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Christmas and New Year

On behalf of myself and the committee we would like to wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

2020 has presented a number of new challenges. Catching up with family/friends and time to spread kindness and compassion will be a bit of a respite from the many challenges and some disappointments as COVID restrictions limit activities.

Please take care of your selves and others.

Catch you in the New Year, hopefully we will have some nice conditions to bring in 2021.

(PSSSSS ……. The mermaids tell me there are lots of new and exciting photo opportunities in 2021)

Ian

by Ian Marriner, December 23, 2020

December Competition – Closing soon

A quick reminder that the December Open Competition closes this Sun, 27th Dec 2020, 11:58 PM.

Some entries are in, it would be great to see more. Don’t miss out in the rush towards Christmas.

Start thinking about January – NATURAL Light.

Ian

by Ian Marriner, December 23, 2020

December Meetings – Notes

December Meetings – Notes

Nice to see a good turn out at Bar Beach last night – hardy souls indeed. A good time was had by all who put up with the strong and brisk easterly wind that eventually led to us all seeking somewhere warmer with a bit of an early close.

Judging November Animal Behaviour – judged by Tim Hochgrebe
Other Competitions
1. Lake Macquarie successes – congratulations all
1. Hunter Photographic Prize – Closes 21 January 2021 – see MPC post
Fly Point update – Ian Marriner – take care and be extra safe – changes are coming 😊
Next Club competitions
December– OPEN – judged by Beau Pilgrim – closing date Sun, 27th Dec 2020, 11:58 PM
Think about January – Natural Light – judged David Hansell– Wangi Club

Dive safe

Ian

by Ian Marriner, December 9, 2020

Results for competitions in November – Animal Behaviour

There were 4 entries that gained our highest award(s).

Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in November – Animal Behaviour

click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results

Who’s Having Seafood Tonight? Trevor Cotterill – 1st Place Digital – Animal Behaviour	Heavy Breathing – bennetti Trevor Cotterill – 2nd Place Digital – Animal Behaviour
Eye to Eye Lyndon Turner – 3rd Place Digital – Animal Behaviour	Mini Me Kate Tinson – Highly Commended Digital – Animal Behaviour

by Ian Marriner, December 9, 2020

HUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2021

KEY POINTS: HUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2021

To enter: email photoprize@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Entrants can include a maximum of five photos. JPEG attachments only.
Entries must be taken in the region or feature Hunter people
Prizes for the winning, highly commended and people’s choice categories
Entries close 5pm January 21, 2021

https://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/7041892/take-your-shot-at-frame-fame-in-the-2021-hunter-photography-prize/?cs=2763&fbclid=IwAR0blrk8YuNOWgYbRRNTMJtghsNhGRpOYJBCB_ZOCeoGAKEtcFsW2Cz8zOY

HERE’S your shot at instant frame.

The Newcastle Herald and other Australian Community Media newspapers across the Hunter are searching again for our best backyard photographer.

The annual Hunter Photography Prize is open to residents of the Hunter Region. As in previous years, to be eligible your main source of income cannot be derived from photography.

Photographs must either be taken in the region or feature Hunter people. You can take your pictures with anything ranging from a Box Brownie to an iPhone 11. The overall winner will collect the 2021 Hunter Photography Prize.

Our judges will select the winner as well as a highly commended entrant. The judges’ decisions are final. A readers’ choice award will be voted via newcastleherald.com.au.

A selection of entries will be published in print editions and/or on the websites of the Herald and other mastheads, including the Maitland Mercury, Port Stephens Examiner, Singleton Argus, Lakes Mail, Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Star, Cessnock’s Advertiser, Dungog Chronicle, Muswellbrook Chronicle, Scone Advocate and Hunter Valley News.

Winners receive camera prize packages from Domayne @ Harvey Norman Kotara. The judge’s selection receives a Canon EOS 200D Mark II camera kit with a 18-55mm lens (valued at $900), plus 300 prints, while people’s choice will receive an Olympus E-PL8 with a 14-42mm lens ($750), plus 200 prints.

By entering the competition, a person is stating the photograph was taken by them and that they own the copyright. The photographer gives Australian Community Media and the associated titles permission to publish their submitted photographs in any form, including print, online, book, calendar or exhibition. The photographer retains the copyright.

To enter, email photoprize@austcommunitymedia.com.au (maximum five photos, as JPEG attachments). Include your name, address, phone number, photo title, and a brief description of the image explaining who or what is in the picture as well as the date and location. Write your name and “Hunter Photography Prize” in the subject field. Please note that not all photo entries will be published. Photos must be minimum 500kb and maximum of 2mb. Australian Community Media reserves the right to crop a photograph.

