WPF NEWSFLASH 13.02.2012

WELSH SALON OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2012

Please read the following two open letters to The WPF, and the replies, below.

This is an open letter which I am sending to all members of the WPF (as listed in the 2011 Directory), the Chairman and Secretary of the Rhondda Camera Club, and the Webmaster of the WPF with a request that it be published in the next edition of Newsflash.

I don't suppose that I am alone in being very annoyed upon learning that entry fees into into this year's Welsh Salon of Photography have been increased by almost 50% to a whopping £18 for those seeking a maximum entry. This is considerably more than the charges made by many International Salons. While the WPF have got themselves into considerable financial difficulties, almost all the individual members of its constituent Camera Clubs are also under severe financial pressure in these difficult economic times. Many are on fixed incomes or have received modest salary increases this year. I think this is an excessive and unwarranted cost to individual members.

Since the WPF found itself with a shortage of funds because of the actions of its former treasurer, the Clubs have been generously supportive of the difficulties, and assisted the Federation with large donations from their own funds. In addition, discounts and other items that were provided by the WPF have been cancelled, fees are now levied on Federation events and competitions when previously they were free, and I understand that there is going to be a significant increase in fees payable by the Clubs in the forthcoming year.

Many Clubs have had to increase membership fees and meetings charges, in large part to cover the additional payments they have made to the WPF. All these costs are met by the members of the Clubs.

The Welsh Salon is the prime event in the WPF calendar, and is proudly supported by a large number of WPF members. It is a great pity that a hefty increase in entry charges is being imposed upon them simply to solve the financial difficulties created in the Federation.

I was at the meeting when these matters were brought to the notice of the Clubs, and the degree of support in the Hall was overwhelming.

I do hope that all Camera Clubs will express a view about the level of fees for the Salon to the WPF President as a matter of urgency, and that the Executive will hold an emergency meeting to review them. WPF assets should obviously be built up again, but it will probably take a number of years for them to get back to the level of where they were before the money was stolen. By careful budgeting, including an allowance for a modest surplus for the year, I would hope that there would not be a need to increase these fees.

As many of you will know, I am the Competition Secretary of the Rhondda Camera Club, but the views expressed in this letter are entirely my own, and of no one else in the Club. I will take these points to our next committee meeting, and my Club will  take its view there.

MARTIN NAGLE

I normally enter the WPF Salon every year and I look forward to putting my entries in but I feel that the huge increase the WPF has put on the entry fees borders on scandalous. The WPF asked clubs to dip into their funds to help with the predicament it found itself in due to the past treasurer’s actions which we were more than happy to do, but the current fees being asked in comparison to other federations and clubs like the Bristol Int. (£13 for 3 classes) I think is inappropriate. It appears the increase in entry charges is being imposed upon salon entrants simply to help solve the financial difficulties in the Federation which I feel is totally unacceptable. I think it would be a good idea to have a forum page on the WPF website for members to voice their opinions in matters such as these. It’s easy to set up we’ve got one the Rhondda Camera Club site - members have a password to access it. I for one will be spending my entry fee on an international salon (Bristol) for a lot less money.

David Norton,  Chairman, Rhondda C.C.

REPLY FROM THE SALON CHAIRMAN

It would appear that there is concern over the increase in Salon entry fees. I appreciate that times are difficult. In the past when there were deficits in the Salon budget, shortfalls could be looked after from WPF funds. That is not possible in current circumstances.

The increase is not, as has been suggested in some quarters, a way of increasing WPF revenue but, rather, a way of ensuring that the Salon can continue to run in its usual form.

Judges need to be accommodated and fed. Fuel costs for them have risen. Catalogues have improved over the years with more images being reproduced. It would be a shame to revert to something smaller with no colour images as it used to be.

The basic fee of £6 will allow photographers to enter up to 4 images in whatever format they wish - colour print, mono print, projected image or a mixture of the three. Should the photographer then choose to submit more images for consideration each extra image would cost £1.50 each to a total of 12 images at a total cost of £18. There is no obligation on anyone, should they not wish, to enter four works in each section.

If there are suggestions as to how the integrity of the Welsh Salon can be maintained without increasing fees I would be grateful to hear them.

Brian Coleman, Welsh Salon Chair   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

REPLY FROM THE WPF INTERIM TREASURER

I am really sorry to read these letters and upset that you would all think so poorly of me.

