Malcolm Sales became Retford and District Photographic Society’s first speaker on Smartphone photography. He mentioned apps available for Android and Apple, one of which is free. He demonstrated it live, showing how to crop for impact, straighten wonky buildings, and manipulate.
Richard Baines from Yorkshire Wildlife Photography, an ecologist, now runs seasonal trips to see a population of whales and dolphins which lives off the Yorkshire coast. He visited the club to talk about his photos, and he closed by speaking of some forest species. Goshawks are recovering their numbers, but are still persecuted in places.
Last season a speaker challenged members to take shots of three. It rapidly became clear that few of us like asking if we can take strangers’ photos. Steam punks are usually very happy to be photographed and a Papplewick event provided opportunities. Liz Tilstone showed images from her camera and her phone – and you would have been hard pressed to tell them apart.
Andy Stephenson made the biggest impression with his commentary. His first subject was a Professor of Forensic Anthropology, a consultant to the Vatican and the President of Liverpool Magic Circle.
Definitely a character worth photographing. Next was someone who has been offering ‘broomstick flying training’ for several years and combines this with being a Santa Claus in Newcastle! Being Andy, the photos were as good as the stories.
Dik Allison and Joy Allison had taken most of their shots abroad where attitudes to street photography are more relaxed than here. Joy also showed life-sized dummies.
Kim Shapiro, a new member, ensured everyone will remember him after he showed a lady photographed from behind looking out to sea, that he said he felt qualified as a stranger since he couldn’t tell if it was his wife or a female friend.
A family of four all came with pictures, showing images direct from a phone. They first came to encourage the daughter, who is studying photography, but all joined to enter the society’s competitions and have their own family contest. Their shots were excellent.
Dave Hauton completed the family presentation. His shot, which will remain in the mind, featured a very small silhouette of a man against a bright white wall of a war memorial in France. This picture won a competition for the calendar produced by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Michael Poole spoke at the club about how he got into sports photography and shared some of his practical experience and technical tips.
After four interesting weeks, the society are now looking forward to their first open competition and their first speaker to appear via Zoom.
The club welcomes new members at any time. Meetings continue on Monday evenings until April 2025, at St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford at 7.30pm. Find out more at www.retford-photographic.co.uk.
Image: Libby Hauton