Notes forAugust 2009

Sunday 30th August 2009

We still have to finish our Summer Outing Programme and the last one in the series is on SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST, meeting at the Clubrooms at 10.00am and bring a Packed Lunch.
The planned meeting is listed as a visit to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra.
Since this arrangement was made we have learned of a “Mele” (a gathering) at Botanic Gardens in Belfast on the same date. It is the largest multi-cultural festival in Northern Ireland and it is free. It runs from 12.00 pm – 6.00 pm - there are three stages for music and dance, a food market, craft village and cooking demonstrations etc. When we meet at the clubrooms at 10.00 am the choice of venue can be decided.


Notes for July 2009

A big thank you to all who made the first half of our summer outings such a success. The first Friday [29th May] meeting was to Holywood pier.  A few were heard to cry
"I didn't know Holywood had a pier!"  Some stayed to watch the beautiful sunset while others went for a walk around the town.

The next Friday [12th June] meeting was to Belfast.  A small but enthusiastic bunch set off for the Titantic Dock.  It was a very enjoyable evening viewing the dock and the pump house.  The walk of the length of the dock left us exhausted and glad to see the car.  Then onto the site of Samson and Goliath.  It is only when standing underneath these wonders that the size of them can be truly appreciated.

The first Sunday [7th June] meeting was a trip along the coast which included Nendrum, Skettick, Dundrum and Newcastle to name but a few stops.  The night ended in a sociable gathering at Strangford Arms.

The next Sunday [28th June] trip was to Armagh.  It was a beautiful summer's day with a visit to the Cathedral and ruins beside the Palace Stables, then picnic lunch whilst watching the cricket.

The following dates have been planned for July and August.

Friday 17th July 2009  Meet at the clubrooms at 7:30pm, travelling to Greyabbey and Strangford Lough.

Sunday 26th July 2009  Meet at the clubrooms at 10.00am, travelling to the Zoo. Bring your own packed lunch please.

Friday 14th August 2009  Meet at the front door of Odyssey Arena at 7.00pm.  It is hoped there willl be a Shuttle bus to the Tall Ships.

(Because of the nature of the event people might like to find their way there in good time. There is to be a Park n' Ride facility at Site D3 Airport Road West (IKEA exit) £2 OAP's free. This could be useful.)


Sunday 30th August 2009  Meet at the clubrooms at 10.00am to travel to Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra.  Bring a packed lunch.

Please come along and join us whatever your interest or level.

For further information, our website is www.ardscameraclub.co.uk or email ardscameraclub@yahoo.co.uk


Notes for June 2009

The official close of the winter season was the BBQ and a good night was had by all. Our thanks go to Mervyn, Audrey and Graham for their generous hospitality, and for providing the venue.

Dust down your cameras and come join us on our informal summer outings.  All levels are welcome, from those who want that 'competition' shot, right through to those who are there just for the craic.  The summer meetings are usually held on the last Sunday of the month except for May, which has been put back because of the Bank Holiday.  There will also be a few Friday night outings as well.  The following dates have been planned for May and June.

Friday 29th May 2009  Meet at the Clubroom at 7:30 pm travelling to Holywood for photo opportunities of the pier, the old graveyard and any other buildings of interest in the town.

Sunday 7th June 2009  Meet at the Clubrooms at 10 am, travelling to St John's Point, Tyrella, Dundrum and the Mournes. Please bring a packed lunch.

Friday 12th June 2009  Meet at the Clubrooms at 7:30 pm then travelling to Belfast.  If coming from Belfast direction then meet at Bridge End car park at 8.00pm.  

Sunday 28th June 2009   Meet at the Clubrooms at 10.00am.  Visit to Armagh including the Cathedral, churches and possibly Palace Stables Heritage centre, Adults: £5.00 Concession/student: £3.75

Further dates for outings etc to be arranged.

Please feel free to just turn up on the day with your camera.  Hope to see you there!


