Monday 29 November 2010

Photojournalist Ron Galella - BBC IPlayer

Widely considered to be the world's first paparazzi photographer, the controversial American photojournalist Ron Galella was sued by Jackie Kennedy and had his jaw broken by Marlon Brando. Throughout a career spanning more than 40 years, Galella's stalking tactics have attracted criticism, hostility and lawsuits. But his relentless pursuit of the famous has enabled him to amass an archive of 3 million photographs that represent a unique record of modern American celebrity culture.


In this film, the award-winning programme-maker Leon Gast follows Galella as he revisits some of his old haunts and recalls his encounters with the stars who have tried - and usually failed - to evade his lens.
 
Available until 28 December

Friday 26 November 2010

Members evening - 2nd December

Members Evening


  • Special General Meeting - Richard Weston MCC Secretary
  • Box Brownie a revolution in photography - Fred Dawson
  • Roland Adams will display images from the Saguaro Camera Club Arizona USA, he will explain about the links between Malden and Saguaro Camera Clubs.
  •  Duncan Grove will talk about his successful panel for his Royal Photographic Society Fellowship and hints for those who may be considering applying for a RPS distinction.
  • The members evening will include a Christmas raffle, donations of prises would be most appreciated.

  

Thursday 25 November 2010

Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards 2010

Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards 2010


from the Guardian "More than 100 of the best images from the Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards can be seen at the National Theatre in London from 22 November until 16 January – admission free. Tickets for talks & tours at the exhibition by Awards founder & landscape photographer, Charlie Waite, are also on sale. The book, Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 4 by AA Publishing, showcases 175 winning & commended entries and will be published on 1st November.

The Awards are held in association with Network Rail and Natural England. More information can be found at www.take-a-view.co.uk

British photographic history - Information and discussion on all aspects of British photographic history

the British photographic history blog which was launched at the start of 2009. There are now over 700 members, in addition to many other regular readers. They range from museum and gallery curators, photographic academics, collectors, dealers and representatives from the photographic press from around the world. The blog provides a forum for news of events and happenings within the British photographic history community. This can include lectures or meetings, exhibition news, jobs in the field and general news affecting collections of photographic material or individuals within the field. BPH will also include relevant book and website reviews from time to time. While the focus is on Britain it may, on occasion, include material that is of wider interest from Europe, the United States and Asia.


British photographic history blog

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Striking images shed light on the behaviour of fluids

From the BBC website some amazing photographs showing the behaviour of fluids.

Are your old camera lenses radioactive ??

In designing optical lenses, it is often desirable to employ glass with a high index of refraction. The greater the index of refraction, the greater the bending of the light. Since this reduces the necessary curvature of the glass, the lens can be made thinner and lighter. Unfortunately, glass with a high refractive index can also have a high dispersion.  By adding radioactive thorium to the glass, a high refractive index (over 1.6) can be achieved while maintaining a low dispersion.

Continues

Wiki page

Saturday 20 November 2010

Duncan Grove is awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Photographic Society

I would like to congratulate Duncan Grove a long stranding member of Malden Camera Club on being awarded a fellowship by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).  The Fellowship is the highest Distinction of the Royal Photographic Society and recognises original work and outstanding ability in a specialist field.

The RPS were delighted to recognise Duncan’s work in this way, especially since as far as they can remember this is the first time that a panel of tennis images has resulted in this Distinction. This achievement reinforces Duncan’s success in recent years of gaining acceptances in five of the last six of the Society’s International Exhibitions.    Link to further details

Kodak Box Brownie

Kodak No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model B Box Camera
I visited St James Christmas Fair and whilst looking through the bric-a-brac found a Kodak Box Brownie Camera I negotiated its purchase for the sum of £1

The camera is a Kodak No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model B box camera, constructed of card, wood, metal, leather and glass; made in England between 1927 and 1930.
Embossed name on carrying handle reads, "No. 2 CARTRIDGE HAWK-EYE MODEL B"

Embossed markings on rear leatherette read, "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN by KODAK Limited

Use "KODAK" Film No. 120"

It has a single-speed rotary shutter, fixed focus, and two waist-level viewfinders with tiny ground glass screens for portrait or landscape shots. The pull-up tab located at the top centre of the front portion interrupts the rotation of the shutter, allowing timed exposures until the shutter release is operated a second time or the tab is pushed back down and takes 120 film.
Camera opened

The social impact of the Brownie camera cannot be overestimated the first Box Brownie model appeared in 1900.  It was part of the accelerating process of introducing new technologies into everyday use as consumer items. It allowed amateurs to record special or not so special events or even to attempt artistic expression. Cheap, easily portable cameras made the 20th century the first to leave a democratically comprehensive pictorial record, at least in the West. Photography is now a ubiquitous accompaniment to everyday life. The camera still impresses with its simple, economical, and elegant design

More from Kodak

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Eric de Maré's secret countryEric de Maré's sublime photographs of British industrial buildings forced postwar architects to look again at the landscape. His influence is still felt today

From the Guardian

"In the 1990s, the award-winning British architect Michael Hopkins was searching for someone to take black-and-white photographs of his buildings. He contacted Eric de Maré, the visionary chronicler of the postwar British landscape, then in retirement. "It was like watching an old gunslinger back in action," says Hopkins. "The first shots were a little off the mark. Then he found his aim and was bang on target. Those photographs are some of my proudest possessions."


continues

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery

I have visited the last two Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery  I found them  most enjoyable and encouraged my interest in portrait photogrpahy. The National Portrait Gallery backs onto the National Gallery  and the main entrance is in Charing Cross road, entry is free.

"The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 presents the very best in contemporary portrait photography, showcasing the work of talented young photographers and gifted amateurs alongside that of established professionals and photography students.

