If you regularly enter our digital projected image competitions then you need to read this!!

Incompatability issues have been identified between certain versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista and XP. As the club laptop runs on XP this has resulted in missing properties data from some Digital Projected images. If you have experienced this issue then Mike has suggested that you use the Film Free Projection software to add these properties before exporting the final images to your USB memory stick. A trial version of this software is available direct from the EAF website or by clicking on the following link. Film Free Projection

If you regularly enter our print competitions then you need to read this!!

For the remainder of this season, we would like to trial a slightly different arrangement for delivery of your prints and competition entry forms. Full details

It is planned to have an informal enprint competition on Monday, 15 March 2010 at which all those attending will cast votes for their favourite or preferred display.

Club members are invited to submit up to two 20” x 16” (maximum size) card bearing between 6 and 10 enprints on a theme of their choice. The enprints should be no larger than 6” x 4”. They can be stuck on the board so there's no need to cut apertures unless you want to. The theme title can also be displayed on the front of the card. The photographer's name must be on the back.

All those attending will be given a voting sheet and will be asked to mark each panel out of five. Participants can, of course, vote for their own !

This is a fun event that involves everybody so it is hoped that you will all join in and enjoy the evening. An example of how your panel might look, using 6” x 4” prints, is shown below.

Nikon Fit Kenko Afd 2x Teleconverter retail around £140, asking £40. Contact Kev Hurdle via email: kev at kphphotographic.co.uk (replace at with@) or use the contact us form on this site

We need slides for the Pegasus competition this coming Tuesday and it requires at least 30 to cover all categories; Harry is providing some and I would ask if any of you have any slides worth putting in please bring them Monday evening.

The categories are:

Landscape/Seascape

Natural History (NOT flora)

Child Study (need these)

Off Beat (need these)

Still Life (need these)

Street Scene (need these)

Portrait (NOT Children)

Action (need these)

Architecture

Flower Study

As we are now getting depleted on the slide front as less people are doing them we just need to get what we can for the competition.

Can you make a note to look at when the external competitions are please. If you have any Internal Prints or Digital Projected Images which have scored 9, 10, Highly Commended or Best Image then please let Nick or Tim have a copy for selection.

On Thursday 11th February their is an Inter-Club Digital Projected image competition and we need your images now. Please bring them along on Monday.

Subject to support from members we are looking at the possibility of arranging a club outing or photo shoot next year and a few ideas have already been suggested, full details and dates still to be decided:

1) Day out to Aldeburgh to experience the photo opportunities that this lovely seaside resort can offer. Coach trip from Benfleet followed by a pub lunch or fish and chips by the sea.

2) It is never advisable to approach a nightime photoshoot alone so why not join a group of us and enjoy the experience of taking night time shots at either a local or London venue, have a go at light trails, the sky at dusk etc.

3) What about a visit to a professional photo studio with models to work on your portrait skills?

Prices and dates will be published depending on demand, or if you have any other ideas please contact us via the website stating your preference, speak to Nick or a member of the committee.

The Metropolitan Police have published an article on this subject on their website entitled Photography Advice It states inter alia (a) Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel, and (b) Officers do not have the power to delete digital images or destroy film at any point during a search. It is suggested that you read it and carry a printed copy in your camera bag.

Mike has issued revised guidance notes for preparing your images for Digital Projected image competitions. These notes are designed to assist and clarify the requirements for preparing and submitting images for the forthcoming seasons digital projected image competitions.

This year the projection software will be utilising sRGB colour space to present the images. This is a change from last year but brings our projection method in line with the majority of camera clubs and exhibitions. If you normally work within the Adobe RGB (1998) colour space you should ensure that your competition files are converted to sRGB colour space when you save them. This includes any of last years images that you intend to enter into the annual competition on the 21st September. more information

Essex Police has launched a photography competition to find photos of locations in Essex to use on its website.

It is looking for great photos of places in Essex to make sure its website www.essex.police.uk reflects the county it serves. So Essex Police is challenging amateur and professional photographers of all ages to send in their photographs that illustrate what Essex means to them.

A new website has been designed and published in time for the 2009/2010 programme. Tell us if you like it, don't like it or if anything doesn't work and what you would like to see included in the future: (some competition links won't work until we have some new season results)

An Annual exhibition of our members work is being held at the Holy Family Church in Benfleet, open 09:00 - 5:00 free tea and cakes for all.

Throughout the months of May June and July our members work will be displayed in Canvey, Hadleigh and South Benfleet libraries respectively, make sure you go along.

BCC summer school, 20:00 - 22:00 St Georges small hall. Members £1.50 visitors £3 subject to space

21st May - The Digital camera, its controls and settings

11th June - The safe approach to image processing

18th June - Colour control

2nd July - Monochrome conversion

3rd Sept - RAW processing

more information