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Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Just a little wine...

Ok! So a little while ago I started the ‘Challenge of the Century’. 
The idea of this was to create a photographic challenge with a learning 
objective and without a strong competitive element. This seemed to meet 
the general feeling of the group that I have picked up over the time I 
have been involved with it and I hope that we can continue with this. 
(In fact, pretty much as I am writing this, Mal has suggested taking shots 
of local landmarks each month to complete 'in camera'. I love this idea 
but would like to alternate this with a learning challenge so that we have 
variation to keep it fresh – Let me know what you think.)

The inspiration for the challenge was a mixture of requests from group 
members for a competition, and me considering how we can cover previous 
topics in a fresh light for new members, and refreshing the skills of 
those who have covered the topic before. Around the same time, a Digital 
Camera World tip for achieving a ‘bokeh’ effect appeared in my news feed 
which ‘hit’ the mark for considering ‘depth of field’.


Definition of Bokeh:
In photography, bokeh (Originally /ˈboʊkɛ/, /ˈboʊkeɪ/ BOH-kay — also 
sometimes pronounced as /ˈboʊkə/ BOH-kə, Japanese: [boke]) is the 
aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an 
image produced by a lens.Bokeh has been defined as "the way the lens 
renders out-of-focus points of light".

We had a scenario set up for people to have a go at during the last 
meeting at Willowmere and I know that a few of you have also had a go at 
home. I decided that I wanted to have a go at the set up but didn’t have 
time on the night, so a home set up it was.

The first thing that struck me during the whole process was how long such 
a simple sounding thing took! I had a bunch of grapes and always have 
wine around ;-) so I chose the title 'Bacchus Bokeh’ and set up a still 
life for the subject. I rubbed a little coconut oil on the grapes for a 
natural shine (I wanted to eat them later so didn’t fancy some of the 
alternatives) but found the length of time I took to set up the shot 
allowed the coconut oil to solidify by the time I got what I wanted and 
the shine turned dull (so don’t try that at home guys).

With a little bit of tweaking and a red light, the scene was set and I 
started to think about camera settings and here was the rub… this was the 
first time since using the DSLR that I have really needed the f2 that I 
used to have on my old Zenit SLR. To get the background anywhere near out 
of focus I had to have it on the other side of the kitchen to separate it 
from the subject. The best I could get is the first picture of the set 
(It is just cropped to tidy up the edges), where, really, the background 
still looks like scrunched foil. Not the effect I want, particularly as 
the whole idea of bokeh is to minimise the background, not create the 
'busy' effect I achieved.


So, based on the restrictions of my equipment I was going to have to 
resort to Photoshop. This then gave me more options. Before I ‘broke set’ 
I took an out of focus frame of the background only. The first thing I 
tried was selecting the subject from the original photo and placing it in 
in a layer above the out of focus background. This gave me the second 
image. Using a genuine shot as a background is useful as it avoids some 
of the artefacts that you can get with post processing software. It is a 
good idea to ensure that you match your settings as much as possible, 
particularly ISO so that the levels of 'noise' match.
 

The third image has the same selection above a background which has had 
the PS bokeh effect applied and the fourth has the PS field blur applied.




For my 'two-pennith' out of them all, I prefer the 2nd image  with the 
natural, out-of-focus background but although it was an interesting 
exercise which I recommend trying just because of

- the way it makes you think about what you are trying to achieve

- makes you consider what your camera is capable of

- helps you focus (pardon the pun) on ‘depth of field’ and

- is a great exercise for still life composition

The image didn't really encompass the best of bokeh. What was most fun? 
Trying to get the shot 'in camera' - a challenge which I will look for 
more opportunities for in the future. (Macro lens – here I come.) 
There’s more about bokeh in this link with some cool examples.

 And finally, here's one of Alan's from Alderley Edge which I 
particularly like and, by coincidence, there's also another example of 
bokeh by a young photographer in my next blog on the award-winning images 
from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015, coming soon. 
Must stop now, there's not 'mush-room' for any more!
 


