North Wales Group Photo Outing-Post Visit-Report.

Betws-y-Coed-From the rocks under the bridge, as river Llugwy passes under the road.

Another most enjoyable trip was undertaken by members of the group on Sunday 17^th May, and in spite of the rather cloudy start and the odd spot of rain as we went over the Llanberis Pass, it was a good photography day, being cloudy, but nice and clear for most of the time.

We managed to take a number of photography stops starting at the aquaduct at Pontcysyllte, the waterfalls on the river Conway, and Betws-y-Coed, to a late afternoon stop at the small stream along the Llanberis Pass.

With the rain now beginning to be a problem for clear photos, and being early evening time, we decided to call it a day stopping at the lake in Llanberis for a few last minute shots, as the weather had improved sufficiently to get shots of the lake and back along the Llanberis Pass.

Great to see members getting together and having a good time, whilst being able to gain even more experience, photographing differing places of interest. A selection of photos by members taking part can be seen on the group Facebook page, and also very many more on the group FLICKR account link, on the web page:-(www.watch-it-and-c.co.uk) .

What a big difference in quality of shot and perspective is now being shown by members of the group, with some member shots, I would consider,  surely good enough to go into photo magazines. The group is obviously making a big difference to our members’ photography and understanding of their cameras. Great to see, and it can only get better.

The next group photo outing will take place at BUNBURY MILL, on Saturday afternoon 30^th May, from 2.00 till 4.00 pm. ( £3.50 entrance fee, payable on entrance, parking free). Make sure you make this next photo outing day, so that you can gain even more experience using your own camera, with a group of sociable, like-minded members.

Cliff

Things are developing!

 Nice sequence of shots of the Indian ( Hawk ?) Owl coming in the get his chicken leg from Barbara.

Update for Members of the 21st Century Technology & Camera Group that were out Saturday 7th February, at Peckforton Castle testing out their new found skills with their cameras. 

I am still POST Processing shots taken at Peckforton Castle, and will be using PICASA3 (FREE!!!) for the JPEGS, and Lightroom 4 for the RAW images. This will be a great test to use both photo post processing software packages and then compare a few of the end results. 

Still "Horses for Courses" as I have found out over the many years I have been taking photographs, both paid and up-paid for the post processed photos.

So still a very long way to go today and into next week, with my post processing, but with the quality of the Birds of Prey close up images, using my latest 50 mm Prime Lens, I will this time really enjoy the post processing, for a change :)

Have just completed the sequence above using PICASA3 (first) with the JPEG images and these are not too bad for JPEGS. I quite like this sequence of photos, so have placed these up for others in the group to view. More later.

I am now looking forward to completing the same shots using Lightroom 4 with some of the better close up images, as no doubt using Lightroom SHOULD / will make my better images, a "tad" better than using PICASA3.

A REALLY enjoyable day out for all the group, and a tad cold at the top of Peckforton Hills, but good for the soul and our members photography experience.

Quite funny, to see that the Wives of Cheshire, or is it Cheshire Wives, also enjoy the Castle and setting, on Monday night. 

But I bet they paid a small fortune to spend time at Peckforton, but nicer for the Group as we got it FREE :)

Member Update following PECKFORTON CASTLE. Group Photo Outing-Saturday 7th February 2015.

Photo by Mal Wetton-GHOST IMAGES for FEB 2015 member photo presentation.

Photo Cliff Astles-Any photos of our feathered friends for the Feb 2015 member photo presentation

Photo Cliff Astles- Any photos from Peckforton-Birds either STATIC or FLYING.

Following an extremely good afternoon at Peckforton Castle, Cheshire, members have already provided to me probably the best response to date,  for member photos from a photo day out.

Have now completed the first part of the Group Members Photo Presentation for the Group Monthly evening of WEDNESDAY 18th FEBRUARY, BUT still have PLENTY of ROOM for MORE PHOTOS. Please get these to me ASAP.

NEXT Saturday evening being the CUT OFF time for photos to me, so I have time to include them into the presentation, without ANY pressure to complete :(

TOPIC REMINDER for FEB :- GHOST pictures, as per the sample below. Peckforton Castle photos, plus if you did not manage to make the day out, ANY you have of our FEATHERED FRIENDS, birds from anywhere, land, lakes, gardens etc

Still LOADS of space left in the MS PowerPoint Presentation for more photos,  just as long as you keep photos sent to myself 500K in size, or less. 250 K size is OK as well.

Why do we have this kind of photo display at meetings, with peoples names against their photos ?

We have had this from the beginning of the group and is intended for members to view their own photos, from either group outings, or the group topic for the month. By doing this members can compare their own photos with other member photos and see just how well they are progressing, when the Monthly Topic is the same for all. Also, when out on photo outings, we are also looking to get the same kind of shots, without it being a COMPETITION.

e.g. At Peckforton we were looking for photos of STATIC BIRDS, plus BIRDS FLYING. The subject was the same BIRDS, but the camera settings were different for the two different "poses".