Notes for 3rd April 2009
Photography Exhibition at the Townhall, 2 - 30 April, 2009            

At the Annual Exhibition of Ards Camera Club, on Friday evening, in the Town Hall, the Presentation of Awards took place.  The Judge on this occasion was Mr Peter Wilkin of Ballynahinch Camera Club.  The Chairman, Mr Raphael Clarke welcomed everyone to the Exhibition and invited Mr Wilkin to speak about the prints.  After a very informative talk Mr Wilkin presented the following awards.

General Monochrome	1st 2nd 3rd Highly Commended Commended	Letting Off Steam Dreaming Inch Abbey Red, White and Black The Wee House	Melissa Gordon Melissa Gordon Melissa Gordon Jonathan Patterson Carole Watson
General Colour	1st 2nd 3rd Highly Commended Commended Commended	Strings All Tired Out The Biker The Gate Me and My Shadow Close Enough	Ian McCormick Melissa Gordon Alison Evans Carole Watson Campbell Brown Lydia McCallen
Advanced Monochrome	1st 2nd 3rd Highly Commended Commended Commended	Millennium Bridge, Newcastle White Sands, New Mexico Leslie Sea Stumps Eyes That Shine Boat Wreck	Marty Watson Marty Watson Peter Knott Alan Reid Alan Reid Peter Knott
Advanced Colour	1st 2nd 3rd Highly Commended Commended Commended	Bird of Prey Zuchaela White Sands, New Mexico The Lily O Biker Porcelain Musician	Leslie Armour Leslie Armour Marty Watson David S Adair Leslie Armour David S Adair
Top Print in the Exhibition		Bird of Prey	Leslie Armour

The Chairman invited everyone to refreshments and reminded members that the next Club meeting would be 17 April - Bring Your Camera!


Notes for 20th March 2009
Gerry Coe - The Art of Photography

Our guest speaker on Friday night was Mr. Gerry Coe from Bangor Camera Club and the theme was, "The Art of Photography".  Gerry started the night by showing projected images starting from the first digital image he took, right through a broad spectrum up to the present day.  He showed images as they came out of the cameras and then the same image after he had worked with them on various programmes to turn them into more of an art form and the end results were amazing.

After a short break he produced some of his work which had been put onto canvas and framed and when you see a large canvas approx 6 foot by 4 foot the results speak for themselves.  You know you have seen the work of a master.  One example he produced was a three dimensional image of the drawing office of Harland and Wolff which was made up of a series of thirty-eight photographs and was a work of great thought and detail.

On behalf of the club I would like to thank Gerry for a brilliant nights entertainment.  Next week our guest is Mr. Stanley McIlreavy showing "Murals and More."


Notes for 20th February 2009
Inter-club round 4 - 'Open'

Friday evening, 20 February was Round 5 of the Inter-Club Competitions at Ards Camera Club and the results were as follows:

General Colour	1st 2nd 3rd 4th	"The Biker" "A Walk in the Park" "For Everything there is a Season" "Red Squirrel"	Alison Evans Melissa Gordon Melissa Gordon Clare Corbett
General Monochrome	1st 2nd 3rd 4th	"Letting off Steam" "Tree Lined" "Inch Abbey" "Concert Hall"	Melissa Gordon Melissa Gordon Melissa Gordon Ian McCormick
Advanced Colour	1st 2nd 3rd 4th	"Bill" "Krissi" "Julie" "The Lily O"	Leslie Armour Alan Reid Leslie Armour David S Adair
Advanced Monochrome	1st 2nd 3rd 4th	"Eyes that Shine" "Erosion" "Paddy" "Inch"	Alan Reid Alan Reid David S Adair Leslie Armour
Slides	1st 2nd 3rd 4th	"Forest Flame" "The Bridge" "Rock Pool" "Driftwood"	Richard Holmes Carole Watson Richard Holmes Richard Holmes
Colour Prints to NIPA Inter-club Competition	"Bill" Leslie Armour; "A Walk in the Park" Melissa Gordon; "The Biker" Alison Evans; "Krissi" Alan Reid.
Monochrome Prints to NIPA Inter-club Competition	"Eyes that Smile", "Erosion" Alan Reid; "Tree Lined", "Letting Off Steam" Melissa Gordon.

