Our summer photo walks have commenced!  Our first location was Skippool Creek in Thornton last Thursday.  Glorious weather, great company and an interesting location if not a bit rickety!
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The headline was that our current photo walk co-ordinator, Iain had a ‘photography accident’ – the first I’ve known at PPS.  Was he on one of his solo photo quests to Iceland and slipped into a volcano? Or was he abseiling down Nelsons Column whilst trying to photograph the Royal Wedding? Or was the weight of his 5200mm lens too much that he collapsed beneath it?  No… he slipped off a plinth at Preston Flag Market. As Paul eloquently stated “You’ll find my sympathy between s**t and syphilis in the dictionary”!  But like a trooper Iain joined the walk. Get well soon! 

The location was diverse with beautiful scenery, ample boats both old and new.. and very old. Lots of opportunities for close up shots, landscape and seascape and we even spotted a few Herons on the estuary.  

As we walked further around the creek it was getting slightly more moist and muddy – fine if you had the essential walking boots. Not so fine if you are Neil and decide to wear flip flops.  As Louise and I in perfect synchronisation said “There’s always one…and it’s usually Neil!”​

Meanwhile Ian was causing a raucous further down the creek clapping the birds away when Ann was trying to set up a 'bird sitting on rickety boat' shot!

After all the excitement of the evening everyone was in fine fettle. Most members retired to the pub for a lemonade– we hope everyone attends next time and we even attracted a new member.​  

If you would like to join us on a future photo walk keep an eye out on the facebook page. Our next walk will be a woodland walk and will take place at Fairy Glen on 21st June. We hope to see you there!

The First of our Summer Photowalks will be taking place on Thursday 7th June to Skippool Creek. Keep an eye out for the events showing the PPS Open site for more details and as always the walks are open to both Mmebers and Non Members.

Previously asigned to Local Elections the Club is now meeting on the 3rd May and we are having a lecture by our own Alf Myers. Please come and support and I am sure you will find his Street Photography Lecture very interesting. I know it has evolved and Alf has been presenting this Lecture most of the year at other photographic clubs in the area.

Thank you to all those that entered the 7th and final monthly competition. For those you who haven't seen the results here is a list of the podium position from the night.

PRINTS

Fox Talbot
                1st Jurassic Bridge – Phil Wolcock
                2nd Jo – Derek Clarkson
Open Monochrome
                1st  Monique – Derek Clarkson
                2nd  BBC Salford Quays – Iain Jack
                3rd The Boxer – Robert Turley
Open Colour
               1st On the ropes – Michael Porter
               2nd Mad March Hares Boxing – Martin Jump
               3rd Langdale Pikes from Blea Tarn – Tim Gilbert
PDI

Novice
               1st Defying Gravity – James Sadoo
               2nd Sophisticated Gentleman – Ann Edwards
               3rd Cathederal – Ryszard Kosik
Theme (Close-Up)
               1st Reflections of a Marbled Reed Frog – Iain Jack
               2nd Take the right fork – James Sadoo
               3rd Red 6 – Paul Yates
Flora and Fauna
               1st Black-tailed Godwit take-off – Martin Jump
               2nd Hovering Kestrel  –  Ian Bamber
               3rd Common Blue Damselfly – Trevor Southward
Advanced
               1st Starling touchdown – Martin Jump
               2nd A dangerous game – Robert Turley
               3rd The Baths Of Maria De Padilla – Helen Hatch

On March 18th 2018 most of the UK was on lock down still reeling from the effects of the Beast from the East.  Weather reports were suggesting the Beast of the East 2 was on its way.  People couldn’t get into work, people were stranded on motorways, families were having to resort to sledges as their main form of transport to get that all important loaf of bread only to discover when they reached the corner shop it was closed due to a power cut…because of all the white stuff. 

​Spring was cancelled, and conditions were likely to worsen. But there was a crew of PPS photographers that weren’t going to let a bit of snow stop their photo walk!

With Iain ‘Arctic veteran, distant relative to Ernest Shackleton, best of the West’ Jack at the helm failure was not an option.  As he left home for his latest adventure Iain ‘Arctic veteran, distant relative to Ernest Shackleton, best of the West’ said “I’m just going out.. I may be some time”.

