View Full Version : An insider's view of UK photography and camera clubs
Camera clubs and photographic societies... have you asked yourself what they have to offer? Long time DPNow patron, Patrick Hickey, introduces us to the world of the UK photographic club scene. What can clubs offer you and how have they evolved in the advent of digital photography? How can you find out about your local club? Patrick has the answers.
More... (http://dpnow.com/3287.html)
Camera clubs and photographic societies... have you asked yourself what they have to offer? Long time DPNow patron, Patrick Hickey, introduces us to the world of the UK photographic club scene. What can clubs offer you and how have they evolved in the advent of digital photography? How can you find out about your local club? Patrick has the answers.
More... (http://dpnow.com/3287.html)
I'd like to congratulate Patrick on his first article for DPNow. His insight into photographic clubs and societies in the UK is fascinating. I certainly learned a lot.
One of the interesting points that stuck with me is that clubs are embracing the digital projector for viewing digital photos, following in the footsteps of the traditional slide projector.
Is anyone else here involved in a club or, perhaps, is considering a club membership?
I'm also curious to know if clubs follow a similar pattern in other countries :)
Ian
Many thanks to Patrick for taking the time to produce this piece on camera clubs.
The operations of his club are more or less similar to the way my club goes about things although ours is on a smaller scale. LOL but I dislike "society" and club for me is more down to earth.
Our club is struggling for survival, simply due to lack of membership. I am a member for over a year now and I have a feeling there wasn't a new member for a long time before me. I look forward to the weekly meetings because it means I have a nice night out with people I like. So it's a social thing to be sure.
But why are we fighting for survival? The usual reasons; lack of membership, lack of money, lack of interest. The usual story of old men in M &S cardigans and slippers is a load of rubbish.
The key question is why there is a lack of interest especially by young people.
More people have cameras than ever before and digital has been the reason for this, so this can only be good you would think.
The problem I feel is caused by the manner in which digital is marketed. It is sold as a new toy that does everything for you and all you need to do is sit back, no skills necessary, you dont even have to be able to use a camera. Just perch it out in front of you, look at a screen and click. So a digital camera is not being sold as a photographic tool and it is not being sold as a photographic skill to say the least. Even some of the entry level DSLR's are being advertised on TV as stocking fillers.
So if it's all so easy ...?
It has been mentioned on this forum sometime in the past that the competitive atmosphere in clubs just puts people off. This simply does not exist. OK there are competitions but we are all aware that a judge's decision is only one persons opinion no matter how many letters he may have after his name. But competitions are fun and if wer'e honest we all like to win.
When I look down at all the contents of DPNow discussion forum I see an area covering everything that we cover on a Friday night.
So I see this forum as an online camera/photographic enthusiasts club in a way, doing everything and talking about everything just as we do at the club. We too have our competition here and with a decent prize at the end. And are we trying and hoping to win? Damn sure we are.
Only problem is that it's a pity that we cannot garner the same membership on our Friday evenings as we do here at DPnow.
I have rushed this down so I hope I've atriculated my feelings in a way that can be understood.
Stephen
17-12-06, 12:29 PM
When I look down at all the contents of DPNow discussion forum I see an area covering everything that we cover on a Friday night.
So I see this forum as an online camera/photographic enthusiasts club in a way, doing everything and talking about everything just as we do at the club. We too have our competition here and with a decent prize at the end. And are we trying and hoping to win? Damn sure we are.
Only problem is that it's a pity that we cannot garner the same membership on our Friday evenings as we do here at DPnow.
I have rushed this down so I hope I've atriculated my feelings in a way that can be understood.
Many thanks for your comments Tom. I had no idea you too were an active club goer. I do know of one other regular here that is a club/society member and I'm hopeing they will have an input here too.
I have personally never been a club member though I once did attend an evening class for a C&G qualification, I felt it was much the same. :)
I think you raise an interesting point in your observation above and its one I hinted at to Patrick privately. Surely its true that places like online photo forums are to some extent taking on the role of the camera club. They allow enthusiasts to express themselves both in discussion and sharing their images. We can reach a much wider audience and range of knowledge than perhaps we would at a weekly meeting. Perhaps its sad that the one to one social interaction is missing, but hey its immediate and I'm sat in the comfort of my home, blah blah blah :)
It could also be argued that the web has also spurned other alternatives to the 'club' and I'm thinking of other online communities like Flickr, My Space, and the many web galleries that people use today. These are places that perhaps the older generation are less comfortable with, perhaps appealing to the younger element more. At the end of the day its all about communicating, and we do it in a way that we feel comfortable with. Still though I can't help feeling the web is only a 'substitute' for real life social interaction, and not a replacement.