BUT, apart from individual photos which members also wish to take, we were ALL looking at taking the same photos, with the same or very similar camera settings. That is the teaching / training aspect of our photo outings.

Our group is all about members learning how best to use their own cameras, and at the same time getting FREE help from other members to improve as well, along with the technology for all other aspects of placing photos onto the Internet, of which there is a lot to learn.

With the NEW Web Page Gallery Photos (when Melody has completed her work on the Member Gallery Photo Albums), it is being planned that you will be able to run your computer mouse OVER each photo, and see the members camera settings for each photo, when provided by the member. You can then use this technical camera info to try out the same camera settings with your own camera, to hopefully get the same results, and improve your own photos, in your own time.

ie NO PRESSURE from ANYONE :) Just enjoy your photography, whilst taking many more photos as you do so and you will improve, very quickly.

IF in doubt about any aspect of photography (until the Web Page Forum is available) you can either place your question onto the groups Facebook Page, or send a message to MAL WETTON or myself with the requested info, and we will try and answer any query as quickly as possible.

REMEMBER Questions NOT ASKED can NEVER be answered :) :) :)

Cliff Astles

Group Visit to Peckforton Castle-Cheshire- Birds of Prey Photo Outing.

WOW-WOW-WOW.... What a truly FANTASTIC way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the 21st Century Technology & Camera Group. 

We had some 20 people turn up for quite a chilly afternoon at PECKFORTON CASTLE (well it is quite high above the Cheshire plain wink emoticon).
I took some 350 photos, yet to be properly viewed and post processed, but I have NEVER EVER had the opportunity to be up close and personal with birds that normally live in the wilds, in various parts of the world. Must be one of the BEST PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES for camera lovers EVER.
The bird handler was most experienced, very knowledgeable and made it very easy for Barbara to enjoy her outing with wild birds that she has waited for, for a very long time.
The GROUP will no doubt be going to this wonderful place for photos at any time, but with the BIRDS.JUST WONDERFUL and so real.
Here are a few of the ones I took for others to enjoy, and I now look forward to seeing the TOP TEN of all the members who took time out to have just ANOTHER GREAT DAY OUT with the 21st Group smile emoticon smile emoticon smile emoticon
Thanks to everyone that turned up, and hope you have now thawed out smile emoticon

Looks like SUNDAY is now BIRDS of PREY Processing Day :) :) :)

Cliff

Report on Monthly Group Meeting - January 2015

Mark Williamson presents his Tatton Hall photos at Willowmere, Middlewich

WOW!-WOW!-WOW! -What a FANTASTIC member turnout last night at our January Group Meeting :).

We had 33, YES 33 people in total at the meeting, with input and discussions from many members we had one of the most encouraging member meetings since we started to group, in only MARCH 2014.

The meeting started prompt at 7.00 pm with the now normal member photo display which was on three topics this month. British Weather-Member "Studio" photos, and of course a host of shots from members of our recent Narrowboat Trip, with TWO boats and 20 people on boats hired from Middlewich Narrowboats.

A VERY cold day with 5 mm thick ice on the canal surface made for an interesting winter trip. However, members were still able to take many photos, and some of these were on display at the beginning of the meeting for all to see and to compare their own photos with other photos taken by the group.

This was followed by one of the best photography photo displays I have been lucky enough to see, with information on each photo by Mark and with answers to questions from the group. Mark, working from his studio in Knutsford does all manor of photography all over the UK, from his base and studio in Knutsford, Cheshire. The two person team are sought after all over the UK, both for Weddings and Commercial photography in particular.

See more of Mark's work @  http://www.mrandmrsw.com/  and you will also see just how good Mark and wife Kirstin are, when working together at their chosen art.

Mark certainly knows his photography from top to bottom, and following his presentation was able to answer questions and provide advice to others with their photo composition and to answer other photography questions while taking a well earned coffee break.

Next month on Feb 18th again at the Willowmere-Middlewich, we will have another local photographer, Mr Own Lloyd of Owen Lloyd Photography, who will be giving more advice to the group of the many aspects of photography, for both beginners and those with more advanced skills. All GOOD stuff :)

See the Groups Facebook site for more detailed information on the night, and please make sure you place you name on the list to attend the event so we can plan better for numbers requiring tea coffee & biscuits, which is always included in the price of entry.

Note:- Carers come FREE!!

So make sure we are made aware of any of your own personal needs in this respect.

Willowmere, was chosen as the group HQ for meetings and presentations by the group, as it has been purpose built for people that may have special needs.

Thanks for a very good attendance, and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Cliff    

22/01/2015.