Promised Newhaven Photos

Before I went off on holiday last week I promised that I would post the photo's showing the other side of Newhaven when I got back, so here they are.

This is looking down the beach towards Seaford. You can just make out the white cliffs which start at the end of Seaford Beach in the far distance. Walking over those will take you to Cuckmere. As you can see, like Brighton, it is a pebble beach. One reason why the loss of the other beach mentioned in the last Newhaven posting was such a blow to the locals. As usual big business thinks it has the answers and really, they know nothing about what the ordinary person wants or needs. Are they really trying to bring in tourists you have to ask?

You will pass this lighthouse as you come in on the ferry. The area in front [sea harbour area] often has para surfers when there is a decent breeze.

The area behind the beach where dog walkers, cyclists and other healthy people can stride out. A word of caution however. The pebbles spill out from the beach all over the track and can making the going pretty tough, not to mention a little painful on doggy feet. To the left of this picture is a walk which avoids those pitfalls but can be rather muddy instead. [Never satisfied.]

One of those other walks - did I say it got a bit muddy!!

One of the Tidemill info boards. They give you amazing pieces of history. Shipwrecks and sailplanes included. Has your appetite been whetted yet?

Another info board.

On the day I went it was wet and freezing, however in the hot summer these walks are lovely with the sea air cooling you down. Go on, try it this summer.

Finally, one of the sculptures from one of the recently renovated areas near the marina. About 30 feet away from this is a public car park which is the end of this particular road, and a shop selling fresh fish from the local catches. 

[Lets all try and buy local.]

and that's it for this blog as technically, I have another to do for this week. Hard work keeping up.

TTFN.

Lewes Camera Club - What is in store for new season September 2011

The AGM for our club season was held on Monday 14th March 2011. This was the final meeting and we were in buoyant mood after what was a good day for us at Hailsham and the Sussex Federation Print Competition [see last weeks posting]. It seems we only just missed out on the trophy for the most improved club too!

I managed to come 5th this year in the league print competition. My score was 111 out of a possible 120 which doesn't seem too shabby. However I have a sneaking suspicion that I also achieved the same score last season but came 11th. Next year I will be able to refer to this posting to see it I have improved!

We now have the summer months to get the vital photo's for next seasons campaign. As always there is a Natural History Competition so I will be on the look out for a suitable wildlife photo. This year I have given myself the challenge of finding the proper name of the subject of my photo, including the latin version, as I would have to do this in a professional competition such as the Royal Photographic Society.

There are the normal two open competitions where you can please yourself as to the subject of the photograph.

The second competition of next season has the title 'Red'.  My mind has already been working on this looking for possible scenarios. Should I try a black and white of say flowers with one red flower showing, or a lighthouse with a red band type of thing. How about a shot full of red flowers [I know just the ones that come out around June] or perhaps I should try to stage a photo. The latter being slightly more ambitious if I can think of a great layout. Thinking cap time.

Another competition has the title of 'Movement'. So I guess that will either be a photo with a blur passing through to show something moving, or a sharp shot of something/someone in the middle of a moving act. I never like my attempts at a blur. Maybe I could try panning where the background blurs and the object is sharp.

The final subject is going to be really interesting, LRPS,  as it is linked to one of the talks we will be having on gaining accreditation with the Royal Photographic Society. This will involve us having our version of a very small panel [2 photos rather than 10/15/20] which must somehow be related. It is one of those that I will think about over the summer, trying to anticipate the requirements, however I will need to stay flexible until we have the talk. Though the Royal Photographic Society does have it's own hints on it's website.

As a very small camera club, Lewes is always looking for new members. If you want to join and need further information; our new website is up and running' so please follow the attached link. Lewes Camera Club. Alternatively, if one of the talks we have lined up catches your fancy why not contact us. If you use the club email address they can let you know if there are still seats available and the cost. Don't delay. Go on, give it a go. We get wonderful presenters.