Dates to Remember:  There will be no meeting at the Clubrooms this Friday 27 February.  The Programme has designated this date for a visit to the Judging of Round 4 of the Inter Club Competition at Banbridge Camera Club to be held in the Old Town Hall, at the corner of Bridge Street and Scarva Street in the Centre of Banbridge at 8.00 pm.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Friday, March 6 at 7.30 pm there will be a short meeting to adopt a New Constitution for the Club.  At 8.00 pm that evening we will be having a Practical Night - so don't forget to bring your Camera.  Friday March 6 is also the closing date for entries for the Annual Exhibition - make sure the Exhibition Secretary, Carol Warden, receives your entries on or before that evening.


Notes for 13th February 2009
Sinclair Adair - Just Sinclair

On Friday night our speaker was a member of our club, Mr. Sinclair Adair, who put on an excellent nights entertainment.  The theme was "Just Sinclair" but it should have been called the magic of Sinclair because the work this man produces is just that.  He says he does not do serious photography now but simply does it for pleasure, well he gave a lot of pleasure to a good crowd on Friday night in what was one of the highlights of our photographic season.

Next week is the Inter-Club round five which is an open competition, so hopefully we will have lots of photographs to be judged.


Notes for 6th February 2009
Stephen Davison - Road Racing

On Friday night our guest speaker was Stephen Davison from Antrim Camera Club.  His theme for the night was Motor Cycle Road Racing.  The pictures were to show the actual roads where the races took place, the person who rode the bike and part of their family life outside racing.  Stephens pictures were excellent and his informative narration to each image held everyone spell bound and even though the programme ran into overtime not a single person left until the show was completed.

Next weeks speaker is our own club member Mr. Sinclair Adair and I hope all club members make a special effort to attend as it will probably be one of the highlights of the season.


Notes for 30th January 2009
Inter-club round 3 - 'Street Life'

Friday night was another competition night at the club and our guest judge was Mr. T. Gibb from the Merville Camera Club.  The competition theme this month was "Street Life" and there were a great selection of images depicting different scenes and the results were as follows.

General Monochrome General Colour Advanced Monochrome Advanced Colour Slides	1st. Melissa Gordon;  2nd. Ian McCormick;  3rd. Carol Watson. 1st. Bobby Graham;  2nd. Melissa Gordon;  3rd. William Stockdale. 1st. Leslie Armour;  2nd Alan Reid;  3rd. Alan Reid. 1st. Alan Reid;  2nd Sinclair Adair;  3rd. Leslie Armour. 1st. Richard Holmes;  2nd Carol Watson;  3rd Richard Holmes.
Selected for NIPA Inter-club Competition Monochrome Colour	Leslie Armour, Melissa Gordon, Ian McCormack and Alan Reid. Alan Reid, Sinclair Adair, Melissa Gordon and William Stockdale.

Notes for 23rd January 2009
Jim Moreland - RPS Panels

Our guest on Friday night was Mr. J. Moreland from the Christian Brothers Camera Club and he gave us an excellent nights entertainment.  He started his presentation by showing projected images of photos which were sent as panels for judging by the Royal Photographic Society, for whom Jim is a judge.  We then had a short break after which he proceeded to show a series of photographs, taken by two far eastern photographers, which were really amazing images.  These caused a lot of discussion by club members about lighting, content etc., but at the end of the night everyone thought they were excellent.

Next Friday night is our Inter-Club round 4 which is titled "Street L ife".  Please have your photographs entered before the start of proceedings or they will not be accepted for the competition.


