The Metropolitan Police have issued guidelines regarding photography in these troubled times. Whilst the information is perhaps more relevant to members of the media, it is well worth reading if you are an amateur photographer. Full information here.
Change to Feedback Star Ratings
A couple of things have been brought to my attention and I thought it would be a good idea to clarify. Firstly I have altered the Star Rating System slightly. I have altered four stars from VERY GOOD  to GOOD, as it was felt by one club that this made more sense between COMPETENT and EXCELLENT. Also it is clear from a response I had recently that the rules are not being read on the WPF website. Would all those involved in feedback and on club committees PLEASE take a few minutes to read ALL the documentation on ‘Guidelines to Judges’ and ‘The Role of the Club’. Also the paragraphs at the top of the Judges List which explains the star rating system. There is NO rating for speakers as they are nearly always top class. Any complaints can be emailed to me directly by clubs or presenters.
STAR RATING:
* Poor
** Below average
*** Competent
**** Good
***** Excellent
The other matter is the suggested AWARDS system rather that giving MARKS. I am pleased to have heard that some clubs are trying out the system, but may not have understood the marking. I stated that the marking for the end of year total could still be achieved by awarding marks in the following way:
GOLD (20), SILVER (19), BRONZE (18), HIGHLY COMMENDED (17), COMMENDED (16) and the rest 15. The CLUB may decide the number of awards that may be given in each category, so if they want to allow more than one GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE award etc., they only have to make it clear to the judge. It is highly likely that there would be more than one silver or bronze in any case if the standard was high on the night.
The clubs that already use this system are a pleasure to judge, and members go away remembering the critique rather than a low mark. There is also less reason for complaints to appear about judges on the Social Media!
If there are any queries you can always contact me on judgepresent@thewpf.co.uk
Ed Cloutman (WPF Judges and Presenters Secretary).
Tony Leadbitter
We have received this sad news from the Vale.
It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death yesterday of our most senior member, Tony Leadbitter. Tony has been a keen and active supporter of the club for longer than I have recollection. His devotion to photography has been clear for all to see. He gave great encouragement to all members no matter what their ability and areas of interest. I was one of many who benefited from that when I first joined. His devotion endured despite failing faculties in recent years.
Mike Baker has asked me to pass on these words:- “In the thirty odd years that I have lived in the area, Tony has been a constant photographic friend through much of that time and I am grateful for his introduction to the group of like minded individuals in the Vale Photographic Club, through which I have made many new friends.
He also worked as photographer for the Gem during his retirement, happy to use his skills for the good of the community.
Tony shared our passion for photography as long as was humanly possible as members will be well aware. In his time, he was also a judge and I remember his comments on my early work within the Club giving pointers for improving my work which I appreciated and valued as a bit of a camera ‘Rookie’ at the time.
He will be missed by all who knew him. Tony, R.I.P. ”
Gerald Harbour (Chairman, The Vale Photographic Club).
His funeral will be held at Bridgend Crematorium on Friday Dec 4th at 1.45pm. Friends are invited to attend.
AWPF Results, 8th November 2015
We in the WPF thought that 2014 had been a good year for our Distinction day, but it was surpassed by this year’s tremendous turnout and fabulous result.
Some excellent work was presented at Talbot Green Community Centre, which resulted in a higher pass rate than previous years. There were 24 entries, 22 in prints and 2 in PDIs. 19 AWPF awards were made all of these were print panels, resulting in a 79% success rate. Many congratulations to the successful candidates, who were:
- John Bell – Mold CC – Capture The Moment, Oulton Park
- Philip Chadwick – Llandudno PS – 36 Hours In Madurai India
- Matthew Jones – Ebbw Vale CC – Creative Portraits
- Susan Clark – Conway CC – Along and Around Route 66
- Moira Evans – Swansea CC – Dragonflies & Damselflies
- Gary Shinner – Trostre CC – The Science Park (Valencia)
- Jennifer Ellis – Swansea CC – Portraits of Children
- Derek Terry – Western Valley CC – A Day In The Life Of A Farrier
- Adrian Lant – Gwynfa CC – Motor Sport Action
- Angela Deroy-Jones – Gwent PS – Cathedral Interiors
- Linda Bell – Mold CC – Floral Mosaic
- David Bathard – Frome Selwood PS – Everyday People of Northern India
- John Clark – Conway CC – Finding Clues To A Lifestyle
- Johnnie Rogers – Gwent PS – Dyffryn House And Gardens
- Terry Mills – Deudraeth CC – My Generation
- Gareth Jenkins – Dwyfor – Welsh International Rugby
- John Goff – Ar Agor PC – Sections of Abstract Buildings
- Lynne Morris – Wigan 10 PA – Creative Visual Interpretation of Popular Music
- Bill Grey – Morriston CC – Photographing Things of Little Consequence
Those who did not make it on this occasion missed by a very narrow margin and were strongly urged to try again next year.