While most of us were sat in the comfort of our warm homes the Motley Crew were preparing for their day out in the Lake District.  All was going well until they hit the ‘Hill’.
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As you can see from the picture the snow must have been at least 2 metres deep...in these conditions you couldn’t blame the crew for thinking another option would be the appropriate solution.  But Iain ‘Arctic veteran, distant relative to Ernest Shackleton, best of the West’ Jack was determined to tackle the ‘hill’ in his snow mobile. 

​As he set off with determination it soon became clear he might need some help. Luckily the crew were not too far behind.  They started pushing (Louise and Maria doing the hard work as usual) but to no avail as the snow deemed itself the superior warrior.
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If all options fail resort to plan B.  As it turns out plan B offered some magnificent views, some superb photography and new photographic experiences, which is what the walks are all about. ​

Hats off to all!  It just shows that no matter the weather it’s the company that counts. We are looking forward to seeing the results in future competitions- and it looks like a fun day was had by all!
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So after a false start last night the links are now working. The New Website is back up and running, however the SSL still needs completing in the next day or so to make it 100% secure but go and have a look. All last months podium images have been uploaded. Any queries please let Angela or Iain know. Many thanks for your patience whilst we have been transferring our URL to a different host, this has taken longer than anticipated we have eventually made it.

Apologies for the site being down recently and your patience while we were having a few issues. This has been due to moving the PPS URL to a new host. Anyway here we go.... Looks like the URL has transferred ok and the New Website is back up and running. There may still be the odd glitch but the site is predominantly up and running and working ok. If you do come across any glitches if you could let either myself or Angela know on ppsphotowalks@btconnect.com or contactppsmedia@gmail.com

LATEST UPDATE: Dispite the initial weather warning for today/tomorrow I still plan to try and do the photowalk on Sunday. I will be at the club at 7.30 tomorrow morning and we can decide if it is really bad if we want to change venues or cancel altogether. BBC like to exagerate at times and it seems that it is mostly in the East. If you need to speak to me my number is 07881 733639

 For those of you that missed the lecture this week, we invited self proclaimed 'Competition Addict' Robert Millin MFIAP, FBPE, EFIAP/p, MPSA, SPSA, DPAGB, GPU Hermes (and breathe...) to talk about the world of photography competitions at PPS.  As you can tell from the length of his 'letters' he has spent a lot of years building up his impressive competition portfolio.

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Robert started entering competitions in 2010, and for his first entry got a little 'photoshop happy' with himself. Adorned in a kilt to represent his Scottish heritage he entered a collage of images in an array of different locations...  

After a few 'learning curves' and the passion to succeed in competitions he quickly adapted to the world of photography competitions on a global scale.  His main advice?  Keep things quirky, think outside the box, submit images that other people wouldn't necessarily see in another part of the world.  One example was a picture of three donkeys on Blackpool Beach - completely normal for us 'sandgrownun's' but a spectacle for judges in other countries. If you can...travel... capture as many different cultures and creeds as you can.  

Maybe someone flossing the teeth of a camel / donkey...or an array of fruit/veg that aren't familiar to you when you do your weekly food shop at Sainsbury's, or Aldi (or any other reputable food store!).  When shooting sports/culture his advice was to capture vibrant colours i.e. red football kits, orange table tennis shirts etc. Be bold!  

One of his most successful shots is 'Playing OK'.  His advice was to not just edit to mono.  Work on darkening the shadows and lightening the whites (dodge and burn to your life's content) it creates an almost 3d effect and  can be successful when submitting comp pictures. 

Whether you value letters after your name or not most of the advice given was useful in everyday photography as well as thinking about competition entries.  Ultimately, to get that 'shot' our own president Stephen Riley summarised the lecture, "the thread of this lecture was about planning and preparing the shot.  Think about the result you want and go for it" .  Don't miss next week at PPS it's '3 Way Battle'! 

 The new PPS club website is now On Line. Please go and have a look, either click the link or go to www.prestonphotographicsociety.org . This is still work in progress and will develop over the next few months. There will be the odd issue and if you spot anything then please let either Angela or Iain know and we will correct it. 1