Hope you like the idea of 'Challenge of the Century' and this blog. 
If you want to comment, please feel free. You may need to be on 
Google + to comment directly but if you want to pm me with a comment 
on fb I will post it for you. When commenting please remember this is 
about trying to improve the skills and experience of all of the group 
members, thank you. :-)

Now, where's that wine...
Mel

Friday, 18 September 2015
Fundraising
Working on getting enough funds for lots of fun things!

The committee have had their meeting about fundraising and it was decided 
that besides applying for grants and funds from the CVSCE and other 
sources that the group would benefit if we had at least one major raffle 
a year with tickets available to all and a few more, regular, smaller ones 
for members.
 
The larger raffle will require members to use any contacts they have with 
local businesses to get them to support our group. This time round I will 
be contacting Morrison's, Tesco and some of the smaller shops that are 
left in the town to see whether they will be able to donate a prize.  
I will also try my luck with Creativelive and Udemy. Phil Tomlinson has 
already very kindly offered to donate a canvas print of a picture (MANY 
thanks Phil) and I hope that if any of you know any business that might 
like to donate, that you enquire to see what they might be able to offer. 
If we can get the prizes set up for the beginning of October we can sell 
tickets for the first two/three weeks in October. I can provide a 
standard letter requesting a donation for the raffle if you need one.
 
We will also be having smaller, in-house, raffles for cakes, used 
photography books etc. that members have donated at some of our regular 
meetings.
 
Some of the money raised from these activities will go towards printing 
costs of all-occasion cards and/or Christmas cards. The sales of which 
will again bring in more  funds. I will set up a few suitable sections of 
our Flickr group for you to put forward the images which you think are 
suitable for use and you do not mind be used in this manner. If your 
images are chosen, you will not be losing your copyright, just signing a 
form to agree to our printing of your image for the purpose of raising 
funds for the group. Your name as photographer and the groups id as a 
not-for-profit charity will appear on the cards. A range of pictures will 
be chosen, ie. a set of insect cards seems likely given the output of 
recent weeks.
 
Please let me know if you can help with any of this. It is very important 
for the group.
 
Many thanks,
Mel Smith
 
9/18/2015
I have so much to say...

..or as Dave W might put it, "She can 'narf talk, that Mel." :-)

I was so pleased with the way the meeting went on Wednesday, particularly 
the sort of discussion that was going on and the feedback from the 
audience was very welcome. It is so important for the group to be exactly 
that, a group! People with an interest to get more out of their 
photography and technology, who want to work together to help each other 
do exactly that.

As a relief from all of my chatter, there were a couple of tutorials and 
practicals aimed at helping you get ready for the next photo outing and 
hone your 'camera settings' skills. Mal has very kindly written a few 
comments about the evening which can be found here. (Links to the two 
tutorials are also available on this page too.) The practical activities 
are something that I feel we should do more of and your feedback seemed 
to indicate that you agree with this which is great.

During the evening I mentioned a lot of outings and opportunities that 
were coming up for the group. The next outing which Dave is currently 
arranging, should be an opportunity to photograph radio controlled models. 
Date to be announced ASAP.




There is also the potential of going down Woods Mine at Alderley Edge. 
Alan and I went down there a couple of weeks ago (sans camera so can only 
provide a couple of phone shots I'm afraid) but there were a couple of 
interesting 'waterfalls' where the copper deposits have left beautiful 
green and blue trails on the rocks and a large cavern where we can do 
some light painting.




When I mentioned this the interest was good so I will now go ahead and 
start making arrangements. I am suggesting the afternoon of Saturday 14th 
November as the first Saturday in the month (which we usually do) will 
clash with fireworks events. The price is £6 a head and I will need the 
money when you put your name down for the event. I will start collecting 
from confirmation of the date. This outing, as indeed any other, will also 
be made available to Middlewich Photographers. Money will be refunded if 
the club has to cancel the event due to lack of interest. If somebody 
doesn't turn up then the fee will usually be forfeited depending on 
circumstances. Certainly any cost to the group will have to be deducted. 
Myself or Kyla will also investigate the chance of a warm fire and snacks 
in the Wizard afterwards.

