"watch IT and C"

Blog archive pages

Friday, 30 January 2015
Banging the drum for the group!

(Photos:- Civil War re-enactment Battle in Nantwich in 1643, Saturday 
January 24th)


WAVE THE FLAG


BANG the DRUM


Cheer on the WINNERS


Considered it most important to let the whole group know that we have 
achieved  more than 100 group members, in LESS than 10 months of the 
group being formed.

I now feel that I can approach Cheshire East Council to say a big thank 
you for their help and funding in being able to get to this number so 
quickly, and see if they can help the group to hold an Open Day, to show 
others just what we have achieved, and hopefully, get even more new group 
members.

Middlewich Town Council have also played their part as they were the 
first to provide group funding, and have also with the Town Mayor Paul 
Edwards and his wife Sonya visited the group to view progress.

We are getting  new members each month so it is also important that 
members have offered their help so we are best able to keep up this 
initial momentum, so for our new members are the names of group members 
who are willing to take on particular group tasks in order to shed the 
load, and move even more ahead.

Therefore, at meetings and group photo outings the below people will also 
provide help and assistance.

Melody Smith....Group Webmaster....Designing and Creating the Group Web 
                                   Page.
Brian Roberts...Committee Member....Brian has a many tasks and is normally
                                    on the door.
Les Oakley......Meet & Greet at the main entrance door, and during meetings
                / outings.
Mal Wetton......Meet & Greet at the main entrance door, and during meetings
                 / outings.
Mal Wetton......Is the first contact for technical and camera setting 
                information / guidance & help.
Peter Cross.....Peter will help to organise the group meeting room before 
                and after meetings.
Barbara Astles..Committee Member, main entrance registration of members
                / refreshments.
Ken Rane........Ken is reviewing the photo software needed on the Training
                Laptop.
Antony West.....Antony has offered to create all future marketing Flyers 
                with Cliff Astles.

By spreading the administration and group organisation we believe this is 
the best way to help the group develop, and more of this type of spreading 
the load will happen as the group develops. 

Members with time and energy available to give to the group can make 
contact with myself via the group mail so I can offer "jobs" to members 
as they occur.e-mail is the21stctncg@gmail.com.

I hope that all members can continue to attend our monthly group meetings 
at the Willowmere-Middlewich as this is the ONLY ( apart from Grants) WAY 
in which the group can be sustained in the future.

The TRAINING LAPTOP will be purchased during the next few weeks and will 
be a high specification Laptop and will have installed on it as much of 
the latest photo post processing software we can afford to buy, plus a 
number of other photo related software packages. A person will be needed 
to be responsible for the use of this expensive group facility. Exact use 
to be finally decided by group discussion.

Cliff Astles
Group Chairman & Organiser.


Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Member Help at Willowmere & Technology and Digital Questions
 / Answers-Jan 2015


Member "Instructional Photo Outing" photo from Pennington Flash Album.
 

Our group has recently grown very quickly, so that at last months meeting 
we had some some 33 persons in total at the monthly meeting, with an 
unusually large number of new members attending for the first time.

This is very encouraging to see and no doubt hope this is a continuing 
theme for the future success of the group. However, it has indicated that 
we need more member resource to properly "meet and greet" new members. 
We need to make sure they know where to go, who people are at the meetings, 
and perhaps what will be happening on the night and sequence of the 
meeting schedule, toilets, fire escapes and the fact that we are meeting 
at an older peoples residence, and need to be quieter than normal.

Both Mal Wetton and Les Oakley have previously offered to help out 
whenever something was needed, and now is the right time to get changes 
made to ensure a better flow as people register and come to the group 
meetings at Willowmere, and to also make sure of other things as above, 
and more.

Therefore, at future meetings we plan to have as normal on the door at 
Willowmere Brian Roberts, who will allow for people to enter the 
premises (they are locked at 5.30 pm), with Mrs Barbara Astles who will 
ensure that all members and visitors all sign the visitors / security 
book at the Willowmere Reception Desk.

In addition to myself at the door (most of the time) will be Les Oakley 
and Mal Wetton. We will try and ensure that all new members / visitors / 
guests are properly met, shown where to go for the meeting etc etc. They will 
also make people aware of the H & S issues in place at Willowmere for the 
safety of visitors and residents alike, and where ever possible point 
people in the direction of the Meeting room. (Restaurant).

