Newsletter 29th June 2022
Writing Collaboration Group Members – booklet cover reminder
Mary Maynard would like to remind the FWP members involved in the writing collaboration of the following message:

"I hope all your collaborations are progressing. As you know, we are hoping to produce a booklet of this project and so I am asking that you email a couple of images for consideration for the cover. The book will be A5 size and will feature some text on the front cover. The image needs to be 'new' - not one that forms part of the collaborations. Jane Wiltshire has kindly offered to design the booklet and may selectively use the chosen image depending upon her design. So, in the first instance, please send one or two images by Sunday 3rd July to Jane (email in newsletter) for consideration. Jane will subsequently contact the author of the selected image."

Writing Collaboration Booklet – all FWP members
As referenced above, the Writing Collaboration Group aims to produce a booklet containing the images and associated writings from this project. Mary would like to know how many members are likely to purchase a booklet. They'll be printed before Christmas and would make ideal presents. Any member interested in purchasing a copy is kindly requested to fill in this questionnaire to enable the correct print run order to be actioned.

PHOTO|FROME IS STILL HERE
What's this? Is this pesky photo festival not done yet? Nope. Not even halfway, friends.

Exhibitions
Week 2 welcomes Photo|Frome's 'main' exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel (Bath St, BA11 1DN), featuring the work of Danny North, Olga Karlovac, Robert Huggins, Vanessa Fairfax-Woods, John Angerson, Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz, and Aljoscha. Thought-provoking, varied imagery that is well worth checking out.

This joins the existing exhibitions that opened last week, at Black Swan Arts Round Tower, Makers' Yard, and Gallery at The Station – plus a modest but brave showing on body positivity by Frome College students at the Library which, in all the chaos, didn't get mentioned.

On that note, let's not forget the FWP 'My Vision, My Process' show also kicks off this Saturday, at Frome Town Hall - a vibrant mix of styles, approaches, and execution which deserves a crowd.

Talks, Portfolio Reviews, Photowalk, Pop-up Portrait Studio
Seven days after we sold out the excellent Robin Ravilious talk, it's Chris Chapman's turn to threaten a full-capacity turnout at Frome Town Hall this Friday - and deservedly so. But hurry, as tickets are flying.

Saturday sees the first of the portfolio review sessions (last few slots available), and the photowalks led by our very own David Chedgy. The weekend action then continues, with pop-up portrait studio project 'Faces of Frome' joining The Frome Independent on Sunday.
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Newsletter 22nd June 2022
PHOTO|FROME IS GO
Not much happening photography wise locally other than a substantial chunk of Frome being taken over for the next four weeks by the Photo|Frome festival, which showcases the work of 75 photographers across nine venues set to host our exhibitions, talks, workshops, portfolio reviews, a book fair, and more.

Exhibitions
For Week 1 we welcome the internationally revered work of both James Ravilious and Chris Chapman being exhibited at Black Swan Arts Round Tower. It looks, in the words of our Vice-Chair David Chedgy, "absolutely superb" and is "well worth seeing".

We also open the first two of our group exhibitions, with a must-see set of images from 16 of Frome’s professional photographers on display at Gallery at The Station, together with an unmissable collection of some of the UK’s most exciting image creators on display at Makers’ Yard.

Talks
And if you like what you see at Black Swan Arts, James's widow Robin deservedly kicks off our talks programme this Friday by discussing his fascinating life, his dedicated approach to his work, and the many influences that inspired him.

Our second talk this week, by critically acclaimed documentary photographer John Angerson, will deliver a captivating behind-the-scenes account of the NASA Space Shuttle STS-72 mission as its crew prepared to boldly venture where few have gone before.

(And while we’re talking talks, sneaking into the start of next week but absolutely also worth mentioning is Justin Quinnell’s bound-to-be-brilliant ‘Aristotle’s Hole: From Mo-Tzu to the Selfie Stick’ inimitable, practical-based address on pinhole photography.)

Remember, FWP members get free access to talks by entering the code FreeFWP (non-case sensitive) during the booking process. Direct link to the 'collection' of talks on Eventbrite is here. Registration is required or your place is not guaranteed.

Private View (28th June) invitation – reminder
All members are invited to attend Photo|Frome's Private View evening at Rook Lane Chapel (Bath St, BA11 1DN) on 28th June from 7pm. Rook Lane is one of the seven venues hosting the festival's exhibitions, and features the work of Danny North, Olga Karlovac, Robert Huggins, Vanessa Fairfax-Woods, John Angerson, Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz, and Aljoscha.
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Newsletter 15th June 2022
FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill – next Monday
Barry hasn't given up on us, so we shouldn't give up on him. Turn up to discover new photographers, share your latest captures with the 'class', chat general photography within a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday 20th June, 6pm to 7pm sharp, same link as the FWP Friday Zoom meetings (detailed in newsletter).

Photo|Frome Private View (28th June) – invitation
All members are invited to attend Photo|Frome's Private View evening at Rook Lane Chapel (Bath St, BA11 1DN) on 28th June from 7pm. Rook Lane is one of the seven venues hosting the festival's exhibitions, and features the work of Danny North, Olga Karlovac, Robert Huggins, Vanessa Fairfax-Woods, John Angerson, Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz, and Aljoscha.

FWP 'My Vision, My Process' exhibition – help needed
We remain rather light on volunteers to invigilate the FWP exhibition at Photo|Frome. Anyone able to offer three hours of their time to cover a morning or afternoon stint between 2nd-15th July would achieve instant near-hero status. Please either fill in the 'volunteer form' or simply contact the organisers directly (links in newsletter).

Photo Competition
We've been sent details for the CPRE Somerset annual photo competition – the countryside charity would like to invite any member to take part. This year's theme is “Happy Days in Somerset” and there are two prizes of £100. Full details, including entry requirements, in the PDFs attached to your newsletter.
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Newsletter 8th June 2022
2022/23 Season – your input
A reminder that Programme Secretary Anjalika Baier is still welcoming suggestions for four Friday evenings next year. This could be anything from ideas for speakers/workshops/tutorials to talking about your own photography, projects, special interests or photographers that inspire you. Thoughts to fwccprogramme@gmail.com, please.

Photo|Frome free talks – reminder
You may recall a previous mention of free tickets to FWP members for the Photo|Frome talks. As capacity at the venues is limited and tickets are also on sale to the public, this is simply a 'friendly nudge' for anyone wishing to attend to book before we sell out. Your free ticket is unlocked by entering the code emailed in your newsletter during the booking process.

Photo|Frome volunteering – anyone else?
A little more festival fun this week. A few more members able to offer their time to assist with the running of the Photo|Frome exhibitions (21st June - 15th July) would be most welcome. We are running three-hour morning/afternoon stints at the various venues and it typically proves pretty effortless – it's actually a great opportunity to chat all-things photography with the other invigilators and visitors. A 'volunteer form' (link in newsletter) makes it simple to select the dates/times that best suit.
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Newsletter 1st June 2022
This week's meeting
Only kidding – there is no meeting. The season is done. We're on holiday (almost literally, for those off on the Club Holiday this week).

2022/23 Season input
Typing of seasons, freshly-voted-in Programme Secretary Anjalika Baier is still welcoming suggestions for evenings in February and March next year. This could be anything from talking about your own photography or photographers that inspire you to sharing insights on a project you are working on. Or, indeed, anything else you feel may interest members. Thoughts and suggestions to fwccprogramme@gmail.com, please.

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall
Reminder that this group is, deservedly, taking a summer break and shall return at the start of the next season.
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Newsletter 25th May 2022
This week's meeting
The final session of the season is the AGM. What it may lack in visual impact (aside from everyone's glorious face, of course), it makes up for in substance – there is no more important meeting with regards to the running of Frome Wessex Photographic. It's an opportunity to engage directly with the Committee (who will report on FWP's performance this year), and we urge every member able to attend to do so.

Related, anyone wishing to vote on next year's competition themes has until midnight tonight to do so (link in Newsletter) – if they haven't already.

The evening(s) will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (detailed in Newsletter).

Committee positions
It's still not too late to volunteer to join next season's Committee, not least as we continue to have notable vacancies in the Chairperson and Print Secretary roles. Anyone wishing to do so should contact FWP Secretary Criss Glover at fwccsec@gmail.com

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The Creative Photography group returns this evening (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWP member who wishes to attend. Usual Zoom link, included with Newsletter.
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Newsletter 18th May 2022
This week's meeting
Another week, another 'Best of the Best' competition. Peter Ottley CPAGB, LRPS will judge the season's top-scoring Themed images and we'll return to Beckington Memorial Hall to hear his thoughts. Note that Jenny will also be there with cakes and drinks this time. Typing of which, usual 7:30pm start.

FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill – next Monday
Turn up to discover new photographers, share your latest captures with the 'class', chat general photography within a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday 23rd May, 6pm to 7pm sharp, same link as the FWP Friday Zoom meetings (emailed in Newsletter).

Scheduled Social Evening – change of plan
Alas, the planned 'Social Evening' on 28th May will no longer be happening but every member is invited to attend the Photo|Frome exhibitions private viewing evening a month later, on 28th June – currently expected to take place at both Rook Lane Chapel and Black Swan Arts Round Tower. More details to follow.

Club Holiday 2022 – one place now available
Anyone who missed out on joining this year's Club Holiday to North Wales (Friday 3rd June for seven nights) might be happy to learn a spot has become available. Please contact Loveday (l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk) for more details.

Photo|Frome volunteering – a reminder
The festival is grateful to the members who have generously offered their time to assist with the running of Photo|Frome (21st June - 15th July) but is hoping others may wish to also get involved. A 'volunteer form' (link in newsletter) makes it simple to select the dates/times for those considering helping out. As ever, joao@photofrome.org for any queries (including any issues with booking talks/workshops via Eventbrite – happy to help).
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Newsletter 11th May 2022
This week's meeting
We return to Zoom this Friday for the 'Best of the Best' Open competition, in which the season's top images are judged by Peter Fry ARPS,DPAGB, BPE4. (Note: next week's Themed version will be back at Beckington Memorial Hall.) The evening(s) will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (emailed in newsletter).

Important Notice
From Mary, our Chair:
"It's time to elect a new committee. We really do need new club members on the committee. You can stand for any position that you like. Nomination papers will be posted to you later this week. Every position will be elected by club members during the AGM on 27th May.

"Most importantly, the position of Chairperson must be filled as I am standing down. The new committee will be there to help you at every step. If you need further information, do please contact me on fwccchairman@gmail.com."

FWP Creative Photography group – no session today
Lisa has had to cancel today's planned session, and sends her apologies to members. The next meeting will be Wednesday 25th May.

Preparing Pictures for Printing Workshop – notes
The reference notes relating to the workshop Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF and Peter Johnson delivered last Saturday were attached to the emailed newsletter.
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Newsletter 4th May 2022
This week's meeting
We're back at Beckington Memorial Hall this Friday, 7:30pm start. The session, 'Seeing Pictures', will be a diverse, considered, thought out and personal collection of images by Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF. Attending members should follow the usual Covid-related precautions and are asked to bring their own refreshments.

Preparing Pictures for Printing workshop – this Saturday
Final reminder that on Saturday 7th May, 10am-4pm, Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF
returns, with Peter Johnson, to run a 'Preparing Pictures for Printing' workshop at Beckington Memorial Hall. Free, open to all FWP members. No need to register, just turn up. Oh, remember to bring your own lunch/refreshments.

FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill – next Monday
Turn up to discover new photographers, share your latest captures with the 'class', chat general photography within a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday 9th May, 6pm to 7pm sharp, same link as the FWP Friday meetings:

Photo|Frome volunteering
Thank you to the members who have kindly communicated they would be willing to offer some of their time to assist with the running of Photo|Frome. We now have a 'volunteer form' (link in your newsletter) which should make it simpler to select the dates/times for anyone considering helping out. As ever, joao@photofrome.org for any queries.
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Newsletter 27th April 2022
This week's meeting
We're back at Beckington Memorial Hall this Friday – remember it? – where John Tilsley APAGB DPAGB ARPS will be judging the Pairs digital competition. Attending members should follow the usual Covid-related precautions and are asked to bring their own refreshments. (Beckington Services just down the road is an option for hot drinks, etc.) 7:30pm start.

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The Creative Photography group returns this evening (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWP member who wishes to attend (future dates can be found here).

Preparing Pictures for Printing workshop – reminder
Don't forget that on Saturday 7th May, 10am-4pm, Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF and Peter Johnson will run a 'Preparing Pictures for Printing' workshop at Beckington Hall. Open to all FWP members.

WCPF Members' Exhibition 2022 – reminder
This year's WCPF Members' Exhibition (results can be found here) will run 1st-16th May at the Bovey Tracey Golf Club, Newton Abbot, TQ13 9NG. More info in the attached PDF with your newsletter.

Kingswood Salver FWP – Special Interest Group
Anyone interested in joining a potential sub-group designed to focus on the preparation of our next Kingswood Salver entry is invited to fill in this short questionnaire. Open to all members

Photo|Frome – Portfolio Reviews
Another week, another Photo|Frome update. The festival's Portfolio Reviews are now live and are designed for anyone wishing to receive constructive, professional feedback on their work, project, or progress. Full details and booking here.

And a reminder that all FWP members get free talks using the code supplied in your newsletter – but as spaces are limited, booking is necessary.
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Newsletter 20th April 2022
This week's meeting
We host the Bristol Salon 2022 this Friday, meaning it will be an evening spent enjoying the images selected for the 76th running of Bristol Photographic Society's successful international exhibition. Usual Zoom link (detailed in your newsletter).

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' is again meeting next Monday (25th April). Turn up to discover new photographers, share your latest creations with the 'class', chat general photography within a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday 25th April, 6pm to 7pm sharp, same link as the FWP Friday meetings (in newsletter).

Preparing Pictures for Printing workshop
Reminder that on Saturday 7th May, 10am-4pm, Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF
and Peter Johnson will run a 'Preparing Pictures for Printing' workshop at Beckington Hall. Open to all FWP members.

Ryewater Nursery visit
Ever wondered why butterflies have a conspicuous, fluttering flight pattern? It's something you could consider while you try to get them to pose for you between 10am-4pm on 14th June – which is when Colin has organised a return visit to Ryewater Nursery butterfly sanctuary. Family and friends also invited. Contact: colin.dewsbury@sky.com

Photo|Frome volunteers
Following on from last week's promo code to unlock your free ticket to Photo|Frome's talks programme, the team would love to hear from anyone willing/able to volunteer to help (invigilate) at this year's festival (events run 21st June to 15th July). For now, just a 'sure' or 'maybe' to joao@photofrome.org will help us gauge response (we'll have a fully detailed questionnaire with which to organise timings soon enough).

BPS Annual Exhibition
Bath Photographic Society has been in touch to flag its forthcoming Annual Exhibition, which runs 26-30th April. Full info at bathphotographicsociety.org.uk.
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Newsletter 13th April 2022
This week's meeting
No meeting this week – give Zoom a break, have a lovely Easter.

Pairs Competition – last chance hand in
Before we lose you to chocolate-induced delirium, however, get your images in for the final themed competition of the season, 'Pairs' (definition here), before midnight this Friday, 15th April. Standard FWP competition format to fwccdigital@gmail.com. (And remember: if you don't get a reply, your entries have not been received.)

Devizes Battle – we win again
Three for three as FWP beat Devizes 529-505 at last Friday's Battle, following success against Mid Somerset and Warminster earlier this year. Congratulations to all members involved, with special mention to Lisa Rendall for securing the 'Image of the Night'. Results can be viewed here (top scoring images currently, full FWP showing to be included soon).

Chair position – allegory alert
There's probably an old saying about jumping on a bus, eager to get to your destination, yet not going anywhere because you wrongly assumed the driver had turned up. Our FWP coach is a fun ride, enjoyed by a healthy number of passengers, and serviced with care by a dutiful Committee. But it needs a considerate driver for next season or we'll all be sat back at the depot, not going anywhere – other than our separate ways. Still with me? Job description is attached (to your newsletter) for anyone willing to take the wheel. (Contact fwccchairman@gmail.com)

Lacock Positive Annual Exhibition
The Lacock Positive Photography Club Annual Exhibition returns after a two-year absence due to Covid. Almost 100 prints will be displayed in the Lacock Village Hall on Sunday 1st May 2022 and Monday 2nd May, 10am-5pm. Free entry, refreshments available.