03/10/2011 - Beyond the Basics Photoshop Workshop by Gavin Hoey
10/10/2011 - Natural History Photography/Presentation/Advice by Chris Coates DPAGB
24/10/2011 - Travels with a Camera by Clive Dickson
07/11/2011 - How to take Portraits Without a Studio by James Barry
21/11/2011 - Advice on how to Attain LRPS and beyond by Walter Benzie ARPS
16/01/2012 - Wedding Photography A Professional Approach by Tony Hollman
06/02/2012 - Ballooning in the land of the Thunder Dragon by David Billing
05/03/2012 - Creative Workshop by Jack Casement ARPS

Finally - Tomorrow I will depart for a week, trying to find some photographs for the competitions that the other members won't have, that the judges haven't seen too many times before, that hopefully are a little bit different, and with such great composition and sharpness they can't fail to get me that elusive 20. [I can dream.]

And.......... if all goes well I will be posting the successful photos on future blogs after the competitions take place.

So, another week about photography without any actual photographs. What am I thinking?

Next weeks blog will be late as I won't be back till a week tomorrow. 
I may [or may not] let you know how successful the week has been and if I have a possible 20 score in the bag.

Oh,  for such confidence.

I will post the promised pictures of Newhaven from the other side of the river.

Think positive thoughts until then.........................................................

Sussex Federation Photographic Competition

No pictures this week. Just photography information.

On Sunday in the community centre at Hailsham in Sussex, The Sussex Federation Photography Print Competition for 2011 took place. Each year a different camera club takes on the role of host. This year it was the joint responsibility of Rottingdean and Lewes Camera Clubs. Lewes [my club] was responsible for the raffle, the door and the refreshments. Rottingdean took on responsibility for the hall and the prints/scoring.

The judge had the prints for ten days to give her time to go through them all [ at least 100 prints] and score them. Technically, there should only be one score of 20, the winner, however due to the high standard she choose 6 x 20 photographs. From these she choose her favourite as the overall winner. Rottingdean, took the prints, collated the score for each section, with a list of the final scores being given to each camera club chairman at the end of the day.

Half time, the chance for a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit, was after the scores for 3 sets of prints. Then the last 2 sets of prints are shown. Winners announced. Trophies are awarded. The judge thanked and then we end with the raffle. It all takes from 2-30pm until 6.00pm. [Unless of course you were in the vanguard and arrived at 1.00pm]

All the camera clubs in Sussex who are part of the Sussex federation entered 5 prints. Usually what they think is their best 5 prints from the season so far. The prints are then separated into 5 sections, 1 from each club, and at the end of each section, the scores so far are added together, until at the end of the judging, each camera club has an amalgamated score for their five prints. There is an award for the best photo. One for the most improved camera club and of course, a trophy for the winning team.

The 6 photos with a score of 20 were shown together before the judge announced her personal favourite and the individual winner.

Regretfully I have to admit that I can't remember the name of the photographer with the winning picture [sorry], but it was a beautiful photo of a butterfly on a stalk of wheat. I am not entirely sure, however I think the winner was a member of Seaford Camera Club.

The trophy given for the most improved club went to Seaford who I think ended up in third place overall.

Finally, the overall winning team, with the top score for their 5 prints was Rye. They had a very good collection of prints. Which were shown together at the end before the trophy was handed over.

Lewes Camera Club had the highest score they had ever achieved in the competition which placed them in 9th place.

I reluctantly went along to help with the refreshments however I did learn a couple of things.

Before the competition took place I was a little worried on the personal front. I had heard that we had a habit of coming 2nd last. To my mind that meant our photos at the club were not as good as those at other clubs and I personally have been having difficulty achieving a 20. The logical thought with this is that my photos aren't as good as I thought they might be. Having seen the photos at the competition however, I have to say that the top photos in Lewes Camera Club are just as good as the ones on show, and 9th place is above half way. I managed a couple of 19 in the scores this season so in a way my fears are allayed. [Though I didn't have one good enough to be placed in the Sussex federation Print Competition, yet!]

The other thing I noticed in the competition was there was only around 3 or 4 landscapes. The rest was wildlife, staged photos or record style photographs and portraits. The record photographs, even with local competitions, tend not to get the winning score, whether it is a building or a gate or whatever. There was also a couple where the judge felt the titles did not match the photographs [one of my bugbears] and they did seem to catch a lower score. The landscapes did not achieve top scores either, and to be honest, most of the 20's were excellent wildlife photos.