On the subject of light painting, I believe that Bill Armsden is going 
to do a local walk about in Middlewich one night in the autumn with the 
intention of doing some lightpainting so when I find out a date I will let 
you know. I know that everyone who went last year had a great time and 
loved their photos afterwards.

In December, we will be looking at 'light on skin' at Willowmere Meeting 
and our outing will be the Christmas meal.

The final opportunity is that Ian Hill Smith has invited any member of 
the group to consider showing their photos for sale in his Artspace. 
Phil Tomlinson kindly gave us more information on this and has a service 
where you can get your photos printed for this purpose (and other forms 
of display). I suggest that he is one of your first ports of call if you 
want to check your image is of the right technical quality to print. 
(How about a blog on it Phil? - hint, hint :-) )

Like I said, lots of opportunities, lots of chatter!
Mel

Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Battle of Middlewich 1643-Member Photos



Photo by Cliff Astles.........
Royalist troops line up, ready for battle, at the Battle of Nantwich 1643

Next weekend, May Bank Holiday Weekend, will see troops line up in similar 
order, to re-enact the Battle for Middlewich.

I feel sure that many of our group will be out and about with their 
cameras taking similar photos of the action. If this is the case please, 
make sure you get your best photos (large Jpeg ), to the local Guardian 
Series of newspapers , where there is every possibility that some  
of our members photos will be used by the paper.

The Guardian Newspaper Group have been very good in publishing a number 
of articles about the success of our group, and as they have today 
requested from myself some photos, I thought many of you would also wish 
to do this for them as well.

IF, YOU DO HAVE PHOTOS, GET THEM TO THE NEWSPAPER QUICKLY !!!!

Cliff

Tuesday, 19 May 2015
North Wales Group Photo Outing-Post Visit-Report.


Betws-y-Coed-From the rocks under the bridge, as river Llugwy passes 
under the road.

Another most enjoyable trip was undertaken by members of the group on 
Sunday 17th May, and in spite of the rather cloudy start and the odd spot 
of rain as we went over the Llanberis Pass, it was a good photography day, 
being cloudy, but nice and clear for most of the time.

We managed to take a number of photography stops starting at the aquaduct 
at Pontcysyllte, the waterfalls on the river Conway, and Betws-y-Coed, 
to a late afternoon stop at the small stream along the Llanberis Pass.

With the rain now beginning to be a problem for clear photos, and being 
early evening time, we decided to call it a day stopping at the lake in 
Llanberis for a few last minute shots, as the weather had improved 
sufficiently to get shots of the lake and back along the Llanberis Pass.

Great to see members getting together and having a good time, whilst 
being able to gain even more experience, photographing differing places 
of interest. A selection of photos by members taking part can be seen on 
the group Facebook page, and also very many more on the group FLICKR 
account link, on the web page:-(www.watch-it-and-c.co.uk) .

What a big difference in quality of shot and perspective is now being 
shown by members of the group, with some member shots, I would consider,  
surely good enough to go into photo magazines. The group is obviously 
making a big difference to our members’ photography and understanding of 
their cameras. Great to see, and it can only get better.

The next group photo outing will take place at BUNBURY MILL, on Saturday 
afternoon 30th May, from 2.00 till 4.00 pm. ( £3.50 entrance fee, payable 
on entrance, parking free). Make sure you make this next photo outing day, 
so that you can gain even more experience using your own camera, with a 
group of sociable, like-minded members.

Cliff

Saturday, 16 May 2015
June Group Meeting-AGM-Plus.


Monthly Group Member Meeting-Wednesday 24th June-2015-7.00 till 9.00pm

The meeting in June will commence at 7.00 pm PROMPT, with the first 
groups Annual General Meeting, followed by the normal break for 
refreshments at 8.00 pm.

