Chairman's Reports

This has been my third and final season as Chairman of your club, and I am pleased to be able to look back on another successful and enjoyable year. Membership numbers continue to grow and it is pleasing to see that the majority of people who come along to “take a look”, end up joining as members.

We have seen an excellent programme of talks and competitions this year. These are too numerous to mention all of them, but my personal favourite was the excellent presentation given to us by the Army Combat Photographic Team. It was so unfortunate that this co-incided with the heaviest snowfall for several years, but the 20+ members who managed to attend felt as I did, privileged to see their work. We have also managed to run two evenings at professional photographic studios. These were both well attended and excellently arranged and presented by our two host photographers. It is hoped that we can continue these sessions next year.

In the SPF league we have had a respectable season, especially in the Slides where we reached the semi final stages. Individual congratulations must also go to Sheila Read, whose “ Keyring ” slide was judged as 2nd place out of all the League slides, and Peter Read whose “ Rhum View ” print was highly commended. Next season will see Projected Digital Images (PDI’s) taking the place of slides in the League, and I am sure that we will continue with success in this medium as well.

As you know, our club no longer holds many slide competitions (in line with almost all other photographic clubs in the region). We will however be developing our use of PDI’s in domestic and inter-club competitions, and to achieve this you will see that the Committee have approved a significant purchase of a new Digital Projector and computer. It is pleasing to note that despite this significant purchase, the club’s finances remain healthy and the committee does not see the need to recommend any increase in subscriptions for the coming season.

The Committee has also re-allocated some of the club cups and trophies to bring them more into line with our current photographic activities. Details of these have been provided, and can also be seen (together with a myriad of other camera club and photographic information) on the club website. Peter Read puts a lot of time and effort into maintaining this site for the club; please take the opportunity to visit the site to keep up to date with all of the news, (personally I also find the archive section interesting).

Our own internal club competitions continue to give us all opportunity to present our work for comment, criticism and occasionally praise from both judges and our own members. The standard of work in our club is in my opinion good, and continuing to improve all of the time. As club photographers our greatest enjoyment is probably taking and sharing our photographs. The “in club” competitions that are the eagerly awaited and competed for on all occasions provide us with the perfect means to do this.

I hope that you have enjoyed this season as much as I have. Whether it’s the talks, the competitions, the visits or just the company, the club hopefully provides what you want as an amateur photographer. If there is anything else that you would like to see us do, please let the committee know.

Lastly I would again like to thank all of the committee and other members, who have helped in making this another great season. Some long standing Committee members will be standing down this year, and I would like to thank them for all of their hard work over the previous years. I would also like to welcome the new members of the committee who will bring new ideas and energy to the committee. I would especially like to thank and welcome Peter Woodhouse as the Club’s new chairman. I will be continuing on the committee as joint vice chairman (with Phil Clegg), and look forward to seeing you all next season. Please don’t forget the Mary Luckham trophy, have a good summer break.

Salisbury Camera Club Chairman’s Report 2007/08

The season started on a difficult note for the club, with the totally unforeseen news that we could no longer use the Deaf Centre. As you know, this caused considerable concern, but eventually we managed to find our current accommodation at the Harnham Free Church. I am sure that you will agree that this has met all of our needs.

Club membership has risen to 40 members, which I am told is the highest it has been for some years. I take that as encouragement that we are meeting the needs and wishes of you all with what the committee hope is an interesting and varied programme. There is unfortunately a slight downside to our growth and increased photographic activity. We have been putting judges under considerable pressure to appraise our work in the time available, and therefore after careful thought the committee have decided on necessary amendments to the bi-monthly competitions (see separate sheet). As well as limiting the evening’s print entries to a manageable 80 prints, the most significant change is that S.C.C. will no longer be taking slide entries to these competitions. I realise that this may cause some disappointment, it was not a decision taken lightly, but I am confident that overall it was the right one for the club. We will however still be entering the slide section of the SPF league competitions, but this is likely to be from scanned digital images (unless any members have good new slide work that we can consider).

The committee has also decided to recommend a slight subscription increase for next year of £2 per member. We did not increase subs last year and it is important that we keep our income at a level that supports our programmed events and current accommodation. The increase actually works out at about 6 pence per meeting! so I’m sure you will agree its still good value.