The Welsh Salon has lost heavily over the past couple of years losing £312.03 in 2010 and £487.39 in 2011. Under our present circumstances it would be remiss of me to encourage a further loss in 2012. Successful Welsh International Projected Image Salons allowed us to absorb this loss which we can now no longer afford.

You cannot compare the Welsh Salon fees with an International. The background costs are generally the same; hire of a hall, judges’ expenses, accommodation, meals, catalogues and postage etc. Luckily the helpers, mainly executive members, give their time and work their socks off for free.

The Salon only draws in funds from around 200-250 entrants whereas an International has 1200-1300 or more entrants. You can see that entry costs spread over 1250 compared to 250 is vastly different.

Questions about entry fees for the Memorial have also been raised. I really don’t feel that £10 per club is exorbitant. It has only been for the last two or three years that the clubs have enjoyed free entry, before that they always paid an entry fee. The costs for the Memorial were £309.30, they would have been more but Les Loosemore kindly underwrote accommodation and meals for the Judge and his partner. Only 28 clubs entered, (27 paying £10) so £270.00 from £309.30 means we still have a deficit. I would not wish to stand up at the AGM and declare a loss of over £300.

I am really disappointed that you take the view that the Executive Committee are taking money from the Membership merely to shore up WPF funds. Nothing could be further from the truth in that the Executive work really hard, above and beyond the call of duty, to see that the WPF is run correctly and efficiently.

Linda Baldwin

Hon Treasurer (Interim)

Welsh Photographic Federation

CORRECT COLOUR SPACE FOR PROJECTED IMAGES

Please accept my apologies for causing concern to the more observant of you.

In my haste to get Salon forms out, I added something from the rule book which was wrong. More haste, less speed!

What was added for projected images was using the colour space Adobe 1998 as the colour space. What it should have read, as as been kindly pointed out by the more observant people was using the colour space sRGB.

Thanks to those of you who pointed this out; apologies to all for causing confusion.

Brian Coleman

Welsh Salon Chair.

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCED

It is with regret that The WPF announces the retirement of Judge and Presenter,

Les Loosemore AWPF ARPS DPAGB.  Les has decided that he wants more time to follow his personal interests. Les still has many bookings for 2012 and into 2013 and will honour all of them, but is not taking on any new ones.

The WPF would like to thank Les for his many years of service on our judges and presenters panel, and for all his hard work with The Executive. He will be greatly missed.

PHOENIX IMAGING IS BORN

Blazing with new ideas, a dozen photographers have joined together to form Phoenix Imaging.

Phoenix Imaging will focus on nurturing all members to raise the standard of their individual photography. This objective is in direct response to the members’ disillusionment with old style camera clubs that focus on just a few winning, while others sit by and smoulder. As a result, Phoenix Imaging intends that its programme will not centre on the ubiquitous monthly competition.

Phoenix Imaging, just three weeks old, has already welcomed its first brand new member, taking its membership to thirteen. It meets on a Wednesday evening to enjoy a programme of scorching variety. This includes practical tuition and the sharing of expertise on a variety of photography software. Fortunately, the society has use of computers at its premises, allowing members to participate, rather than simply watch.

Model evenings are also planned, as the premises boasts its own studio and lighting facilities. Also, on the programme, are mentoring evenings, when Phoenix Imaging members will get expert advice from experienced photographic award holders, on how to put together their panels and entries for awards and salons.

Members’ disenchantment with old style committees, that often spend more time on administration and club politics than focussing on photography, has led to the decision to move away from the idea of a committee. All Phoenix Imaging members are actively encouraged to take part in all discussions and decisions made.

Phoenix Imaging meets at 7.30 pm every Wednesday at

Positive Direction,

40-41 Milland Road, Neath SA11 1NJ 

For more information, contact:

¬              Gareth Martin - 01639 790041 -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

¬              Jayne Libby - 01639 760006 -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

¬              John Mackay - 01656 659133 -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A NEW PRESENTATION

Jenny Hibbert    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    now has two new talks available along with her talk ‘Gypsy Horse Fair’ she has ‘Tales on the River Bank’, which is all about the antics of Dippers & other wildlife all taken on the river.

AWPF WORKSHOP NEWS

For those thinking of trying for the award Associate of the Welsh Photographic Federation ( AWPF) we are pleased to announce that a Workshop will be held at Talbot Green Community Hall on Sunday 6th May 2012 - starting at 9.30 am. 