There will be NO-CHARGES for attendance at the group AGM.

Members will have the opportunity to meet the group committee and ask 
any further questions they may have about the group, and help by 
providing any suggestions to improve or enhance the present ways in which 
the group operates.

We would like as many members to attend the meeting as is possible, 
to ensure we have everyone’s input to what is being planned by the group, 
and that any input provided enhances the current format, to ensure this 
continues successfully into the future.

This will be the last monthly group meeting at the Willowmere-Middlewich, 
before the Summer break in July and August, re-starting in September, 
date TBA. However, we plan to have a number of local instructional photo 
outings during July and August. Watch the group Web Site 
( www.watch-it-and-c.co.uk) for details of these increasingly popular 
outings.

Following the group meeting we plan to have a curry meal at a local 
Middlewich restaurant where all are invited. Members wanting to attend 
the meal should make contact with Cliff Astles, using the group e-mail of 
21stctncg@gmail.com.

Number of seats / places may well be limited at the restaurant, so please 
make sure you book early, requesting number of places required. Members 
will be required to pay for their own food and drinks.

Cliff Astles
Group Chairman.

Thursday, 14 May 2015
North Wales Photo Outing Update-Plus.



General Group Membership Update-Thursday 14th May 2015.

North Wales Photo Outing. Sunday 17th May-2015-Meet at 9.00 am- leave 
at 9.30 PROMPT!!!

A) There is a Fun Fair on the proposed car park and meeting place, 
so we will now be meeting on the SALINAE Centre car park, at the same time. 
The SALINAE car park is opposite Middlewich Town Library, on Lewin Street. 
Go through the towns traffic lights on the road to Sandbach, the Library 
is on the right hand side, 400 yards from the traffic lights. Turn LEFT 
next by the small DIY Centre, the car park is on your left, and also at 
the rear. WE WILL ALL MEET AT THE REAR CAR PARK. 

We will then make sure we all have each driver's mobile numbers 
(emergencies and  any other reason) and then commence the journey going 
by Nantwich Road in Middlewich, then Wrexham, to Llangollen, but calling 
at the first photo spot of where the Llangollen canal crosses the river 
called the PONT CYCLLTE Aquaduct, then through Llangollen to Betws-y-Coed 
for more photos, stopping on the main car park in the town.

Having had our fill of photos at Betws-y-Coed, we will go via Chapel Curig, 
to the Llanberris Pass. We will stop a number of times along these roads 
when we reach a number of photo spots indicated to me via a North Wales 
photographer.

As we have quite a long journey it is considered that packed lunches may 
be best, as we do not at this time, envisage stopping for any long time 
(this may change as the day progresses). A tripod will be useful, if you 
have one to use. It is likely there will be many stops for a quick toilet.

There are a few places still available, so anyone wanting to go on the 
trip needs to make arrangements by making your wish to go on the trip 
known on the groups FB site. People with cars will make contact via FB to 
fill up the places in their cars.

Bunbury Mill Photo Outing-Saturday May 30th-2015.

B)The photo trip to Bunbury Mill carries a minimum charge of £40.00 
(this is a special trip, organised for group members only, on a Saturday 
afternoon, hence the minimum charge). Trip info can be found on the Web 
Site Blog Page. Member charge is £3.50 per person, payable on admission.

Cliff

Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Member photos-Marketing & Press.


Winter Sunrise-Over the old ICI Lime Beds-Middlewich-Cheshire.

Group use of member photos for Marketing and Press.

It is now some time since we asked group members for their permission 
for the group to use any of their photos submitted for use in order to 
create marketing and press interest. With the recent move to Flickr by 
the group to better display photos, I thought it was worth mentioning 
again.

We would obviously wish to continue to use member photos, but ONLY if 
members have no objection to them being used in this way. Therefore, 
would members not wishing for their photos to be used, please let me 
know via e-mail, so I do not make any mistakes.

