F O C U S SHARING VISUAL ART AUGUST 2022 E D E N V A L E P H O T O G R A P H I C C L U B P r o u d m e m b e r o f t h e P S S A COVER IMAGE BY LINDA CARTER
P S S A A N N U A L C O N G R E S S
"Believe in the magic of the season "
Chat Francois Roux
Subject
Green and gold EPC Committee members Important dates for 2022
Table of contents
with
Special
4 7 9 10 15 16
Club night Winners Club night Winners Annual Competition 21 25 Tips by Tom Oldham 30
This year, the annual PSSA Congress was held in Greyton, a quaint little village in the Western Cape Snuggled at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains, Greyton recently hosted approximately 150 photographers from PSSA clubs across South Africa, including 9 members from EPC
The annual PSSA Congress is a photographer’s dream, with both educational lectures and numerous photographic opportunities. Laetitia Kenny was one of the keynote speakers at the Congress, and she shared her vast wealth of knowledge on altered reality photography with a full house of eager learners We were also treated to talks by Lynne Kruger Haye (Tygerberg Photo Club) on how to run a photography business, and how to take exceptional portrait photographs Martin Barber (Southern Suburbs) shared his “Telling a story” lecture but also gave a fascinating hands on, live demonstration of black and white photography, highlighting just how confusing it can be if you don’t understand hue and tone
With most of the EPC members travelling from Johannesburg, we took a leisurely drive towards the village of Prince Albert, where we stayed for a night Located at the foot of the magnificent Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert is a beautiful spot where we could catch up with each other before departing towards Greyton The Swartberg Pass is one of the best exposed mountain fold passes in the world, and superbly impressive vertical beds of sedimentary rock gave us some great photographic opportunities
Green and gold: 5 days in Greyton
We arrived in Greyton late on Sunday 21st August, just in time for the opening Congress dinner. Here we met up with our George based EPC member Fabiola, who joined the Johannesburg contingent, and it was clear to all that we were going to have a fun week together Dave Gordon and his wife Barbara, who recently moved to Cape Town were also there, so it was a great chance to catch up
Other talks included a focus on Infrared Photography by Kim Stevens (Cape Town Photographic Society), a trip through the wildlife of the Kgalagadi by Johan Kloppers and a landscape focused talk by Paul Bruins The renowned Cape Town photography store Orms brought in each of the major photography brands (Fuji, Canon, Nikon and Sony) on consecutive days, allowing attendees to get their hands on new models and lenses, and in some cases, even test them out on the organized photo walks
Lunches and dinners were hosted by a variety of restaurants in Greyton and were included in the congress price It’s safe to say that nobody went hungry at any stage; between the ample portions and the tea time snacks, we all rolled out of the village at the end of the week The congress ended on a high note with a gala dinner, which included introduction of new PSSA board members and recognition of Honours Awards recipients Laetitia received her MPSSA Mille Platinum, awarded for reaching a whopping 1750 salon acceptances. Well done, Tish!
Without a doubt though, the highlight of the congress was the huge number of photographic opportunities that the area presented The Overberg area is well known for its canola fields at this time of year, and they were starting to bloom beautifully, giving us some spectacular landscape shots with flashes of green and gold The weather ranged from clear blue skies to moody, heavy clouds with spots of sunshine Greyton and the neighbouring town of Genandendal are full of interesting characters that provided some fantastic street photography moments The Riversonderend Nature Reserve allowed participants to capture blooming King Proteas, waterfalls and flowing rivers
Those of us who attended had a fantastic time and returned with a true sense of camaraderie with our fellow EPC members Stories were shared, laughs were aplenty, and we might even have shared some photography tips with each other It was fabulous to meet passionate photographers from other parts of the country and explore some new areas Thanks must go to Hanli for encouraging us to attend and for assisting with our accommodation bookings in Greyton she truly is the mother figure in EPC!
The next 2023 PSSA congress is set to happen in September next year in the Drakensberg, much closer to home for us, which means it’ll be easier for more of us to get there Who’s going to join us next year?