A short session in the morning will cover some points to consider when entering photographs for either a Panel or a Digital Sequence. A short session on Panels and Panel layout will be followed by a question and answer slot.  The afternoon - as before, has been set aside to help and assist aspiring AWPF's to put together a successful sequence or panel.   The date for the Distinctions assessment has been set as Sunday 11th November 2012 and the judges have been chosen. REMEMBER we are falling over backwards to try and help so come along and have a go ( there is nothing like a challenge to improve you photography and nothing like an  AWPF to improve your confidence).

Any queries send me an e-mail.   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TWO NEW OFFICERS FOR PORT TALBOT CAMERA CLUB

Karen Stephens -  Publicity officer   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Caz Higgins  -  Newsletter Editor    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACE OF CLUBS 2012

The competition will be held on Sunday 19^th February 2012 commencing 10.30am. This year the event is hosted by Gwynfa Camera Club at the Talbot Green Community Centre, Cowbridge Road, Talbot Green, CF72 8HS. The venue is five minutes from Junction 34 of the M4 anddirections can be found on the WPF website. Coffee/Tea will be served from 10am but no buffet will be provided so it is suggested that you bring your own provisions for the lunch break. (NB., the event is NOT being held at Gwynfa’s usual meeting place so don’t go there by mistake)..PLEASE TELL YOUR MEMBERS NOT TO FORGET THEIR PICNIC LUNCH !!

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION, BRISTOL

This exhibition runs from the evening of 17th February until 29th March.  It contains images of the human face and form over, on and under the surface of water. 

It is in the Youth Hostel, 14 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA.

The Youth Hostel is centrally situated in Bristol and the exhibition is in the lively cafe and other areas of the building open to the public on the ground floor.  The exhibition will be open all day and every day between the above dates. I’m a member of Yateley Camera Club, based in north east Hampshire. I judge and lecture for the Surrey Association and the Southern Federation of Camera Clubs.

Best wishes

CHRIS HUTCHINSON 01252 875510        07739 216553

More of my more routine pictures are FLICKR: 

Put “yateleyart” into Google or go to the following address: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8669165@N08/

NEW OFFICERS FOR ABERGAVENNY CAMERA CLUB

The new details are:

Chair  - Julie Morgan 07775 854001

Secretary - Phillip Salter 01873 832070

Treasurer  - John Tucker 01873 855942

Competition Secretary - Ken Prandy 01873 821758

Programme Secretary -  Denise Steer 01495 310944

BRIDGEND & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB`S 5 TO 8 COMPETITION

I am delighted to announce that Robert Albright MA FRPS has again agreed to judge this years 5 to 8 competition for digital av sequences. Judging will take place on Monday 19th March at our usual venue, when we will show the judges choice of the top entries. All are welcome and entrance is £2 to include raffle and refreshments Details can be found at:

http://www.bridgendcameraclub.co.uk/HowToFindUs.php

PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR - THE LAST FRONTIER - GUJARAT 

This tour THE LAST FRONTIER is a photographers dream.  It will take you to Gujarat one of the most spectacular locations on earth with its timeless tribal and nomadic culture giving a photographer an incomparable experience.  Travelling with me on this tour you will be honoured guests of the communities we visit.  Travelling in a small vehicle and by that I mean we are not travelling in a 30 seater bus we are able to get off the beaten track and get to places most other people who visit do not see.

The nomadic and tribal peoples of this area have hardly changed their lifestyle in hundreds of years and it is an area to capture before it is too late. 

Tiger Travel has been visiting India for almost 30 years and I the owner have taken out most of the tours. As a result I have built up a considerable amount of knowledge and expertise.  In addition as a photo-journalist I have been taking photographs here for many, many years and have come to be trusted by the indigenous population.  This in itself is something quite rare and again gives me and those travelling with me the opportunity to obtain photographs many others are unable to do.

Travelling in a small group with your own transport and meals and accommodation all taken of, all you have to think about is that perfect shot.  The area you will be travelling in is very popular with National Geographic, photographers, painters and film makers.  But all of them are mainly accompanied with someone who knows the area well.  You too can now be part of this somewhat exclusive group.

During part of the tour you will be staying in the desert area near the edge of the the Little Rann, Kutch.  A wildlife paradise where our very experienced guide will introduce you to the local wildlife.  If you are lucky you will catch sight of a wild-ass which is becoming more and more extinct. There is also a huge bird population and the area is one of the few places in India where you will see flamingos.  As well as the abundance of wildlife the villages and villagers which will provide many splendid opportunities for fantastic shots, you will also be taken out into the desert on a jeep safari.