The group has been able to gain many more members by using photos in 
this way, and we will continue to use them in the future.  Additionally, 
it is in the group’s future interest to gain more members and I would 
like to think that members will continue to send photos to any of the 
local papers, as they continue to request local photos to be submitted 
to them, where a mention of the group would not go amiss.

Cliff

Photo Topic Reminder for MAY 2015.


Photo by Cliff Astles-River Wheelock from the Bridge on Forge Mill 
Lane-Warmingham-Cheshire.

Member photos-May Group Meeting-Willowmere-Middlewich.

Reminder-TWO TOPICS for photos are CHESHIRE COUNTRYSIDE and MACHINES.

Make sure you use your own and the group FLICKR Galleries to place your 
photos on-line, and to make them available to be sorted and placed into 
a photo presentation.

The quality of Flickr for photo presentation is allowing for some GREAT 
member photos to be shown, and is so very much better for the group to 
use than just using Facebook.

Cliff

Friday, 1 May 2015
Group members working together.
Two pictures (see wingtips) are to show what happens when you use a 
shutter speed of  1/640 sec. 


Photo by Paul Macready
Heron...slight blur at the wing tips, which does give a nice motion 
effect, that you may wish to have.


Photo by Paul Macready
Seagull...when you use a much higher shutter speed (1/2000 sec). 
The wing tips are quite clear, with no motion to speak of.

Group members, working together to improve their photography.

One of the main objectives when initially forming the Group was for the 
more skilled members to offer help, and give guidance to other members, 
who were just, perhaps starting to use a digital camera, and wanting to 
get up to speed quickly. We believe we have achieved this in no short 
measure, with many new to photography, quickly creating photos of merit.

It was very satisfying therefore to see recently, that Paul Macready 
(using his excellent photos above) was helping member Donna, to also try 
to achieve a similar quality photo by providing photo settings and other 
advice, for her future use when presented with a similar photo opportunity.

With the move from placing group photos on Facebook, to members now  
using Flickr, we can not only now see members photos in much better 
quality, but Flickr also provides all of the  technical information 
regarding photo settings for members to see for themselves, so they may 
use the information in order  to improve their own photo skills. A BIG 
step forward for the group members. 

The group continues to grow with new members and the more conversations 
that take place of this nature, the better and stronger the group becomes. 
Thanks to members like Paul, Mal Wetton, Brian Roberts, and others that 
help in this way, we are achieving one of our main goals with the group.

Getting members to shoot quality photos, all of the time

Cliff

Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Bunbury Mill-Group Instructional Photo Outing.

Bunbury Water Mill-Bunbury-Cheshire
Instructional Group Photo Outing-Update

I have received formal notification for the group to visit Bunbury Mill, 
for a photo outing on Saturday 30th MAY 2015. 2.00 till 4 / 4.30.

This is quite an extraordinary opportunity for the group, and I have added 
this extra visit in MAY as I am not too sure how many can make the North 
Wales trip on Sunday 17th May.

Bunbury Mill is run today by a local group of volunteers, much like our 
group, and they are prepared to open the Mill for our group for a full 
afternoon at a time when they are not normally open to visitors. We will 
be provided with a 45/50 min guided tour of the Mill and shown it's 
operations, with the water wheel operating as it would have when it was 
operational. The cost per member will be £3.50 each, paid when at the 
venue.

We would like to make this a great local photo outing, so please try to 
make sure you attend, as there is a minimum charge for the group of £40.00 
for this special open day.

You will need to use flash for some of your indoor shots, as it is quite 
dark in many of the most interesting places. A tripod will also be useful. 
There is a Mill pond with ducks as well as many different spring flowers 
and a visitor centre. (This may not be open).

NOTE: - Access to some of the floors, as you would expect, is via some 
steep stairs, but has also has been made user friendly for disabled access. 
However, loads to see and photo anyhow, as both inside and outside is just 
full of history, and in my view a photo opportunity not to be missed.