Writing Group Collaboration – reply required
Participants are reminded that Mary requires your response to the mail sent on Monday by 17th April at the latest. That's this Sunday.

Photo|Frome – free talks for FWP
Tickets for the Photo|Frome talks are now live. A free-of-charge allocation of tickets for FWP members has been set up and can be unlocked by entering a code (shared in your newsletter) during the booking process. (Direct link to the 'collection' page on Eventbrite is here.)
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Newsletter 6th April 2022
This week's meeting
We are battling Devizes CC this Friday, with the competition judged by John Tilsley APAGB, DPAGB, ARPS. The evening will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (detailed in newsletter).

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' is again meeting next Monday (11th April). Turn up to discover new photographers, share your latest creations with the 'class', chat general photography within a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday 11th April, 6pm to 7pm sharp, same link as the FWP Friday meetings (in newsletter).

Pairs Competition – hand in
Reminder that hand in for the final themed competition of the season, 'Pairs' (definition can be found here), is midnight on Friday 15th April.

Photo|Frome – People's Budget vote reminder
Final chance for any Frome-based FWP member wishing to support Photo|Frome in its quest for a share of Frome Town Council's The People's Budget grant to vote via this link. The deadline is 9am on 11th April.

Merlin Theatre shoot
Philip de Glanville, director at the Merlin Theatre, is wondering if anyone would like to photograph live theatre, in performance, over the weekend of May 7th/8th 2022?

He adds, "We don't allow audiences to use any recording equipment during performances, so there is usually keen interest in seeing/buying pics taken of cast members in action." Those interested should contact Philip directly (details in the newsletter).
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Newsletter 30th March 2022
This week's meeting – now Zoom
Due to the increase in local Covid cases – it's almost as if the virus doesn't care we had planned a trial face-to-face meeting this Friday – we have reverted back to Zoom for the Mono competition results, judged by John Taylor. The evening(s) will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (detailed in your newsletter).

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The Creative Photography group returns this evening (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWP member who wishes to attend (future dates can be found here). Zoom details in your newsletter.

WCPF Members' Exhibition 2022
This year's WCPF Members' Exhibition – congratulations to Jane Wiltshire, Alan Denison, Mary Maynard, and Bill Aven on a sterling collective performance (results can be found here) – will run 1st-16th May at the Bovey Tracey Golf Club, Newton Abbot, TQ13 9NG. More info in the PDF attached with the newsletter.

Photo|Frome – People's Budget vote
Photo|Frome (https://photofrome.org/) has made the final selection of Frome Town Council's The People's Budget grant application – a chance for Frome residents to vote for the event(s) that they'd most like to see get funding this year. Should any Frome-based FWP member wish to support Photo|Frome (other finalists all have merit), please do so via this link (look for the survey box halfway down the page).

Ryewater Nursery visit
Won't anyone think of the butterflies? Colin does, and he'd like you to do so, too. A return visit to Ryewater Nursery butterfly sanctuary is set for 14th June, 10am-4pm. Anyone interested should make themselves known – contact details in the newsletter.

Laura Pearce lighting set up
You may recall Laura's 'Portrait, Fashion & Beauty' presentation a few weeks back. At the time, some members asked for more details of her studio set up, which they can download via the WeTransfer link sent in the newsletter.

Flower Power – a request
Dawn Gorman, leader of the writing group some FWP members are due to collaborate with later this year, has sent in a request for a summer flower image. Full details in the PDF attached to your newsletter – as with any such request, members are reminded to research the individual/group/publication involved.
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Newsletter 23rd March 2022
This week's meeting
We have a critique evening this Friday, during which members' submitted images go up for constructive review by a panel of FWP critics. Anyone who relishes the unmistakable thrill of close-to-the-wire living will likely welcome the news that there is (just) enough time to get the last few entries in before then (sent to fwccdigital@gmail.com by end of play Thursday latest, please).

The evening(s) will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (details in newsletter).

Warminster Battle success
Congratulations to the members whose selected images secured a convincing win for FWP at the Warminster Battle held yesterday evening. Mary Maynard extracted a mighty maximum from her three images, while two 20s for Alan Denison (who was also awarded 'Image of the Night') alongside single maximum scorers John Bishop, Mick Yates, and Jane Wiltshire, superbly supported by the other FWP entries, ensured FWP won 530 to Warminster's 504. Full details of FWP's results can be viewed here.

The Sealed Knot – Civil War Comes to Frome
Grab your camera rather than a musket and head down to the West Woodlands Showground on 17th-18th April for a weekend of English and American Civil Wars reenactment. Military displays and living history camp between 11am to 4pm, with the main battle at 2pm both days. Full details in the flyer attached to your newsletter.
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Newsletter 16th March 2022
This week's meeting
We host Tony Worobiec FRPS (www.tonyworobiec.com) not once, but twice this week. Now unable to attend in person on Friday as planned, Tony will be covering 'The Art of Composition' this Thursday instead. However, the session will be recorded and then replayed on Friday. Any member wishing/able to attend the Thursday session is very welcome to do so. The evening(s) will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (emailed with newsletter).

Mono Competition – hand in
Don't forget that midnight this Friday (18th March) is the hand in for the Mono competition. All remaining print competitions are now digital so entries should be sent (standard FWP competition format) to fwccdigital@gmail.com – and please note that if you don't get a reply, your images will not have been received.

Devizes Battle – final call for images
Reminder that Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire (fwccbattles@gmail.com) is after three to five of your best images before midnight this Friday (18th March) for the forthcoming Devizes battle (being held on Friday 8th April). And don't forget the size requirement for battles has increased – images saved at a minimum of 4000 pixels (long edge) are requested.

Critique Evening 25th March – final call for images
Got three images you'd like some feedback on (or you're happy to contribute to the cause)? Send them across to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com for inclusion in our forthcoming Critique Evening by Monday 21st March. Anything goes – the more diverse the selection, the more we all learn.

External Battles
A response from our Chair, Mary, following member feedback – thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire:

"The majority of respondents do enjoy competitions and so do enter them, however the next largest group of respondents would like to enter, but feel their images are not the right type. A few don't enter competitions either because they don't like them or don't wish to. A small number do enter competitions, even though they dislike them, because they find a judge's insight useful.
So, what to do with this information? I think this: that there is sufficient interest in competition but many members need more support to feel confident. So, we could form a small group of members who are interested in competition (internal or external) and also accreditation. The group's aim would be to mutually support each other's competitive endeavours as well as help in gaining photographic accreditation if a member wishes. I think we should give this a try."

Writing Group Collaboration – update
All members who expressed an interest in this should now have received confirmation. If anyone hasn't (or if there are additional members wishing to join the fun), please get in touch with Mary at fwccchairman@gmail.com

Club Holiday 2022 – one room left
A bedroom has become available for this year's Club Holiday to North Wales (Friday 3rd June for seven nights). Anyone interested should contact Loveday (l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk) for more details.
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Newsletter 9th March 2022
This week's meeting
It's 'People/Pets Portrait Critique Evening' this Friday. Loveday Powell, David Chedgy, and Joao Diniz Sanches will run through the healthy, varied selection of images submitted – many thanks to all those who took the time to participate – and offer our constructive thoughts (which can be applied to many aspects of photography, not simply portraiture). The critical slaughter will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (detailed in your newsletter).

FWP 'My Vision My Process' Exhibition @ Photo|Frome
Members taking part in this exhibition are reminded that there is another workshop/display session tomorrow evening on Zoom. Thursday 10th March, 7pm, usual FWP meeting link (found in newsletter).

Ray Grace Photoshop Workshop – this Saturday
Few things kick off a weekend as reassuringly as a Photoshop workshop. And we're in luck, because Ray Grace ARPS DPAGB will be hosting just such an event on Zoom. Open to all members, all levels; bring your own coffee/muffins. Saturday 12th March, 10am-12pm, usual FWP meeting link (in newsletter).

Critique Evening 25th March – call for images
Got three images you'd like some feedback on? Don't be shy, send them across to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com for inclusion in our forthcoming Critique Evening by Monday 21st March. Anything goes – the more diverse the selection, the more we all learn.

FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' returns next Monday (14th March). Turn up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects. All members welcome, 6-7pm sharp, usual Zoom link.

Themed Competitions – hand in dates
Midnight Friday 18th March is the hand in for the Mono competition, while Pairs hand in follows on Friday 15th April. Reminder that all remaining print competitions are now digital and entries should be sent (standard FWP competition format) to fwccdigital@gmail.com – and please note that if you don't get a reply, your images will not have been received.

Devizes Battle – call for images
The forthcoming Devizes battle is being held on Friday 8th April. Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire (fwccbattles@gmail.com) would love three to five of your best images before midnight 18th March. If you're planning to send some, don't forget the size requirement for battles has increased – images saved at a minimum of 4000 pixels (long edge) are requested.

Additionally, to aid in the selection process Jane will now automatically add top-scoring images from FWP internal competitions into the Battles mix. Any member not wishing for their images to be considered can easily opt out by letting her know (fwccbattles@gmail.com).

External Battles feedback – final chance
Related to the above post, the Committee is still keen to know your views on battles (good, bad, or neutral) and kindly asks that members communicate this via the short survey linked to in this week's newsletter.

Photo|Frome 2022 – update
A quick 'check in' to let members know that the programme for this forthcoming photo festival is near-finalised. Latest details of the line-up can, as ever, be found on the official Photo|Frome site. Tickets for the planned talks will be available soon – FWP members will be provided with a promo code to register their ticket free of charge (all detailed in a future newsletter).

Return to face-to-face meetings
Reminder we'll be trialing a return to IRL (that's 'in real life') meetings. The meetings on 1st and 29th April (both digital competitions) will take place at Beckington Memorial Hall. Bring your best social and cake-eating skills.

Club Holiday 2022 – update
Loveday will be asking for final payments for the Club holiday to Wales in early April and will email the relevant members with the amount/further details.

Ryewater Nursery visit – reminder
Still fluttering over whether you'd like to join Colin and co on a return visit to Ryewater Nursery butterfly sanctuary? Life's too short not to embrace your inner lepidopterist. This year's trip is set for 14th June, 10am to 4pm. Those interested in attending can find full details on how to contact Colin in past newsletters.
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Newsletter 2nd March 2022
This week's meeting
On Friday we welcome Ginny Campbell, who will be judging the Open competition.
The evening will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (emailed in newsletter).

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Reminder that the Creative Photography group is on again this evening (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat, link mailed in newsletter). Open to any FWP member who wishes to attend (future dates can be found here).

WCPF Council Meeting & Knightshayes Trophy Judging – this Saturday
Saturday 5th March sees this year's Knightshayes Trophy, judged by Nick Bodle, President of the WCPF. Nearly 200 entries on the chosen set subject “Simplicity” were received, and a little more information can be found here. The Zoom session will open at 9:30am, details in your newsletter.

External Battles – your feedback
As part of our constitution, and as a member of PAGB and WCPF, we are required to engage with the external photographic world and one of the ways that we do that is to participate in inter-club competitions. The Committee would like to know your views on this and kindly asks that members communicate theirs by completing a short survey (link in newsletter).

Programme suggestions
Quick note to let you know Acting Programme Secretary Anjalika is still welcoming suggestions for next season's programme at fwccprogramme@gmail.com, please.

FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill – update
A scheduling tweak means Barry's group is taking a mini break and will next meet on Monday 14th March (and fortnightly from then on).

Ryewater Nursery visit – reminder
Colin has managed to secure a return visit to Ryewater Nursery butterfly sanctuary. This year's trip is set for 14th June, 10am to 4pm, and details (including where to register interest) can be found in the PDF sent with the newsletter.

Writing Group Collaboration – update
Our chair, Mary, would like to thank the members wishing to be involved in the collaboration with a local writing group. She will be in touch in due course. Anyone else wishing to participate still has time to register their interest.

Portrait Critique Evening – final call
Reminder that this Friday is the deadline for members wishing to get involved in the portrait critique evening (11th March). Submit your portraits (people or pets – or, indeed, people and pets) to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com. (And thank you to those who have sent theirs in to date.)
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Newsletter 23rd February 2022
This week's meeting
Laura Pearce LRPS will deliver a 'Portrait, Fashion & Beauty' presentation this Friday (which handily ties in with our planned portraiture critique evening on 11th March, submissions for which are still very much welcome at webmasterfwcc@gmail.com). The evening will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link.

FWP wins Mid Somerset Battle
Congratulations to the members whose selected images secured victory for Frome Wessex Photographic (542 vs 517) at the Mid Somerset Battle held last Friday – particular mention to Craig Morris, Mary Maynard, Joel Baxter, and Jane Wiltshire for securing maximum marks. The images were judged by Penny Piddock DPAGB EFIAP and FWP's selection and scores can be viewed here.

DPIC results
Continuing the competition theme, the images/scores for the 18 FWP entries to the WCPF DPIC 2022 have been published. Thank you to everyone who sent photographs for selection and congratulations to the members representing FWP – notably Alan Denison and, again, Craig Morris for their high-scoring efforts – who ensured we finished a creditable (joint) 15th out of 51.

Warminster Battle – call for images
Back on the Battle trail, we face Warminster next. Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire (fwccbattles@gmail.com) eagerly awaits your finest photographs, open category, by 1st March to enable selection for the competition taking place on 22nd March (on Zoom). Please note: the naming convention of your files should follow standard FWP competition format HOWEVER THE PHOTO SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTLES HAVE NOW INCREASED – images saved at a minimum of 4000 pixels (long edge) are requested (this may mean they will now need to be sent by means other than email – such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc).

Last chance – FWP Exhibition @ Photo|Frome
The first meeting of the 'Independent Eye Exhibition – My Vision My Process' (running during Photo|Frome festival) takes place this Thursday (24th February, 7pm, usual Zoom link). Anyone thinking of participating in the exhibition can still fill in this Google Form (which includes all necessary details) to express their interest – and is obviously welcome to join the Zoom.

Themed Competitions – hand in dates
Midnight Friday 18th March is the hand in for the Mono competition, while Pairs hand in follows on Friday 15th April. Reminder that all remaining print competitions are now digital, so please send your entries (standard FWP competition format) to fwccdigital@gmail.com – and please note that if you don't get a reply, your images will not have been received.

Return to face-to-face meetings
Following a superb, wide-ranging response from members – thank you to all who took the time to offer their view – the Committee has decided to explore the option of 'hybrid' meetings (physical/Zoom) for the 22/23 season, and also to trial a return to face-to-face sessions this season. So, the meetings on 1st and 29th April (both digital competitions) will take place at Beckington Memorial Hall. It will be great to socialise in person then and hopefully sample some of Jenny's exquisite cakes. Having said that, we will continue to assess the situation on a monthly basis and inform you asap if there are any changes to these plans.

Committee Position – Chair
Reminder that our Chair, Mary, will be stepping down from her role at the end of this season. Any member interested in the position is invited to contact her at fwccchairman@gmail.com to discuss things further.
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Newsletter 16th February 2022
This week's meeting
We have our two-way 'Battle' with Mid-Somerset CC this Friday, judged by Penny Piddock
DPAGB, EFIAP. The evening will start at 7:30pm, usual Zoom link (detailed in your newsletter).

Open Competition – Hand in 18th February
Midnight Friday is also the deadline for the next competition (open, judged by Ginny Campbell). All remaining print competitions are now digital, so please send your entries to fwccdigital@gmail.com – remember that if you don't get a reply, your images will not have been received.

FWP Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Reminder that the Creative Photography group is on again tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWP member who wishes to attend (future dates can be found here). Link in your newsletter.

FWP Exhibition @ Photo|Frome
Anyone interested in taking part in the 'Independent Eye Exhibition – My Vision My Process' (running during Photo|Frome festival) is reminded to fill in the Google Form included in the newsletter. Lisa Rendall will be hosting a meeting on Thursday 24th (7pm, usual weekly Zoom link) during which project leader Julian Sandoe will outline further details of the exhibition and the initial stages of the programme, as well as discuss any points raised by participants.

FWP Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' meets again next Monday (21st February). Turn up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects. All members welcome, 6-7pm sharp.

Ray Grace Photoshop workshop
Questions for Ray Grace's PS workshop (Saturday 12th March, 10am-12pm, Zoom) are still welcome. Members planning to attend can send in queries on specific techniques or topics for discussion to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by 25th February, please.

Ryewater Nursery visit
Lovers of butterflies rejoice and dust off those macros, for Colin has managed to secure a return visit to Ryewater Nursery butterfly sanctuary. This year's trip is set for 14th June, 10am to 4pm, and details (including where to register interest) can be found in the PDF sent with the newsletter.

