BPA Syllabus 2023-24

Dave has released a further update to the BPA  syllabus that takes us through to the end of the 2023-24 season of meetings. Please check it out on the “Syllabus” tab and let Dave and me know if there are any queries.

Howard

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BPA Syllabus 2023-24

Dave has updated our syllabus for the post Christmas period. Please check it out on the “Syllabus” tab and let Dave and me know if there are any queries.

Howard

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A success for a BPA member

Conratulations go to Cristina (Pascu-Tulbure) for achieving “Highly Commended” for her monochrome image “On the nose” in the Societies of Photographers September 2023 competion. Great achievement Cristina.

Please follow https://thesocieties.net/benefits/monthly-image-competition/2023-monthly-image-competition-results/ to view all Gold Awards and Highly Commended results.

On the nose

 

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Syllabus update

Following the email from Ron, I have updated the “Syllabus” page to reflect the current status. Remember it is subject to change at short notice and members will be notified accordingly by email.

Howard

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Return of Face to Face Meetings

On Wednesday, 7th September 2022 the Birkenhead Photographic Association held its first face to face meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. A group of about twenty people met in their clubroom at the Prenton Bowling Club. Lately groups have been meeting outside to pursue their love of photography. Much has been done via the Zoom software to keep people in touch with their club and listen to lecturers from far and wide. However the atmosphere in the clubroom was vibrant and enthusiastic. Recognising that some members still have some hesitancy to meet in closed groups Ron set up a zoom facility in the clubroom to enable absent members to listen and view the proceedings. The success of this has still to be assessed.

The BPA secretary, Ron Thomas, has been a driving force in bringing about this opening meeting for the 2022-23 season. He led the discussion on how the Club could move forward with a goal of being more inclusive for young and older people, novice photographers with basic cameras and smartphones and more experienced photographers, perhaps seeking external recognition. The emphasis should move away from internal competitions, perhaps leaning towards challenges and group opportunities to share the how and why a photograph was taken. Some may be encouraged to develop their art in the form of prints and some may have a leaning toward external competitions.

Ron shared a selection of images, including some of moths taken at a recent outing to Thurstaston. There was great excitement that day as a rare specimen was found in the moth trap. There were many requests for a repeat visit. Ron also surprised the group with some AI produced images that were surprisingly realistic and questioned where this might lead.

The meeting finished with the usual tea and biscuits and some extra pastries. Thanks Ron and a huge thanks to everyone that pitches in and helps with the setting up and putting away, making the tea and washing up. You are invaluable.

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Results from 2018-19 internal club competitions

Heather has made available the results from last season’s competitions. They have been uploaded to the BPA Facebook page. For those not able to access the Facebook page the results are replicated here. Well done to all those that enter our competitions and hearty congratulations to the overall winners and runners up. 
 
Digital Projected Images (DPI)
1st Place  –  Charles Farnell ARPS CPAGB  –  92 points
2nd Place  –  Cristina Pascu-Tulbure  –  54 points
3rd Place  –  Heather Bradshaw  –  48 points
 
Prints
1st Place  –  Ian Stewart ARPS DPAGB  –  96 points
2nd Place  –  Jon Ashton ARPS  –  42 points
3rd Place  –  Ian Kearvell  –  39 points
 
Overall DPI + Prints
1st Place  –  Ian Stewart ARPS DPAGB  –  124 points
2nd Place  –  Charles Farnell ARPS CPAGB  –  107 points
3rd Place  –  Jon Ashton ARPS  –  77 points
 
Thanks to Heather for doing the collation of all the results and briefing us on the outcome.  These are challenging times and I know that Ron is applying his mind to how we can all keep in touch and stay motivated. I know some of you are dead set against Facebook but I would encourage you to think about joining our closed group page and contribute.
 
Stay Home (when you can) and Stay Safe.
 
Howard

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Members’ “CheckList” for competition entries

MMcN presented the attached checklist to assist and encourage us to up our game when submitting entries to the club (and other) competitions. The checklist, prepared by MMcN and RT, is applicable to both print and dpi entries.

This post is intended to draw your attention to the checklist, especially those members unable to attend the Members Evening session on 20 February 2019. A copy will also be placed on the “Competitions” tab for future reference and download.

It is perhaps worth reiterating here that the competition rules are available on the website and that your Council has agreed that the number of entries may be restricted where a large volume of entries has occurred. Compliance with the subject matter guidelines is strongly encouraged and the judges will be advised to take our subject guidelines into account when judging. Please also help our Competitions Secretary when preparing your digital entries on CD or Memory sticks and Flash drives by placing your images inside a folder bearing your name (and awards where appropriate, e.g. ARPS, DPAGB). Please remember to check image size and colour space compliance to avoid unintended consequences when the competition software automatically changes these attributes.

Final Check List

 

You can download a copy for your personal use by clicking here. MMcN/RT Checklist.

 

 

Posted in Competitions, News

BPA vs WAPS Battle 2019

Well done to everyone who managed to get to the annual photo competition between the Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society (WAPS) and the Birkenhead Photographic Association (BPA). A highlight of the year, with friendly rivalry between both clubs, was made particularly challenging this year due to the chaotic travelling conditions caused by adverse weather conditions. The judge was snowed in and unable to attend. Despite this and some members failing to make it to the venue, the competition went ahead.

At half time the WAPS had the lead by 4 points. Was this to be the year they won back the trophy? Alas it was not to be and for the fifth consecutive year the BPA retained the trophy. Well done to the BPA team, led by Dave Jones. Yet again the scores were close, with the BPA scoring 71 points to the WAPS score of 67. Ian Pickavance won a bottle of wine for the best photo in the competition. Well done Ian. The photo shows the BPA President, Ron Thomas accepting the trophy, with Ian’s winning entry showing on the screen behind.

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Marianthi Lainas at Sale Photographic Society

Sale Photographic Society has extended an invitation to join them for a talk by the local Landscape photographer Marianthi Lainas. Details are in the flyer below.

Marianthi Lainas at Sale Photographic Society

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