Cliff

Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Bunbury Mill-Cheshire-Potential Visit- Saturday 30th May-2 / 4.00 pm.
Bunbury Mill-Cheshire.


Potential Instructional Group Photo Outing
Just to give advance notification to the group I have requested that they 
will allow for the group to visit  Bunbury Mill, for a photo outing on 
Saturday 30th MAY 2015. 2.00 till 4 / 4.30

I will confirm this to members as soon as they have said AOK.

This is quite an extraordinary opportunity for the group, and have added 
this extra visit in MAY as I am not too sure how many can make the Wales 
trip on Sunday 17th May.

Want to make this a GREAT local visit so please make sure you try to 
attend. You will need to use flash for some of your indoor shots, as it 
is quite dark in places. A tripod will also be useful at times. There is 
a Mill pond with ducks as well as flowers and a visitor centre. Cost will 
be £3.50 per person.

NOTE :- Access to some of the floors, as you would expect, is via some 
steep stairs. However, loads to photo anyhow, as both inside and outside 
is just full of history.

Cliff

Sunday, 19 April 2015
Bunbury Water Powered Mill-Photo Outing Opportunity
Bunbury-Working-Water Powered-Corn Mill


Previously recommended by Brian Roberts, I was today in the vicinity of 
Bunbury Mill, Bunbury-Cheshire, and finding it open, went to investigate 
the potential of using this excellent working Mill, for an instructional 
photo outing for the group.

Meeting with one of the volunteers I explained what we would wish to do 
as a group, and he was very keen to help us out, and gave myself a quick 
look around to view the potential.

He was prepared to open the Mill for the group to visit on a Saturday 
afternoon (they are not normally open on a Saturday afternoon), when we 
have made the proper arrangements with them. It would only cost £ 3.50 per 
person for a 45 / 50 mins official guided tour of the Mill, and after that 
time we could then spend all afternoon taking whatever photos we wished.

There is also a visitor centre, that serves tea / coffee and a cake etc, 
but that would be extra. However, there are NO parking fees, and is just 
up from a set of staircase locks, also at Bunbury, on the Shropshire Union 
Canal, which we could visit after the Mill tour, should the weather be 
kind to us. It will only take some 20 / 30 mins for most of the group to 
travel to Bunbury, so looks to be a good place to visit.

Additionally, as it is 90% inside for photos, even if the weather is not 
too good, we could still do most of the photography, as well as seeing 
some very important Cheshire countryside history brought back to life, in 
a very striking and personal way, as the volunteers do dress up in clothes 
of the era, and for a short while you feel as though you are back in the 
1800’s. What a place to take some great photos, so would hope for a good 
number of members to take up this opportunity to take some excellent 
historical photos.


Cliff


Thursday, 16 April 2015
Flash Photography Presentation by Owen Lloyd



Flash Photography by Owen Lloyd

Last evening the group were again delighted with the presentation by 
Owen Lloyd, of Owen Lloyd Photography, who provided not just another 
great presentation, but with the amount of photography gear he brought 
with him in support of his presentation, we could have set up a full 
photography shop and studio.
Owen’s presentation took members on a very interesting journey from the 
basics of Flash photography, to using all kinds of studio lighting, and 
also covered many other topics where the use of the many types of studio 
lighting made photography a real art form.

Owen has almost become a key associate member of the group with his 
various photography presentations he has provided, and he assures me 
there are many more to come from him, and others in the future. 
Next month (Wednesday May 13th Willowmere-Middlewich-7.00 till 9.30) we 
will be entertained by a work colleague of Owen's, who will be speaking 
about the latest mobile phone cameras, and where this type of photography 
is heading in the future.

Interested? You may wish to check out the group web site 
(www.watch-it-and-c.co.uk) for more information on how to join this 
friendly community group, of like minded technology and digital camera 
members.

The group also have free monthly instructional photo outings, which are 
very well attended, with both male and female members taking part. 
It is not unusual for the group to have 15 to 20 members attending these 
very popular outings. Make sure you are not missing out!!