Writing Group Collaboration
An opportunity has arisen for us to collaborate with a local writing group. The writing group is led by professional poet and writer Dawn Gorman (http://www.dawngorman.co.uk/). The idea is that we would provide images to her group which hopefully would stimulate poems, short stories and the like. The collaboration is in the very early stages, so not many details as yet. Mary would like to gauge how many members would be interested. The venture would undoubtedly end with a performance at one of our evenings next season and maybe a book and further performances. Who knows? Please fill in the questionnaire (link in newsletter) to register your interest.
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Newsletter 9th February 2022
This week's meeting
It's 'Dapper and Jude in Romania' this Friday. A talk by Daryl Ford LRPS and Judy Ford LRPS on their experiences from three photographic trips to the remote peasant communities of Romania during 2019 and 2021. The evening will start at 7:30pm and you'll find the Zoom link in your newsletter.

Open Competition – Hand in 18th February
Don't forget that the hand in for the next competition (open, judged by Ginny Campbell) is Friday 18th February. All remaining print competitions are now digital, so please send your entries to fwccdigital@gmail.com

Battles update
The WCPF DPIC 2022 judging took place on Sunday 6th February. FWP came joint 15th out of 51, with 199 points. The results can be viewed here.

In other news, the selection for the forthcoming Mid-Somerset Battle was finalised this week and we look forward to the judging of this competition on 18th February (next week's club evening).

Photo|Frome – A Photography Festival
Planning for the Photo|Frome festival recently reached a significant milestone, meaning near-final details can now be shared. The most efficient way to communicate this is to invite you all to explore the official Photo|Frome site. Any member wishing to know more and/or get involved (either by joining our online gallery initiative, offer volunteering duties, or other) is encouraged to contact the team.

FWP Exhibition @ Photo|Frome
Part of the Photo|Frome festival content is a planned exhibition of FWP work, similar to the 'Closing Down and Opening Up' show we put on last year. Julian Sandoe is leading the project and has put together an initial breakdown of what this entails, along with a questionnaire for any member wishing to take part in the Google Form linked to in your newsletter.

Portrait Critique Evening
Members wishing to get involved in the portrait critique evening (11th March) simply need to submit their portrait images (people or pets – or, indeed, people and pets) to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com by 4th March. (And thank you to those who have sent theirs in so far.)

Question Time – Ray Grace Photoshop workshop
Reminder that Acting Programme Secretary Anjalika would love question submissions from members planning to attend Ray Grace's PS workshop on Saturday 12th March (two-hour Zoom session). Queries on a specific technique or topics to be explored will enable Ray to focus the instruction more effectively. Questions/suggestions to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by 25th February, please.

FIAP 2022 Monochrome Print Biennial
The WCPF has sent the flyer attached to your newsletter with full information regarding the FIAP Monochrome Print Biennial competition for any member who may be looking to enter. Note that it is based on individual entry, not club.
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Newsletter 2nd February 2022
This week's meeting
Lorraine Robins joins us this Friday to judge the Open Digital competition. The evening will start at 7:30pm and you'll find the link in your emailed newsletter.

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Reminder that the Creative Photography group is on again tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWCC member who wishes to attend; Zoom details in your emailed newsletter.

WCPF DPIC 2022 viewing
The judging of the WCPF DPIC 2022 will be presented via Zoom on Sunday 6th February (meeting details included in your emailed newsletter). The meeting will open from 9:30am and the event will commence at 10am, with the format being the same as last year and very similar to previous events held at The Exeter Corn Exchange. The DPIC is always a well-attended and enjoyable event, open to every member wishing to join.

Ray Grace Photoshop workshop
Following member feedback, Ray Grace's PS workshop on Saturday 12th March is now planned as a two-hour Zoom session. Ray has asked members planning to attend to send in questions on a specific technique they would want to learn or a topic they would like to be discussed so that he can focus a teaching session on the topics of interest. Questions/suggestions to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by 25th February, please.

Committee Positions – another reminder
Any member interested in the Chair and Print Secretary positions is again invited to contact fwccchairman@gmail.com or l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk, respectively, for more information.

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' is on next Monday (7th February). Turn up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects. All members welcome. Zoom details in the emailed newsletter.
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Newsletter 26th January 2022
This week's meeting
We welcome Robert Harvey ARPS EFIAP CEnv CSci MCIWEM this Friday, whose 'Winter Photography' presentation will focus on images captured in Britain, Yellowstone, and Arctic Norway. 

Programme change – Portrait Critique Evening
The meeting on 11th March will now be a portraiture critique evening. Members wishing to get involved simply need to submit their portrait images (people or pets – or, indeed, people and pets) to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com by 4th March. The internet isn't short of advice on portraiture, of course, but a very quick 'how to' guide to hopefully help members who don't typically shoot portraits yet would like to be part of the fun was attached to this week's emailed newsletter – often, the only way to learn is to do.

Programme feedback request
Reminder that Acting Programme Secretary Anjalika is seeking feedback regarding Ray Grace's planned Photoshop workshop on 12th March – specifically if everyone is happy to hold it on Zoom as currently planned, or if postponing to late April for a possible face-to-face session is preferred.
Additionally, suggestions for next season's programme are also very welcome. Comments relating to either to fwccprogramme@gmail.com, please.
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Newsletter 19th January 2022
This week's meeting
Our first session under our new moniker showcases Alison Webber FRPS. Her talk, 'Through an Aspergic Lens', will focus on the way Alison's autism affects her photography & her creative expression.

Next internal competition – Hand-in this Friday
The next digital competition is OPEN and will be judged on 4th February by Lorraine Robins. The latest hand-in date is this Friday (21st January) via the usual fwccdigital@gmail.com contact.

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Reminder that the Creative Photography group picks up again tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Open to any FWCC member who wishes to attend. Note that the group's Zoom link is now the same as the one used for our Friday meetings (included in your emailed newsletter).

Programme update
Anjalika Baier, now Acting Programme Secretary until the AGM, would like to confirm that all meetings will continue on Zoom at least until the start of April – the programme has been updated accordingly (and includes other changes). She is also seeking members' opinions regarding Ray Grace's planned Photoshop workshop on 12th March – specifically if everyone is happy to hold it on Zoom as currently planned, or if postponing to late April for a possible face-to-face session is preferred. Comments to fwccprogramme@gmail.com, please.

Committee Positions – reminder
Any member interested in the Chair and Print Secretary positions is invited to contact fwccchairman@gmail.com or l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk, respectively, for more information.

WCPF Knightshayes Trophy
The Knightshayes Trophy, on 5th March via Zoom, is an annual competition for individual members of all WCPF clubs. There is no entry fee, it's open to all members, and full details were provided in a PDF attached to your emailed newsletter.

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' is set to meet again, fortnightly, from next Monday (24th January). Show up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects. All members welcome. Note that the group's Zoom link is now the same as the one used for our Friday meetings (included in your emailed newsletter).

Nigel Forster Landscape Photography notes
Nigel has kindly shared his notes from his 7th January presentation, which can be downloaded (for one week only) via the link in the emailed newsletter. Please note this is for members' use only and not to be shared with anyone else.

Glenys Garnett 'Creative Techniques' presentation
Similar to the above, Glenys Garnett's presentation from 17th December can now be downloaded via the link in the emailed newsletter. Again, this will expire in a week and is strictly for members' use only.

Return to physical meetings – your thoughts
Thank you to everyone who has communicated their thoughts on a potential return to face-to-face meetings. Final chance for anyone else to offer their input via a short questionnaire (link in your emailed newsletter) – your responses will help determine the club's strategy going forward.
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Newsletter 12th January 2022
This week's meeting (NEW ZOOM LINK and EGM)
Few things say 'New Year, new start' better than a new Zoom link. Except perhaps a new Zoom link combined with an extraordinary general meeting.

So for this Friday's 'Abstract' competition, judged by Penny Piddock DPAGB, EFIAP, please note we'll be meeting in a fine, fresh Zoom room.

And we will also hold the EGM to ratify the club name change, as agreed at the end of November last year, before the competition judging starts. Everyone is invited to attend though please note the earlier start (detailed below) in order to accommodate the proceedings.

The evening will therefore open at 7pm, the EGM will be held at 7:15pm, and the competition judging will proceed from 7:30pm. The NEW ZOOM LINK is included in your emailed newsletter.

Committee Position – Club Chair
After a redoubtable stint at the helm, not least in adeptly navigating the club through the complications and adaptations brought on by Covid, Mary will be stepping down from her role as Chair at the end of this season. Any member interested in the position is invited to contact her at fwccchairman@gmail.com to discuss things further.

Committee Position – Print Secretary
Also stepping down at the end of the season is Loveday, whose other commitments mean she is regrettably unable to continue in her position as Print Secretary. Any member interested in stepping up to this role should contact her at l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.

Mid-Somerset Battle
Remember this? The deadline to get Jane your mighty images (any genre) is Friday 4th February (the battle itself, which is a club night, is on 18th February). We'll select 30 photographs for combat and the more Jane receives (via fwccbattles@gmail.com, please), the stronger that selection is likely to be. Everyone who enters club competitions has images worthy of consideration – send them in, keep Jane busy.

Specialist Groups
Quick reminder that Lisa's 'Freestyle of Creative Photography' group picks up again next Wednesday (19th January), while the next outing for Barry's 'Photography Discussion' will be Monday 24th January.

Return to physical meetings – your thoughts
You may recall we used to meet in person every Friday. The Committee monitors the Covid situation monthly, making the decisions it feels are safest/wisest for the club membership, but given the continual development of the pandemic it would now also like to hear from the members themselves. As such, everyone is kindly invited to offer their input via a short questionnaire (link in your emailed newsletter) – your responses will help determine the club's strategy going forward.
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Newsletter 5th January 2022
A Happy New Year to all members.

This week's meeting
We kick off 2022 with Nigel Forster, who is based in the Brecon Beacons and has run Creative Photography Wales since 2009. This Friday he will talk to us about the blue hour/golden hour in landscape photography.

The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

DPIC 2022 Selection
Last night, we held our DPIC selection evening. Many thanks to the members who took part and to Mick for showing the images via Bridge. The task was to choose 18 images, with no more than four per photographer and no more than five nature photographs. Jane would like to thank everyone who sent images for consideration. After much deliberation, those featured in the PDF sent with your newsletter were chosen to represent the club.

If you would like to be part of the selection team, please mail Jane via fwccbattles@gmail.com.

Mid-Somerset Battle
Reminder that we have the Mid-Somerset battle coming up on 18th February. It’s a club night which we are hosting via Zoom. We need to select 30 photographs (no more than three per member) and Jane is looking for any new images members have taken, including their best fab wildlife shots. Creative and ICM will also be considered. Let’s make Jane's start to 2022 a happy one by sending her a great choice of images (via fwccbattles@gmail.com, please) so that we can win, win, win.

2022 WCPF Members Exhibition
Please see the PDF sent with your newsletter regarding the 2022 WCPF Members exhibition. Note that the entry system has now opened and members are invited to enter into any or all of the Monochrome, Colour and Nature using prints and/or Open, Nature, Creative and Photo Travel classes in DPIs.

This exhibition is open to all club members via the online entry system. Full details have been sent with your newsletter.

Charity Talk: Frances and Friends
Members are invited to a talk organised by Penny Piddock DPAGB, EFIAP, in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association on Saturday, 22nd January at 10am. You'll find full details, including registration links, in the PDF sent with the newsletter.
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Newsletter 15th December 2021
This week's meeting
We dive into the abstract – handy, given the next themed competition – with Glenys Garnett this Friday as she talks us through her 'Creative Techniques'. You can get a head start by checking out her website at https://www.ggcreativeimages.co.uk

The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The final Freestyle of Creative Photography group session of the year is on tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Full details can be found on the dedicated FWCC site page.

Open to any FWCC member who wishes to attend. The group's Zoom link can be found in your newsletter.

WCPF2022 DPIC – Final call for entries
One last 'pretty please, why not give it a go?' reminder that Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire is still looking for images for the WCPF2022 Digitally Projected Inter-Club Competition (DPIC), being held on 6th February 2022.

Quick lowdown:
• It's an OPEN competition, and you can send up to five of your finest images for consideration (they don't have to be recent captures)
• 18 photographs will be chosen to represent the club
• A photographer/member cannot represent more than one club
• Send your digital images, in standard FWCC competition dimensions, to fwccbattles@gmail.com
• Deadline is this Friday, 17th December 2021

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Barry's 'Monday Group' will again meet next Monday (20th December). Show up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects – techniques, famous photographers, inspiring photographs, favourite shooting locations, and more. 'Homework' for this session is to look through your images of the past year, select a handful, and talk about why you like them.

All FWCC members are welcome. Monday 20th December, 6-7pm, Zoom link included in the newsletter.

Merry Christmas (and next competition)
With this Friday's meeting being the final one of the year, we wish every member a merry – and safe – Christmas break. (Don't forget the hand-in for the next digital themed competition, 'Abstract' [which includes ICM], is on 31st December.)
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Newsletter 8th December 2021
This week's meeting
Matt Hemmet returns for a follow-up to last year's excellent 'Forgotten Heritage' presentation, showcasing his passion for URBEX (urban exploration) photography. Expect a session packed with atmospheric images of abandoned locations, combined with captivating stories of his exploits. The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

WCPF2022 DPIC – call for entries
Reminder that Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire is still after your submissions for the prestigious WCPF2022 Digitally Projected Inter-Club Competition (DPIC) is being held on 6th February 2022. In the previous outing, we came joint 14th out of the 58 clubs who entered. A great result, and we would love to be able to do even better this time.

Quick lowdown:
• It's an OPEN competition, and you can send up to five of your finest images for consideration (they don't have to be recent captures)
• 18 photographs will be chosen to represent the club
• A photographer/member cannot represent more than one club
• Send your digital images, in standard FWCC competition dimensions, to fwccbattles@gmail.com
• Deadline is Friday 17th December 2021

Proposed Club name change update
Detail of the message from Mary, our Chair, regarding the outcome of the meeting relating to the proposal to change the club name, was included in your emailed newsletter.
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Newsletter 1st December 2021
This week's meeting
It's themed digital competition judging time, with Rob Heslop LRPS divulging his thoughts (and marks) on our Curves entries this Friday. The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Don't forget the penultimate Freestyle of Creative Photography group session of the year is on tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Full details can be found on the dedicated FWCC site page.

Open to any FWCC member who wishes to attend. The group's Zoom link can be found in the emailed newsletter.

WCPF2022 DPIC – call for entries
The – deep breath – WCPF2022 Digitally Projected Inter-Club Competition (DPIC to its friends) is being held on 6th February 2022. In the previous outing of this very prestigious event, we came joint 14th out of the 58 clubs who entered. A great result, and we would love to be able to do even better this time.

We have had some cracking images entered into competitions and put onto the FWCC Facebook page, and Battles Secretary Jane Wiltshire would love you forever if those photographs turned up in her email inbox. They do not have to be recent captures.

Quick lowdown:
• It's an OPEN competition, and you can send up to five of your finest images for consideration
• 18 photographs will be chosen to represent the club
• A photographer/member cannot represent more than one club
• Send your digital images, in standard FWCC competition dimensions, to fwccbattles@gmail.com
• Deadline is Friday 17th December 2021

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Reminder that Barry's 'Monday Group' is set to meet again next Monday (6th December). Show up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects – techniques, famous photographers, inspiring photographs, favourite shooting locations, and more.

All FWCC members are welcome and encouraged to participate but listening in/absorbing is also absolutely fine. Monday 6th December, 6-7pm, Zoom link in the emailed newsletter.

Closing Down and Opening Up exhibition books
We have a small allocation (6) left of the recent 'Closing Down' exhibition books (aka The Perfect Christmas Present™). The book includes all of the show's images across 136 pages, printed on ‘Premium Matte’ paper (148gsm), with a softcover finish. These are sold at £34.50 (at cost). Any member interested can email me at webmasterfwcc@gmail.com for additional information.

Club renaming meeting
A quick thank you to the members who took the time to email their thoughts, as well as those who were able to attend last night's Zoom meeting concerning the proposed club name change. Our Chair, Mary, will be emailing all members shortly with the outcome.

