ROSSENDALE RAMBLERS
EXCELLENT weather this week gave us a wonderful walk on Wednesday, September 18, when 22 ramblers ascended Buckden Pike (2300 feet), with panoramic views all around.
The only sad note was seeing the memorial to five Polish RAF airmen who lost their lives in a crash near the summit in January 1942.
Then on Thursday, September 19, 30 walkers had quite an adventure on our final evening pub walk of the year – though we do have a couple of Saturday morning pub walks coming up.
We knew that at least half of the walk would be in the dark, so almost everyone brought torches.
We were rewarded with a lovely bright evening, followed by a brilliant sunset then stargazing: when we all turned off our torches towards the end.
During the walk, a sheep was spotted in difficulties in some chicken wire, so two of our lady walkers scaled the gate and rescued the animal.
After the walk, all but two of the walkers retired to the Northern Whisper Taproom in Rawtenstall to reflect upon both tonight’s walk and the whole programme so far.
Coming up, on Wednesday, October 2 we have a 10 mile walk from Eccleston, near Chorley.
This is a lovely agricultural area, so there shouldn’t be too many ascents and descents, so why not join us?
Then on Sunday, October 6 we have a 10 mile walk from Ripponden, just over the border.
This walk has been inspired by the beautiful scenery seen on ITV’s ‘Gentleman Jack’, and takes in ancient pathways, moorland and two reservoirs, before following a babbling river back to the cars.
These walks are free, but after three walks with us we invite you to join The Ramblers, at a cost of only £3.35 per month.
Further information about Rossendale Ramblers can be found on our website at www. rossendale-ramblers. co.uk, or you can contact us via secretary Glyn on 01706 561 042, or at glynbr45@gmail.com.
BACUP CAMERA CLUB
CLUB member Leo Turner recently gave a presentation at a club meeting on the ‘rules of composition’, or guidelines for taking a good photograph.
By using a variety of examples Leo outlined the factors that can make a picture more aesthetically pleasing to the viewer.
These include perhaps the best known of these, ‘the rule of thirds’, to place the most important elements of the picture about a third of the way into the scene, rather than in the centre of the frame. Other rules include the ‘golden ratio’, a mathematical concept over 2400 years old that can produce a pleasing composition if main elements of the picture are placed on the intersection of the golden ratio lines.
It is also often better to have an odd number of main features (especially three) in a picture rather than an even number.
Lead-in lines, balance, curves, framing, triangular arrangements, patterns, and avoiding over-complex subjects or backgrounds are other factors to bear in mind when composing a picture.
Sometimes a photograph can be improved by manipulating the image on the computer, as demonstrated by Leo using Photoshop software.
Eliminating unnecessary or intruding subjects within the image, for example, can be achieved in this way.
But perhaps the most important rule of all is, where appropriate, ‘break the rules’!
Some of the greatest photographs ever taken have ignored these guidelines, and as the famous American landscape photographer Ansell Adams said: “There are no rules for good photographs, only good photographs.”
The club’s indoor season continues with a mixture of talks, demonstrations, workshops, critiques, competitions and much else.
We meet every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm at St. Mary’s church hall, Dale Street, Bacup.
New members or visitors are always welcome.
For more information about the club visit www. bacupcameraclub.org.uk.
ROSSENDALE AVIATION SOCIETY
ON Wednesday, September 18, members of the Rossendale Aviation Society enjoyed an excellent selection of images from guest David Draycott.
In 1999 David was photographing at an Air Show in Texas where he met a United States Navy pilot who opened doors for David enabling him to visit the Naval Air Stations at Fallon in Nevada and Point Mugu in California as well as the German Air Force base at Decimomannu in Sardinia.
From these visits David showed a wide selection of images of United States Naval Aircraft including Tomcats, Hornets and Phantoms, many in exotic colour schemes.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 2, when one of our members, Colin Duckworth from Ramsbottom, will give a presentation entitled ‘Warbirds and Warplanes’.
The subjects are combat aircraft seen at air shows and aircraft museums photographed by Colin over the 40 years at various locations mostly in this country.
This is sure to be another excellent evening and all are welcome.
All meetings take place at Haslingden Cricket Club and commence at 8pm.