Many thanks for your comments Tom. I had no idea you too were an active club goer. I do know of one other regular here that is a club/society member and I'm hopeing they will have an input here too.
I have personally never been a club member though I once did attend an evening class for a C&G qualification, I felt it was much the same. :)
I think you raise an interesting point in your observation above and its one I hinted at to Patrick privately. Surely its true that places like online photo forums are to some extent taking on the role of the camera club. They allow enthusiasts to express themselves both in discussion and sharing their images. We can reach a much wider audience and range of knowledge than perhaps we would at a weekly meeting. Perhaps its sad that the one to one social interaction is missing, but hey its immediate and I'm sat in the comfort of my home, blah blah blah :)
It could also be argued that the web has also spurned other alternatives to the 'club' and I'm thinking of other online communities like Flickr, My Space, and the many web galleries that people use today. These are places that perhaps the older generation are less comfortable with, perhaps appealing to the younger element more. At the end of the day its all about communicating, and we do it in a way that we feel comfortable with. Still though I can't help feeling the web is only a 'substitute' for real life social interaction, and not a replacement.
I like to think that sites like DPNow are a complement to clubs. Online we can do a lot of things that club meetings can't, but you can't enjoy a pint with friends or a good face-face discussion online. Indeed, I think here at DPNow, we could - of someone could give us a hand with some ideas - help to promote clubs.
Ian
I did in my younger days join a photographic club and the social side was very enjoyable. Now days I look to this forum as a club. Best part about that is convenience, I can pop in when I like for as long as I like etc. and I feel the friendliness of the members here is just as good as the social side of clubs. The variety of members here from foreign lands also adds to the experience, something you cant get from a local clubs. Long may DP Now prosper and grow. It's good to be part of it.
I did in my younger days join a photographic club and the social side was very enjoyable. Now days I look to this forum as a club. Best part about that is convenience, I can pop in when I like for as long as I like etc. and I feel the friendliness of the members here is just as good as the social side of clubs. The variety of members here from foreign lands also adds to the experience, something you cant get from a local clubs. Long may DP Now prosper and grow. It's good to be part of it.
Awwwww, Ron, we may have spirited debates sometimes, but, well...*inlove
Ian
Patrick
17-12-06, 04:35 PM
Some interesting feed back here.
So has internet forums reduced membership of clubs? No I don’t think so, the decline in photo club membership started some years ago before the internet boom, it may be having some effect but is not the answer in my view. I will qualify that comment; the very young may see forums and chat room as a substitute.
The fact is some clubs are fairing better than others, I could list a number in the Midlands clubs with strong dependable membership, my club has signed I think 10 new members this season (since September). But there are other clubs in the area where they are struggling to keep membership, in fact over the last year or two our ranks have benefited from some switching clubs to us, whilst we have lost very few to others. Money can be a problem, lower membership leads to less funds leads to an inability to pay for visiting speakers, leads to less interest and a downward spiral. Clubs like my own with a healthy bank balance can on special occasions afford to book speakers from further a field and from outside the club structure.
Has digital made it more difficult to recruit new members? I believe this depends on the attitude of the club in question. Some clubs were very very slow in accepting the inevitable, they lost ground because new people joining tended to be digital. My club tried very hard to take in the new disciplines while not discouraging the old, a fine balancing act, we like the other clubs that continue successfully did the same and are now reaping the rewards. In fact as a club our catchment is very wide many members driving past much closer clubs to their home choosing the longer drive to come to use, this must say something.
We also have a policy greeting new or potential new members in an effort to make them feel welcome. In fact we have three people assigned to do just that. The numbers of clubs that ignore a new face entering the meeting room is amazing.
I was doing a talk at one club I won’t mention its name but I arrived at the stated time to find no one there, after ten minutes or so some one came and unlocked the door, watched me unload my print boxes then went in to the room letting the door shut behind him so I had to struggle with four print boxes opening this door, I stood there like a lemon for over 15 minutes as members arrived before anyone had the grace to say anything to me, I almost went home without giving the talk., I know some that would and have done in such circumstances. If I had been a potential member I would simply have gone home and looked for another club, or not bothered at all.