Alan Denison DPAGB
We end on a celebratory note, with the excellent news that Alan was successful at the PAGB's assessment of his DPAGB submission last Sunday. Hearty congratulations on this significant achievement.
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Newsletter 24th November 2021
This week's meeting
A change often presents new opportunity. Which is why, due to the cancellation of this week's scheduled talk, our 26th November meeting will now feature a photo presentation by Lisa's 'Creative Group' and a 'Ravens & Red Lipstick' talk by Mick Yates.

Here's Mick to tell you a little more about the latter:

"And now, for something different. The history of photography is too often discussed as a European / American endeavour – and taught that way in clubs, schools and universities. Yet other cultures have rich and hugely varied approaches to the medium. Japanese photography does celebrate the country’s singular culture and social / political issues, but it also gets to grips with the very nature of the medium itself, in ways unheard of in the West. Photography is not wannabe painting or news flashes; technical perfection or chocolate box art. Photography has intrinsic merit as a unique mode of self-expression. That is what Ravens & Red Lipstick is about."

The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

Frome Salon of Photography 2021
The Selection phase of the Salon was completed over the weekend, thanks to Alan and Colin's considerable efforts – both during the three-day process and all previous steps up to that stage, of course. Alan is currently preparing the results for publication, expected this weekend/next week.

Proposed club name change meeting – 30th November
Quick reminder of next week's Zoom meeting to discuss the proposed club name change (details previously emailed on 11th November). This is open to all club members, with everyone welcome to attend and share their view.

Tuesday 30th November, 7:30pm and the Zoom link is the same as the Friday meetings.

Janet Miles PDF
Janet Miles has kindly agreed to share the PDF document of last Friday's 'photo techniques' presentation. Any member interested in obtaining this will find the details in this week's newsletter.
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Newsletter 17th November 2021
This week's meeting
This Friday we welcome Janet Miles (LRPS CPAGB BPE2), who will be leaning on her considerable photographic teaching experience to take us through a number of techniques to inspire us to venture outside of our respective comfort zones. The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (in the emailed newsletter).

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
Reminder that the Creative Photography group, which meets fortnightly, is on tonight (7:30pm start but open from 7pm for general chat). Full details can be found on the dedicated FWCC site page. Open to any FWCC member who wishes to attend. The group's Zoom link is in your newsletter.

Next club competition – Hand-in this Friday
The next club digital competition is themed CURVES and will be judged on 3rd December by Rob Heslop LRPS. The latest hand-in date is this Friday (19th November). As this is the weekend of selecting for the Frome Salon of Photography it would be appreciated if you could submit your entries well in advance of the deadline.

For the benefit of new members, and a reminder for others, guides for submitting digital images to club competitions were included with the newsletter. In future all images submitted will be assumed to meet the conditions necessary for them to be displayed and judged in the best possible light – the only checks will be the size (to ensure it does not EXCEED the 1600px Landscape and 1200px Portrait dimensions) and that you have titled the image correctly.

If you have any queries please contact the Digital Competition Secretary at fwccdigital@gmail.com

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Reminder that Barry's 'Monday Group' is set to meet again next Monday (22nd November). Show up for thought-provoking photographic discussion spanning all aspects – techniques, famous photographers, inspiring photographs, favourite shooting locations, and more. All FWCC members are welcome and encouraged to participate but listening in/absorbing is also absolutely fine. Monday 22nd November, 6-7pm; Zoom link included in the newsletter.

Programme change
Just a heads up that, alas, Robert Harvey is now unable to deliver his 'Winter Photography' talk on 26th November as originally planned. We'll announce the revised programme for next week's session soon – check the website for updates.
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Newsletter 10th November 2021
This week's meeting
We welcome the Frome Salon Selectors this Friday. Carol McNiven Young (FRPS BPE5* DPAGB EFIAP/b), Ralph Snook (ARPS DPAGB EFIAP/s), and Ross McKelvey (MPAGB MFIAP FIPF EFIAP/p FBPE) won't spend the evening asking you to form words out of their post-nominals, but instead take you on an insightful tour of their photography. It's regularly thought-provoking and never not interesting.

The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is the usual one (included in the newsletter).

Kingswood Salver 2021 – Saturday 13th November
The Kingswood Salver showing is this Saturday and open to all members wishing to support FWCC's entry. The 31 clubs competing for WCPF Inter Club Panel Competition will be judged by (Friday's Salon Selector speaker) Ross McKelvey (MPAGB MFIAP FIPF EFIAP/p FBPE).

Zoom judging will begin at 10:30am, followed by an afternoon talk, 'An Eclectic Mix', at 2pm. Zoom details are in your newsletter.

Closing down and Opening up exhibition
Final quick reminder that this exhibition is still on (until 15th November) and going down really rather splendidly with visitors. So if you haven't yet had a chance to pop in, I'd humbly suggest it's well worth doing so.

Black Swan Arts (Round Tower Gallery), 2 Bridge Street, BA11 1BB. 10am-4pm (3pm on 15th). For now, we'll let the BBC give you the lowdown.
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Newsletter 3rd November 2021
This week's meeting
Remember, remember it's competition results at the start of November. This Friday we welcome Peter Weaver APAGB, CPAGB, LRPS, who will be judging entries for the Open Digital (previously Print). The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The Creative Photography group resumes tonight (7:30pm start) and plans to meet fortnightly going forward. Full details can be found on the dedicated FWCC site page. The group's Zoom link was included in your emailed newsletter.

Closing down and Opening up exhibition
Following a rather successful outing at Corsley, this show returns for an extended edition at Frome's Black Swan Arts (Round Tower Galler), 2 Bridge Street, BA11 1BB. It'll be in town 5th-15th November, 10am-4pm (3pm on 15th). I've attached a social media-friendly 'flyer' with more details for reference. For members who have yet to visit and may want a little more insight, the BBC has a great overview. 

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Reminder that Barry's 'Monday Group' will be starting again next week (8th November), 6-7pm, and will run on a fortnightly basis, set to alternate weeks to Lisa's (Thursday) Creative Photography.

Next Season's Programme
Lastly, a reminder that work on the 22/23 season programme has started and we welcome ideas for talks, sessions, workshops and more from all our members. Please send thoughts on what you'd like to see to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com for consideration – the more we get, the better the programme is likely to serve its members.
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Newsletter 27th October 2021
This week's meeting
An inspirational and instructional evening this Friday, starting with a display of the FWCC images that were shortlisted for the recent PAGB Print Championship – including a debrief of the decisions that led to those images being selected. This will be followed by 'The Art of Seeing' video lectures which provide worthwhile insight into the components that improve a photograph, before we then look through the top-ranking images of this year's DIPIC competition. The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.

Frome Salon of Photography
Final reminder: you have until midnight this Sunday (31st October) to get your submissions for the 9th Frome Salon of Photography. Entry to the Salon is free to FWCC members. Full details, including the submission process, can be found here.

Club Holiday 2022
Loveday would like to remind everyone that this is the last call for signing up for the Camera Club Holiday next year. The proposed dates are Friday 3rd June to Friday 10th June 2022. We are looking at the North Wales area – more details in your emailed newsletter. This is open to members & their partners. We have around 10-12 who have expressed an interest so far. All bedrooms have an en-suite bathroom. There are some twin bedrooms if anyone would like to share. If you would like to be included for the holiday please email Loveday before Monday 1st November.

FWCC Photography Discussion group led by Barry Hill
Quick note to highlight the fact Barry's 'Monday Group' will be starting again soon on a fortnightly basis, set to alternate weeks with Lisa's (Thursday) Creative Photography.

Closing Down and Opening Up exhibition
We'll end with an update on the recent exhibition at Corsley Reading Room, which proved a satisfying success over its four-day stint and has since piqued the interest of the BBC (online/radio). The content struck a chord with the vast majority of the viewers, who left overwhelmingly positive comments. A number expressed interest in joining the club. The success has prompted a re-run of the exhibition, this time in Frome – more details next week. For now, our thanks to all involved in the planning and execution of the event, with special mention for Mick, who led the venture from conception to completion.
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Newsletter 20th October 2021
This week's meeting
The official unveiling of the 'Closing Down and Opening Up' FWCC exhibition at the Corsley Reading Room (Corsley Heath, BA12 7PR) forms this week's meeting (from 7pm). Club members and family/friends are welcome. Drinks, cake, and camaraderie will be available (the latter is free, the first two will require purchasing).

If you're unable to make it on Friday, the exhibition runs until Monday 25th October. I've attached a graphic with the key elements, which members may wish to post on their social feeds to help further promote the event. (Note that Corsley Reading Room is not making mask wearing mandatory – that is a personal choice – but we would ask everyone to consider social distancing, etc.)

FWCC Creative Photography group led by Lisa Rendall – TONIGHT
The Creative Photography group resumes tonight (7:30pm start) and plans to meet fortnightly going forward. Full details can be found on the dedicated FWCC site page. The group's Zoom link was included in your emailed newsletter.

This season's second club competition
Reminder that midnight Friday is the deadline for entries to the second club competition, an Open Digital (previously Print) affair. Colin at fwccdigital@gmail.com will be delighted to receive your images (provided you've sent them in the correct digital competition format). They will be judged on 5th November by Peter Weaver APAGB, CPAGB, LRPS.

Frome Salon of Photography
Another deadline: don't forget the submission window for the 9th Frome Salon of Photography closes at midnight on Sunday 31st October. Entry to the Salon is free to FWCC members. Full details, including the submission process, can be found here.

Club Holiday 2022
Next year's Club Holiday to North Wales (first week of June) is confirmed. The cost will be approximately £360 per bedroom (there are 10 bedrooms – all twins and doubles so it is possible to share). Anyone interested should email Loveday to reserve a room.
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Newsletter 12th October 2021
This week’s meeting
This Friday we host Ian Bateman FRPS, MPAGB, AV FIAP, APAGB, who will entertain us with a selection of his audio-visual slideshows. The evening will start at 7:30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.

Next Club Competition  
Confirmation that the forthcoming Open competition on 5th November, judged by Peter Weaver (APAGB, CPAGB, LRPS), will be digital as a result of the club continuing meetings virtually for the remainder of the year. Please send your entries to the Digital Secretary (fwccdigital@gmail.com) as per digital competitions. The hand in deadline is Friday, 22nd October.

Camera Fair
Reminder that the first club Camera Fair will take place this Sunday (17th October). We need volunteers to help on the day, even if for only an hour or two. If that's a mission you're willing to take on, please contact either David or Loveday. Also, if you have old mounted competition prints that you're happy to donate we will be selling them at the Camera Fair in aid of Club funds – please drop them off at Loveday Powell’s (address detailed in the emailed newsletter) or bring them with you on Sunday if you are volunteering.

Closing Down and Opening Up Exhibition
Another reminder, this time the club's 'Closing Down and Opening Up' exhibition at Corsley Reading Room on 22nd-25th October – the opening of which will form next week's club meeting for all those able to attend. Please revisit Criss's 7th October dedicated email for full info (we'll run through the details again next week, of course), particularly if you have yet to come back to Mick on any of the action steps that may apply to you.

Next Season's Programme
Finally, work on the 22/23 season programme has started and we welcome ideas for talks, sessions, workshops and more from all our members. Please send thoughts on what you'd like to see to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com for consideration – the more we get, the better the programme is likely to serve its members.
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Newsletter 5th October 2021
This week’s meeting
This week will be the judging of the first club digital competition this season. The judge will be Malcolm Macnaughton. The evening will start at 7.30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.

Salon Critique Evening   
On Wednesday 6th October, we are running the second of the Critique Evenings aimed at preparing images for the National Salon that the Club runs. This will be held at Beckington Memorial Hall using the new Club projector. This is the opportunity of seeing your images independently from your own displays and have the chance of gaining feedback from fellow Club members to help you decide on, or make adjustments to, your images. The critique starts at 7.45pm in the Main Hall, with entry from 7.30pm. Please bring your images on a USB stick, or other USB connected device. Please wear a mask when inside the Hall. This will be the last of the organised Salon Critique evenings.

FWCC Creative Photography group lead by Lisa Rendall
The next Creative Photography will also be meeting Wednesday 6th October, and the Zoom link is included in the newsletter email.

Camera Fair
The first club Camera Fair will take place on 17th October, so sort out any old cameras or equipment you no longer use. Also if you have any old mounted competition prints that you want to get rid of we will be selling them at the Camera Fair in aid of Club funds. Please drop them off at Loveday Powell’s, detailed in the emailed newsletter. We also need people to volunteer to help on the day, even if for only an hour or two. If you think you will be able to help please contact David on fwccvicechairman@gmail.com or Loveday on l.powell@blueyonder.co.uk

FWCC website
We’re looking for a fresh set of images to adorn the FWCC homepage. Any member wishing to add their photographs to the selection used to illustrate the club site is welcome to send them to webmasterfwcc@gmail.com (in the usual digital competition specification, please).
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Newsletter 29th September 2021
A reminder that, if you intend entering images for the Frome Salon of Photography this season, there will be an opportunity tonight to see how your images project on the large screen and have them critiqued. Bring you images on a memory stick to Beckington Hall – the evening will start at 7.30pm. There will be another Salon Critique Evening next week on Wednesday 6th October, again at Beckington Hall.
 
This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting will be a presentation by Penny Piddock DPAG EFIAP and Spike Piddock DPAG EFIAP, called ‘From Muck to Magic (Underwater photography and the customs and beliefs of Indonesia)'.
The evening will start at 7.30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.
 
Camera Fair
The season's first club Camera Fair will take place on 17th October, so sort out any old cameras or equipment you no longer use. Also if you have any old mounted competition prints that you want to get rid of we will be selling them at the Camera Fair in aid of Club funds. Please drop them off at Loveday Powell’s – the address is detailed in the emailed newsletter.
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Newsletter 22nd September 2021
This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting will be in two halves. The first part of the meeting will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about you camera and photography of a panel of our most experienced photographers. Please send your questions in advance of the meeting to Mary.
In the second half three club photographers with specific interests will be giving short talks about their photography and what inspires them.
The evening will start at 7.30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.
 
This season’s first club competition
Don’t forget that this Friday at midnight is the deadline for entries to the first club competition, an Open Digital one. Please sent your entries to Colin.
The entries will be judged on 8th October.
 
Enrolment for the 2021-22 season
If you have not yet sent in your membership form and payment for the coming season please try to get them in by the end of September. After the 30th you will be removed from the club Facebook group and the Secretary's membership list. Please mail your cheque to Alan Denison or drop off cash in an envelope at his address – found in the newsletter email.
 
Monday group
A reminder that the Monday group did continue all through the summer and so is taking a well-earned break during September. The next meeting is on 6th October.
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Newsletter 15th September 2021
This week’s meeting
I would advise you that, due to the current Coronavirus situation, the Committee has decided that meetings will continue on Zoom until Christmas and will be reviewed again in December.

This week is the first critique evening for members. If you are planning to enter any of the club competitions these critique evenings can be very useful. Please send your images to David Chedgy at fwccvicechair@gmail.com – the evening will start at 7.30pm and the link is included in the newsletter email.
 
Meeting 24th September – 'How to Use Your Camera'
As this meeting will now be on Zoom the format has changed slightly. The first half of the evening will be an opportunity for you to ask questions you may have about using your camera. We would ask you to send in your questions in the well before the meeting so we can ensure the panel has someone familiar with the camera you use. As I will be away next week please send your questions to Mary on fwccchair@gmail.com
During the second half of the evening several members will be talking briefly about their own particular photographic interests.
 
Enrolment for the 2021-22 season
We had a good turnout for the enrolment evening at Beckington Hall and the weather was kind to us, so we were able to socialise outside the hall. If you have not yet enrolled for this season this is a quick reminder. The membership subscription will be £35 for the season and it is important to note that we do not have a facility for BACS payments. Payments must be in cash or by cheque. You will be able pay your subscription by mailing your cheque direct to Alan Denison and it is essential that you include your up-to-date contact details. A membership form for you to print off and include with your payment is attached to your newsletter email. Alternatively, you can drop off cash in an envelope with the aforementioned form at Alan's address – again, found in the newsletter email.
 
This season’s first club competition
The first club competition this season will be a digital Open, the hand-in date is 24th September and the entries will be judged on 8th October. Entries please to fwccdigital@gmail.com
 
Monday group
The Monday group did continue all through the summer and so is taking a well-earned break during September. The next meeting is on 6th October.
 
