Month: March 2024

The season draws to a close already, and we meet at the library for the last time until October. It’s also the last chance for the News Team’s photographers to look for new compositions, new images, in the familiar environment of the Soutar Theatre.

AGM first, with a number of office-bearers summarising the season (minor issues with powerpoint notwithstanding), the appointment of the new committee, and an outline of next years programme of speakers (looks great – details will be on our Programme page before long).

To follow – a critique night, for which several members brought in images to discuss, and we gathered in small groups to do just that. Some prints, some digitals; on laptops, tablets and phones. For some groups, it was a chance for the photographer author to talk about their image and what it means to them; for others, it’s chance to put the image up and let the viewers talk about what it means to them. Either way, there’s lots of good learning to be had.

Next week we’ll be dining out and doing prizegiving, so we’ll take a break from accepting new members, and will re-open our membership form in time for the start of next season.

In the meantime, our Facebook Group at Perth Photo Forum will continue over the summer as ‘an online place to learn from discussion of photography, by and for the people of Perth, Perthshire, Perth and Kinross, and surroundings’. So, not just for PPS members. And not just online – we also arrange a series of sociable photo walks. We’ll hope to see you out with your camera over the summer. Bon Voyages!

It’s our last meet of the year at the AK Bell Library, and it’s time for our AGM. This is an important formality in the calendar, as we get to hear something of the work that goes on to keep the club functioning smoothly. And it doesn’t take all night – we’re planning to complement this with a ‘critique evening’, where we can all bring in images we’ve taken (digital or prints), and can gather in small groups to discuss them. What works, what could we do better. It’s a great opportunity for some feedback on images we’re thinking of for the SPF Portfolio competition, and for the Festival of the Arts exhibition, over the coming months.
https://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk/2023/07/programme-2023-24/#week25

See what we were up to last week: https://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk/2024/03/last-night-members-night-the-novices-progress/ 

Well, we don’t have so many novices any more! Through this season’s expanded Cultivating Novice Photographers programme, we now have many more confident photographers, speaking with ease about their progress through the year.

Away from the main club nights on Wednesdays we’ve had two main groups meeting regularly in person – John’s group have been getting together in Aberfeldy; Ian’s group in Scone – plus a number of one-off special-interest gatherings elsewhere.

The experience of the members of the two groups prior to joining PPS has varied enormously, with interests in wildlife, travel, macro, family portraiture. And they’ve been learning on the job, as they meet the various photographic challenges they’ve been set – high-key, low-key, shallow depth of field, movement, and so on.

Lizzie, Nicole, Lynn and Alastair talked us through some of what they’ve been working on through the year, and Ian spoke on behalf of the group he’s been helping. We heard how they’ve all improved in camera-handling, in composition, and in processing the images to bring out what they saw in the first place when they took each photo.

John wrapped up with some thoughts on the mono work he’s been developing over the last year.

We’ve had 20 brand-new members this season, and it’s lovely to see so many of them making such progress in their first year, both in the images they take, and in their willingness to stand up and speak about them. Congratulations!

As our season gets into its final month, it’s time to celebrate the progress of some of our newer members who have been taking advantage of our grandly-titled Cultivating Novice Photographers programme. Three small groups have been meeting regularly with experienced members. Some of this cohort will be sharing what they’ve been up to, showing their images and speaking about their growing confidence.
https://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk/2023/07/programme-2023-24/#week24

See what we were up to last week: https://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk/2024/03/last-night-dall-cup-selfies-simpson-cup-audio-visual/ 

Newcomers are still welcome to register online, and come along to meet us for a couple of weeks, with no commitment. That gives you the chance to decide if you like what you see.
Or you can jump straight in with new or renewed membership.
Either way, go to the online form on our Membership page to register.
https://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk/membership/ 

Selfie night is always fun, and last night was as much fun as ever. 24 Selfies from 10 photographers, and hugely inventive and entertaining.
The in-house event photography did it’s best to keep up with the selfie theme.

Not just selfies but also a second half of audio-visual presentations – no less than 9 of these to savour.

At the end of each showing, everyone gets to go on their phones for the vote-casting.

Worthy Winners are in the winners galleries, for
– Dall Cup Selfies and
– Simpson Cup AVs