Photoclub Alpha

Sony has announced the Alpha 850 today, without a press conference, but via email to editors. The press release follows, confirming pretty much everything we have already been able to reveal about the 850. One exception – it does have dual BIONZ processor, not single, just a slower image throughput perhaps due to clock speed, buffer, processing firmware changes. We must hope that the slower capture rate is accompanied by superior image quality, as that is a real possibility. I have marked in bold any phrases which I think might indicate something new. Apparently the body-only deal is to appear one month before the kit.

ALL the current DSLRs made – whether by Canon, Nikon or even Sony with the A700 and A900 – state their maximum fps continuous shooting speed as being with NO autofocus, and NO exposure metering changes. There’s a lot of talk on forums about the 7fps of the new Alpha 550 – 14.3 megapixel CMOS APS-C with a good high ISO capacity – being in some way crippled because it has been made clear by Sony that this speed applies to a ‘lockdown’ of focus and exposure with the first frame. This is not surprising as it’s a quiet, mirror-up mode using the off-sensor live view to maintain contact.

SONY has a stand at Focus on Imaging in the UK after an absence of three years for the Alpha brand from this major annual photo fair, said to the be largest national show in Europe with the exception of photokina. On Stand L28 – right next to the Canon exhibit – the UK’s technical sales executive Paul Genge has lined up a nonstop programme of speakers and demonstrations.

If you use Sigma lenses on your Alpha, you can join the Sigma User Club UK and enter their prize competitions (anyone can join, worldwide, but you must be in the UK to enter the competitions as the prizes are given by the UK distribution company).

The first SONY World Photography Awards were presented in the late April sunshine of Cannes, to what must have been an exclusive gala dinner audience – at €250 a head, our ‘man on the spot’ Thomas Goseberg decided against the opportunity to take his wife out for a quiet meal…

The World Photography Awards (WPA), sponsored by Sony, proudly announces an impressive number of entries in its inaugural year. Submissions closed on 31st January with a total of 25,934 amateur photograph entries and 44,641 professional photograph entries across the categories.

Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division today announced a new LTO-4 photo contest promotion that offers the chance to win one of three digital cameras from Sony – in return for creative pictures of LTO-4 tape cartridges. The competition can be entered by distributors, resellers and end-customers of Sony’s LTO-4, its highest capacity media.

Here is one for all you film users in the UK –

Fujifilm Professional has announced details of a photographic competition held to celebrate the re-launch of Fujichrome Velvia 50. The winner will jet-off to Turkey on a photographic holiday-of-a-lifetime worth over £2,000.

For everyone who is passionate about photography, the AOP Open is a celebration of the diversity of photography and the perfect opportunity to achieve recognition for outstanding images. You may be a professional photographer or a weekend snapper, it doesn’t matter – there are no restrictions or categories, you just have to take a great picture. Enter now, for the opportunity to exhibit at the AOP Gallery and to win a variety of outstanding prizes.

FIGURE LIGHTING IN THE STUDIO
with Roy Taylor ARPS
(1 day, at The Camera Club, Kennington, London)
27 June 2009 (Saturday)
A repeat of last year’s very successful workshop, where you will learn how to pose your model and use lighting to make artistic photographs of the female form. This is a challenging subject, requiring careful posing and lighting and where getting things wrong can easily lead to unsatisfactory and perhaps unfortunate results.
Roy Taylor is an expert in this field, and we are fortunate in having the use of the excellent studio at the Camera Club in London, one of the oldest and prestigious organisations in the country. Two models will be available and Roy will demonstrate various lighting methods to obtain different effects. Everyone will have the opportunity to take photographs throughout the day.
Price £105 (deposit £30) 8 places only.

TRADITIONAL OYSTER SMACKS AND WINKLE BRIGS
(1 day, at West Mersea, nr Colchester)
13 September 2009 (Sunday)
Mersea native oysters are claimed to be amongst the finest in the world and this event marks the opening of the season when a multitude of traditional vessels dredge for them under sail. There is a contest for the biggest catches, and there is plenty of action! The traditional vessels, known as smacks, together with the smaller winkle brigs, are often well over 100 years old, and are truly picturesque subjects for the camera. Quest will be chartering a small motor vessel in which we will be able to move amongst the smacks for the best views of the action as well as longer distance shots with the boats under sail.
We will be on the water from about 9.30 a.m. until 1 p.m., when the contest ends. We will then be taken to a small island in the estuary for the weigh in and a delicious seafood lunch, including optional oysters if you like them. Here there will be further opportunities for photographs of the fishermen and onlookers. A fabulous and unusual day, with the feel of travelling back in time to a different way of life.
Price £79, includes seafood lunch. (deposit £25) 10 places