Notes for 9th January 2009
Auction Night

On Friday night we returned to the club after our Christmas break and on our first night back we had our annual auction which was the most successful to date.  Lots of items, from cameras to picture frames and decorative teapots were contributed by the members.  A sum in the region of £300.00 was raised and is a great boon to the clubs funds.
Our auctioneer for the night was Mr. L. Armour and as usual he was on top form and at times could have passed as a stand up comedian.  I would like to thank all who participated and especially Les for his sterling work, sometimes he could get blood out of a stone.

Next Friday night will be Trish Semple with the theme Small Beginnings.


Notes for 5th December 2008
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition

Friday night was the 25th Anniversary of the Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition which is run by N.I.P.A. (Northern Ireland Photographic Association) and hosted by the Ards Camera Club.  Roy was a past president of N.I.P.A. and member of our club but died in a tragic accident while pursuing his photographic hobby.

Over the years the competition has out-grown our club rooms and this year with the kind permission of Head Master Mr. J. Stuart we were allowed to use the new hall in the Model Primary School which was a great venue.   The proceedings got underway with introductions from Mr. L. Armour and then our main speaker Mr. B. McKenna the president of N.I.P.A. took over and began the programme with a short Audio Visual of some work done by Roy.  We were then shown projected images of over 100 entries judged by Mr. M. Challis who is the manager of Belfast Zoo.  Unfortunately Mr. Challis could not be there but had recorded his comments.

After a short break some 140 photographs were shown and judged in the same manner.  The winning board displayed 21 images from which the winners were selected.  An audience of some seventy to eighty people who attended was a fitting tribute to Roy and his wife Rosemary who presented the prizes and certificates.

At this stage Ards Camera Club would like to thank Mrs. R. Hetherington, the school caretaker for all her sterling work in helping us get everything arranged for the exhibition. Also Peter Knott for setting up the projection, speaker and computer systems.

Finally we have the results which are as follows.

PROJECTED DIGITAL IMAGES
1st	Tern Feeding Chick	B. McKenna	Merville
2nd	Black Guillemot	B. Burrows	Donaghadee
3rd	Belligerent Whooper	D. McCaughan	Donaghadee
Highly Commended	Swan Reflection	A. McCabe	Downpatrick
Highly Commended	Lone Tree Yellowstone	D. McCaughan	Donaghadee
Highly Commended	Tit	T. Cooper	Carrickfergus
Commended	Hummingbird Hawk Moth	D. McCaughan	Donaghadee
Commended	Always Check Over Your Shoulder	R. McKelvey	B-PIC
Commended	Backlit Gannet	R. McKelvey	B-PIC
Commended	A Touch of Frost	T. Cooper	Carrickfergus
Commended	Galapagos Sea Lion Pup	T. Potts	Banbridge
Commended	House Martin	V. McKee
PRINTS
1st	Kittiwake Hotel	H. Honeyman	Downpatrick
2nd	Sperm Whale Tail	H. Honeyman	Downpatrick
3rd	Fox	M. Jackson	Antrim
Highly Commended	Martial Eagle	C. Millar	Carrickfergus
Highly Commended	Leopard	C. Millar	Carrickfergus
Highly Commended	Spotted Hyena	C. Millar	Carrickfergus
Highly Commended	Colony	J. Belshaw	Shorts
Commended	Claimed by Nature	T. Millar	Antrim
Commended	Heron	S. Young	Carrickfergus
Commended	Flag Iris	T. Millar	Antrim
Commended	Whistling Geese	C. Corbet	Ards
Commended	I Like my Greens	J. Houston	Islandmagee
Commended	Hawk Moth Larva	D. McCaughan	Donaghadee
Commended	Swan	B. McKenna	Merville
OVERALL WINER	Kittiwake Hotel	H. Honeyman	Downpatrick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes for 28th November 2008
Maggie Montgomery - Underwater Photography

Our guest speaker on Friday night was Maggie Montgomery and the theme of the programme was underwater photography.  All Maggie’s diving takes place around the Ardglass area where she lives and most of her photographs are taken at depths of one to three metres.  Some were taken with the camera held in rock pools at low tide.  Once you get under the water the life form is very diverse and colourful even in the cold waters around our shores.