These are the clubs that deserve to struggle.
Please Tom, don’t think I am suggesting your club falls into this category, but its clear any club must make itself attractive to new membership and make it as easy as possible for people to fit in.
Patrick
Some interesting feed back here.
So has internet forums reduced membership of clubs? No I don’t think so, the decline in photo club membership started some years ago before the internet boom, it may be having some effect but is not the answer in my view. I will qualify that comment; the very young may see forums and chat room as a substitute.
The fact is some clubs are fairing better than others, I could list a number in the Midlands clubs with strong dependable membership, my club has signed I think 10 new members this season (since September). But there are other clubs in the area where they are struggling to keep membership, in fact over the last year or two our ranks have benefited from some switching clubs to us, whilst we have lost very few to others. Money can be a problem, lower membership leads to less funds leads to an inability to pay for visiting speakers, leads to less interest and a downward spiral. Clubs like my own with a healthy bank balance can on special occasions afford to book speakers from further a field and from outside the club structure.
Has digital made it more difficult to recruit new members? I believe this depends on the attitude of the club in question. Some clubs were very very slow in accepting the inevitable, they lost ground because new people joining tended to be digital. My club tried very hard to take in the new disciplines while not discouraging the old, a fine balancing act, we like the other clubs that continue successfully did the same and are now reaping the rewards. In fact as a club our catchment is very wide many members driving past much closer clubs to their home choosing the longer drive to come to use, this must say something.
We also have a policy greeting new or potential new members in an effort to make them feel welcome. In fact we have three people assigned to do just that. The numbers of clubs that ignore a new face entering the meeting room is amazing.
I was doing a talk at one club I won’t mention its name but I arrived at the stated time to find no one there, after ten minutes or so some one came and unlocked the door, watched me unload my print boxes then went in to the room letting the door shut behind him so I had to struggle with four print boxes opening this door, I stood there like a lemon for over 15 minutes as members arrived before anyone had the grace to say anything to me, I almost went home without giving the talk., I know some that would and have done in such circumstances. If I had been a potential member I would simply have gone home and looked for another club, or not bothered at all.
These are the clubs that deserve to struggle.
Please Tom, don’t think I am suggesting your club falls into this category, but its clear any club must make itself attractive to new membership and make it as easy as possible for people to fit in.
Patrick
What you have said there is very true. When I joined my club I was lucky to join the same night as 3 others. For months we where the new boys and did not fit in. Glad we stuck together and eventually made our presence known. Once the Ice was broken things improved.
Some interesting feed back here.
So has internet forums reduced membership of clubs? No I don’t think so, the decline in photo club membership started some years ago before the internet boom, it may be having some effect but is not the answer in my view. I will qualify that comment; the very young may see forums and chat room as a substitute.
The fact is some clubs are fairing better than others, I could list a number in the Midlands clubs with strong dependable membership, my club has signed I think 10 new members this season (since September). But there are other clubs in the area where they are struggling to keep membership, in fact over the last year or two our ranks have benefited from some switching clubs to us, whilst we have lost very few to others. Money can be a problem, lower membership leads to less funds leads to an inability to pay for visiting speakers, leads to less interest and a downward spiral. Clubs like my own with a healthy bank balance can on special occasions afford to book speakers from further a field and from outside the club structure.
Has digital made it more difficult to recruit new members? I believe this depends on the attitude of the club in question. Some clubs were very very slow in accepting the inevitable, they lost ground because new people joining tended to be digital. My club tried very hard to take in the new disciplines while not discouraging the old, a fine balancing act, we like the other clubs that continue successfully did the same and are now reaping the rewards. In fact as a club our catchment is very wide many members driving past much closer clubs to their home choosing the longer drive to come to use, this must say something.
We also have a policy greeting new or potential new members in an effort to make them feel welcome. In fact we have three people assigned to do just that. The numbers of clubs that ignore a new face entering the meeting room is amazing.
I was doing a talk at one club I won’t mention its name but I arrived at the stated time to find no one there, after ten minutes or so some one came and unlocked the door, watched me unload my print boxes then went in to the room letting the door shut behind him so I had to struggle with four print boxes opening this door, I stood there like a lemon for over 15 minutes as members arrived before anyone had the grace to say anything to me, I almost went home without giving the talk., I know some that would and have done in such circumstances. If I had been a potential member I would simply have gone home and looked for another club, or not bothered at all.