Kutch is an area where time appears to have stood still, a living museum in many ways.  When travelling through the area you will be given many, many opportunities to photograph a way of life and living that has remained unchanged for centuries.  One such area is Mandvi where huge wooden boats are still made by hand by hundreds of men to be used in faraway Arabian places.  In their heyday in India, they were used to convey spices to the Middle East. 

Another area is Bhuj, one of India's richest areas for handicrafts.  The many nomadic and tribal people in and around Bhuj have been making garments and ornaments for centuries, still using traditional methods.  Their dress style is just as much as signifying who belongs to which community as it signifies their place in the community.  With the richness and vibrancy of colours in their homes, on their person and in the crafts that they make it is a photographer's dream come true.

The many artisans of the area include leathermakers, potters, embroidery, wood, metal and mudwork. It is like taking a step back in time, which you can take but with all the modern convenience of travelling in the 21st century.

The jewel in the crown on this tour is a visit to Narayan Sarovar which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is located in Lakhpat. The area has many sacred temples and there are also five sacred lakes.  It is now more or less a deserted area occupied by Sikhs and is rarely visited.  There are often pilgrimage visitors to the area who are very photogenic as they come from remote parts of Gujarat and India.

If you would like to book a place on this tour please contact me as places are limited.

 Lyn Baker

Tiger Travel

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

66^th BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL 2012

Web: www.bristolphoto.org.uk                                                                    

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.          

Just a quick line to remind you that the closing date for the 2012 Bristol International Salon of Photography is only just over 3 weeks  away and that you can enter by clicking the above link where you can download a copy of the conditions & rules of entry and enter the Salon on line.

If you require any further details or have any queries, please email me, Pete Howell, at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We look forward to seeing your entry soon

Best regards

Pete Howell

Salon Chairman

ITEMS FOR SALE OR WANTED

To add to or remove things from this list please email Jan at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WANTED

I’m looking for a tripod ( Benbo type ) suitable for both VIDEO / Stills work

( heavy duty but not for studio) Details & picture and asking price please to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1.

I have for sale a Benbo Trekker tripod  with soft case in as new condition,great for natural history,macro etc.,£75

Please contact me on 01792 794633 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

2.

Kirk King Cobra Action Head

This gimbal type head is virtually new and is in mint condition.   It has only been used a couple of times.

Kirks are the alternative to Wimberley and just as well made.

IF YOU DO WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY ITS A MUST FOR LONG LENSES & ACTION SHOTS

£380 plus postage or can be collected at an interclub/salon.

Jill Baxter: tel 01646651918 email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

3.

An Epson 1400 for sale.

8 months old and like new - £165.  (Am buying a 3880)

Contact Norman Lemon from Neath P.C.

Tele no   01639-630063 (Neath)     E-Mail     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4.

I have a brand new packaged & unused genuine Nikon DSLR back pack with quick access panel for body and lens plus room for more kit that most of us own.

rrp in Carmarthen Cameras ( who supplied it) is £99.00 ) I’m looking for £25.

Please contact Andrew Johns at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5.

Canon ef 70-200mm f2.8L lens. (Not the IS version).

It’s seen little use and is is in perfect order. Comes with box, carry case etc - as it did from Canon.

£675 ONO.

Phone John Munday on 01591 620468 (near Builth Wells) or contact him on  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6.

Apple E Mac

1 Ghz  G4,     40Gb Hard Drive     768 RAM  CD Rom  USB 2,  Firewire 400        

Apple Keyboard & Mouse           

Only   £25.00

LaCie  Monitor

19 “ CRT Electron Blue Monitor IV                   

One of the very best at the time             

 £50.00

Contact  Chris Warren      01834 814614          07866458281                      

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

7.

For sale -  a set of studio lights. They consist o;f

Elinchrom D-lite heads (not the cooled type)

Two Head Stands

Two soft boxes ( one large & one Normal)

D-lite DVD Quick Start Guide by Chris Burfoot

All connecting leads

Backdrop Stand

Two muslin backdrops  ( one black & one white )

These have had very very little use,

I am asking £350.00 for the complete set.

I can be contacted by e-mail:-   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Phone 01639761041.

WE NEED YOUR NEWS!!

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