We had a reasonable SPF league season, winning some and losing a few more. However it is obvious that the standard of your work is improving all of the time (a fact endorsed by many visiting judges), I look forward to an even better competition season next year.

You will be aware that the club will exhibiting members’ work this summer in the solicitors chambers, at the Old Library building in Chipper Lane. This will run from June through until the end of August. Club members have provided 50 framed pieces of their photographic work, and I am really pleased at how high the standard of image and presentation is. Although not fully open to the public at all times, the exhibition will still get considerable viewing over the 3 months. Feel free to go and look at your work; just let the receptionist know that you are from the camera club. My intention now, having gathered a worthwhile exhibition, is to find a more public venue during the summer and to re-exhibit later in the year. I think that it is important and rewarding for the club to be known in the City, and I shall continue this philosophy all the time I am a club member.

I could go on and on about specific evenings, lecturers, and competitions that we have had this year, but this is meant to be a succinct report so I won’t! I would however like to just finish by saying thank you to everybody who helps each week to make club evenings run so well. Specifically I would like to mention Rose, Elizabeth and Sheila, who form the backbone of the tea making team. Many thanks to all who have assisted by putting their names down on the tea Rota (mostly without the need for my encouragement!). Also thanks to Sally for the excellent raffle each week (I didn’t seem to win so often this year, must be slipping!). Finally a thank you to all of the club committee who work hard to keep the club running successfully. You will be aware that I have agreed to stand as Chairman for one more year, which I look forward to. However the club always needs new ideas and officers, so give some thought to becoming a committee member if you’re interested.

Enjoy the summer break, don’t forget the summer walks and keep an eye on the club website (excellently maintained by Peter Read).

Looking back on the past year as Chairman of Salisbury Camera Club, I am pleased to be able to reflect on a successful season. We have I hope had an interesting year with something to interest all of our members. Having said that your committee will always listen to suggestions to improve and develop the programme, and feel that we have done this for the forthcoming season.

Our membership remains at 34 members (although there were some ins and outs), which I hope will increase further in the coming year. The club members were all saddened by the loss of Phil Williams last summer.

In competitions we more than held our own for a small club, and had some notable individual successes. In the SPF League Print competition we finished 3rd out of 9 clubs, and in the Slide competition we were also placed 3rd out of 9. The highlight of our individual successes was undoubtedly Sally Money winning the award for the best colour print in this years SPF exhibition in Salisbury Library. Peter Read won the best slide award in the SPF league entries, whilst Peter, Sheila and myself had entries accepted in the Winchester photographic exhibition.

I would like to record my thanks to all those people who gave up their time to give us photographic talks this year, and give special thanks to all of those who put themselves into our firing line as judges. Theirs is a somewhat thankless task (as any member who tried it at the recent club judging night can confirm!). I know that we will continue to warmly welcome all of our guests in the future. As a final word on judges, I have noticed in recent competitions an unfortunate tendency for some of our members to talk to each other during the judge’s comments. Whilst I realise that the distraction caused is not intentional, it can still be off putting to other members trying to listen and in the worst case could be off putting to the judge. I would therefore like to request that those of you inclined to the above could please try to keep it to an acceptable minimum of quiet comment. Thank you.

The club has continued to raise a local profile with successful exhibitions in Salisbury Library and Waterstone’s bookshop. We have also undertaken a joint project with the National Trust to photograph Stonehenge landscapes. These were displayed at three local venues (the final showing will start at Salisbury Museum this week).

In looking forward to the forthcoming season, I am sure that we have an interesting programme for you all, a draft of which should be available this evening. One of the new developments will be the introduction of two digital projection evenings of member’s work.

Lastly I would like to inform you that your committee has unanimously agreed to offer Cath Carey an honorary membership of our club. Cath is less able to attend meetings now, but remains as interested and proficient a photographer as ever. We feel that this will be a good way of maintaining our connection and friendship with Cath.