Cliff Astles

North Wales-Group Photo Outing.


Photo by Cliff Astles-Llanberis Pass & Stream
North Wales Coach Tour-Sunday 17th May 2015..........Cancelled

Due to lack of members planning to go on this Coach Tour we have had to 
cancel :(

Members who have paid for the trip will be re-reimbursed when next at a 
group meeting at the Willowmere-Middlewich.


HOWEVER.....

A number of members are still planning to go on the trip by using their 
own cars, and a number also have SPARE SEATS available for members who 
would wish to take these up!!!

It is therefore suggested that members using their own transport, but 
with spare seats available for other members, should make this information 
known to members via the Group Facebook page.

DO NOT PLACE ANY OF THE INFORMATION WHERE OTHERS CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE 
PLANNING.

USE THE FACEBOOK MESSAGING SERVICES TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.

It is suggested that members, wishing to take up these spare seats will 
need to make contact with the person directly, via the Group FB page to 
make arrangements with the person providing the transport. It is up to 
individual members to make their own transport arrangements.


Suggested Plan of Action.

A) Members with transport place their seats available info onto the 21st 
Group Facebook Page.

B) Members wanting to take up these spare seats make contact with the 
member using the FB messaging services to arrange to use the spare places.

C) When the spare seats have been taken up by members, the car owners 
should delete their information from the Group Facebook Page (or tell me 
to do this for them).

D) This way the trip will hopefully take place. One exception. We will 
NOT be stopping at Llangollen. Parking of cars on a SUNDAY is useless in 
the town, and we would never get a number of cars to be able to park 
close by each other.

E) PLEASE take packed lunches / drinks as food is quite expensive in the 
area, and we are not planning to stop long at places, unless we are 
taking photos, or visiting toilets 

F) Meet at the TOWN HALL (was Civic Hall) Middlewich at 9.00 am, Sunday 
17th May. We will be leaving as soon as all of the cars are full, or 
9.30 pm latest.

Hope these new arrangements work as the group have been looking forward 
to the photo outing for some time.

Cliff

Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Middlewich Town Council-MFAB Festival-Photo Request.


Photo by Cliff Astles-Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival-Town Wharf

Middlewich Town Council Photo Request

The 21st Century Technology and Camera Group have been approached by 
Middlewich Town Council  (Mr Dave Thompson-events@middlewich.org.uk) 
requesting that the group may wish to help them by providing photos they 
may take over the weekend in June, when they hold the Middlewich Folk & 
Boat Festival.

Photo’s requested from members could be used in future years to promote 
the event and when provided members should state that the photos are to 
be used for Press and Marketing, as deemed necessary by MTC and are free 
of any copyright.

This is something I would like to think that members may wish to do for 
the Town Council, who have in the past helped the group get started by 
providing financial assistance in the form of a grant last year. It is 
also something that members have suggested as a group photo outing 
previously, so it looks like our photos could be put to good use both 
with the Group Flickr Gallery, and by helping to promote the fantastic 
event and photo opportunity for the group.


Photos provided should be suitable to be used to promote the event, and 
can cover ALL topics, and no bigger than 5 Mb and in JPEG format. Attach 
your photos to an e-mail to Dave Thompson, as above, and state they are 
from a member of our group and are free from copyright.

Cliff

Sunday, 12 April 2015
April Group Meeting Reminder


Photo taken on the group’s visit to Queens Park, Crewe.

APRIL Group Meeting-WILLOWMERE-MIDDLEWICH-Wednesday 15th April 2015.

Reminder, for members (and guests) that the next 21st Group Meeting is 
this NEXT WEDNESDAY, and will feature a presentation and  a practical 
demonstration by Owen Lloyd, of Owen Lloyd Photography. 

This month’s presentation will be about the use of FLASH in photography, 
and where and when this is best used to improve your photos and to stop 
motion in action shots.