IMPROVING YOUR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
with Colin Westgate and Hugh Milsom
(2 days, at Seaford, East Sussex).
Wednesday 30 September – 1 October 2009 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Landscape photography is often thought to be straightforward and indeed, it is not difficult to obtain reasonable pictures. Frequently, however, landscape photographs are disappointing, perhaps because of unfavourable light, poor composition or unsatisfactory printing. With the right approach, such problems can be overcome and this comprehensive workshop will cover ways and means of improving your landscape pictures from the moment of taking to production of the final print.
The content will be a mixture of discussion, an appraisal of pictures from participants, and a field trip into the local area where there are interesting beaches and features such as the wonderful cliff scenery of the Seven Sisters. The In-depth discussion will cover the principles of landscape photography, use of colour or monochrome, digital or film. Topics such as the characteristics of different lenses, various filters, choice of subject matter, viewpoints, composition, principles of exposure, use of light and more will be included.
Vision and Interpretation are vital elements in the production of most successful landscape photographs. This includes ‘pre visualisation’ at the moment the picture is taken and post production prior to making the print. Both aspects will be covered, the latter using Photoshop procedures, which will be demonstrated using digital projection. A selection of images taken digitally on the workshop will be used, but if you are a film worker, you are invited to bring negatives or transparencies with you.
Both Colin Westgate and High Milsom have many years of experience photographing in the landscape and both will demonstrate and discuss their individual approaches to the subject.
Price £125 (deposit £40). 8 places.

AUTUMN PICTURE FORUM
1 day, at Seaford, East Sussex
3 October 2009 (Saturday)
Due to the popularity of the Picture Forum days, we are now including two of these in the programme. The Autumn Forum will be run on similar lines to the Spring event, with the usual mix of mini presentations, a competition and a talk by a leading photographer. For this event, we are again fortunate to have joint speakers, Liz and Roger Scott, who will also judge the competition and entertain us with a talk on their different approaches to photography. Liz works mainly in the darkroom, whereas Roger’s prints are digitally produced.
Picture Forum is the opportunity for everyone to show their work, and we invite short presentations of up to 15 minutes (about 25 pictures). These can be with prints, slides, or digital files. The presentations occupy most of the day, and are a vital and enjoyable aspect of the programme. It is your chance to show your photography, so please bring a selection of your pictures. ‘Slots’ may, however, have to be restricted, according to numbers, so when booking, please say if you would like to give a presentation, and if so, your subject, and the medium you wish to use. If possible everyone will be accommodated, but in view of the increasing popularity of this feature, slots will be primarily allocated on a ‘first come, first served basis’, but also with regard to the need for a balanced programme.
For practical reasons, the competition is open for prints only – not more than one per person. Liz and Roger will give a brief critique and appraisal on all entries. Prizes will be awarded for the best work, one to be chosen by our judges, and another by audience vote, plus runners up. This is always an interesting and exciting day of sharing pictures and experiences, where everyone can join in. Not to be missed!
Price £25 – includes buffet lunch & refreshments (but not bar drinks!). Payable in full on booking – not eligible for ‘early booking discount arrangements.

EXPLORING THE ABSTRACT
with Priscilla Thomas FRPS. (1 day, at Seaford, East Sussex)
October 4 2009 (Sunday)
If you enjoy colourful, intriguing and stimulating abstract images, but are uncertain how to go about making them, this workshop will explain and show you some of the possibilities. Using several ‘photo stations’ various methods will be demonstrated, after which everyone will be able to create and photograph their own designs. You will be limited only by your imagination! Every picture is unique and individual. Colour is recommended, film or digital, although you might even consider using some monochrome and hand tinting (or digitally enhancing) the resulting prints!
Priscilla Thomas is well known for her imaginative and artistic pictures, and in this workshop she will be sharing some of the techniques, including one or more new ones, that she employs when producing her creative and often evocative results Back by popular demand, this workshop is your opportunity to make some truly unusual images!
Price £59 (deposit £20). 10 places.

AUTUMN IMPRESSIONS
with Colin Westgate
(1 day, Sheffield Park, near Uckfield, E. Sussex)
31 October 2009 (Saturday)
Learn how to produce beautiful impressionistic images of the superb autumn colour in the lovely Sheffield Park gardens, well known for the variety of its exotic trees and spectacular autumn colours. These are at their best at this time of the year and by the use of various diffusion methods, you are guaranteed to get some lovely pictures. After an initial discussion and demonstration of the techniques, the day will be spent photographing in the Park.
Price £58 (deposit £20). 10 places. Park entrance fees (where applicable) and refreshments on arrival included.

Colin Westgate’s QUEST workshops, sponsored by Photoworld, are now based at Stable House, 2 Carriers Close, West Mersea, Mersea Island, Essex CO5 8NY. Tel 01206 384584. Mobile 07887 887101. To receive the 2008/9 program, email questphoto@btinternet.com or see their website – http://www.questphoto.co.uk/