My philosophy for our club is that we should offer something for all photographers, whatever their level of photographic involvement, interest or skill. By doing so we will continue to thrive and develop both as a club and as individual photographers. I wish you a happy summer break (don’t forget the summer walks) and I look forward to seeing you all in September. Tony Oliver (SCC Chairman)

It is hard to believe how quickly this season has gone. We started back in September last year and we set ourselves some fairly tough ambitions for the year.

The Toomey and Chaplin trophies have separated the more experienced competition photographers from those newer to this type of photography. It is my opinion that having our pictures judged against our peer groups is much fairer to all and enables the judges to score according to ability. I hope that you share my feeling that the change from large and small format has been successful. Both competitions have been well subscribed, and this is the best news that the club could have. My congratulations go to both winners.

It has to be said that our panels at both print and slide were the best that the club has produced for the SPF league in many years. It also has to be said that we did not make the advances against other clubs that we had hoped for, but, we are no longer the easy pushover that we used to be, and that single fact means that we are progressing, albeit, slowly. We should be looking forward to next year's league with optimism.

As for the SPF exhibition, again we did not win anything, but our entry was a long way from the worst. Ours looked, exactly what it was, a series of good quality prints and slides put together with thought, and well presented. We must use this format to advance even further.

I can confirm that our membership has risen over the last twelve months from 26 to 34. This is a real success. New members have been attracted from two main sources, exhibitions of our work in the City, and the website. These have both proved to be excellent marketing tools and should be exploited to the maximum. New members are the future of the club.

And so to the future, I am confident that your club is on a sound financial footing, and has an enthusiastic membership. I believe that as we continue to attract new members, then the quality of the work will continue to rise further and success in external competitions will come. Even this year will see one or two new faces collecting trophies for the first time, and that is what we should be looking for, to progress over the coming seasons.

If I were to make a suggestion for the future, it would be that there should be a definite avenue for people who are interested in digital manipulation. Competitions, a separate monthly meeting, instruction courses, like the one that Peter has set up, I don't know. It is something that the whole club needs to address and decide what to do about it. It is no longer space age technology but is in most people's houses right now, it is the way that other camera clubs are moving, and we should be up with them.

This is my last report to you as chairman, as I feel that the time is right for me to stand down and hand over the reins to another member. My best wishes and support will go to whomever you chose to be my successor. I would like to thank you all for your support over the last 3 years, and to the committee for their commitment to me, and more importantly, the club. Thank you.

A special word of thanks to Nick Goddard, who is also leaving his post this time, for the splendid job he has done in preparing next year's programme.

I wish you all a very photogenic summer, and look forward to seeing you all back in September.

Before writing this report, I re-read last years', just to see what was on my mind at that time. I believe that we have achieved much in the last 12 months and there is more to come in the coming season.

The internal competitions have been wonderfully supported. The bi-monthly competitions are now full to bursting point, and we are having to introduce a method for reducing the number of entries when any particular evening is over-subscribed. This is a sure sign of a healthy club.

I talked last year about the “Small Print Competition” and I hope that you will approve the changes that your committee is proposing. It will eliminate this event so that we can re-structure the Large Print Competition, to accommodate more entries, and to have pictures judged more evenly across our differing abilities.

Looking at the results for all the internal competitions, there is a much larger range of authors who have had success this year than in previous years. My congratulations go to you all. This is further evidence of a healthy club and healthy competition.

But we have addressed them. It is my opinion that the required standard has always been within the club, but the best images had never found their way to the selection committee. Next Season, I hope, it will be different. I believe that we already have the foundations for much improved entries in all our external competitions and by the time that these are finalised, we will have panels to compete with the best in the area.

During this season, however, we have only managed to replace those members who have moved on. This is a disappointment to me and is something that I wish to turn our full attention to for the next season. The club's life depends on us, personally, going out and finding people and presenting them with a programme that will fire their imagination and interest, into becoming members. We must make this happen.

My thanks go to all the members of the committee, both collectively and individually for their continuing support for me and more especially, the club. They are the people who really make things happen for all of us. Thank you.

The committee will wish me to say a very special thank you to Arthur, who is leaving the committee, and his role as programme secretary, this time. He has been an invaluable member of the committee and, I hope you will agree, has put together a really varied programme for next season. I know he listened a great deal to what our members said that they wanted, and has gone out and achieved it with distinction. Many thanks, Arthur.

