape Print Circuit (Three Regions)

2025-09-13 – Bloemfontein Camera Club Salon

2025-09-27 – Camera Club of Johannesburg 90th Anniversary

Monthly Submissions and Themes

Submission deadlines are always the same (the 3rd Monday of the month ie one week before our meeting on the 4th Monday of the month).
Upcoming themes you could/should be researching and working on….
September – Black and White Street.
October – Backlit
November – Signs and Symbols of Yesteryear

Click here to view the full list of themes, workshops and outings.

Theme for October – Black and White Street Photography

Despite the technical issues – including a fire alarm because Peter was cooking – the presentation on Street Photography was excellent. As always Peter provides an amazing insight into the history of the genre and presents us with questions and directions to help us find our own true path. Getting into the face of a drug dealer is not for everyone, so there were suggestions for clever and inventive ways of capturing a scene without endangering life or limb. Sadly we couldn’t record the session but Peter has provided a PDF available for 30 days here.

Visible in September for inspiration

Consider these opportunities in September.

Wild flowers at the West Coast National Park and surrounds

Spring Regatta FBYC Simonstown from the 19th to 21st September

South Easter Road Runners every Wednesday 6pm from The Shed at Surfer’s Corner Muizenburg ‍along the roads and paths to Kalk Bay and back.

August Results

Many thanks to this months Judging Panel.

You can view all the submissions by going to Flickr – just click here

From the Chair