Through editorial, advertising and fine art images, the entrants have explored a range of themes, styles and approaches to the contemporary photographic portrait, from formal commissioned portraits to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.

This year the competition attracted nearly 6,000 submissions from over 2,400 photographers from around the world. The selected sixty works for the exhibition include the four prize-winners and the winner of the ELLE commission.

Exhibiting many photographs for the first time, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 is a unique opportunity to see images by some of the most exciting contemporary portrait photographers working today"
 
Link to web site

Saturday 6 November 2010

One legged cyclist at speed in Richmond Park

I went to the Park to practice panning. The hiil provides a steady supply of subjects. This is panning shot . I only noticed he had one leg when I put the picture up in Lightroom

Thursday 4 November 2010

Royal Photographic Society: Gain recognition for your achievements with the Society's prestigious Distinctions and Qualifications

The Royal Photographic Society's Distinctions are recognised as measures of achievement throughout the world. When you work towards a Distinction you will improve your photographic skills and also know that once you have been successful the quality of your work will be recognised worldwide.

Distinctions are awarded either on the basis of a portfolio of work which may be photographic images or it may be research, or by successful completion of a recognised course.

There are three levels of Distinction and, in addition, the Imaging Scientist Qualifications which are specifically aimed at engineers, scientists and technologists and provide vocational qualifications relevant to a professional career in imaging science.

Licentiateship: The Licentiateship (LRPS) is normally the entry level Distinction and is awarded for a good level of basic skill and competence.

Associateship: The Associateship (ARPS) is awarded for a high standard of technical competence and individual creative ability.

Fellowship: The Fellowship (FRPS) is awarded for exceptional standards of excellence and distinguished ability.

Information about all assessments, and applications for 2010, can be found on the Licentiateship, Associateship & Fellowship pages.

Distinctions Handbook  (PDF 950.80KB)

Further information and links

Home Office reaffirms street photography rights

British Journal of Photography reports:-

In a letter sent to Francis Maude MP, in response to issues raised by photographer Mark Singleton, Theresa May says that as the Home Office continues to review police's anti-terrorism powers in relation to photography, it expects that the introduction of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill will help reduce the number of cases of police's misuse of such powers.

She writes: "The bill will include proposals to introduce Police and Crime Commissioners. This will be the key to ensuring that greater accountability is at the heart of policing in England and Wales [...] The public will be able to elect - for the first time - an individual who will provide a visible and accountable link to police priorities and activities." She adds that the reform will free the police from the bureaucracy and central guidance generated by Whitehall, the Association of Chief Police Officers and that of other organisations.

However, she says, the ACPO will continue to play an important role in the issuing of guidance, and she expects the "ACPO to show strong leadership in promoting and supporting the greater use of professional judgement by police officers and staff."

May also addressed Singleton's concerns regarding the requirement, by certain police forces across the UK, for photographers to carry identification, as it is the case in the City of London. But, as the Home Secretary refuses to be drawn into the legality of such a move - arguing that the requirement is "an operational matter" and, as such, is "the responsibility of the Chief Officer of the force concerned," - she argues that the Government "has no plans to introduce any requirement for photographers to carry identification. Let me assure you that people have the right to take photographs in public places for legitimate reasons and the Government will do everything it can to uphold that right."

May's letter was published by SceneThat, an organisation that campaigns for photographers' rights. A copy of the letter can be seen here [PDF link].

Last week, media law specialist Rupert Grey, who is a partner at the legal firm Swan Turton, addressed the current legal situation, less than six months after Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was declared illegal and scrapped by the current government. While photographers can no longer be stopped under Section 44, they still have deal with three other issues, Grey argued - Section 43 of The Terrorism Act, charges of harassment and charges of making or retaining indecent images of children.

Speaking at The Social, an event organised by the British Journal of Photography with The Photographers' Gallery, Grey explained that under Section 43, a police officer may stop and search a photographer, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that he/she is a terrorist or has in their possession anything that suggests they might be.

But, he added, police officers have no right to demand to see photographers’ images, or to delete images without getting a court order. If the photographer is a professional photojournalist, they are entitled to protect their sources – and that includes photographs – by refusing to show the shot, a point Grey regarded as “very important”.

However, Grey urged photographers to take a constructive approach both to shooting in the street and dealing with members of the public and the police force. “If a police officer stops you, bear in mind that they have to consider the worst possible scenario,” he said. “If they make the wrong decision, they face the possibility there could be a terrorist attack that was their fault. Ask them why they have stopped you – at least then you know where they’re coming from.”

He added that in his conversations with the Met and ACPO he detected a willingness to co-operate with photographers, and a recognition of their role as the ears and eyes of the public. New guidelines – following the suspension of section 44 – will be published by the Home Officer and the ACPO shortly, and Grey recommended that photographers should read them and have a copy in their photographic bag at all times

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Results of the final round of the Club Print Competition 2010

Results from the final round of the Print League competition held on 28 October

My Learning Log

I have just started my learning log for the Open Arts College course on the "Art of Photography". I will being using it to write up the assigments and projects that I am required to complete. The first asignment explores the relationship between the focal length of the lens and the angle of view

Monday 1 November 2010

Members photographic blogs - Duncan Grove

 I spent some time looking at a blog by Duncan Grove a longstanding member of MCC. The blog gives an excellent insight into Duncan's photographic interests and achievments, particulary his sports photography.

Club outing to Nymans in Sussex

Despite some showery rain, the outing to Nymans was well attended and every one enjoyed taking the opportunity to capture the autumn colours and walk through the extensive gardens and woods. Enrico Di Vito images of Nymans are available on his Flickr page.  I managed a very muddy walk down to the lake to take this photograph of the woodlands


Bartosz  Morawiec and Enrico Di Vito