The new season, I believe is full of opportunities for all of us, as individual photographers, and as a club. I do think that that our club standard is improving and this will be enhanced still further by the new competition structure, and proven on the SPF stage.

May I take this opportunity to thank you all for the support that you have given me over the last year. I do try to get round and talk to every member, as often as I can, about whatever is on their mind, but if you have an idea or something burning away that you think I should know about, then please, seek me out and tell me. Your ideas are the reason that we exist, and the motivation behind much that we do. You are important to me.

I will end this year's report as I did last year, and I quote, “I would ask you all to consider what you can do for your club to help it achieve its aims and ambitions”

        This year has been of mixed success. There have been losses and gains but we will remember the gains most of all. Our oldest member Arthur Baskerville senior sadly passed away in March. He was always an inovative photographer producing some memorable pictures. We used one last season in the League namely 'Specs'. A clever and deceptive image of reading glasses with a pair of eyes peeping out. His son Arthur has been our vice-chairman for three years now stepping in when I have been unable to attend.
        We had two disappointing evenings which did not go according to plan. The first was a problem with Jessops. We were supposed to have a repeat visit as last year. However, insurance and landlord problems effectively ended this cosy arrangement. We substituted this evening with a prerecorded lecture from the SPF.
        The second was 13 January when Andy Davies failed to turn up for a talk on Still Life photography. We still do not know why. But we were left with an empty evening and a room full of eager members. The night was saved by Richard Davies at that time not a member who stepped in as a model.
        However, the successes outnumbered the disappointments. Highlights of the season started with 'Along the Andes' from Sally-Ann Greville-Heygate when she showed us images from her epic 16,000 mile journey through South America.
        We also had a splendid evening with Fiona Senior showing us her children photographs. These were of stunning quality and prolific quantity. She has also recently produced her photographs via her computer. The monochrome pictures were especially good.
        In October we had the first of three contacts with Ian Kent-Robinson from Salisbury College. Initially he gave us a talk on Composition and then in February another talk on 19th Century Photography telling us how our hobby began. Both were very informative talks. Additionally we were priviledged to have a tour round the College photographic facilities. This included the huge studios and the darkrooms too numerous to count it seemed. They also have computer suites for Photoshop teaching and learning. All very interesting and although we had quite a lot of members inevitably there were members who missed this fascinating visit. Perhaps we should repeat this idea. This can not be on a Monday evening since the College is then closed.
        Other notable lectures we had were from Phil Green to start the new year on his natural history slide work with plenty of hints and tips and much humour. Joyce Rowlands from Carshalton gave us her talk called 'A Fool and her Camera'. Members liked her challenging style and her prints. Then Anne Mahany told us how to take people pictures showing how to pose your subjects naturally and simply. Lighting was mostly by natural light so that anyone could follow her ideas. Richard Temlett our Secretary helped members one evening with questions on Digital Imaging but I was not there to witness this. Sheila and I gave the Club our talk and demonstration called 'Alternative Photography' where we attempted to show some of the many methods of producing images. We successfully demonstrated Sun Printing but failed miserably to make a Gum Bichromate picture. We hope that this did not put anuone off trying it for themselves!
        On the Competition side we had 4 quarterly's, the Mary Luckham Trophy, other Trophy evenings, and two friendly matches. The first Friendly was the Monday Club against Southampton and Bournemouth at Copythorne Hall Southampton's venue. Southampton won of course! The secind Friendly was with Devizes and Warminster which we hosted. This was the third time and this time Warminster won by a narrow margin. The overall scores were Warminster 171, Devizes 169 and Salisbury 169.5 points. So now each team has won once. Very equitable!
        Other fun evenings were when we had a Portrait session with two lovely young ladies; an interesting Christmas do with lots of quizzes; some of Wilfred Chaplin's Lantern slides; an Individual Slide Show where members could show us whatever they wished to music; Desert Island Pics where members showed us the pictures they would hold onto if marooned on a desert island; an evening looking at each others work with a possible view to picking them for the League and the SPF Exhibition; and a Treasure Hunt round the City centre ending upat the Red Lion Hotel. Lastly we had a Bluebell Foray in early May in a wood on a members woodland, and a evening walk on the same farm near Odstock in the wonderful countryside of Wiltshire.
        From all the above you can see that the Club year has been filled with an amazing variety of events and happenings.
        So now let me thank all the Committee members who have helped to make the year so successful. From Rose who unfailingly makes the refreshements AND keeps all the scores; Richard who as Secretary keeps us up to date on everything including the accounts; Philip Williams for doing all the book-keeping; Sheila for organising the whole Progamme for the tenth year or so (when she was not Chairman); Ivor for the holding the Raffle; Tony for opening up every week and arranging the furniture and getting out all the equipment we need to hold an evening. And, of course, all our other members for helping when required. All this makes for smooth running and a happy atmosphere.
Peter