Maybe I am actually trying to take photos of the wrong thing for the competitions. Tonight, at the last meeting of our season at Lewes Camera Club [AGM] when we get a draft of the next seasons schedule and its competitions, I need to think a lot harder about what to take rather than letting fate decide [which I normally do].  It is very hard to take a landscape where the camera shows the wonderful scenery you actually see. I know that it is important to get the right light with just the right scenery etc. However a couple of the photos in the competition were really good. I need to think carefully before putting forward entries in next season. Perhaps I need to think about trying to stage some photographs - flowers or still lifes, or try out some of the techniques I keep reading about. Making up compositions or adding or deleting to the photos, or making a photo with a difference. I need to find something a little different so it is something they haven't seen a lot of before! Better still, some really great wildlife photos.

It's a bit like the secret of the black magic box isn't it. You can't have the answer until you actually manage to crack the code.

Wish me luck.

Newhaven Fort and Final Lewes Camera Club Competition 2010-2011 season

More pictures with dull grey skies I'm afraid.

I have been thinking about this blog and I'm disappointed that I have strayed from the my reasons for the blog by what seems to me, a very wide mark. I go out every week to make sure I have pictures to put in the blog, however they are not necessarily the kind of pictures I actually meant to put in the blog. The blog is driving the photography rather than the other way round - if you get my drift. So I am going to try and go back to my aims of taking great photographs rather than giving you a tour of the Sussex [or otherwise] countryside. So in the future you may log on to a good photo, or you may log on to me raving and waffling about how my photography went that week or a great photography book or idea I have picked up. Wish me [and you] luck.

Newhaven Fort.

When you drive in to the upper car park [advisable if you don't want a steep climb] and walk towards the fort entrance you are met by bollards that look like large black shells and the above striking silhouettes. I loved these. They reminded me of the cartoons and posters I used to see in the comics and books about the war. They appeal to my childish side I guess.

I recommend a visit to Newhaven Fort if you are in the area. I took my mum and dad a few years ago and they enjoyed it. My mum however did find some parts a little too realistic. They have an imitation shelter you can enter to gain a sense of what it was like to be in one of these places during a bombing raid. As you come out you walk through an area of bombed buildings. While we were waiting and looking around the exhibit, the siren sounded for the start of a raid and to call people into the shelter. The dismal lighting and siren noise brought memories back for my mum and she couldn't quite bring herself to enter the shelter. From the outside we could hear the sound of bombs dropping and rattling so I guess it was quite realistic inside. There are lots of exhibits and information and a cafe for refreshments.

The kids will love it.

This is a picture of the fort entrance with Newhaven pebble beach in the background.

Regretfully from the car park for the fort, you can see a dismal sight of Newhaven which is in the beginnings of a regeneration. On the dull day I took my photos it looked, on the whole, quite neglected. Especially when you consider its near neighbour Brighton just a few miles further down the coast. On one side of the river Ouse there is the newly focused Marina with it's new flats and townhouses. This area has brought Newhaven into the 21st Century and is attractive to visitors. On the other side there is the terminal for the Dieppe ferry and, not even 20 yards along from it, what can only be described as a scrap heap. So tourists coming in on the ferry will have a different view of Newhaven depending on which side of the ship they sit on!! 

 Despite lots of demonstrations to try and stop it, the town has been chosen as the site for a new waste incinerator being built. I know someone has to have it in their back yard however I am not sure the people of Newhaven understand why it has to be them. Being honest, as you drive towards Newhaven from Lewes it looks like they are building a very impressive building, Almost space age. You can forget for a moment it's true purpose. It could be a modern Tate or a wonderful new station for the Euro Train. It is big and dominates the skyline. Lets just hope that when it is finally turned on, the claims of its owners are fact and not fiction. Visitors coming off the ferry don't want to be met with smog and smells. Not if we want them to come back that is!!

There used to be a lovely sandy beach in Newhaven, just around the corner from the fort. One of the few sandy beaches in the area [if not the only]. It is owned by the French company who also own the Ferry Terminal and surrounding buildings. Locals used to flock to the beach in the summer, in spite of the hazard warnings. You see, somewhere along the line, the sea walls and steps in this area fell into disrepair and became dangerous. This was not necessarily the French Companies fault as it has taken quite a few years for it to get into this state, however as they now own it, the local council have tried to get the French Company to repair it. The area it is now closed off with a monstrous great rig of some kind stuck there. Originally, there was a lot of posturing going on about this beach area, with the French threatening to throw their toys out of the pram, up sticks and leave Newhaven with no further investment. Have they now shot themselves in the foot by putting the rig on the beach area which adds to the very industrial, neglected look of the port. You can hardly miss it as the ferry comes in towards the harbour. Guess it will depend on the rental fees they are getting from the rig owner.