Cliff Astles

Saturday, 11 April 2015
Queens Park Crewe-Instructional Photo Outing


Instructional Photo Outing-Queens Park-Crewe-Cheshire-April 11 2015

I would like to thank members for an excellent group turn-out, yet again, 
for the latest photo outing at Queens Park Crewe. The morning’s rain had 
cleared by the time we arrived, and although it was cold and a tad windy 
to start with, it soon cleared and the day was a very good day for photos.
Not quite as many flying birds as I had anticipated, but as this is the 
time for the male birds to strut their stuff, there were many of the male 
Canadian Geese doing just that, and making their presence well know to the 
other male geese. There were plenty of other photo opportunities, in 
particular this year’s crop of spring flowers and with a total of 16 
members on the photo outing, these photo outings are still proving to be 
very popular, with numbers attending growing all the time.
Member photos taken during the visit will no doubt be soon available for 
all to view, on the Group Web Site Flickr Galleries.

Cliff Astles

Friday, 10 April 2015
Queens Park Crewe-Instructional Photo Outing


Photo by Cliff Astles-Sunrise along Warmingham Lane-Middlewich

Instructional Photo Outing-Queens Park-Crewe-Cheshire

Just a reminder for members that the next Group Photo Outing will be 
taking place TOMORROW!!

Meeting at the Cafe' at the centre of Queens Park, for 2.00 pm, so we 
may then proceed around the park to get some more shots for inclusion 
in the Members Group Photo Presentation, next Wednesday 15th April.

Looks like the weather will also be kind to us, yet again, with forecast 
of some rain in the morning to make for clear photos, and loads of 
sunshine during the afternoon. Are we lucky or not? :)

Looking forward to seeing you all again, and the day looks to be a tad 
warmer than when at Marbury Park.

There will be a number of skilled members on hand to help our newer 
members get the best photos, using their own cameras, and answering 
your questions on photography and technology.

Cliff Astles


Friday, 3 April 2015
Tags and Titles!
 
HI everyone,

Hope you are all enjoying the wonderful Easter weather!

I just thought I would take some time during the rain to discuss a couple 
of points in the use of Flickr.

Flickr, like Facebook and various blogs etc. has a 'tag' feature. With 
tags you can add information to a picture or blog that may help you group 
or organise your photos (or blogs) when you want to view or share them.  
For instance, if you want to view all of the group blogs that are about 
photo outings then you can search the website blog page by typing 
‘photo outing’  (without quotes) in the search box. This works because 
we add a tag for photo outing on all of the blogs about photo outings. 
(There are several different tags we use in addition to this one, feel 
free to investigate – I will be adding ‘Flickr’ to all of the ones about 
Flickr, including this one).

In Flickr, you can edit your tags on individual photos by clicking on the 
photo and then selecting 'add tags' which is displayed under the photo.  
You can edit the tags on a group of photos by selecting the group 
(ie. go into an album ) and click on ‘edit’,  then 'batch edit' and 
finally, 'add tags' . Either way, at this point you will have the 
opportunity to enter the tags you want to add, separating each different 
tag by a comma eg. photo outing, cliff astles, photo opportunity. 
This would be useful to identify your pictures by a particular topic 
ie. sunset or Christmas so you can easily find the ones you want.

We would like members of the group to tag their photos for the monthly 
slideshows  by adding a tag with the month and year the slideshow is for 
ie. March 2015. You might also like to add the topic although this is not 
necessary for the photo to be included in the slideshow, the month and year is.
The date taken, which is part of the EXIF data is not a suitable substitute as 
we could pick up other photos which are not for the slideshow.

Titles

It would also be useful for you to add meaningful titles to your pictures 
as the title is displayed prominently on Flickr. Also, it adds another 
dimension to the photo if you can get creative with the title, 
particularly if it provides a connotation for the photo.

Happy Flickring,

Mel Smith

PS. I have added this as a discussion in the members' only group on 
Flickr so that you can add comments on this topic.