These are the clubs that deserve to struggle.
Please Tom, don’t think I am suggesting your club falls into this category, but its clear any club must make itself attractive to new membership and make it as easy as possible for people to fit in.
Patrick
Patrick; I know exactly what you are saying about rudeness and club members who basically are up their own *****. When I came over here from Ireland I joined and left a club due to the rudeness and pretentious attitudes of its members. Thankfully I found my current club.
We are actually having an EGM next week to discuss the future if any of our club. Being a sort of newbie up to now I will not be too silent at this meet as I feel the club itself can help itself to some extent out of some of its problems.
Patrick I would be interested to hear your thoughts on my comments on the marketing of digital.
Patrick
17-12-06, 09:20 PM
Patrick; I know exactly what you are saying about rudeness and club members who basically are up their own *****. When I came over here from Ireland I joined and left a club due to the rudeness and pretentious attitudes of its members. Thankfully I found my current club.
We are actually having an EGM next week to discuss the future if any of our club. Being a sort of newbie up to now I will not be too silent at this meet as I feel the club itself can help itself to some extent out of some of its problems.
Patrick I would be interested to hear your thoughts on my comments on the marketing of digital.
Hi Tom
Do you mean the marketing of digital within your club; if that is the case don’t try. We at A&E didn’t try and sell it to members just made space for it, when all is said and done we are, and your club is, about the making photographic images. To tell your members they should be digital will alienate your traditional photographers in just the same way as traditional photographers can alienate digital workers. Because our traditional workers didn’t feel pushed out by the changes they stayed and eventually succumbed all be it at different levels, some still using film but scanning and printing with an ink jet printer. Others like me going 100% digital.
The common ground it the pictures and that is what you should be selling.
Things you need to sort out are.
1. Do you greet new faces and make them feel they want to join? Introduce a potential new member to others in the club ask them have they any pictures to bring along.
2. Do you have a social secretary organising outing so forth as a group, people make friend this way. She is an integral part of our committee.
3. Do you encourage husband & wife to join by having a family membership rate, we do and it results in a reasonably high female membership, but its a man that makes the tea at half time.
4. Consult the membership on what they expect from your club, we ran a questionnaire last year some very useful information was gained, again if just two or three of the points raised are acted upon the general membership feel they are being listened to and therefore are more loyal.
5. Ask none committee members to do things for the club, even if they refuse they feel wanted by the club, and new members feel accepted if asked to perform a club task.
6. Try and avoid clicks of people difficult but not impossible, we some years ago worked on that aspect of the club.
Communication is what running a club is about and in reality so is taking pictures so it should come naturally if thought about logically.
Patrick
No Patrick you have missed my point. As I said in my first post I am blaming the way the companies market digital cameras as being a reason for lack of interest in real photography and camera clubs by young people.
Your points 1-6 are what I would like to think any decent club would use as fundamental requirements for success and they practically mirror the manner in which we operate.
Patrick
17-12-06, 10:37 PM
No Patrick you have missed my point. As I said in my first post I am blaming the way the companies market digital cameras as being a reason for lack of interest in real photography and camera clubs by young people.
Your points 1-6 are what I would like to think any decent club would use as fundamental requirements for success and they practically mirror the manner in which we operate.
Oh well I may differ here from what many think, yes the manufacturers sell their cameras as the answer to every photographic problem, but you know that is nothing new. There have been point and shoot cameras ever since Mr Eastman (Kodak) made his little box that the buyer exposed the film returned the camera to Kodak had the pictures developed and was given another camera ready to go all over again, sold as a point and shoot. The cameras are more clever and sophisticated today but the selling principles are much the same.
No I think it’s more to do with the modern attention span, everything is instant, and we live a life of headlines, the feel good factor without the effort.
Patrick
Worksop Photographic Society - http://www.worksop-photo-society.co.uk/
I have been a member of Worksop Photographic Society for about seven years.
My reason for joining was because I thought it was an obvious way to improve my photography and learn more about camera techniques, settings, macro and lighting through practical evenings and workshops.
Seven years on, I still have not learned about them. There have been very few practical evenings. On 3 occasions we had a model. “Those who knew about lighting” put the lighting in place then there was a scrum to get poll position as near to the model as possible. I had thought the lighting would be explained – where to place it etc, regarding shadows, good and bad together with the best angle from which to shoot. No such luck, no one wanted to speak let alone advise!