for 2001 to 2002

The past season has been characterized by ups and downs. For many reasons some members could not rejoin and so we are a bit down on numbers this year. One ex-member who was to come back next season sadly he, suddenly and tragically, died. We will always remember Derek West for his keeness to enter all competitions and into all other aspects of Club life. He was very good at making suggestions and kept the Committee on its toes.
    We will also miss Ernest Hart who has moved north. He was often seen at a slack moment at a Club night compiling a cross-word puzzle. It was he who posed a question one Club night the answer to which has probably saved the sight of a young boy. The question was about yellow eye instead of red eye in a flash photograph. After much research we found it was to be an eye disorder called Coats Disease. This answer was relayed back to the parents and so, with luck, all should now be well.
    As for Club life it started especially well with an evening visit to Jessops in the George Mall. They were able to show us the most desirable photographic objects and were generous to give extra big discounts. In addition they provide us with lots of wine and cheese and a big 'goody' bag. We are repeating this idea next season. So those unable to attend last year will have a second chance.
    In October we were privileged to see and hear Phil Green with his droll humour and superb photography mainly birds.
    Then the Mary Luckham Trophy competition on my chosen idea of 'Identical Viewpoints' brought out a series of fascinating results. This included a Francis Frith postcard of Wilton which included one of the competitors, Clarrie Harding, as a little girl. As I anticipated it was more difficult to get an identical view than you would think. Especially with so much traffic nowadays.
    This was followed by the Monday Club meeting. This is a friendly annual competition between Southampton, Bournemouth and ourselves who all have Monday club evenings. This year we were hosts and our Club room was packed to overflowing. There were even people on the balcony. John Riley, the judge, did a super job and was not fazed by the milling mob.
    It was at this evening that Southampton's Chairman Janice Mansfield told us all of a competition in a new magazine namely Photography Monthly. Also she hinted that one of our prints suited the current topic. So we entered. We were very glad that we did because Tim Kidner's mysterious photo got placed (17th nationally). Well done Tim!
    Finally in a highly busy October David Perkins made a return visit but this time he talked about Wedding Photography. He got us all on our feet pretending to be various members of wedding groups. We learnt how to place our feet in a ballet position so that we were at our most photogenic! Great fun!
    November saw us compete in a league match, a bi-monthly competition and we had Philip George whose wonderful slides and accompanying stories made a great evening. In December we had Jim Mansfield showing us monochrome work taken over the last 40 years or so. We also had a disappointment in that we found that we would not be able to hold our usual Exhibition in the Library. The price had gone too much for our small club to bear. We were all very sad about this and until we find a better priced venue we will not be able to show the public the work that we produce. Still we were represented with a panel in the main SPF Exhibition. During the exhibition visitors voted for their favourite print in the show. Hazel Pickering's 'View from the Ramparts' came a respectable second place. More accolades for this excellent print. Let us have more Hazel.
    Come January we had an inspirational talk from Maureen and David Toft. They are two of the nicest people you could wish to meet. Some of Maureen's digital prints had a marvellous dreamy atmosphere.
    'Desert Island Pics' in March proved a great success with 14 entries. These sets of 8 photographs were the personal favourites of members. The reasons for choosing them were of great interest. Most memorable (as is often the case) were those from Cath Carey whose story of reaching the top of Scafell Pike at the age of 75 was most touching.
    Bert Wason was the big night of the year. We even advertised! He showed us how he used his equipment which included a home made Benbo style tripod. The use of reversed lenses for real close up photographs was new to many members. The Natural History photos he showed us were quite beautiful. One member even went so far as to purchase one!
    In April we had a Treasure Hunt. Most of our members came along and enjoyed a very entertaining evening. There were 26 clues some straightforward, some cryptic and some requiring a keen eye and the ability to count. I had set these clues and had even checked them in the afternoon. However, not all my answers were accurate; but since I was the judge my decision was final! Phil Clegg was the winner.
    This month I was as chairman allowed to set the Mary Luckham Trophy competition again. This time the topic is topical namely the Golden Jubilee. I hope that this proves popular. There should be plenty of venues to see within the next month or two. I wish you all the best for this. There will be plenty of interesting experiences and adventures for those partaking.
    Well this was to be the end of my time as Chairman and I have found the task very pleasant and interesting, thanks to help from the Committee and members. In particular I must thank my wife Sheila for her labours in producing an interesting programme and also Richard who unfailingly keeps us on track. I have been persuaded to remain Chairman for the next year at the AGM.