Members Galleries
Just a quick reminder that members are encouraged to showcase their work on the club website. It is an excellent way for visitors to the site to see the variety and abilities within our club and also an opportunity for club members to see the photographic interests of other club members. Each member can have a page allocated displaying 10, 12 or 15 of their images with or without accompanying text. An example can be seen here and full guidance on the submission process can be found on this page.
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Call for Entries – WCPF Kingswood Salver 'Water In All Its Moods' external competition
Club members are reminded that there is still time to submit entries to the Kingswood Salver 2021 competition which requires WCPF clubs to submit one panel of five images taken by five different photographers. This year's theme is 'Water In All Its Moods'. Please send up to three of your best photographs in the usual competition format to Jane Wiltshire at fwccbattles@gmail.com by Friday 18th September. The competition is being held, via Zoom, on Saturday 13th November.
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FWCC Pizza Evening – Saturday 21st August, 2021
The FWCC Committee is organising a club evening at Marston Park, Frome (membership is free, just requires registration) on Saturday 21st August, 6pm-9pm. (Pandemic permitting, of course.)

We will have our own exclusive area (with bar) within the park, the food option is pizza at £12/person (to be paid by cheque ['Frome Wessex Camera Club'] or cash, sent to Alan, by 11th July), and spouses/partners are welcome. It'll be a great opportunity for FWCC members to get together after the rather rough ride we've all endured the past year and we very much hope you members will be able to join us.

In order to gauge numbers, could we ask you to please fill out the most relevant option on our poll? We have one within the club's facebook group or, alternatively, members can use this form. We'll need your response by Sunday 27th June at the latest.
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Newsletter 5th March 2021
This week’s meeting 
This Friday Ray Grace ARPS DPAGB will be sharing his view of landscape photography, followed by ‘A Potpourri of Plants and Flowers’ 
The link is the usual one:-

Competition
Midnight on Friday is also the final hand in for entries to the themed competition ‘Shadows’ so make sure you send your images to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com
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Programme
Tuesday 9th March is the second of our joint meetings with Rhondda Camera Club. This time we will be showcasing our work as a club and many members have sent in images to share. This meeting is being hosted by Rhondda so it would be great if we could have a good showing of members to support our club. As soon as Rhondda let us know the link I will send it out to everyone.
Also the Programme team is now looking at the 2022 calendar, and the summer programme, conditions permitting, so if you would like to see speakers or have workshops on a particular subject please let us know, and also if you have any ideas for summer outings. Send your ideas to me or Mary on fwccsec@gmail.com or fwccchairman@gmail.com

Improve your photography
Do you ever see a great subject for a photograph, set up your camera, frame your shot, fire the shutter, but then when you get home and look at your image on a big screen realise that it hasn’t turned out the way you visualised it would? It’s happened to all of us, but sometimes all that is needed is a little tweak to your camera settings, or a different crop to improve the composition. Often we are our own worst critics and it might just take another photographer to look at the image and say ‘you could do this and you would have a stunning image’. To this end David Chedgy will be hosting an ‘Improve your photography’ evening on 12th March. If you would like some useful and constructive feedback on how to improve your photographs send no more than 4 to David on fwccvicechairman@gmail.com
Monday group
This Monday Phil Taylor will be starting the session with a short talk ‘A walk on the wild side’ a walk through wild ancient Wales.
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm Join Zoom Meeting
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​Newsletter 26th February 2020
This week’s meeting
This Friday will be the judging of the club Open competition. The judge is Bill Hall DPAGB AFIAP ABPE, and the meeting will start at 7.30.
The link is the usual one:-

Battles - Desperately Seeking... Selectors
This is your chance to be a club selector and to see if it's the sort of thing you'd like to do on behalf of the club in the future. We are putting on a trial selection afternoon when your task will be to choose 18 images from a bank of 96 images for a fictional competition. Don't worry about how to do it; all will be revealed on the day. Just come along and give it a go. Everyone welcome. See if you end up choosing what the present selectors choose, and then see what each image scored with real external judges. It'll be a fun and interesting afternoon.
Date: Wednesday 3rd March   Time: 2pm RSVP: by Thursday 25th Feb   fwccbattles@gmail.com 
Programme
Open to ALL members, a chance to show the Rhondda Camera Club some of your pictures. Please send in to fwcc.programme@gmail.com by the 28th February 6 images on a theme or your preferred subject. You can have the opportunity to talk about them or let one of us do it for you.
We have another ‘Ten Minutes of Fame’ on the 9th April where we invite members to show their work to the club. Ideally we would like to see pictures from members who have not already participated, so here’s your chance. Please show your interest by booking a slot to fwccprogramme@gmail.com ASAP 
WCPF
The WCPF Council meeting and the Knightshayes Trophy will be taking place on Saturday 6th March via Zoom.  Landscape photographer Chris Palmer will be speaking in the afternoon on ‘The Eloquent Landscape’ and I attach details of this meeting and the Zoom logins for anyone who would like to attend.
 
Monday group
The title for next week is ‘Quo Vadis’. It will be a series of questions to discuss - Do you know what you love to photograph? If you know, how did you get to that realisation? If you don’t know, how do you find out? Do you ever lose your photographic mojo? How do you get it back? Where do you find inspiration? When you find it, how do you stop yourself falling into a rut? 
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm Join Zoom Meeting

and finally …I have been contacted by Denise Payne who has a box of photographic equipment that had belonged to her father to dispose of. I attach a list of the items but as they have not been used for a number of years Denise cannot vouch for their functionality. She is looking for £150 or a near offer for the lot. If you are interested contact me and I will put you in touch with Denise.
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Newsletter 19th February 2021
This Friday will be an evening with Damien Lovegrove. Damien will take us on a fun adventure bringing us right up to date with his ever evolving portrait photography. Check out his images on www.lovegrovephotography.com The link is the usual one:-

Battles
The Mid Somerset Battle will be on Tuesday 23rd February and will be taking place on Zoom. Meeting opens at 7.00pm and the Battle starts at 7.30pm Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85049160061?pwd=SjA0RjdtUUZiNHpmSmx0dEhXeGJxZz09 
Meeting ID: 850 4916 0061 Passcode: 571797 
Programme
On Tuesday 9th March we are hosting the Rhondda Camera Club.
We will be showcasing our work as a club and so every club member is invited to take part. The idea is that each club member should have a 
chance to show their images or photographic enthusiasms on the night. So, if you would like to participate, please collate 6 of your images
as a 'body of work' or a theme. You will be able to talk about your images as they are being shown, or if you prefer not to we will present for you.
Please label your 6 images like this; Your Name_n where n is a number 1 to 6 in the order that you want your images shown.
This is so that the images get grouped in name order and get shown in the order that you want. The images should be 1600x1200 sRGB.
Please send the images to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by March 1st and put 'Rhondda CC Return Evening' in the email's subject.
Any queries to the same email please.
We have another ‘Ten Minutes of Fame’ on the 9th April where we invite members to show their work to the club.
Ideally we would like to see pictures from members who have not already participated, so here’s your chance.
Please show your interest by booking a slot to fwccprogramme@gmail.com ASAP
Monday group
At this week’s Monday social group Barry will be starting the session by giving a short talk on PhotoSpiralysis, and there will follow a 
discussion on ‘How much should we manipulate our shots in post-production?’
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm Join Zoom Meeting
 Lockdown
A quick reminder that if any club member finds that they
need help during lockdown, we have members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs,
so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help
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Newsletter 12th February 2021

This week’s meeting
This Friday Matt Emett will be talking about his Forgotten Heritage project. Matt is a multi-award winning photographer who is fascinated by abandoned places. His interest is in capturing the aesthetics, character and history of sites, showing the passage of time and the effects of nature on a structure that is no longer being maintained. To see his work visit www.forgottenheritage.co.uk
The link is the usual one:-
Battles
Don’t forget that the closing date for selection for the Warminster and also the Devizes battles is 12th February at 23.59, so make sure your images conform to the competition rules requirements (on our website) and please send your images to David on fwccbattles@gmail.com
WCPF DIPIC/PAGB Cup
For those who were unable to attend the judging for this event and would like to see the standard and quality of images that received awards the following link will take you to the DIPIC results page: http://photoexhib.co.uk/wcpfdpic/results-2021/results.htm
 Programme
On Tuesday 9th March we are hosting the Rhondda Camera Club. We will be showcasing our work as a club and so every club member is invited to take part.
The idea is that each club member should have a chance to show their images or photographic enthusiasms on the night. So, if you would like to participate, please collate 6 of your images as a 'body of work' or a theme. You will be able to talk about your images as they are being shown, or if you prefer not to we will present for you. 
Please label your 6 images like this; Your Name_n where n is a number 1 to 6 in the order that you want your images shown. This is so that the images get grouped in name order and get shown in the order that you want. The images should be 1600x1200 sRGB.
Please send the images to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by March 1st and put 'Rhondda CC Return Evening' in the email's subject. Any queries to the same email please.
We have another ‘Ten Minutes of Fame’ on the 9th April where we invite members to show their work to the club. Ideally we would like to see pictures from members who have not already participated, so here’s your chance. Please show your interest by booking a slot to fwccprogramme@gmail.com ASAP 
Monday group
At this week’s Monday social group Barry will be starting the session by giving a short talk on Jane Bown, who was an iconic British portrait photographer. She produced THE iconic image of Mick Jagger, John Betjeman, the Queen, Bjork etc etc.
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
Lockdown
A quick reminder that if any club member finds that they need help during lockdown, we have members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs, so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help.
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Newsletter 5th February 2021
This week’s meeting
This Friday professional photographer Janet Miles will be showing us how to use shutter speed creatively. The link is the usual one:-

Battles
Attached is a list of the images selected for the Mid Somerset Battle. Unfortunately only 16 members sent images in for this event. The selection committee always chooses images that they believe will give the club a strong entry and it’s good to see that several of the images selected are from some of our newest members. The next battle the club will be joining is the Warminster Battle so please send your images to David on fwccbattles@gmail.com

WCPF DIPIC/PAGB Cup
I also attach copies of the club entries for these two events and you will be able to see that club members are making a very strong showing. If any members would like to join the DIPIC judging on Zoom the date is 7th February and the meeting will open at 9.30am. The link is - Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85659592785?pwd=cnNSVUY2OGJ4MWxmK1htNytkNWhpUT09

Meeting ID: 856 5959 2785  Passcode: 724488 
Photoshop
After recent discussions at the Monday social club group Colin Dewsbury has constructed a guide to help members add borders to images on Photoshop, and I’ve attached it to this newsletter. 
Monday group
At this week’s Monday social group Mick Yates will be starting the session by giving a 15 minute talk on Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama.
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
And finally …
A quick reminder that if any club member finds that they need help during lockdown, we have members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs, so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help.
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Newsletter 29th January 2021
We were sad to hear, this week, about the death of Michael Padbury. As some long-standing members will know Michael was a founder member of the club and supported it for many years. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
 
This week’s meeting
This Friday is the judging of the club themed competition ‘Wet’. The judge is Simon Caplan LRPS and the meeting will be at the usual time of 7.30. This week we will revert back to our normal Friday Zoom link
 
Programme
On the 9th April we have another '10 minutes of Fame' planned. We would like 10 volunteers, ideally those who didn’t present the last time. This is your opportunity to share your work or interest of photography within the club. Please respond to fwccprogramme@gmail.com.Any subject, Colour, Mono, AV. The greater variety the better.
 
Mark Stothard – Lightroom sessions
I’m very pleased to report that Mark Stothard is feeling much better and will be running his Lightroom evenings again on Mondays at 7pm. The link is:-
FB link https://fb.me/e/48KOKuALD
 
Monday group
At this week’s Monday social group Barry will start the session by giving a 15 minute talk on the influential and controversial photographer Diane Arbus.
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Lockdown
A quick reminder that if any club member finds that they need help during lockdown, we have members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs, so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help.
 
And finally …
I have attached the WCPF AV bulletin, which some members may be interested in.
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Newsletter 22nd January 2021
This week’s meeting
This Friday is the first of our linked meetings with Rhonda Camera Club. This week they will be sharing and discussing photos from their club members and in March we will be sharing our images with them. If you plan on attending it would be nice if you could show images of Somerset and Frome as your Zoom background.
PLEASE NOTE:- the Zoom link will be different from our usual Friday one. A one-off link has been created as follows  Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86845034679?pwd=SmJEcEJsY0dEQzJvazdJd0lvMll1UT09
 
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Battles
The Mid-Somerset battle will be going ahead this year and our entry has to be in by 31st January, so please send up to 3 images, not ones you have entered for other battles, for selection by midday on Tuesday 26th January to David Chedgy at fwccbattles@gmail.com

Mark Stothard – Lightroom sessions
I’m very pleased to report that Mark Stothard is feeling much better and will be running his Lightroom evenings again on Mondays at 7pm.
The link is:- FB link https://fb.me/e/48KOKuALD 

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​Monday group
Don’t forget to join the Monday social group. This week Mary Maynard will be giving a short talk ‘Vanitas – a Still Life Genre’ about her interest in this genre and how to put a Vanitas still life together for a photo shoot.The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

Lockdown
A quick reminder that if any club member finds that they need help during lockdown, we have members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs, so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help.
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Newsletter 15th January 2021
This Friday professional photographer Tim Gander will be giving a talk ‘Making it personal’ about his personal photographic projects and why they are important. You can see some of Tim’s personal creative projects on www.takeagander.co.uk  
The link is the usual one:-

Competition
Don’t forget that midnight Friday is the final deadline for the hand in of entries for the club themed competition ‘Wet’. 
WCPF
I have received a communication from WCPF, inviting members to attend the council meeting in March and I attach information about this. 
Monday group
Don’t forget to join the Monday group for informal chats about photography. This week Anjalika Baier will be giving a short opening talk on photographers who use mindfulness in their work. The link is the usual one:-
Lockdown
Now that we are in full lockdown I know that a number of club members are in the vulnerable group. If any club member finds that they need help, there are members who have already come forward to offer help, for example, with shopping or pharmacy runs, so please contact me, in the first instance, so we can put you in touch with someone in your area who will be able to help.

Mark Stothard
As those of you who use the club Facebook page will know, Mark Stothard has unfortunately been taken ill and so his on-line Lightroom sessions have been suspended for the time being. Mark will post on Facebook when he is able to resume the sessions.

And finally …
Sadly, we have heard that a small number of members have contracted COVID19, one member being hospitalized. All are now being treated at home and we send our best wishes to them for a speedy recovery
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Newsletter 8th January 2021
​Welcome back everyone and I hope that your Christmas has been as happy as it could be under the circumstance. Let’s hope that the coming year will be better.
Firstly, and most importantly, don’t forget to contact me to confirm that you would like to renew your membership of the club until the end of the season. Whilst most members have been in touch there are still a few members that I haven’t heard from. I appreciate that during the Christmas busyness things might have been pushed to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list but 31st January is the cut-off date. If I haven’t heard from you by then your access to the facilities of the club i.e. members only Facebook page, Zoom meetings etc., will be ended. It would also be helpful if you could let me know if you do not intend to re-join.

This week’s meeting
This week’s speaker is Alyn Wallace, an astro, landscape and time-lapsed photographer based near the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky reserve. His work has appeared in National Geographic, on the BBC and on NASA’s Picture of the Day so his talk promises to be an inspiring one. The link is the usual one:-

Next club competition – theme ‘Wet’
Well, there have certainly been plenty of opportunities to get some stunning shots for this theme! Jane has asked me to remind you that the closing date is midnight on Friday 15th January, so get your shots to Jane at  fwccdigital@gmail.com   in club format, asap.