The judges will include Newcastle Herald senior photographer Simone De Peak, Newcastle Herald editor Heath Harrison, Newcastle Herald senior deputy editor Xavier Mardling, Newcastle Herald deputy editor Matt Carr and Newcastle Herald digital journalist Simon McCarthy, as well as Hunter Communities editor Anna Wolf and Lower Hunter editor Rick Allen.

The competition closes at 5pm on January 21, 2021.

by Ian Marriner, December 6, 2020

November 2020 Competition – Animal Behaviour

November 2020 Competition – Animal Behaviour – JUDGE – Tim Hochgrebe

Must comply with Snappers Code of Conduct – please see below

Closes Sun, 29th Nov 2020, 11:59 PM

SNAPPERS INC

CODE OF CONDUCT 2019

Most underwater photographers wish to protect the environment in which they take their photos and avoid stressing marine creatures when they are taking their images. This is good for the

environment and leads to better photographs.

This code sets out good practices for anyone who dives and/or takes photos underwater.

Photographers should carefully explore the area in which they are diving and find subjects that are accessible, without threat to themselves or the environment and the organisms.

No-one should attempt to take photos underwater until they are a competent diver.

Novice divers thrashing about with hands & fins while conscious only of the image in their viewfinder can damage fragile systems.
Every diver, including photographers, should ensure all equipment is closely secured (gauges, regulators, torches & other equipment) so they do not trail causing damage to the environment.
Underwater photographers should possess good buoyancy control skills to avoid damaging the fragile marine environment & its creatures. Even experienced divers & those modelling for photographers should ensure that careless or excessive fin strokes & arm movements do not damage coral or smother it in clouds of sand.
Clownfish & many other marine animals are popular subjects but some become highly stressed when a photographer moves in to take a photo. Care should be taken to avoid stressing a subject. Be aware that fish need space and that flash photography may injury a subject.

If a subject exhibits behaviour that indicates there is or will be stress in the subject or their environment, move on.

Night diving requires exceptional care because it is more difficult to be aware of your surroundings. Strong torch beams or lights can dazzle fish & cause them to harm themselves or be targeted by a predator. Others are confused & disturbed if torch beams or lights are pointed directly at them. Be prepared to keep bright lights off subjects that exhibit stressed behaviour, use only the edge of the beam to minimise disturbance.
The image in the viewfinder can be very compelling. Photographers should remain conscious of their position and of the marine life around them at all times.
Divers & photographers should never kill marine life to attract other life or to create a photographic opportunity, such as feeding sea urchins to Blue Groper. Creatures should never be handled or irritated to create a reaction. Queuing to photograph a rare subject, should be avoided.
The number of shots taken by an individual subject should be kept to a minimum to ensure the safety of the marine subject.

by Ian Marriner, November 11, 2020

Light Academy resources

Last night Kate mentioned resources at the Light Academy. I did a web search this morning and found this link with some interesting looking material.https://www.youtube.com/c/LightacademyUk_Photography_Training/videos

Enjoy, Ian

by Ian Marriner, November 11, 2020

Light Academy + Dodge and Burn

Last night Kate mentioned resources at the Light Academy. I did a web search this morning and found this link with some interesting looking material.

https://www.youtube.com/c/LightacademyUk_Photography_Training/videos

Also some resources on non-destructive dodge and burn. i everyone, I just wanted to pass on a couple of resources is that compliment the Dodge and burn tutorial that Roy Killen for us last night. Plenty for on the Web 🙂

Non-Destructive Dodge and Burn in Photoshop

The Best way to Dodge and Burn in Photoshop

watch?v=OMi-d9CX41U&ab_channel=RobinWhalley

by Ian Marriner, November 11, 2020

Results for competitions in October – Open

There were 12 entries that gained our highest award(s).

Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in October – Open

click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results

Halifax Maori Cod Matt Dowse – 1st Place Digital – Open	Rock with Eyes Kate Tinson – 2nd Place Digital – Open
Terrigal Eastern Blue Devil Matt Dowse – 3rd Place Digital – Open	Sea Hare Sowerbyi Trevor Cotterill – Highly Commended Digital – Open
Petal Ian Marriner – Highly Commended Digital – Open	Cling Fish on Sea Tulip Ian Marriner – Highly Commended Digital – Open
Leap Frog Kate Tinson – Highly Commended Digital – Open	Resting at Halifax Edi Payrleitner – Highly Commended Digital – Open
White nomad at Fly Edi Payrleitner – Highly Commended Digital – Open	Friendly Moray William Wright – Highly Commended Digital – Open
Lifes a Blur Lyndon Turner – Highly Commended Digital – Open	Solitude Lyndon Turner – Highly Commended Digital – Open