Some photographs were shot in video form and others were still life.  The video recordings showed just how hard it is to hold a camera steady underwater in the ebb and flow of the tide.  During her programme Maggie explained some of the equipment you need for this type of experience and how important it is to have a really good waterproof housing for the camera as salt water is very corrosive.

After her presentation one of our members Peter Knott showed some audio visual work which rounded off the night perfectly.

Next week is the Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History exhibition which will take place at the Model Primary School in Newtownards.


Notes for 21st November 2008
Practical Night Outdoors

There was a good turnout at the club on Friday night for our practical night which centered around night photography and portraiture.  Some of the group opted to remain in the clubhouse with L. Armour to see some elements of what is required to do good portraits, lighting background etc.  The more hardy members decided to take to the streets of Newtownards and try their hand at getting images at night. When this group returned to the clubhouse there was a welcoming cup of tea.

D. Casement one of our members had some students from her photography course as guests and they brought along some images which were displayed and discussed at some length. The night was a great success and maybe more practical nights should be a consideration.

Next week our guest speaker will be Maggie Montgomery who specializes in underwater photography.


Notes for 14th November 2008
Raymond Hughes - AV Selection

Our guest speaker on Friday night was Raymond Hughes from Merville Camera Club who was showing an Audio Visual Selection.  Raymond explained that an A.V. is not just a random selection of images set to music but must tell a story.  One he showed was about a man who was named after a relative who had been killed on the first day at the Battle of the Somme. Tracing back through his family's history proved very poignant being just after Remembrance Day.

Next Friday night, 21st November, is a practical night outdoors and weather permitting we will be going into Newtownards to do some night photography.  We will be in the guiding hands of one of our advanced photographers, Mr. L. Armour, so we are hoping for a good turnout.  Come well wrapped up and don't forget your camera and tripod as we will probably be working with slow shutter speeds.  If by chance it is raining, still come to the clubhouse as something else has been arranged.


Notes for 7th November 2008
Hugh Russell - Photo Journalism

Our guest on Friday night was Hugh Russell, a photo journalist with the Irish News, who put on an excellent show. Some of his photographs took the amateur photographer to places they had never been before with specific images of our troubled past, also his sports and personal photography were great and his brand of patter was very natural and was enjoyed by everyone.


Notes for 31st October 2008
Howard Gregory & Suzanne Walker - AV Spectacular

On Friday night our guests were Howard Gregory and Suzanne Walker A.R.P.S. from England and were explaining their methods of making an A.V. and selecting the appropriate music.  It was very interesting and all who attended were pleased with the programme.

Next weeks guest is Hugh Russell whose experience in photo journalism will be the topic.


Notes for 24th October 2008
Inter-club round 2 - 'Water'

On Friday night we had our inter-club round two with the title, Water, and the results are as follows:

General Monochrome General Colour Advanced Monochrome Advanced Colour Slides

1st. W. Stockdale;  2nd. M. Gordon;  3rd. M. Gordon. 1st. M. Gordon;  2nd. C. Watson;  Joint 3rd. J. Patterson & R. Clarke. 1st. L. Armour;  2nd L. Armour;  3rd. A. Reid. 1st. L. Armour;  2nd L. Armour;  Joint 3rd. S. Adair & W. McMeekin. 1st. R. Holmes;  2nd R. Holmes;  3rd C. Watson.

 

 

Next Friday our guest speakers are Howard Gregory and Suzanne Walker with a A.V. Spectacular.


Notes for 17th October 2008
Ian Lyons - Travel / Lightroom

On Friday night 'From Arctic to Antarctic' was the title given to our photographic display by Ian Lyons and ranged from Iceland to the Antarctic.  Ian’s images from Iceland were amazing.  The photographs of enormous icebergs and wildlife in the Antarctic were pretty mind blowing and the colours and structure of all his photographs were fantastic.