Mark Stothard
Club member Mark is a professional photographer and is currently offering free online Lightroom tutorials to members on Monday evenings at 7pm. The link is:https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10224190814987899&set=gm.843782762859661&__cft__[0]=AZWxS3vGGGYMV2_LgPo-aA7rEqExYrLNcZZilNb0oGead5Q2aMCmlFpwKZ24lzCchWHsg_Cbb-1ESn9RjJbB7DudGvIy0Do-kjHTcYjAhiiXtJFZaE3eZVP5Zd1l2V_pnseDuAbq1u_GI5UNsrIf58BhCpsgkbrVcXNFjEJe7mPk-BkfUtRXVZMCwl1aDrN_j3s&__tn__=EH-R
Monday group
Don’t forget to join the Monday group for informal chats and short talks from club members about photography.
The link is the usual one:-
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Newsletter 18th December 2020
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to take this occasion to wish you all Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. 
Hopefully, you have all received your FWCC Christmas card and have seen that we have waived, or reduced, the membership fees for the rest of the club year. Let me explain why this has happened. Over the last few years of careful financial stewardship, the club bank accounts had become healthy and, before we had Covid-19 foisted upon us, the committee had decided to use the monies to provide workshops, outings and lectures for all the members. But, of course, now these planned events have had to be largely cancelled. Also, we are not incurring the weekly expense of the Beckington Hall bookings, since we are meeting via zoom. So, in lieu of the events we have planned, and because for reasons just outlined, the committee decided that we could waive or reduce the membership fee for the rest of this club year. We will still be left with a healthy bank account and hopefully we will be able to spend it for the benefit of every member when the time comes.
Please don't forget to reregister your membership by emailing Criss on fwccsec@gmail.com before 8th January 2021. This is most important as it's a requirement for the club to have a known membership. If you have joined under the £5 new member scheme after June 1st 2020 please also use the insert in the Christmas card to send your cheque for £10 to Alan Denison (details are on the Christmas card insert).
We have a full programme of lectures, zoom meetings and competitions in next year's programme and I look forward to 'seeing' you all then and of course, on Friday at the club Christmas social. 
Merry Christmas. 
Mary
The club Christmas social starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Monday group
Next Monday will be the last meeting this year for the afternoon social group and Mick Yates will be giving a short talk on combining photos with words.
 The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

This will be the last newsletter until the club reconvenes in the New Year so I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and hope that I will be able to see you sometime next year in the ‘real world’
Stay safe.
Best wishes,
Criss
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Newsletter 11th December 2020
​This week’s meeting
This week Ian Bateman FRPS, MPAGB-AV, FIAP, APAGB will be judging the club open competition. Ian is the immediate past president of the WCPF.
The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Club Christmas Social (virtual)
For ‘Virtual’ the Christmas Social this year, we are inviting you to take part from the comfort of your homes. You are encouraged to come along in festive attire. Don’t for­get the mince pies and a gla­ss or cup of your preferred beverage.
Andrew and Michelle de Mora will be hosting a quiz for the first half of the evening. The second half will be a picture quiz of Frome. We still need more pictures for that taken around the town. One of an ‘obvious’ landmark around the town of Frome and the other a bit more obscure. Entries to be in by the 12th December. Please send them to fwccprogramme|@gmail.com

Monday group
Next Monday's discussion meeting will start with a 10-20 presentation by Barry on "Weegee the famous". Weegee was a news photographer in New York, his best work being between 1935-1945. His work was recognised as art photography and was exhibited several times at MOMA.
The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

Brecon Beacons trip 2021
​Andrew Washington is thinking of planning a trip for a long weekend next April/May in the Brecon Beacons and would like to know how many club members would be interested. Brecon Beacons is a beautiful area in which there are opportunities to photograph waterfalls, red kites, and landscapes. It also became the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales in 2012 and so is a great place for astro-photography. Accommodation could be a rented cottage or caravans (as on the Dungeness trip). If interested please drop Andrew an email at andrewwashy@gmail.com
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Newsletter 4th December 2020
This week’s meeting
This week actor Bill Ward, who as well as being an award winning actor is also a first class photographer, will be talking about his career. Bill has been a Brand Ambassador for Pentax cameras since 2014, and this year received the Judge’s Choice award in the Historic England Lockdown Collection. Find out more about Bill and check out his images on www.billwardphotography.co.uk
The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Club Christmas Social (virtual)
Don’t forget the Christmas social this year, we are inviting you to take part from the comfort of your homes. You are encouraged to come along in festive attire. Don’t for­get the mince pies and a gla­ss or cup of your preferred beverage.
Andrew and Michelle de Mora will be hosting a quiz for the first half of the evening. The second half will be a picture quiz of Frome. We do need members to help out with the picture quiz and would be grateful for a few more photograph taken around Frome, one of an ‘obvious’ landmark around the town of Frome and the other a bit more obscure. Entries to be in by the 12th December. Please send them to fwccprogramme|@gmail.com

Monday group
Quite a few people have been joining the Monday afternoon social group and there have been some interesting short talks recently.
The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm  
Brecon Beacons trip 2021
Andrew Washington is thinking of planning a trip for a long weekend next April/May in the Brecon Beacons and would like to know how many club members would be interested. Brecon Beacons is a beautiful area in which there are opportunities to photograph waterfalls, red kites, and landscapes. It also became the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales in 2012 and so is a great place for astro-photography. Accommodation could be a rented cottage or caravans (as on the Dungeness trip). If interested please drop Andrew an email at andrewwashy@gmail.com
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Newsletter 4th December 2020
This week’s meeting
This week actor Bill Ward, who as well as being an award winning actor is also a first class photographer, will be talking about his career. Bill has been a Brand Ambassador for Pentax cameras since 2014, and this year received the Judge’s Choice award in the Historic England Lockdown Collection. Find out more about Bill and check out his images on www.billwardphotography.co.uk
The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Club Christmas Social (virtual)
Don’t forget the Christmas social this year, we are inviting you to take part from the comfort of your homes. You are encouraged to come along in festive attire. Don’t for­get the mince pies and a gla­ss or cup of your preferred beverage.
Andrew and Michelle de Mora will be hosting a quiz for the first half of the evening. The second half will be a picture quiz of Frome. We do need members to help out with the picture quiz and would be grateful for a few more photograph taken around Frome, one of an ‘obvious’ landmark around the town of Frome and the other a bit more obscure. Entries to be in by the 12th December. Please send them to fwccprogramme|@gmail.com

Monday group
Quite a few people have been joining the Monday afternoon social group and there have been some interesting short talks recently.
The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm  
Brecon Beacons trip 2021
Andrew Washington is thinking of planning a trip for a long weekend next April/May in the Brecon Beacons and would like to know how many club members would be interested. Brecon Beacons is a beautiful area in which there are opportunities to photograph waterfalls, red kites, and landscapes. It also became the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales in 2012 and so is a great place for astro-photography. Accommodation could be a rented cottage or caravans (as on the Dungeness trip). If interested please drop Andrew an email at andrewwashy@gmail.com
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​​

Newsletter 27th November 2020
This week’s meeting
This week David Chedgy will be leading a members’ critique evening. There is still time to send David images on which you would like feedback to  fwccvicechairman@gmail.com The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Club Open Competition
Don’t forget to submit your entries for the next club open competition by midnight on the 27th November, for judging on 11th December, and please make sure they conform to the club standard format. The judge will be Ian Bateman FRPS, MPAGB-AV, FIAP, APAGB. Ian is the immediate past president of the WCPF.

Club Christmas Social (virtual)
For the Christmas social this year we are inviting you to take part from the comfort of your homes. You are encouraged to come along in festive attire. Don’t for­get the mince pies and a gla­ss or cup of your preferred beverage.
Andrew and Michelle de Mora will be hosting a quiz for the first half of the evening. The second half will be a picture quiz of Frome. We are asking for members to submit two photographs. One of an ‘obvious’ landmark around the town of Frome and the other a bit more obscure. Entries to be in by the 12th December. Please send them to fwccprogramme|@gmail.com 
Up-coming Battles
12 members have already submitted entries for up-coming battles, but for the club to submit a winning entry we need to have a wide range of images from which to make a selection. The selection team will need to put together our entry during the next few weeks and, as you will appreciate, with the run up to Christmas and some personal family commitments in the team, time is short. Our Battles Secretary David Chedgy has, therefore, asked for members to send up to eight of their best digital images to him, by midnight on Friday 27th November at the latest, on fwccbattles@gmail.com The images should be in club competition standard format and the entry should include the image title, your club membership number and your name. Please remember that you can only enter for one club.

Monday group 
This Monday Mick Yates will be giving a short talk on American Adam Clark Vroman, who photographed Native Americans living in Arizona and New Mexico at the turn of the 20th century. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm Join Zoom Meeting

Brecon Beacons trip 2021
Andrew Washington is thinking of planning a trip for a long weekend next April/May in the Brecon Beacons and would like to know how many club members would be interested. Brecon Beacons is a beautiful area in which there are opportunities to photograph waterfalls, red kites, and landscapes. It also became the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales in 2012 and so is a great place for astro-photography. Accommodation could be a rented cottage or caravans (as on the Dungeness trip). If interested please drop Andrew an email at andrewwashy@gmail.com 
… and finally, Mifsud Photographic Ltd., who have always been great supporters of our Camera Fairs, are having a Black Friday sale, check out their website on www.mifsud.com or give them a call on 0736 828 8126, for some great bargains.
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Newsletter 20th November 2020
This week’s meeting
This week award winning wildlife photographer Alan Benson will be giving his talk ‘Wildlife through a Lens’. The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Club Open Competition
Don’t forget to submit your entries for the next club open competition by the 27th November, for judging on 11th December. The judge will be Ian Bateman FRPS, MPAGB-AV, FIAP, APAGB. Ian is the immediate past president of the WCPF.

Up-coming Battles
This is an urgent call out for members to submit entries for two up-coming battles, the PAGB cup and the DIPIC. Although the actual judging for these battles does not take place until January, for the club to submit a winning entry we need to have a wide range of images from which to make a selection. The selection team will need to put together our entry during the next few weeks and, as you will appreciate, with the run up to Christmas and some personal family commitments in the team, time is short. Our Battles Secretary David Chedgy has, therefore, asked for members to send up to eight of their best digital images to him, by midnight on Friday 28th November at the latest, on fwccbattles@gmail.com The images should be in club competition standard format and the entry should include the image title, your club membership number and your name. Please remember that you can only enter for one club.

Linking with Rhonda Camera Club
Don’t forget that on January 22nd we will be sharing a selection of our work with the Rhondda Camera Club. These do not necessarily need to be competition class images, it is intended to be an informal, friendly connection so favourite photos or interests you are working on at the moment would be perfect, we want to show Rhondda the diversity of the interest and abilities of our members. So please send up to three images each, sized at the usual club competition dimensions, to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by 8th January 2021. Rhondda CC will be doing a return showing of their work to us on the 9th March.

Monday group
This Monday Barry will be giving a short talk on American photographer Garry Winogrand, regarded as one of the most influential street photographers of the 20th century. The link is the usual one:- Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

… and finally, the Frome Salon of Photography 2020 results are now on the website, and many congratulations go to club members Jane Wiltshire, Alan Denison, Joao Diniz Sanches, Simon Johnson, Russell Willsmer, Mary Maynard, Anjalika Baier, Steve Hawkins and Harvard Dallibar who all achieved awards. Special thanks go to Alan Denison and Colin Dewsbury for all their hard work in making this year’s Salon such a success.
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Newsletter 13th November 2020
This week’s meeting
This week there will be a presentation by the 3 FSoP selectors, Sue O’Connell FIPF,ARPS, EFIAP/d2 DPAGB BPE5*, Peter Brisley ARPS, EFIAP, DPAGB BPE2* and Adrian Lines MPAGB FBPE EFIAP ARPS.   Sue’s presentation is ‘Ethiopia and my Journey to a Fellowship', Peter's is '36 Frames - A selection from my Personal Archive’ and Adrian presentation is ‘Let’s get creative … 10 in 30’ 10 ‘Newish’ Post Creative Images from Concept to Completion’. The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-
Club Open Competition
Don’t forget to submit your entries for the next club open competition by the 27th November, for judging on 11th December. The judge will be Ian Bateman FRPS, MPAGB-AV, FIAP, APAGB. Ian is the immediate past president of the WCPF.
​WCPF Kingswood Salver 2020 Live Judging and Afternoon Talk
The judging of the Kingswood Salver will take place on 14th November via Zoom and all club member are invited to attend. The judge is Leigh Woolford DPAGB FWPF EFIAP BPE3, the judging will take place in the morning and Leigh will be giving a talk in the afternoon. I have received the following information and link from Eddy and Pam Lane: Eddy and Pam Lane invite you to a scheduled Zoom meeting – note pre-booking is not required. Judge and Speaker - Leigh Woolford DPAGB FWPF EFIAP BPE3 
Saturday Nov 14, 2020 from 10.15 AM for 10.30 AM start of Judging
Leigh’s Afternoon Talk 2.00 PM start - Title “A Search for Focus” Join Zoom Meeting – applies to both morning Judging and afternoon Talk 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82933557464?pwd=VWpoU05DSzhGaG1XM093Z3F4WUVRUT09 Meeting ID: 829 3355 7464 Passcode: 817978 Any queries – kingswood.wcpf@gmail.com
Linking with Rhonda Camera Club
On January 22nd we will be presenting a variety of our work to the Rhondda Camera Club. In order for us to pick images from as many people as possible, we are inviting you to submit up to three images each, sized at the usual club competition dimensions. This is not a competition, more a form of ‘twinning’ as the Rhondda CC will be doing a return showing of their work to us on the 9th March. Please send them to fwccprogramme@gmail.com by 8th January 2021
PAGB Cup
The club has been invited to take part in the PAGB cup, which we have not entered before. Our Battles Secretary David Chedgy has asked for members who wish to take part in this competition and other external battles to send six of their best digital images to him on fwccbattles@gmail.com for selection. The images should be in club competition standard format and the entry should include the image title, your club membership number and your name. Please remember that you can only enter for one club. The closing date for submission for PAGB selection is Sunday 6th December.
Monday group
This Monday Mary Maynard will be sharing her enthusiasm for long exposure photography, a 10 minute talk followed by a Q&A session. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
… and finally, there is now a downloadable copy of the full club programme, in pdf format, on the club website.
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Newsletter 6th November 2020
This week’s meeting
This week will be the judging of the club competition themed ‘Reflections’. The judge is Eddy Lane ARPS, DPAGB, EFIAP. Eddy is a wildlife and travel photographer with many years’ experience judging competitions and exhibitions both nationally and internationally. The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-
Frome Salon of Photography
Many of you will know the Frome Salon (FSoP20) closed for Entries last night. Despite Coronavirus we have had yet another record year with 5916 images submitted (6.7% more than last year) and 488 people submitting (1% up on last year), 21 of which were Club Members (down on last year's 27).
The 'Selection' is due to take place between 13th and 15th November (all things CV willing). This will be done 'remotely' this year, using a newly developed method of transmitting the images over the internet simultaneously to the Selectors at full resolution. Normally people can observe the Selection, but unfortunately this new remote system does not have facilities for observers. All entrants will be notified of the results by email as soon as we can after the Selection has completed, normally within a few days. The Salon is an Online National Exhibition, not a Competition, this will be available for all to view via a link which will be posted on the Club Website Salon page, and contained in Entrant's results emails. In addition to the Salon Awards, the Selectors also pick 3 'Club' Awards per Class, only for Club Members' images that have not already won a Salon Award, all Club Awards will be accepted into the Exhibition. These Salons exist to showcase some of the best UK amateur photography and to encourage people to improve their photographic skills. It is always worth looking at the images that are accepted into these Exhibitions. The Salon also raises funds for the Club, very helpful this year as it is unlikely that we will receive any income from our Camera Fairs this Club year.
Please note the three Salon Selectors will each give a short talk to the Club at our meeting on the 13th November.

Monday group
Next Monday Mark Stothard will start the meeting by giving a 10 minute talk on how to make money from your photography. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
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Newsletter 30th October 2020
First we send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Andrew Washington who is recuperating at home after a hip operation last Monday. 
This week’s meeting
This week’s speaker is Chris Fairweather, who will be talking to us about his career in photojournalism and sport. The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Kingswood Salver
The judging of the Kingswood Salver will take place on 14th November via Zoom and all club member are invited to attend. The judge is Leigh Woolford DPAGB FWPF EFIAP BPE3, the judging will take place in the morning and Leigh will be giving a talk in the afternoon. I have received the following information and link from Eddy and Pam Lane: “WCPF Kingswood Salver 2020 Live Judging and Afternoon Talk Eddy and Pam Lane invite you to a scheduled Zoom meeting – note pre-booking is not required Judge and Speaker - Leigh Woolford DPAGB FWPF EFIAP BPE3
Saturday Nov 14, 2020 from 10.15 AM for 10.30 AM start of Judging
Leigh’s Afternoon Talk 2.00 PM start - Title “A Search for Focus”
Join Zoom Meeting – applies to both morning Judging and afternoon Talk 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82933557464?pwd=VWpoU05DSzhGaG1XM093Z3F4WUVRUT09
Meeting ID: 829 3355 7464
Passcode: 817978  Any queries – kingswood.wcpf@gmail.com

Frome Salon of Photography
The Frome Salon closes for submissions at midnight on 1st November so you only have a few more days to send your entries in to www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html

Monday group
Next Monday Andrew de Mora will start the meeting by giving a 10 minute talk on film photography. The link is the usual one:- 
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm Join Zoom Meeting

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Newsletter 23rd October 2020
Firstly some very sad news, we have heard that club member Mark Smith died recently. Some members have fond memories of Mark and Karen joining club holidays and outings, they often attended club meetings, and will be sadly missed. Condolences and flowers have been sent to Karen on behalf of the club and our thoughts are with her and her family.