My photography has improved, mainly through my own enthusiasm and listening to judges’ critiques of images during our competitions.
We do not retain new members and this season there has been a sudden awareness of this.
Within the circuit our club is doing very well. We have many top class photographers. Without being too critical, I think that this is one of the problems that new members do not stay.
Our programs are prepared the previous year and usually take the form of The President’s Evening to open the Season, followed by external lecturers or hired slideshows or competitions.
The evening commences at 7.30 pm with a 10 minute break about 8.25 pm, finally closing at 9.30 pm ish.
This structure gives no time to introduce new members and talk to them to establish their reasons for wishing to join the Club.
With the advent of Digital, most of the new members who have tried us out (there is no charge for the first few meetings) have had digital cameras. Consequently when they appear, usually someone is aware that they are coming, or a new member is spotted, they are introduced to one or two people, shown to a seat, the lights go out and that is that and after 2 or 3 weeks we don’t see them again.
The new members who appear to stay are ones that are not particularly impressed with their current club or those that have heard that Worksop has some good photographers and usually they are also good.
I should say that within our Group, there are about 34 members of which there are 8 female with only 3 of the female members entering the competitions.
For the first time, this season, we have introduced a section for Digitally Projected Images. This is thriving, unfortunately at the expense of the prints. Obviously it is far more expensive to print and mount a photograph. However, it has made for more competition entries, thus increasing interest and stimulation.
I feel the club tends to be cliquey. Even the committee and I am on the committee, but not privy to a lot of what is going on. I think probably this is because quite a few of the committee members are transparency workers and compete in the area club competitions. It is therefore inevitable that when they meet socially, club issues are discussed and decisions are taken without formal Committee Meetings.
As I am Programme Secretary this year, it has been suggested that to try to retain new members next year, we have an extra social evening about 3 weeks into the season so that they can meet members and discuss their desires.
It was voiced that if we had a workshop type evening on a Club Night, where people can bring their cameras and possibly do a bit of desktop photography, that the more advanced members would get bored. This may not actually be true but you can see how doing anything a bit out of the ordinary can upset the apple cart.
These are just a few of my views. I have no more time at the moment. I will try to pop in again within the next few days.
Patrick
18-12-06, 11:15 PM
Worksop Photographic Society - http://www.worksop-photo-society.co.uk/
I have been a member of Worksop Photographic Society for about seven years.
My reason for joining was because I thought it was an obvious way to improve my photography and learn more about camera techniques, settings, macro and lighting through practical evenings and workshops.
Seven years on, I still have not learned about them. There have been very few practical evenings. On 3 occasions we had a model. “Those who knew about lighting” put the lighting in place then there was a scrum to get poll position as near to the model as possible. I had thought the lighting would be explained – where to place it etc, regarding shadows, good and bad together with the best angle from which to shoot. No such luck, no one wanted to speak let alone advise!
My photography has improved, mainly through my own enthusiasm and listening to judges’ critiques of images during our competitions.
We do not retain new members and this season there has been a sudden awareness of this.
Within the circuit our club is doing very well. We have many top class photographers. Without being too critical, I think that this is one of the problems that new members do not stay.
Our programs are prepared the previous year and usually take the form of The President’s Evening to open the Season, followed by external lecturers or hired slideshows or competitions.
The evening commences at 7.30 pm with a 10 minute break about 8.25 pm, finally closing at 9.30 pm ish.
This structure gives no time to introduce new members and talk to them to establish their reasons for wishing to join the Club.
With the advent of Digital, most of the new members who have tried us out (there is no charge for the first few meetings) have had digital cameras. Consequently when they appear, usually someone is aware that they are coming, or a new member is spotted, they are introduced to one or two people, shown to a seat, the lights go out and that is that and after 2 or 3 weeks we don’t see them again.
The new members who appear to stay are ones that are not particularly impressed with their current club or those that have heard that Worksop has some good photographers and usually they are also good.
I should say that within our Group, there are about 34 members of which there are 8 female with only 3 of the female members entering the competitions.
For the first time, this season, we have introduced a section for Digitally Projected Images. This is thriving, unfortunately at the expense of the prints. Obviously it is far more expensive to print and mount a photograph. However, it has made for more competition entries, thus increasing interest and stimulation.