Tareget Idea words by Clare Appleyard
Hanli Smit Appleyard
EPC Committee 083 253 1034 hanlis54@gmail.com 083 234 0247 clare appleyard@gmail com 083 229 8066 davewil@gmail.com
David Wolstencroft
Clare
Kenneth Kubheka Mayes
EPC Committee 082 61 8336 royal.kubheka@gmail.com 083 417 2194 mayes andy 1980@gmail com 083 324 0702 linda@m d s.co.za
Linda Carter
Andrew
Important dates for 2022 ANNUAL COMPETITION CERPS AGM AWARDS EVENING 8th October 2022 is the closing date 29th October 2022 all day event at the GODOX S A head office 9th of November 2022 23rd November 2022 Light meal and trophy evening
A difficult question for a short answer, because a lot of what PSSA is all about, isn’t tangible PSSA in the first place are it’s members, without members PSSA don’t exist The existence of PSSA creates a platform for photographers to exercise their photography, in the widest sence Clubs are affilaited to PSSA, and through that affiliation, club members have access to many things, judges, knowledge, infrastructure, competitions, all at a very low “rate” To me, the greatest value of PSSA, PSSA is a family of people I have met so many wonderfull people, all willing to share their knowledge, friendship, etc The more members we have the stronger this family We surely have different styles, interest, etc, and that is what we need for a strong society
FRANCOIS ROUX
PSSA Director
FOCUS ON THE PSSA
1) The most commonly asked question is: Why must I join the PSSA, how will you answer this?
For a much longer answer: attached the PSSA ABC available on the PSSA website
Finance and Company Secretary
Over the last 10 years the biggest change in my view is that everything is so much quicker, sharing your images on social media is instant, the world can see it Prosessing is also quicker due to improvement in software The other aspect, and that is a marketing stunt in my view, buying the newest on the market will improve your photography We are flooded with new models daily I believe this is a lie I read the following quote: “paying more attention to light, not new equipment, is perhaps the single most important step you can take to improve your photography” Thus, in one way nothing changed, a good photograph is still a good photograph
3) Where do you think the association will be in 10 years from now?
FOCUS ON THE PSSA
Yes, photography did change Maybe not that much over the past ten years, but with the digital medium, it did change We now take MANY more pictures on a shoot or a trip In the film days we shot a few rolls, now we take thousands You were also shooting “blind” in the film days Shooting on film you only saw the results after the film was developed Now you look at the back of your camera to see what is happening
FRANCOIS ROUX
2) Do you think photography changed over the last 10 years and why?
I am positive that the society will still be relevant Very interesting to read through the minutes of the early years of PSSA (established in 1954), we discuss the same issues, which they did The main thing: judging (which will always be subjective) As long as we strive to listen to each others views, with the main objective, to serve photography
Club photography is stable Numbers vary from time to time, and that is a trend since clubs started many years ago The oldest club in SA is more than 120 years old, and they are, as many other clubs, still going strong In today’s day and age clubs “compete” with so many more “attractions” Family life is also much more strenious today, the demands on raising children etc is very challenging, therefore people don’t always have the time to dedicate to their hobbies as what they would have liked to
My view is that a photograph is a photograph, regardless of the decvice used to capture the image Cellphones though, are definitely having an impact on our craft/art, for the reason that it is accesable to many more people Before cellphones with cameras in them, photography was restricted to people who could afford a camera, now it is accesable for so many more people I see that as very positive We need to embrace that and find ways to teach the cellphone enthusiasts to improve their photography as well One of the roles of PSSA is to uphold a good standard of photography
5) How strong do you think Club photography is and is it getting stronger or not?
4) What do you think of the influence of Cellphone photography on our craft/art ?
FOCUS ON THE PSSA
FRANCOIS ROUX
FRANCOIS ROUX
The most important aspect to judging is that the “judge” is expressing his opinion on your photo It is just that, his/her opinion Judging is always subjective, another judge, most likely a different opinion Please don’t take the comments personally Listen to what is said, and take from it what you can learn to improve your photography Discard the rest
7) Can you give any advice to a new photographer regarding judging?..How to handle unkind comments by a judge rightly or wrongly?
FOCUS ON THE PSSA
The longer answer: photography enriched my life so much, it is hard to put it into words It made me look very differently at the world and people around me It took me to places, which I otherwise would not have bothered to go and see and visit In my case I was fortunate to be able to take my kids and family with at a very young age, and it also made a large impact on them Through club photography and PSSA my photography improved to where I am currently, and I am still learning every day The wonderfull thing about club and PSSA members are that 99% are so willing to share their knowledge and expertise
6) What did the PSSA and Club photography mean to you during your journey as a photographer?
This question have a very short as well as long answer The short answer is; an undescribable lot
Money can’t buy this
PSSA is costantly busy with the training of judges, club judges, honours judges, etc It is very important for every judge to realise that you NEVER stop learning I do feel that we have very competent judges who aspire to improve themseves all the time, and to share their knowledge in an honest way, to help photographers to improbe their photography I believe that the pool of these judges are not large enough, PSSA aim to increase this through the training programmes that we have
FRANCOIS ROUX
FOCUS ON THE PSSA
8) Do you think our judging system and standard is keeping up with the changes in the industry?
SPECIAL SUBJECT
A road to nowhere WINNER Gary Peck
Every year we carefully choose the different themes for our special subject we ask the members to weigh in here Please start thinking about a few suggestions for next years themes.