This week’s meeting
This week's meeting is entitled 10 Minutes of Fame. Ten club members will talk about their photography and interests, and show some of their images. This will be a varied and interesting programme - Loveday Powell will be showing images of Flowers, John Bishop talking about his Travel photography, Bill Collett will be giving a presentation of Reflections, David Chedgy shows a selection of his Favourite Photographs, Barry Hill  presents his latest project ‘Learnings/re-learnings August/September 2020’, David Weeks gives his Encounter with Wildlife, Alan Denison will do a piece on Architecture photography, Gayle Glover presents the Art of Burlesque, Michelle de Mora on being a 'Snapshot' photographer and Bill Aven showing us Mono pictures. The meeting starts at 7.30 and the link is the usual one:-

Wednesday Critique Evening
Tomorrow evening there will be the second opportunity for anyone considering entering the Frome Salon to submit images for critique and advice. The link will be the same as the one above for the usual club meetings and the meeting will start at 7.30. You will need to send your images in by midday tomorrow at the latest, to Alan on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html 
Themed Competition – Reflections
Don’t forget the deadline for entry in the latest competition is midnight on Friday 23rd October. Please make sure they are in the correct format as shown in Jane’s presentation which I sent to you all in pdf. format a couple of weeks ago. Please send your images to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com 
Frome Salon of Photography
The Frome Salon webpage is still open for submissions on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html
Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images, email him on fsopmail@gmail.com

Monday group
The Monday group will take a slightly different format this week and Mick Yates will be kicking off the meeting with a 10 minutes talk. The link is the usual one:- Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

and finally …
our congratulations go to Alan Denison who this week received 6 Acceptances from the recent Shrewsbury Salon, one image receiving a Commendation. This means that he has received 102 Salon acceptances in total which qualifies him for the BPE3* award. Well done Alan.
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Newsletter 16th October 2020
This week’s meeting
This week we have as talk by Phil Savoie. Phil is an ex BBC Natural History unit staff producer/cameraman, and his images cover all genres from Macro to Landscape, Sport, Wildlife, People and Astrophotography so it promises to be an interesting evening. The link is the usual one:-

Wednesday Critique Evening
Tomorrow evening there will be a critique evening for anyone considering putting entries in for the Salon. The link will be the same as the one above for the usual club meetings and the meeting will start at 7.30. There will be another Critique Evening on Wednesday 21st October so send your images in to Alan on fsopmail@gmail.com 

Themed Competition – Reflections
This is our first themed competition of the season, and it is being judged by Eddy Lane ARPS, DPAGB, EFIAP, who many of you will know is also a respected National & International judge. The deadline for entry is midnight on Friday 23rd October, but it would be helpful if images could be sent early to Jane so that she can prepare them for sending to the judge in good time. Please make sure they are in the correct format as shown in Jane’s presentation which I sent to you all in pdf. format a couple of weeks ago. Please send your images to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com

Frome Salon of Photography
Don’t forget that the Frome Salon webpage is now open for submissions on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.htmlRules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images, email him on fsopmail@gmail.com

and finally …
Barry tells me that a number of members have now joined the Monday afternoon discussion group and, as well as meeting old friends and making new ones in the new virtual world, some interesting and useful discussions have been taking place. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
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Newsletter 9th October 2020
This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting it the judging of the first club competition of the season. The judge will be Aleks Gjika EFIAP, CPAGB and I know that many members have entered their images.
The link for Friday is the usual one:-

Frome Salon of Photography
The Salon webpage is now open for submissions on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html 
Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images, email him on fsopmail@gmail.com for advice.

Club website
Many thanks to those members who have sent in photos for the website home page, but it would still be great to have more. It is an ideal opportunity to show newcomers and prospective members the range of interests and abilities in the club so please submit your images in ‘Landscape’ format only at 1600 wide. We aim to show a variety of subjects which will be changed from time to time. Please send them to fwccprogramme@gmail.com

and finally …
​don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:-
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Newsletter 2nd October 2020
This week’s meeting
Firstly, if you need guidance in accessing Zoom please do not hesitate to contact me. We have some excellent speakers in the coming weeks and it would be a shame to miss them.
This week our speaker is Matt Inwood. Matt’s background is in cookery book design and in recent years has been shooting mainly with iPhone. This is an entirely different direction from our usual speakers and it promises to be an interesting night. Check out Matt’s work on http://mattinwood.com/
The link for Friday is the usual one:-

Preparing your images for competition
Despite Jane Wiltshire’s excellent workshop and helpful pdf. on resizing and preparing your photos for competition, some members have not adhered to the guidelines when submitting images for the upcoming competition. This does involve Jane in a lot of work preparing images to be sent to the judge so please refer to the pdf. I sent round with the newsletter of 16th September before submitting your images. If you didn’t receive the pdf. please let me know and I will resend it to you.  If you are a new member and need help with preparing your images please contact either me or Jane on fwccdigital@gmail.com 
​
Club website
Many thanks to those members who have sent in photos for the website home page, but it would still be great to have more. It is an ideal opportunity to show newcomers and prospective members the range of interests and abilities in the club so please submit your images in ‘Landscape’ format only at 1600 wide. We aim to show a variety of subjects which will be changed from time to time. Please send them to fwccprogramme@gmail.com

Kingswood Salver 
The five images needed for the Kingswood Salver Competition have now been selected and congratulations to the following members whose images have been selected to represent the club – Gayle Glover, Linda Croft, Barry Hill, Mary Maynard and Jane Wiltshire.

Visit to Dungeness
A number of members have already signed up for the Dungeness trip starting on Friday 9th October. Dungeness is a great site for seascapes and possibly astro-photography and there are still places available. For more information contact Harvard on las518@icloud.com or Jane on fwccdigital@gmail.com

Frome Salon of Photography
The Salon webpage is now open for submissions on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html


Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images.

and finally …
don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:-
​Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm - Join Zoom Meeting

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Newsletter 25th September 2020
Hi Everyone,
It's me (Mary) writing the newsletter this week. 

This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting is a chance to see last year's WCPF (Western Counties Photographic Federation) members' exhibition. This is not to be missed and we will be treated to some inspirational and beautiful images. The evening will be hosted by Bill Aven and Loveday Powell.
The link is the usual one

Frome Salon of Photography
This, our very own Salon, is now open for entries and here is the link; www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html 
The Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images. 

First Club Open Competition
The club's first competition is now open and will close for entries at midnight this Friday 25th September - this Friday. This is an Open Digital competition and will be judged on 9th October by Aleks Gjika EFIAP, DPAGB. Please send your entries to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com
 
Wells Food Festival 2020 photography competition
There is a photo competition at this event. It's free to enter and you can enter up to five images. Closing date is next Wednesday 30th September. Here is the link https://www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/photo-competition/

and finally …
don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. This is a friendly group and is an opportunity to show your work to other members and to ask photographic questions. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
The link is the usual one
pp Mary Maynard (Chair)

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Newsletter 18th September 2020
This week’s meeting
This week we have a guest speaker, Robert Millin will be giving his talk ‘A Competition Addict’ and will cover all his genres - his main interest is sport photography, closely followed by travel but he also likes to photograph nature and people in their environment.
The link is the usual one:-

Resizing your images for competition
Following Jane Wiltshire’s excellent workshop on resizing your photos, she has provided a useful pdf guide which I attach to this newsletter. Many thanks to Jane. 
Club website
Anyone who has visited our club webpage recently will have noticed that we don’t have many photos on display there. This is an invitation for members would like to see some of their images on the front page. It is an ideal opportunity to show newcomers and prospective members the range of interests and abilities in the club so please submit your images in ‘Landscape’ format only at 1600 wide. We aim to show a variety of subjects which will be changed from time to time. Please send them to fwccprogramme@gmail.com

First club competition of the season
The first club digital competition, which has an open subject, will be judged on 9th October and the cut off for submissions is fast approaching. The last date for submission is Friday 25th September at midnight. Any images received after this time will not be accepted, so please send your entries to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com

Frome Salon of Photography
The Salon webpage is now open for submissions on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html
Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images.

The Photography Show
The Photography Show, which always has interesting talks and information about equipment, is going digital this year and there will be over 100 exhibitors plus talks, demos, and galleries - all completely FREE to access on the 20th  and 21st  September.
To access it you need to register for free on the website and the link is https://www.photographyshow.com/ 
Visit to Dungeness
Harvard Dallibar and Jane Wiltshire are planning a weekend trip for three nights on Friday 9th October to Dungeness, a great site for seascapes and possible also astro-photography. Jane and Harvard have booked caravans at the Parkdean Romney Sands resort. Three-bed caravans are £159 for the three nights but smaller ones may be available cheaper. If you would like to join this trip please contact Harvard on las518@icloud.com or Jane on fwccdigital@gmail.com for further information. 
and finally …
don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

Newsletter 11th September 2020
A packed newsletter this week:-
This week’s meeting
This week’s meeting will feature Jane Wiltshire explaining how to resize images to enter for battles and competition. Alan Denison will be talking about his Dance Photography and David Chedgy will be giving the second part of his talk on using Alamy. 
The link is the usual one:-

Club website
This is an invitation for members to have some images on the front page of the website. Please submit only ‘Landscape’ format images at 1600 wide. We aim to show a variety of subjects which will be changed from time to time. Please send them to fwccprogramme@gmail.com 

Open competition
We are now open for submissions to the first competition of the season. This is an Open Digital competition and will be judge on 9th October by Aleks Gjika EFIAP, DPAGB. Please send your entries to Jane at fwccdigital@gmail.com
The last date for submission is Friday 25th September at midnight. Any images received after this time will not be accepted

Wells Food Festival 2020 photography competition
Although the physical festival has been cancelled, the event will move on line. It will also include the photography competition that was so successful last year. The competition will run through the month of September with the winners being announced in October. To find out more information, please visit the WFF web site at  https://www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/. The competition will again be judged by Neil White, an accomplished commercial photographer based in Somerset (https://www.neilwhite.co.uk/). Information about the competition should appear on the web site over the next few days. It would be great to see an entry from all members of the group.

The Photography Show
The Photography Show, which always has interesting talks and information about equipment, is going digital this year and there will be over 100 exhibitors plus talks, demos, and galleries - all completely FREE to access on the 20th  and 21st  September.
To access it you need to register for free on the website and the link is https://www.photographyshow.com/  

Visit to Dungeness 
Harvard Dallibar and Jane Wiltshire are planning a weekend trip for three nights on Friday 9th October to Dungeness, a great site for seascapes and possible also astro-photography. Jane and Harvard have booked caravans at the Parkdean Romney Sands resort. Three-bed caravans are £159 for the three nights but smaller ones may be available cheaper. If you would like to join this trip please contact Harvard on las518@icloud.com or Jane on fwccdigital@gmail.com for further information. 
​
Frome Salon of Photography
As I reported last week thanks to the continuing hard work of Alan Denison and Colin Dewsbury, the Frome Salon will be going ahead this year, although under restrictions compliant with Covid19 advice, and the Salon webpage is now open on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html The Rules and Conditions of entry can be downloaded as a pdf. from there. This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images.

and finally …
don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:- 
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

Newsletter 4th September 2020

A message from our Chair, Mary Maynard:-
"Hello Everyone,
I do hope you will all be able to join the zoom meeting this Friday. 
As you know from the mailed invitations, during the first half of the evening we will be having a 'Meet and Greet' session when every member will get a chance to introduce themselves to the club. The idea is for each member to introduce themselves and say a few words about their photography. This could be from showing us your favourite equipment to telling us your latest photo project, what you've been up to recently photographically, or simply what you like to shoot or are hoping to shoot. We'll have to restrict these introductions to about 2-3 minutes each depending on how many members are attending, otherwise we won't have enough time to fit everyone in. It will be very informal and light hearted, nothing fancy. It's just good to get to know each other, or as much as we can over a zoom meeting.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing from you on Friday,
Yours in friendship,
Mary
PS If anyone is having trouble handling the zoom side of things, please don't hesitate to get in contact with any member of the committee who will be able to give you a hand. Or, just reply to this email. MM"
Visit to Dungeness
Harvard Dallibar and Jane Wiltshire are planning a weekend trip for three nights on Friday 9th October to Dungeness, a great site for seascapes and possibly also astro-photography. Jane and Harvard have booked caravans at the Parkdean Romney Sands resort. Three-bed caravans are £159 for the three nights but smaller ones may be available cheaper. If you would like to join this trip please contact Harvard on las518@icloud.com or Jane on fwccdigital@gmail.com for further information.
Frome Salon of Photography
As I reported last week thanks to the continuing hard work of Alan Denison and Colin Dewsbury, the Frome Salon will be going ahead this year, although under restrictions compliant with Covid19 advice, and the Salon webpage is now open on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html  This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. For further information checkout the Salon 2020 section on the club website.. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images.

and finally …  don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:-  Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 


Newsletter 28th August 2020
Firstly, many thanks go to club member Roger Hyman who has once again done an excellent job of printing out the invitations to the first club meeting of the season which you should have all now received. This meeting will include an introduction to the new committee members and an informal chat about the coming season. If you haven’t used Zoom before, don’t try to join the meeting before the night, you will only be able to join once the host has opened the meeting. When you first try to join the meeting a window will come up asking if you will let the Zoom programme to make changes to your computer. It is important to tick the ‘allow’ box because only then will the software download that will enable you to join Zoom meetings. An alternative is to download the Zoom software before the meeting as described on the invitation. Once you have clicked to join you will have to wait until the host accepts your request which should only take a few seconds.

This week’s meeting
On Friday, 28th August Phil Taylor and Lisa Rendall will be showing and talking about their photography, Phil on Panoramic photography and Lisa on Creative Macro – flowers and insects. The link is the usual one –
​
Kingswood Salver
The club selection committee have asked me to remind you that, although the theme is a Still Life with Camera, it does not have to include a vintage camera, in fact not enough images using modern cameras have been received to enable a choice from a broad enough range. Whilst the theme for the images is the same there can be many different interpretations to express the creativity and skill of our club members. Time is short as the hand-in date for the selection is 1st September, so please don’t delay in sending up to three of your still life images to David Chedgy on fwccbattles@gmail.com

Visit to Floral Acre
A visit to Floral Acre Farm near Doulting has been organised for this Wednesday 26th August, so if you are interested please contact Loveday Powell 
​
Frome Salon of Photography
Thanks to the continuing hard work of Alan Denison and Colin Dewsbury, the Frome Salon will be going ahead this year, although under restrictions compliant with Covid19 advice, and the Salon webpage is now open on www.fromewessexcameraclub.com/salon.html  This Salon is free to enter for all members who live within the normal catchment area of the club (in practise within 20-25 miles), although those remote members who live further away will have to pay for entry as usual. Submission dates for entry into the Salon open on the 11th September and close on the 1st November, so you will have plenty of time to prepare your entries. Alan is willing to advise anyone considering submitting images.

and finally …
don’t forget to drop in on the Monday social group, which Barry Hill is now running. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 

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Newsletter 21st August 2020
​On Friday, 21st August Bill Aven, Bill Collett & Barry Hill will be showcasing their photography. The link is the usual one –

Monday Group
As you all know Barry Hill agreed to take over the hosting of the Monday informal discussion group on Zoom. Many members enjoy these social evenings as a way of keeping in touch with the club. The link is the usual one:-
 Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm
​  
Kingswood Salver
A final reminder, the hand-in date for the Kingswood Salver selection is 1st September, so please don’t delay in sending up to three of your still life images to David Chedgy on fwccbattles@gmail.com
and finally … keep an eye on the post for an exciting mail-out from the club in the next couple of weeks.
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Newsletter 14th August 2020
On Friday, 14th August Joao Sanches will be talking about his Favourite Photographs with Andrew de Mora on Rangefinder Cameras and Paul Wakely - My Photography. The link is the usual one –

Photoshoot
Harvard Dallibar has asked that, if anyone is interested in shooting the thunder storms that are forecast for the coming days, to contact him on Facebook

Club trips
Don’t forget the trips that Michelle de Mora is organising. A number of members have already expressed an interest in some of the trips, and as they are for small groups it’s important that you let Michelle know if you would like to go asap. Her email address is fwccsocial@gmail.com
A reminder of the trips on offer, and a couple of new ones have been added on member recommendations:
Stonehenge ttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/prices-and-opening-times/
Frome Dissenters’ Cemetery 20 Vallis Rd, Frome BA11 3EF
Nunney Castle https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/nunney-castle/opening-times/
Stourhead https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
Floral Acre Flower Farm near Doulting – http://floralacre.co.uk
Gardens at The Newt in Somerset, in Bruton – https://thenewtinsomerset.com
Facebook competition
Many congratulations to Steve Hawkins, our very first Facebook fun competition winner.