Furthermore, Mal Wetton has agreed to help with any technical questions 
regarding technology, digital cameras, settings, and other similar items. 
Mal should be contacted first at meetings or on the group Facebook Page, 
and he will try and answer your questions, as well as pointing you in 
the direction of the member who can perhaps help more with answers, 
probably a bit of both.

In the fullness of time, we believe as the Group Web Page matures members
will make more use of the Group Forum to ask any similar questions and 
will get answers from many members on the Forum Page.

Finally, should members find other items that require attention in making 
the group run better, let me have your comments via the group e-mail 
(the21stctncg@gmail.co) to myself. This may also include topics which 
you feel you would like added to the future group EVENTS to make the 
future meetings as interesting and informative as possible.

Cliff Astles
28th Jan 2015.

Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Topic Inspiration for members.



Photo from last Saturday's Holly Holy Day-Nantwich-
more on my Facebook Site.
 
Let's see if we can get our group members as "fired up" as this 
Parliamentarian Army Cannon Gun was this last weekend, by members looking 
at interesting topics for our monthly photo presentation, and places to 
go out together as a group on our FREE "Instructional Photo Outings".

Plus, what do our members wish to have more information on with respect 
to digital camera photo techniques and technical equipment, in order to 
continue to make the group presentations by members and outside 
professionals as interesting as we have been able to do, thus far.

YES, the committee do have many photo topics, outings, and group 
presentation subjects lined up to help members to become more proficient 
photographers, learn about the technology of the digital camera, photo 
post processing software, and other wider and interesting photo related 
subjects.

However, we also wish to have feedback from members on how they are 
enjoying being a member, what they think of the varying presentations, 
and more importantly, what would they like to see from the group in the 
future. This we can use for group marketing so that others can be 
stimulated by what we are achieving in our community, and get others to 
join the group.

We are now over 100 members, with 89 on Facebook, and other members not 
wishing to be using Facebook, hence one of the reasons for the  recently 
announced Group Web Page. 

The Web Page will progressively take over from using Social Media as the 
main group information provider of group information, but will continue 
to use social media facilities as and when this is the best way ahead.

The group FORUM, when made available to members will be used to ask for 
member advice on  digital cameras, technology, futures, camera photo 
settings etc and members will be able to discuss all of these topics, 
without UK and International adverts being imposed upon the group. 

It will be JUST for GROUP Members, with professional input from members 
and external local professional individuals and bodies.

Therefore, as I have asked members before, the group is for members and 
we ask for input from members to make sure we have a future timetable of 
"goodies" to satisfy all members, young, old, male and female.

ANY input / suggestions / feedback / suggested changes should be e-mailed 
to myself using the group e-mail of the21stctncg@gmail.com.

ALL, suggestions will be considered for future use by the group, as long 
as these would be of interest to the majority of the group members.

Thank you all for your continued interest and attendance at outings and 
group meetings.

Kindest Regards

Cliff

Monday, 26 January 2015
Haunting Photos!


Photo by Mal Wetton, who today shows the way with 
his exhausting walk around Chester to get some of 
the Chester GHOST Photos for the groups Photo TOPIC 
for the FEB Group Meeting.

 
Have had some of the requested member photos to be collated and included 
into the FEB Member Photo MS Presentation, but thought I would place this 
on the Web Page and Facebook to show just what ghost photos are all about.
 

Mal's example above is an excellent one and should be a good pointer for 
other members to get out and about to get more.

For our many new members, who may not quite understand what I am on about 
...

We have a group topic for photos to be taken by members and submitted to 
myself, via our group e-mail at the21stctncg@gmail.com

Members use the topic and provide up to 5 photos via the group e-mail to 
myself, of no more than 500K in size (ish). This allows for all members 
to be taking the same kind of photo and when shown in the MS PowerPoint 
presentation, you can then compare how you have got on and compare 
yourself with others, if you so wish. 

Members are also encouraged to contact other members, via Facebook 
messaging, if they particularly like someones photo / setting 
/ composure etc and ask questions from members as to the photo settings, 
if they so wish. This works !!! 

Your photography skill set will considerably increase if you follow this 
simple technique of sharing interests and knowledge with members.

I know, it has worked for me :)

Cliff

PS The cut-off date for photos to myself this month will be SATURDAY 14th
February, to give myself time to pull all of the photos together in the 
PS Presentation.