ONE STAR WINNERS 10 AUGUST ONE STAR NATURE WINNER Kenton on Sea and Boesmans Jana Botha ONE STAR CELLPHONE WINNER ONE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Sea View Dave Shaw Be where your feet are Sonja Olivier
Jumping for joy Peter Fine Burning Rubber Brian Shaw
TWO STAR NATURE WINNER
TWO STAR PICTORIAL WINNER
TWO STAR WINNERS 10 AUGUST
10 AUGUST
Any angle will do Linda Carter
THREE STAR WINNERS
THREE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER
THREE STAR NATURE WINNER
Pearly night Fabiola Grant
FOUR STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Watching For Danger Quentin Lemmer Thinking Ahead Stephen Kangisser
FOUR STAR WINNERS 10 AUGUST
FOUR STAR NATURE WINNER
FIVE
FIVE STAR WINNERS 10 AUGUST
STAR NATURE WINNER FIVE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Ready to go Cecil Mayhew Madisons furry friends Moira van Heerden
An image cannot be entered in more than one category
Any images not meeting these criteria will be disqualified. The deadline for submissions is midnight, Saturday 8th October 2022
Any composite entries must comprise only of elements belonging to the photo author and may not include purchased or downloaded elements
Only images which have been presented at a club evening since October last year are eligible for the Annual Competition. The images may not be changed from the ones originally entered It must be added directly from your PhotoVault library, so no new uploads are required This includes Set Subject images
This competition is held once during the club year (Usually at the end of the club year, September)
It will be an open competition in digital, In the categories listed below:
ANNUAL COMPETITION
PhotoVault will close on this day at 23h59 and no further entries can be considered
All images entered must be the author’s own work, from pressing the shutter, to final processing and editing
2022
Nature:
Images may be colour or monochrome As above, except that compositing, multiple exposures and double exposures are allowed provided that the image remains realistic
Animal Portraits: Images may be colour or monochrome A likeness, personality and mood of an animal, where that animal is dominant in the image Portraiture is not restricted to head and shoulders and may include just a part of the face, a back view or even a full length study
Scapes:
Categories
You can enter as the star rating you were on at 1 April 2022, or higher, but not both. Please pay attention to each category definition to avoid any of your images being disqualified.
Altered Nature:
Colour and mono images allowed Any scape whether nature or pictorial may be entered in this category and the subject matter is not limited so may include city, sea, sky or landscapes Manipulation is allowed but should be such as to enhance the scene and not change it Manipulations which drastically alter the reality should be entered under pictorial
Human Portrait:
Images may be colour or monochrome A likeness, personality and mood of a person, where that person is dominant in the image Portraiture is not restricted to head and shoulders and may include just a part of the face, a back view or even a full length study
Colour images only Restricted to depict observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology,= in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify to its honest presentation Human elements shall not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, domestic and farm animals, mounted specimens or obviously set arrangements are ineligi ble as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement Manipulation includes, but is not limited to, adding or removing any element by means other than cropping. Compositing, multiple exposures, sandwich/montage and double exposures are not permitted except for digital techniques such as HDR, focus stacking and stitching where the end result is a faithful representation of the original scene
Colour and mono images allowed An image depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, includes table top and floral arrangements
Images may be colour or monochrome Newsworthy/story telling pictures, includes sports Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography by the qualities of: Timeliness the images have meaning in the context of a recently published record of events Objectivity the situation implied by the images is a fair and accurate representation of the events they depict in both content and tone Narrative the images combine with other news elements to make facts relatable to the viewer or reader on a cultural level Manipulation is not allowed
Open Colour:
Still Life:
Images may be colour or monochrome A creative, experimental, imaginative and/or a departure from realistic representation An image created by altering reality in an obvious manner It can be created digitally or in camera The intention is the creation of a new image that conveys a feeling or message or tells a story PLEASE NOTE No purchased backgrounds or textures may be used; all the vectors and element must be the photographer’s own work.
Open Mono:
Photojournalism:
Colour photographs ONLY All photographs not covered by the above sections Images which should be in any of the other categories must not be entered in this category. Any image entered in this category which should be in any of the other categories will be disqualified. Manipulation is permitted.
Mono photographs ONLY All photographs not covered by the above sections Images which should be in any of the other categories must not be entered in this category Any image entered in this category which should be in any of the other categories will be disqualified Manipulation is permitted
Altered Reality:
Certificates of Merit may be presented in any or all of the sections or categories listed above at the discretion of the judges.