And finally …
Barry Hill has agreed to take over the hosting of the Monday informal discussion group on Zoom. Many thanks to Barry for keeping this popular event going. The link is the usual one:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
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Newsletter 7th August 2020
This Friday John Bishop will be talking about Travel Photography, Georgina Jackman with her ‘Favourite’ photographs and for the second half of the evening Jon Durrant will be giving a talk on Canals and Landscape. The link is the usual one - 
​
Kingswood Salver
I know many members are working hard on their still life images for the club’s Kingswood Salver entry and to give you ideas I attach a pdf (with your emailed version of the Newsletter) of Jane Wiltshire’s popular talk together with some of her still life images.

Club trips
A number of members have already expressed an interest in some of the trips, and as they are for small groups it’s important that you let Michelle know if you would like to go asap. Her email address is fwccsocial@gmail.com
A reminder of the trips on offer, and a couple of new ones have been added on member recommendations

Stonehenge ttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/prices-and-opening-times/
Frome Dissenters’ Cemetery 20 Vallis Rd, Frome BA11 3EF
Nunney Castle https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/nunney-castle/opening-times/
Stourhead https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
Floral Acre Flower Farm near Doulting – http://floralacre.co.uk
Gardens at The Newt in Somerset, in Bruton – https://thenewtinsomerset.com

Facebook competition
The first Facebook favourite photograph competition closed this week with lots of impressive images submitted and the winner will be posted in the next days. 
Monday Discussion Group
The Monday informal discussion group will continue until the end August. However, if schools do go back in September Michelle will no longer be able to host the group. If there are any members who think they would like to host this popular group please let either me or Michelle know. The link for the Monday group has changed (See your emailed version of the Newsletter) Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm ​ 
And finally …
Although a number of members have volunteered to do a 10 minute talk on their photography for the 10 Minutes of Fame night on 23rd October, we still need 3 or 4 volunteers to make it a good night. If you think you could do this please contact either me or Gayle on fwccprogramme@gmail.com



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Newsletter 28th July 2020
In keeping with our usual varied programme this week we have two members’ talks. The first is Simon Johnson talking about ‘Wildlife on Safari’, and the second is Anjalika Baier on ICM and Abstract images.

Club trips
Michelle de Mora, our Social Secretary, is hoping to organise trips for the next few weeks. The trips will be for groups of no more than 6 so that social distancing can be maintained, and rely on members making their own way to the venue travelling separately, unless they are in the same household of course. Initially Michelle would like an idea of how many members will be interested in the trips on offer. So far the options are:-
Somerset Lavender Farm http://www.somersetlavender.com
Stonehenge ttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/prices-and-opening-times/
Frome Dissenters’ Cemetery 20 Vallis Rd, Frome BA11 3EF
Nunney Castle https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/nunney-castle/opening-times/
Stourhead https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
If you are interested please contact Michelle on fwccsocial@gmail.com

10 Minutes of Fame
On 23rd October the club plans to run an evening of 10 minute talks by 10 members, on anything photographic that interests them. So if you have any interest of area of expertise that you would like to share please contact either me or Gayle Glover on fwccprogramme@gmail.com

Facebook competition
Just for fun we are running a Facebook competition, the winner will have their image posted as an announcement on the club Facebook page. The image must be taken over the next 2 weeks and there can only be one entry per member. Post your image as a comment under Michelle de Mora’s Facebook competition post, the closing date is 31st July, and a member of initially the P group will be invited to choose their favourite photo.

Monday Discussion Group
Don’t forget the Monday informal discussion group, this has been very popular with many members popping in for a chat. The link for the Monday group has changed.
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
And finally …
Don’t forget to get your still life images for our Kingswood Salver entry in by the 1st September at the latest for selection, so please send your images to David Chedgy on fwccbattles@gmail.com

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​
Newsletter 21st July 2020
This week’s meeting will be Sandy Whitton’s talk on Astro Editing and David Chedgy will be talking about the do’s and don’ts you need to take into account when you’re shooting for Alamy or other photographic libraries. The link is the usual one -
 
A message from Mary about the club Kingswood Salver Entry
As you know, our entry this year is going to take the form of a Still Life. Hopefully, you will have been able to watch Jane's excellent presentation on how to compose, light and take a Still Life, but if not Andrew De Mora will put the recording on Facebook soon.
We have a further refinement to the entry in that the Still Life should feature a camera of some kind. This camera may be of any kind; vintage, old, modern, iphone, polaroid, pin-hole...any kind of camera at all. The still life should have some supporting prop(s) in order to convey a feeling or an idea. For example;
1. A time or an event when that camera was used, for example; a vacation, a birthday, a competition, a family day out, a studio shoot, a portrait, a picnic, and so on
2  The era when that camera was manufactured. For a vintage camera, for example, props could be a vintage photo frame, a book of that era, stockings, an LP, an EP, a CD, and so on.
But, these are just possibilities. It's up to you. 
We may issue a style guide for the Still Life later on, but this text is just to get everyone thinking about it. A good Still Life takes a lot of prior thought and practice. So, give it some consideration and save up any questions for the club meeting on Friday. Or, put some practice try-outs on our closed Facebook site. 
It's a challenge for everyone, but together we can do it.   
Mary (Chair)
PS If you don't have an old camera we have some to loan out.  

10 Minutes of Fame
On 23rd October the club plans to run an evening of 10 minute talks by 10 members, on anything photographic that interests them. So if you have any interest of area of expertise that you would like to share please contact either me or Gayle Glover on fwccprogramme@gmail.com

Facebook competition
Just for fun we are running a Facebook competition, the winner will have their image posted as an announcement on the club Facebook page. The image must be taken over the next 2 weeks and there can only be one entry per member. Post your image as a comment under Michelle de Mora’s Facebook competition post, the closing date is 31st July, and a member of initially the P group will be invited to choose their favourite photo.
​ 
Monday Discussion Group
Don’t forget the Monday informal discussion group, this has been very popular with many members popping in for a chat. The link for the Monday group has changed and it now:-
Topic: Monday Discussion Group 5pm 
Join Zoom Meeting
And finally …
A message from WCPF –
Bath Photographic Society is pleased to announce their web-based Summer Exhibition. Members of the Society have each entered just one image – the one they like the most, or are most proud of, or has special significance for them. Each image is accompanied by a short narrative describing the photographer’s thoughts when it was captured or the events that led to it. We invite you to view these images here: bps-summer-exhibition.weebly.com  
Zoom meeting links are with your weekly email from the club secretary




Newsletter 24th April 2020  
This week’s meeting
This Friday Andrew Washington, with technical support from Andrew de Mora, will be running a Lightroom Workshop at 7.30.
Weekly Zoom club get-togethers.
Following the success of last week’s Zoom meeting and other online meetings, Michelle de Mora is planning to run some sessions each week where members attend a Zoom call and discuss what projects they are doing during lock-down. It will give members a chance to discuss and share ideas. The first meetings are planned to run on Monday at 5pm and Wednesday at 2pm, and I will send out the links later in the week.
May 8th – Competition ‘Abandoned Places’ – as previously advised this is now a digital competition. The judge is Clive Greenland (LRPS, QGPP) and judging and feedback will again be online. The criteria is –
‘A photograph which depicts an uninhabited man-made structure in a location e.g. buildings, villages, outhouses, ruined castles.  Internal views of abandoned structures are permitted, as well as external views.’
These photos should evoke a mood or feeling of the passing of time, loss or change to a way of life. Please submit images by 24th April.
If there are any other members who would be willing to make a short talk or video about their photography for us to share with club members please let either me or David know. The Club has grown into a supportive and vibrant community and we would like to keep this spirit going during this challenging period.
Donations from Club Funds
As previous advised we had such a successful Salon in 2019 that we found ourselves with surplus funds in the account. The Committee decided to donate £100 each to the Dorothy House and Frome Foodbank charities as their fundraising ability has been severely restricted during this difficult time and this money has now been sent to them.
Upcoming battles.
Don’t forget that the deadline for submitting images for the PAGB Interclub Projected Digital Image Championship is 24th April, so please send up to 6 of your best images to Jane.
and finally …
If you have any problems accessing the Clubs online programme please let me know.
Stay safe.
Best wishes,
Criss

This week’s meeting
Friday’s meeting will be another critique evening by David Chedgy & Alan Denison.
Please email up to three digital images (numbered 1, 2 and 3). Please include in email subject field "Images for Critique Evening".
Images to be taken in turn (all 1s, then all 2s etc) until allocated time is up. The meeting will start at 7.30
Best of the Best digital competition
The Best of the Best digital competition images have now been sent to the judge, John Tilsley. You should all now have received the chart for the Best of the Best print entries, if you have not done so already, please make sure digital versions of your winning print images, resized appropriately, are sent to Mary by midnight Friday 15th at the latest,
Members’ Galleries
If you have explored the club website you will have noticed that one feature is the Members’ Galleries section under the ‘More’ dropdown menu. This is where we can show off the creativity of our images, and our areas of interest, to other members and to visitors to the site. Already there are some excellent galleries from members, but please don’t think the galleries are just for competition winners, not every member wants to enter competitions but every member will have some great images to share. So if you would like a gallery of your images, or would like to refresh your existing gallery, please send the proposed content or amendments to Alan Denison and let us all enjoy your images. Don’t forget to check the Members Gallery section for guidelines.
and finally …
times are very difficult for all of us at the moment, but the Club has been working hard to continue our weekly meetings during lockdown, with talks, webinars and competitions. What the committee would now like to know is how to keep the programme going during the summer months, when we would normally meet up for outings, workshops and photoshoots, and you can all help by letting us know what you would like the Club to put on via video conferencing during July and August. These could be talks, critique sessions, workshops by members, like Andrews excellent Lightroom webinar (maybe you have an area of expertise that you could share with members). Committee members can organise the technical side of things, so please let us have your ideas by sending them to me. I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Stay safe.
Best wishes,
Criss

IMPORTANT REMINDER - We are at Frome Rugby Club, Gypsy Lane, Frome BA11 2NA this Friday.

This week Richard Price is giving his talk ‘Micro to Massive’ which he describes as “An evening of two halves. First we examine the world of macro - what is it? How can I do it? Ideas and inspiration from bugs to droplets. Part two we explore the depths of space and Astro photography. The opportunities that can be found, after dark and the amazing things you can do without specialist kit.”
Check out his work on https://www.freedomphotographic.com/
 Guy Edwardes talk
The DVD of Guy Edwardes talk is ready and Jon Durrant will bring it to Club on Friday. He has agreed with Guy that it will only be seen by Club members. Several of you will want to see it, so it may take a while to pass round. None of the content can be copied as he has given his word to Guy.  
Improving your photography – Critique Evening – Thursday 12th March
David Chedgy and Alan Denison plan to run a number of additional 'critique' evenings each year in the same manner as the evening that was run in preparation for FSoP19. The first meeting will be on 12th March so please register your interest in attending with Alan Denison or David Chedgy by 10th March.
Preparations for Tri-Battle
Although the Tri-Battle with Frome Selwood and Norton Radstock is still some way off it is worthwhile having a look at the Themes listed on the club website for inspiration for your prints and DPIs. Hand in date is 1st May.
Brick Lane photoshoot
This may have to be postponed until the situation regarding coronavirus becomes clearer.

More good news. The club competed last weekend in the Warminster Annual Inter-Club battle, and beat 6 other local clubs to come first. Special congratulations to Andrew Washington who received the 'Best in competition award. The images are on the club website alone with a photo of a proud David Chedgy accepting the club award. Well done everyone.
This week’s meeting
This week is members critique evening, bring along no more than 3 of your DPIs (on a memory stick) or prints, tell us a bit about your photography and receive feedback from other club members.
WCPF Members exhibition
This is for individual club members with online entry which members do have to complete by 7th March through the WCPF website http://www.wcpf.org.uk/pages/members-exhibition-2020.php . Our WCPF representative and is also an assistant MPIX member and will collect prints to take to the selection weekend on 21/22nd March. The venue for the exhibition is Bovey Tracey Golf Club TQ13 9NG and will run from 3rd-17th May.
Mifsuds Photographic
Mifsuds, who regularly come along to the club Camera Fairs, are currently offering 10% off all new and used stock. Order from Mifsuds.com using the online discount code: DISC10
FWCC Distinction Print Group
Don’t forget to speak to Bill or Loveday if you want to join the Distinctions print only group which has its first meeting on 4th March.
Brick Lane trip
After the success of the January London trip, Harvard Dallibar would like to know if anyone is interested in a Brick Lane photo trip on 4th or 5th April. If you would like to go along either contact me or Harvard.
Upcoming events
Don’t forget that the hand in date for the club open print competition is 21st February. The competition will be judged on 13th March and the judge is Julie Kay.
Upcoming battles
The Tri Battle is being hosted by Frome Selwood this year on 13th May 2020. It's at Frome Cricket club, starting at 7.45pm. Please see the subjects sheet attached, there are no restrictions on how many members may hand in for consideration per subject. Tri battle images, can be either print or DPI, (DPIs should be the normal Digital competition size). Please hand prints to the Battles Secretary and send DPIs.
Name format should be: Name of subject_Members name_Club number.

Great news from the 2020 WCPF DPIC Competition on Saturday. The club had an excellent result – runner up – which will mean that we go forward, with the winners, Dorchester Camera Club, to represent Western Counties against all the other club federations in the UK at the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain championships in June. Well done everyone.
This week’s meeting
This week is the club open digital competition. The judge will be changed from Cynthia Jory.
Club Competition Questionnaire
You should all now have received my email about this. David Chedgy is collating all the responses so please return your voting slip to him by Sunday evening 16th February at the latest.
Tripod
Sadly new club member David Laycock has had a disaster with his tripod and asks if any member has a reasonably priced tripod for sale. Contact me if you have and I will pass it on to David.
FWCC Distinction Print Group
Following last year’s success we realise how useful such a group can be to the club and its members. Loveday and Bill are prepared to run another one this year. As they are unable to cater for lots of members just wanting to improve their photography they will still need to restrict the number to prospective distinction seekers, understanding that it may be some time off for some. (The club already runs an ‘Improve your Photography group’)
They aim to start off with a bi-monthly meeting but adding more as and when members are getting close to their adjudications or assessments. These distinctions will cover PAGB, RPS and other bodies.
It is not possible for them to fairly be assessing DI’s as it requires a calibrated projector. (This will be dealt with in another club group.) Therefore they will restrict their group to prints only, requiring all members to actively take part by bringing work each time. Our first meeting will be on the 4th March at Loveday’s studio and will run from 7-9pm.
Topic - To discuss members’ requirements and expectations. By all means bring some prints along and with time allowing you can make a start.
Brick Lane trip
After the success of the January London trip, Harvard Dallibar would like to know if anyone is interested in a Brick Lane photo trip on 4th or 5th April. If you would like to go along either contact me or Harvard.
Upcoming events
Warminster CC inter-club print battle 2020 – this is being held on Saturday 15 February at the Lakeside Centre, Warminster Pleasure Park. Doors open at 1.15pm. Tickets on the door £5 to include a finger buffet and tea/coffee. Members encouraged to come along as it's a great insight into how battle images are critiqued and scored, plus you get to see some great images.
Don’t forget that the hand in date for the club open print competition is 21st February. The competition will be judged on 13th March and the judge is Julie Kay.
Upcoming battles
The Tri Battle is being hosted by Frome Selwood this year on 13th May 2020. It's at Frome Cricket club, starting at 7.45pm. Please see the subjects sheet attached, there are no restrictions on how many members may hand in for consideration per subject. Tri battle images, can be either print or DPI, (DPIs should be the normal Digital competition size).Please hand prints to the Battles Secretary and send in DPIs.
Name format should be: Name of subject_Members name_Club number.