Member reminder for Sunday 7th February 2015
 - FREE "Instructional Photo Outing"






 
This next Sunday is a photo outing with a difference. Check out the full 
group information on the Group EVENTS page on Facebook and make sure you 
do not miss this opportunity to get some FREE shots of Birds of Prey as 
they fly around the inner keep of Peckforton Castle. 

Pay just £5.00 on the day to be part of the spectator group for the 
opportunity to get close up shots of these birds flying free and landing 
on Barbara Astles (arm I hope) as she helps the bird handler with the 
flying and feeding of these beautiful birds.

Also, make sure you place your name on the next group meeting date of 
Wednesday 18th Feb with another fantastic few hours with Owen Lloyd, of 
Owen Lloyd Photography. Detail can be found again on the group Facebook 
Page, under group EVENTS.

Cliff

Friday, 23 January 2015
Outlook for Saturday 24th Jan 2015 - rough!











The weather for Saturday looks to be a bright and sunny day (little close 
to zero for me and my more mature 21st Group friends, but who cares about 
the weather, when there is such a FEAST of photo opportunities, with much 
to eat and drink.

Nantwich Holly Holy Day-TOMORROW Sat 24th Jan 2015

There is activity in and around Nantwich for residents and visitors from 
about mid-morning, with the main activity being the march by the troops 
from their camps to the Town Centre, at about lunch time. 

See the official Brochure On-Line to get the official times.
http://www.battleofnantwich.co.uk/wp-content/
uploads/2015/01/Holly-Holy-Day-2015Final.pdf

This is a NOT to be MISSED opportunity for all budding photographers 
(and video) creators and with the good weather forecast there should be 
a GREAT DAY for ALL the family.

The Church in the main town square will also be open to visitors and is 
well worth a trip to see the very many items of interest. Particularly 
the carvings in the church which were done at about 1340 AD.

Get there EARLY as the many CAR PARKS quickly fill up, on such an 
important day for Nantwich


Photo by Ruth Myers 
 
Nantwich Church was used to hold captured ROYALIST troops after the 
battles.


Thursday, 22 January 2015
Report on Monthly Group Meeting - January 2015


Mark Williamson presents his Tatton Hall photos at Willowmere, Middlewich

WOW!-WOW!-WOW! -What a FANTASTIC member turnout last night at our 
January Group Meeting :).

We had 33, YES 33 people in total at the meeting, with input and 
discussions from many members we had one of the most encouraging member 
meetings since we started to group, in only MARCH 2014.

The meeting started prompt at 7.00 pm with the now normal member photo 
display which was on three topics this month. British Weather-Member 
"Studio" photos, and of course a host of shots from members of our recent 
Narrowboat Trip, with TWO boats and 20 people on boats hired from 
Middlewich Narrowboats.

A VERY cold day with 5 mm thick ice on the canal surface made for an 
interesting winter trip. However, members were still able to take many 
photos, and some of these were on display at the beginning of the meeting 
for all to see and to compare their own photos with other photos taken by 
the group.

This was followed by one of the best photography photo displays I have 
been lucky enough to see, with information on each photo by Mark and with 
answers to questions from the group. Mark, working from his studio in 
Knutsford does all manor of photography all over the UK, from his base 
and studio in Knutsford, Cheshire. The two person team are sought after 
all over the UK, both for Weddings and Commercial photography in 
particular.

See more of Mark's work @  http://www.mrandmrsw.com/  and you will also 
see just how good Mark and wife Kirstin are, when working together at 
their chosen art.

Mark certainly knows his photography from top to bottom, and following 
his presentation was able to answer questions and provide advice to 
others with their photo composition and to answer other photography 
questions while taking a well earned coffee break.

Next month on Feb 18th again at the Willowmere-Middlewich, we will have 
another local photographer, Mr Own Lloyd of Owen Lloyd Photography, who 
will be giving more advice to the group of the many aspects of 
photography, for both beginners and those with more advanced skills. 
All GOOD stuff :)

See the Groups Facebook site for more detailed information on the night, 
and please make sure you place you name on the list to attend the event 
so we can plan better for numbers requiring tea coffee & biscuits, which 
is always included in the price of entry.

Note:- Carers come FREE!!

So make sure we are made aware of any of your own personal needs in this 
respect.

Willowmere, was chosen as the group HQ for meetings and presentations by 
the group, as it has been purpose built for people that may have special 
needs.

Thanks for a very good attendance, and look forward to seeing you all 
again soon.

Cliff