1 + 2 star workers
Awards or certificates of merit gained in this competition will not count towards the Log competition
Images used for Set Subject entries are permissible
PhotoVault will take care of the naming standard for you
Winners will be announced and certificates will be handed out at our last club meeting on the 23rd of November 2022
ie each person may enter 10 digital images
There are three categories:
All images must be entered via PhotoVault in the correct competition that matches your star rating
5 and 6 star workers
Contact any of the committee members for assitance if this is not clear enough Please enter, it is all done on Photovault so its very easy!
Any image which is entered in the incorrect category will be disqualified as well as images entered that were not presented at club meetings during the period October 2021 to September 30th 2022
GOOD LUCK TO ALL
3 + 4 star workers
The image Title may not be changed
All you need to supply is the image title, but remember, it must be an image that was submitted for a club evening or set subject during the current calendar year
The maximum number of entries will be 1 in each category,
ONE STAR WINNERS 31 AUGUST
ONE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER
ONE STAR NATURE WINNER
Cotton Thistle Sonja Olivier Bella
Sonja Olivier
A helping hand Leanne Stone ONE STAR CELLPHONE WINNER
TWO STAR NATURE WINNER
TWO STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Goose on a Mission Brian Shaw Dust Buster Brian Shaw
TWO STAR WINNERS 31 AUGUST
concrete jungle Caryn Wilson.
THREE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Widow bird in the dry grass Andrew Mayes Layers of Yellow Linda Carter
THREE STAR NATURE WINNER
THREE STAR WINNERS 31 AUGUST
THREE STAR NATURE WINNER
FOUR STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Cheetah Sibling Love Stephen Kangisser TIrene and her Roses Stephen Kangisser
FOUR STAR WINNERS 31 AUGUST
FOUR STAR NATURE WINNER
FIVE STAR WINNERS 31 AUGUST FIVE STAR NATURE WINNER FIVE STAR PICTORIAL WINNER Finishing touch Dino Bottega Lonely trees David Wolstencroft FIVE STAR CELLPHONE WINNER Drakenburg Cecil Mayhew
He has been nutmegged by Cesc Fabregas, had a door slammed in his face by Ginger Baker and photographed Usain Bolt on multiple occasions Throughout it all, he’s kept his dry sense of humor and quick wit and now has endless stories of remarkable encounters
“I have photographed a lot of celebrities but more I’ve photographed very talented and driven people from many walks of life sport, music, business, art and so on ” We caught up with the London based photographer ahead of his appearance to find out his top five tips for taking better portraits
TIPS FROM TOM OLDHAM
“I find it fairly straightforward to lock into most people with only a little knowledge of who and what they are Doing your research and creating a harmonious environment where subjects will happily give you their portrait is the key to how this happens and this reduces the pressure of the situation as they are at ease quickly, because hopefully you have shown them you ’ re as professional as they are and that they are in the hands of someone experienced "
Tom Oldham is an award winning photographer with 26years of experience and soon he’ll be sitting down with Karl Taylor in studio for another exciting live show, where he’ll be discussing the highs, the lows and what it takes to crack it in the industry.
“It’ll only help, being on top of your everything Know your kit, be ready, practice beforehand and test All this enables you to just focus on creating connection ”
Research, he said, was key to creating a comfortable environment for a subject
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Richard Branson by Tom Oldham
David Gilmour by Tom Oldham
“Jane Bown said portraits are given not taken Only when you ’ ve created an environment where your subject is completely relaxed and comfortable can that exchange be allowed to occur You’re in charge of that little bit of time and space and it starts with your own state of being, so inspire that atmosphere by setting the right tone have drinks ready, create the right mood, get the music right, be happy and positive and let your team be too
TIPS FROM TOM OLDHAM
2. Create the right environment
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Get on top of the technical so ideas can just flow Know your kit so well that you feel 100 per cent confident and able Experiment, test and practice with it continually It’s always a good idea to bring one extra of everything to ensure you ’ re covered if things don’t go according to plan on the day All this enables you to just focus on creating a connection and helps ensure you look as professional as the subjects you ’ re photographing
India by Tom Oldham
1. Know the technical
David Grohl by Tom Oldham
TIPS FROM TOM OLDHAM
“Use clear direction and show examples so there’s no frustration when it doesn’t look how you want it to Demonstrate it yourself Be generous with praise and only share what the digital operator can see when the portrait is looking amazing. Shoots are won and lost in this early moment Be seen to be enjoying the shoot and the work
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Work with the best people and treat them like Gods Inspire loyalty You’ll look to them when something untoward happens and if they’re under prepared, not on brief or just not that into you they could leave your ass hanging in the wind
Always have fresh breath and clean shoes Tom will be joining Karl in studio on 19 July, where he’ll be discussing his career, his recent work and offering invaluable advice when it comes to working with people To find out more, http://www tomoldham com/
5. The little details
4. Know where you’re going and enjoy the journey
3. Mutual respect