I feel the club tends to be cliquey. Even the committee and I am on the committee, but not privy to a lot of what is going on. I think probably this is because quite a few of the committee members are transparency workers and compete in the area club competitions. It is therefore inevitable that when they meet socially, club issues are discussed and decisions are taken without formal Committee Meetings.
As I am Programme Secretary this year, it has been suggested that to try to retain new members next year, we have an extra social evening about 3 weeks into the season so that they can meet members and discuss their desires.
It was voiced that if we had a workshop type evening on a Club Night, where people can bring their cameras and possibly do a bit of desktop photography, that the more advanced members would get bored. This may not actually be true but you can see how doing anything a bit out of the ordinary can upset the apple cart.
These are just a few of my views. I have no more time at the moment. I will try to pop in again within the next few days.
Hi Autumn
From what you have said in your post is typical of a number of clubs, the sad thing is it also appears you have the ingredient for a successful club.
Do your workshop with the advanced workers taking in hand the beginners, if they are helping others they won’t get bored, that’s the way we do it and everyone feels involved. Each advanced worker could be helping say two or three beginners. It has been suggested but not yet acted upon at my club, that each beginners is assigned to a named advanced worker as a sort of mentor to help with their work. Let you know how it works out.
What you have said of your committee is disgraceful decisions should be fully discussed giving all committee members the opportunity to have their say before voting. How else are they to get fresh ideas?
Model nights require organising, a free for all results in poor pictures as well as disgruntled members. A rota one to one with the model is best, certainly no more than two. This way everyone gets a fair chance, and hopefully some worthwhile images. And the model knows s who she/he is posing for, and can react better. Its just plain common sense to me. It also gives the waiting members the opportunity to talk and socialise a bit.
Club evenings for socialising is always difficult, we have the same problem, the evenings are just too short, the way round this is to have other events organised outside the club evenings. We for instance will be having out annual dinner in Jan, not to mention our annual member’s exhibition in March. In the closed season June to September when the club doesn’t meet, we do meet at places of local interest to take pictures, or even just have a drink; we call it the summer program.
All the negatives situations can be turned into positives with the right outlook.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
All this makes clubs sound a waist of time, in truth they can be enjoyable and creative environments for a photographer, but members particularly the established members need open minds.
Patrick
Just thought I'd tell you a funny story.
A few years ago when we were about to visit a local club for a head to head competition, our then President was trying to persuade us to go. He said "It'll be a good night, they always do a fabulous buffet - lovely food." I had visions of smoked salmon and asparagus and other delicacies.
All through the competition, there was a lovely savoury smell coming from the covered table. At half time, the cloth and cling film was removed and, wait for it, were plates of dripping sandwiches together with salt pot. I hadn't had dripping since World War II! I by passed these and thought I would have a beef sandwich, only to find, after I had sunk my teeth into it that it was black pudding.
I ended up by having a dripping sandwich and they are so popular, when we provide a buffet, they are always a must with our club now. In fact the President even requested them for our Christmas Party.*snowman
So much for ladylike food. Of course both clubs are male orientated but all sexes partake of the dripping.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Audrey
Dripping (if anyone isn't aware of what this is - it's the fat usually collected from roasted meat, usually beef or pork) - I can remember pots of dripping on the table along with butter for breakfast when we were on holiday as a child, though I can't remember where.
Very un-trendy these days :) But I do recall liking it!
I have started buying the stuff in refined form again for cooking traditional roast potatoes and Julia came home with a pot of goose fat (now very trendy for roasting potatoes) today, from the butchers, though the label indicated it was from France (no surprise there!).
Ian
Stephen
24-12-06, 08:58 AM
Yes dripping was something my mother always used for cooking, she would make her own and also buy it in packs from the butcher. Chips were always cooked in deep beef dripping, though my wife would not dream of it today.
In pubs local to me they often serve free 'mucky fat' sandwiches and they always go down well. Basically these are an open sandwich using beef dripping spread thinly.
Today of course we seem to use oil more for cooking, but roast potatoes are not the same :D
Dripping (if anyone isn't aware of what this is - it's the fat usually collected from roasted meat, usually beef or pork) - I can remember pots of dripping on the table along with butter for breakfast when we were on holiday as a child, though I can't remember where.
Very un-trendy these days :) But I do recall liking it!