Am I campaigning [or possibly complaining] - no. I don't live in Newhaven and therefore don't have to see it every day.  Next week I will add more pictures from another side of the beach that has a lot of history. Just to even it up a little!!

and...................... a lot of coach visitors to Newhaven visit the wonderful Paradise Park.

It is a garden centre with a difference. A cafe, with the usual garden centre bits and pieces, great variety of gifts to take home to the relatives, and a long standing dinosaur exhibit. Great for the little explorers [though small and nervous children can find the moving dinosaurs and their roar a little too life like - I quote from first hand experience]. There is a play centre with activities for various ages, a lovely garden with small, medium and longer walks. Fountains and a small train for both adults and children to sit in and enjoy. [Believe me, I have pictures of one of my friends from a couple of years ago, smiling and waving as the train goes past , along with the child she adopted for the day!!] All in all, it makes quite a nice afternoon out for the family.

The Competition..................

It is time for letting you know how I fared in the last competition of the season with Lewes Camera Club.  I have not been setting the heather alight with my performance this year, though I think I have managed a couple of scores of 19. My aim to get the ultimate score of 20 is alas still a dream. This is my 3rd year of trying to reach the holy grail and what makes it worse is that a new member has attained at least 3 of them in their first year. I tell myself its because she knows what the judges are looking for rather than taking better photographs. [she does have an expert in the family]. Jealous? In a word - yes!!

The competition was 'Being Creative'. Though as the judge said, being creative means different things to different people. He gave us a presentation in October to try to explain what he was looking for. I took away the challenge [rightly or wrongly] to put in a picture I normally wouldn't consider.

This was my first. Sunrise. 

For which I achieved a mark of 16.

The creative part for me is that normally you would break the composition of a picture into thirds. Perhaps a foreground, the main object and then the sky. Or it would be broken into thirds in some other way. In this case the picture is mostly of sky and breaks that rule. I adore the different colours in the sky with the sun just starting to pop up. The downs are a silhouette and just a fraction of the scene. I wish I could remember a lot about the thought process that went into taking this, however I really don't think there was that much. This is one of the scenes I can see from my bedroom window. I have a problem in that all my bedroom windows open up the wrong way [or to the wrong view for a camera]. So I had to stick the camera through a gap or under the window, try to hold it steady, get the right exposure and then click. You also have to be quick as the sun can rise quickly and you lose the colour that first drew you to the scene. So the only thought process was to try and grab the scene before it disappeared into the light.

He thought it very pleasing, however when looking at the other entries I can see that it was not quite as creative as some of the others.

My second entry

The Stranger in the Lift.

Achieved a mark of 19.

He really is a stranger and he didn't know I was taking this. So if you are out there sir, I would love to give you a print of this in the hope that you like it. I am personally really proud of this photo.

The judge was a tall man and found this photo unsettling and a little intimidating. [I am short and I am used to people being taller and sometimes a little intimidating.] I find it great that it had the effect I was trying to get over. I received a 19 instead of a 20 as the area under the chin is dark and could have been lightened [Photoshop]. From my viewpoint, I was in a lift with a stranger, trying secretly to take the photo [I think people are much more natural when they don't know you are taking a shot of them], it was one of the last pictures I took that day, and the lighting was what it was. I wasn't in a studio set up [don't have one anyway]. My photoshop skills are not ideal - though I might have managed to lighten it if I had thought about it - and I am still stuck in the thought process that the photo I take is the one I want to show. I am learning - slowly. 

[Very slowly].

I should add for the record that this guy was with a blonde lady and a small girl,  whom I assumed was his partner/wife and daughter. So he really wasn't intimidating as such. The lift in question [in Eastbourne] was a little depressing and dark and since has been upgraded. I would quite happily put this one in my make believe coffee table book.

and that is a very good place to end this week!!