Several successful candidates commented that the help and advice that they had received at the AWPF Workshop had made all the difference and recommended that anyone considering submitting a panel should attend a workshop first.
I should like to thank everyone who helped to make the day such a success, in particular, Vince Penticost & Eric Williams (Presentation) Guy Butler-Madden & Cliff Emery (Display), Mike Lewis (Catering), Ed Cloutman (Projection)and, of course, our judges, Nick Jenkins (Chairman), Margaret Collis, Jenny Hibbert, David Lingham and Brian Coleman.
I would add that the critique that was given by Nick as the Chairman representing the judges was very constructive, and a great help to anyone who was thinking of applying in the future.
Information on future WPF events relating to distinctions will be released in the New Year.
Many congratulations to all participants.
John Cooke ARPS AWPF DPAGB EFIAP/b (Distinctions Secretary).
Les Loosemore calls it a day
After many years of judging, Les Loosemore has decided to reduce his heavy schedule and give up judging for the WPF. He will be greatly missed by the many clubs he has attended over the years and we wish him all the best in his retirement. Les will continue presenting so please keep an eye on the List of Presenters for any new topics. Many thanks from all the WPF Exec for your years of service Les.
Please note: Les has confirmed that he will fulfil all outstanding Judging commitments.
Trevor Aldrich
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Trevor Aldrich, a member of Gwynfa Camera Club, passed away as few days ago.
Harold John (Harry) Vagg
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Harry Vagg this week.
Harry was a well-known photographer in South Wales and an Ex-general Secretary of Western Valley Camera Club.
His funeral will take place on Thursday, 29 October 2015, with a service in St Paul’s Church, Newbridge, at 01:15 pm, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium, Croesyceiliog at 02:30pm.
Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given to The Salvation Army and St David’s Foundation at the service.
Funeral Directors: Ellis Williams Funeral Directors, High Street, Newbridge, NP11 4FX. Tel: 01495 243623
Jan Williams (WVCC Gen Sec/WPF Gen Sec)
Several successes for Jenny
Jenny Hibbert has had an image selected for the BBC Countryfile Calendar. It was one of just 12 prints selected from over 33,000Â images entered. A great achievement. Well done Jenny. All the money from sales of the calendar goes to children in need.
She has also gained her EFIAP, had 3 prints selected for Edinburgh International, Selectors medal in the Beyond Group International. BOFK HM Ribbon in the Arctic International, NCPF Ribbon Commended in the Northern Counties, & 2 SIEP Commended in Sydney International.
Judge & Lecturer Feedback
We have received some feedback from Ed Cloutman, the Judges & Presenters Officer of the WPF.
You can read it here.
Arthur Brownscombe
We’ve received this very sad news regarding Arthur Brownscombe from David Norton at Rhondda Camera Club. Arthur was a forward thinking, fascinating and well respected member of both Rhondda and Gwynfa and will be missed by members of both clubs and by everyone else who knew him.
Sad news to report I’m afraid, one of our older members passed away last Wednesday. Arthur Brownescombe, aged 87, had been a member of RCC for a number of years. I visited Arthur regularly as he had no immediate relatives nearby and had been totally housebound for several years. Arthur was a
larger than life character who led a full life and would regale me with many a colourful story about his time in the furniture business & chemical companies. Arthur’s memory was fantastic and relived intricate details about how much things cost, when and where it was in fine detail. He was very talented and loved making intricate dolls’ houses and furniture to scale. His recent hobby which kept him occupied was scale models of steam engines (his Dad drove many famous locomotives in Britain).
In the summer Mark and I took Arthur for a day out to St. Fagans as I managed to coax him to venture out (see below), having not been out for many years. He enjoyed it so much we promised to take him out again, unfortunately time beat us…
Arthur’s photography was in my genre – whacky! He would put multiple images together and make collages, ahead of his time!
I’ll update you as to when the funeral is (to be confirmed, possibly week Friday at Pencoed Crematorium).
David Norton (Rhondda CC)
Update on the funeral arrangements for Arthur Brownescombe. The procession will leave Arthur’s house (111 Bute Street, Treherbert) at 12.15 pm on Friday, 24th October. Service at Llwydcoed Crematorium, Aberdare, at 12.45 pm. Donations to Salvation Army preferred please c/o Sue, Arthur’s step-daughter. Sue has asked if people would give advance notice of attendance at the wake which will be held at a pub close to the Crematorium, in order for her to gauge the amount of buffet provided (as you are probably aware Arthur had very few relatives so your presence would be welcomed).
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If you could let me know by return email please (by the 19th Oct latest), so I can pass approx. numbers onto Sue. davidnorton1953@gmail.com
It is with great sadness that I add this item to the website. As a fellow Gwynfa member I knew Arthur well and had many interesting conversations with him. He was a fascinating character and a terrific photographer. We’ll never forget the presentation he gave to Gwynfa Camera Club. (Leigh W).