I have started buying the stuff in refined form again for cooking traditional roast potatoes and Julia came home with a pot of goose fat (now very trendy for roasting potatoes) today, from the butchers, though the label indicated it was from France (no surprise there!).
Ian
I don't know whether it is particularly a northern "delicacy" but we live in Worksop, which is termed as a market town, but it also had mines and is surrounded by mines which are now closed. The cattle market was also closed some years ago. I remember my mother taking us to look at the pigs and cows and sheep etc.
Quite a few of our members and the members of the club in question I believe are ex miners.
Worksop is also know as in the Heart of the Dukeries, as we are surrounded by Stately Homes. Bit of a mix.
We had a couple of ducks from Sainsbury's about a month ago and I have saved the fat (in the freezer) also for making roast potatoes.
I am resurrecting this thread, as Peter and others from the Channel Islands, Patrick and Graham of Rainham are Photographic/Camera Club members and have recently been informing us of their clubs and achievements.
May be we should have a dedicated place in the Index for
"Photographic/Camera Club news"
Anyway, to add my news, our Club comes within The North and East Midlands Photographic Federation (NEMPF) Region.
We can submit for selection, Panels (4 prints), Monochrome, Colour, Natural History, Projected Open Slides, Natural History Slides, Open Digital (max eight).
It can be quite difficult to get submissions accepted and many of our top photographers (with honours) have had rejections.
I have had prints accepted in the past but only one a year, so this year I was quite pleased to get three digital images accepted. I submitted 7. Marks are out of 15 and I got 10, 11 and 12. I think 10 and over is accepted.
In January, the images, prints etc., are on display in some place within the area that can house the many prints and panels and the digital images and slides are projected.
This is the first year I have submitted digital images. I think it is only the third year that NEMPF have included digital images.
Do other club members, submit their images to similar Regional Exhibitions?
Patrick
21-11-08, 11:14 AM
I am resurrecting this thread, as Peter and others from the Channel Islands, Patrick and Graham of Rainham are Photographic/Camera Club members and have recently been informing us of their clubs and achievements.
May be we should have a dedicated place in the Index for
"Photographic/Camera Club news"
Anyway, to add my news, our Club comes within The North and East Midlands Photographic Federation (NEMPF) Region.
We can submit for selection, Panels (4 prints), Monochrome, Colour, Natural History, Projected Open Slides, Natural History Slides, Open Digital (max eight).
It can be quite difficult to get submissions accepted and many of our top photographers (with honours) have had rejections.
I have had prints accepted in the past but only one a year, so this year I was quite pleased to get three digital images accepted. I submitted 7. Marks are out of 15 and I got 10, 11 and 12. I think 10 and over is accepted.
In January, the images, prints etc., are on display in some place within the area that can house the many prints and panels and the digital images and slides are projected.
This is the first year I have submitted digital images. I think it is only the third year that NEMPF have included digital images.
Do other club members, submit their images to similar Regional Exhibitions?
Hi Audrey
Indeed they do, in my area its the MCPF, Midland Counties Photographic Federation.
The annual exhibition is Midphot, it is around March each year. The exhibition is show at The Old School in Oldbury which is the Smethwick Photographic Societies club rooms, the club actually own the premises through a Trust that the members have shares in.
Over the years I have had personal success there, with the odd Highly Commended, and Commended, a few years ago I got a Gold Medal best colour print, and I won one this year again for best colour print.
I would really like to win the best Mono print but never have.
Patrick
Hi Audrey
Over the years I have had personal success there, with the odd Highly Commended, and Commended, a few years ago I got a Gold Medal best colour print, and I won one this year again for best colour print.
I would really like to win the best Mono print but never have.
Patrick
Congratulations Patrick. I remember you showing us one of your winners when you came to lecture to our club. You probably said MCPF, but it would not have meant anything to me at that time - not realising is was your equivalent of our NEMPF.
I always enjoy seeing all the photographs well mounted and framed (if I remember rightly). I find it inspiring to see what others have achieved.
Perhaps you could show your winner for this year?
Here are my three acceptances. You have seen them all before. They are in my gallery.
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//702/thRealto_Bridge_at_sunset_g30157adj_cropped1.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/3812)
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//773/th_A_Wet_Day_in_London_adj.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/5896)
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//918/Weary_Croatia_.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/13343)
"Weary, Croatia."
Marks, 10, 11 and 12 out of 15 in order of display.