CLUBS & SOCIETIES
THE very definition of the word Photography implies light, something in short supply in November and the Winter months.
Not a major problem for our first speaker, Stephen Elliott, who came and gave a talk about Light Painting. His solution is to provide your own light often in quite unusual ways and often in perilous situations.
He embraces the opportunities of darkness in most creative and imaginative ways.
He unveiled some of his own props and demonstrated various techniques, some not for the faint hearted, which he uses in his images.
Never did we imagine how creative a dog lead and torch or a kitchen whisk full of burning wire wool could be. Nor did anyone imagine the potential of a bicycle wheel decked with fairy lights!
The daredevil locations and props, which would not be out of place in a Star Wars film, were used very imaginatively. Words cannot describe his images, only a trip to www.stephenelliott.co.uk/gallery will let you into this world of magical imagery that he creates.
Totally amazing and unexpected, a world away from shining a torch on a gravestone!
So, next meeting, we had a go. We met at the tunnel and soon found out how very difficult the techniques are. Online sites benefited from purchases made to try to create some ‘magic’ of our own.
We soon found working in the dark challenging. There would be no standing on the edge of a weir in pitch black for us. Only then did we appreciate the skills involved to do justice to this Light Painting form of photography. We retired to the churchyard for a little more practice with simpler churchyard images.
Our next meeting was a members talk with images of a cruise to Norway by Glyn Bass. The speaker booked was unable to attend and is planned to return at a future date.
The last speaker of the month was Ian Bairstow of Draycott Photography. Ian came to show us his images based around his experience of Action Photography. His images were mainly sourced around motor racing, both motorbikes and cars at Donington and our own Darley Moor Circuit.
He outlined the techniques and showed us the camera he uses to shoot his racing images. He also explained how difficult it can be to take images due to safety and the need for a licence.
He also showed us images of sports more associated with athletics, wrestling and archery. All in all an interesting insight into a very demanding genre of photography. (draycottphotography.co.uk)
The last meeting of the month was another competition titled Urban which included a wide variety of images again, around the theme of the Urban Environment.
It was judged by Peter Jones of Clay Cross Camera Club. He was judging quite a varied mix of buildings in various states of dilapidation from cities and towns all over the world with some appropriate and amusing titles. It proved a difficult task but winners were chosen.
Mark Eden successful in the print category, Yellow is the New Red and John Riddy with Steps. In the projected image category.
All in all a really varied month of meetings with lots of potential opportunities to brave the dark nights and conditions at this time of year.
ASHBOURNE U3A
Oh, We Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day-ay!’ was definitely the wish of the members of Ashbourne U3A at their December meeting on 1st December. Jollity and good humour was the order of the day.
Elim Church Hall was packed and included some new members, some coming for a ‘taster’ and some visitors. Ashbourne Mayor, Anthony Bates had been invited to perform the highly important role of choosing the best Christmas outfit.
A fiendish Christmas Quiz was given out to test our knowledge of the festive season.
The U3A Ukelele Group kicked off the entertainment with Christmassy songs and there was no excuse for anyone in the audience failing to sing because the words were screened for everyone to see.
The U3A Singers Group had had to overcome their pianist being ill but they sung some quite difficult songs beautifully. Not quite so beautiful was when the audience joined in a ‘round’ in four different parts but we enjoyed it.
One of the songs was the
American version of ‘Jingle Bells’ which was originally performed at Thanksgiving. Not many people know that.
Janet Bunting, the Choir Leader made a plea for more men – for the choir!
The Mayor judged the outfit of Mary Marshall-unitt to be a worthy winner and presented the prize.
Tea, coffee, mince pies and friendship ended a great afternoon.