There was a pleasing turnout of returning members at the first meeting of the new Retford and District Photographic Society season. The club also welcomed three visitors.
President Alan Dibbo opened the meeting by telling everyone else that the entries for the annual competition held by the regional federation, N&EMPF (the North and East Midlands Photographic Federation) are due very soon. This is a prestigious event and acceptances for the final exhibition places are highly sought after. Mike Vickers is coordinating the collection and submission of entries from the Club during October.
Alan and Competition Secretary, Gwen Mabbott, introduced the speakers on the programme for this season. At the beginning of October, wildlife photographer Tracey Lund will present a talk cryptically entitled ‘Part 1’, and Ian Daisley will offer the somewhat unusual subject of ‘The Peak District in Black and White’.
Gwen spoke about the competitions that members have the option to take part in within the club, including the way entries are presented. She then showed a selection of digital images from last year’s competitions. Members who had been present on those occasions joined in the discussion, reminiscing about some of the judges’ comments and how the competitions work.
Following the regular competition format, there will be classes for colour prints, monochrome prints and projected images, referred to as DPIs. At the start of the season the competitions have no set theme, which gives everyone who wishes to enter the chance to show their favourite shots. Members don’t have to enter the competitions; many enjoy them while others prefer to just listen to the judge’s comments.
The presentation and discussion were followed by an extended opportunity to chat and compare notes over coffee and biscuits.
There is not a strict catchment area, so if you can get to meetings you are eligible and can join existing members whose home locations range from Sheffield to Sutton on Trent. You can find the Society in St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford at 7.30pm on Mondays until the end of April 2024.
For more information visit www.retford-photographic.co.uk.
Image: The Dayspring and Ben Nevis; Andy Stephenson