Peter Read LRPS, DPAGB.

Chairman's Report
for 2000 to 2001         On the whole it has been fun being chairman for this season. When I reflect on this season I realize just how full and interesting it has been. However, I also realize that not everything has been positive. And this year has seen the passing of one of the Club's revered members John Abbot. He did an enormous amount of work for the Club and especially for the Southern Photographic Federaton. We will miss him greatly.
        Despite a varied and interesting programme we are still losing membership. This is in spite of a spirited effort to advertise ourselves. This in turn means that this year we have a severe loss of funds. Membership is the key to stemming this loss.
        On to better things. Highlights of the year have been three exhibition of our work viz.at Endless Street, the Library and at the Hospital. A friendly competition versus Warminster and Devizes at Warminster was hugely enjoyable a] because we won the print section and b] because of the jocular judge Brian Cheer. We also had the 1st Monday Club meeting.
        We had a fascinating & absorbing lectures from Steve Day (who showed us that the best landscapes are to be found at dawn), David Perkins (who showed is how to take portraits), Guy Davies (whose live demo, with helpers Penelope and Derek, produced some memorable slides via two projectors and various filters), Malcolm Hey (who showed us some superb underwater pictures) and Derek Dorsett (whose photos of carnivals showed us that slow shutter speeds, panning and twisting the camera can be very creative).
        It seems that the excitement of photographing the Carnival and its workshops has evaporated when members learnt that they still had to pay for processing. A pity really. At the time of writing, however, there is still time to try out Derek Dorsett's ideas.
        This year saw a huge increase in digital photography. In keeping with this trend we at first tried a joint group with Viewfinders of Romsey. However, this was unweildy and we had sufficient members of SCC to form our own group - the DigiNatterers. In this group we meet once a month and discuss digital imaging in all its aspects and set ourselves homework. Some of this has been shown to members.
        Additionally the results of the homework has been posted on our new Internet Web site. This site has all the latest information on the Club as well as its history and a gallery of members work. It is also linked to many other web sites of a non-commercial nature ie. other clubs and organisations, and reference sites. More pictures from members for the Gallery will be welcomed at any time. Just let me have them.
        A Newsletter has also been circulated with news, views, stories and advice especially on starting digital photography.
        You should have the first edition of next seasons programme. One of the early high points is a visit to Jessops shop. This could result in a BBQ on the roof!! But more likely you will be able to try out any equipment, see demonstrations of digital photography, and answers to any questions. So, please, let us have your requests for anything you want to see or try out well in advance, to give Jessops time to get things ready or bring items in specially. Sounds really good.
        Other items in next years programme include Leo Rich's lecture and the Mary Luckham trophy which I set on the theme of Identical Viewpoints. Also another Monday Club competition - we must try our best here. We also get David Perkins back by popular demand plus Jim Mansfield and Phillip George both wonderful local photographers.
        See you next season. Happy snapping.
        Peter Read.