Ardscameraclub.co.uk would like to thank Ian for a superb night’s entertainment.


Notes for 10th October 2008
Paul Moane - Co. Down Landscapes

Last Friday night saw the return of one of our guests from last year, Paul Moane, who displayed landscape scenes from places throughout Ireland.  Paul plays down his images as simple but there is nothing simple in his photographs which everyone thought were excellent.

Next weeks guest is Mr Ian Lyons showing travel photography and delving into the world of lightroom.


Notes for 3rd October 2008
Sinclair Adair - Exhibition in Ards Town Hall

'A lifetime behind the Lens'  An exhibition of work by David S. Adair.
On Friday night the above exhibition opened at Ards Town Hall and was well attended by members of his family, many of his peers and photographers of other camera clubs. I would recommend anyone interested in photography to pay a visit and see some excellent photographs.

Sinclair Adair (left) receiving his 'A Lifetime behind the Lens' certificate. Also in the picture is Leslie Armour (Life Member) and Carole Watson (Secretary).

Below is the entry in 'Ards Arts Guide' September - December 2008

A Lifetime Behind the Lens
An exhibition of work by David S Adair

2 - 15 October 2008
Main Gallery, Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards
BT23 4DB

Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fri & Sat 10.00am - 4.00pm
Tel: 028 9182 3131

David S Adair, known as Sinclair is an octogenarian and life member of Ards Camera Club and can only be described as an ‘Imaginative Genius’ in the darkroom.

Sinclair’s experience spans more than 50 years from darkroom to digital and this exhibition celebrates a lifetime's work with award winning prints on display.

Sinclair’s work has travelled the world to destinations including Russia, Singapore and Germany for International Salons, at which thousands of prints were assembled in the 1960’s and 70’s.

Also on display you will find his ARPS and AIPF panels, prints of the Belfast Docks, night photography and many portraits of the characters he has met.

'The Big Splash' - At the Belfast Waterworks

Notes for 26th September 2008
Inter-club round 1 - 'Open'

On Friday night we had our first competition of the new season which was open to all types of photographs and the results were as follows.

General Monochrome General Colour Advanced Monochrome Advanced Colour Slides

1st. A. Ross;  2nd. R. Clarke;  3rd. L. McCallen. 1st. A. Ross;  2nd. A. Ross;  3rd. M. Gordon. 1st. L. Armour;  2nd. A. Reid;  3rd. L. Armour. 1st. L. Armour;  2nd. W. McMeekin;  3rd. S. Adair. 1st. R. Holmes;  2nd R. Holmes;  3rd C. Watson.

 

 

I would like to thank all our members for a really good entry and at this point I would like to draw everyone’s attention to a superb one man exhibition being staged by the club to honour one of its esteemed members Mr. Sinclair Adair A.F.I.A.P. A.I.P.F. A.P.A.G.B. A.P.R.S. P.S.A.

The photographs are to be exhibited in Newtownards Town Hall from the 3rd to 10th October and it’s highly recommended to all types of photographers.


Notes for 12th September 2008
Peter Wilkin - ARPS Panel

On Friday night our meeting was presided over by our new chairperson Raphael Clarke who introduced our first guest of the season, Peter Wilkin A.R.P.S.

Mr. Wilkin told us how he got into photography on his retirement.  Then he presented a panel of beautiful images on Infrared photography which he used as his panel to get his distinction.  He then showed coloured images which were excellent, some had won competitions and with his brand of chat a really good programme was enjoyed by all.

Our next meeting is Friday 19th September which is a practical night by Colin Ross about Macro Photography.  So members and if non-members would like to experience the clubs atmosphere come along and bring your cameras and macro lens and enjoy.


Notes for 5th September 2008
A Mixed Bag!