Latest IPF Information Update - November 2009

PRINT AND PROJECTED IMAGE COMPETITION

Regional Qualifying Rounds.
Dublin and South Leinster Region: Dublin Camera Club on Saturday, 5th December.
Mid-West Region: Mullingar Arts Centre on Wednesday, 2nd December.
North East Region: Monaghan Camera Club on Saturday, 12th December.
SACC Region: Clonmel Park Hotel on Sunday, 6th December.

Please check with your regions for closing dates and times for entries. Please read the rules carefully and ensure that the mounts are 20" x 16".

IPF Regional Lecture Tour Programme.

IPF National Print & Projected Image Competition

IPF National Print & Projected Image Competition RULES

Eagles Flying - Photoshoot - 15th November 2009

Camera Club members at the Eagles Flying Photo-Shoot

So how just how did we manage to fix such good weather for our photo-shoot to 'Eagles Flying', the Irish Raptor Research Centre in Ballymote, County Sligo on Sunday? After our last grey, rainy day out to Drumcliffe, we were hoping for some better weather and against the odds, we headed off in the sunshine to photograph a flying display of eagles, owls and other birds of prey. Although closed for the winter, the Centre opened especially for the 31 members who came out.

Photo by Dermot Devine

The Centre is home to 350 animals and birds from 75 different species including a Harris Hawk that was partial to Peter's hat and a saddleback pig that liked the look of Tony! We enjoyed a lively commentary from Lothar Muschketat, assisted by his wife Regina, son Alex, and helper Stephen, and watched eagles, owls, hawks and vultures swoop and dive overhead for rewards of food.

Photo by Peter Boalch

The Centre is a sanctuary for injured and endangered animals and birds – and we heard how there has been an upsurge of abandoned owls after doting parents copied the Harry Potter books and bought their children pet owls, but then couldn't care for them. The Centre is also temporary home to some gannets and a swan who will fly back into the wild when they are fit enough.

The fine weather meant we were lucky to have an outdoor flying display - the Centre now offers winter-time indoor displays in a purpose-built building on the site. If you missed the shoot, Eagles Flying is well worth a visit – a beautiful setting, lots of birds and animals to view and pet (guinea pigs, rabbits, donkeys and others), and the live show is very entertaining. Visitors can see indoor birds of prey flying displays from December 1st until Christmas Eve, at 6pm daily.

View members photos HERE.

LGC

Club Meeting - Tuesday 10th November

There was a good turn out for our meeting in the Royal Hotel. Members gathered to hear the outcome of the 'Autumn' quarterly competition, which was judged by Dublin photographer, Sean Kennedy.

Congratulations to the winners:

• Beginners: First place to Rob Wheeldon, with Frances Farrell in second and Mary Lane third.
  
• Intermediate: First place to Margaret Dolan with Fiona Farrell in second and Philip Candon third.
  
• Advanced: First place to Tony Murphy with Norman Little second and Ben Millet third.
  

Rob Wheeldon - 'Foliage Falls'

Margaret Dolan - 'Misty Morning'

Tony Murphy - 'October'

A slide show of Motivation submissions on 'Creative Lighting' was shown by Joe Kennedy and members were reminded that there is still time to submit pictures from the photoshoot at Drumcliff and Mullaghmore.

Peter Boalch told everyone of our plans for a weekend away in the Aran Islands, on the weekend of June 12th/13th 2010. Peter leads our next photoshoot on Sunday, November 15th, to the 'Eagles Flying' centre in Ballymote.

Louise Cole invited members to submit photos for sale to the new shop in the Market Yard, Boyle, The Greenway Emporium, which showcases Fair Trade and ethical gifts from around the world, plus locally made crafts. A window space in the shop has been offered for exclusive use by the club.

Louise also asked members if they'd like a Christmas Party at their next meeting in December – and a show of hands revealed most people are up for that!

Albert Watson - Hitchcock with Goose, 1973

The final part of the meeting was a presentation by Tony Murphy on one of his favourite photographers, Albert Watson, who has photographed many world-famous celebrities. The talk challenged members to consider that sometimes unlikely photographic work can be seen as fine art.

Read the minutes of the meeting HERE.

Photo Opportunity for Members

Sligo based photographer, Peter Wilcox, has been in touch with the club offering a unique opportunity to members to contribute their images for a new Sligo/Leitrim website.

Full Details HERE.

LGC

Club Meeting - Tuesday 10th November

Packed agenda for Tueday Night's meeting!

Members are reminded that the next club meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10th at 8pm in the Royal Hotel, Bridge Street, Boyle.

Our agenda for the evening will include a slideshow of the entries in the 'Autumn' quarterly competition and announcement of the winners. There will also be a slide show of motivation images on the subject of 'Creative Light'. We will have information on next year's weekend away in June, details of our Christmas function, news of our next motivation and quarterly competitions, plus news of new exhibition space in Boyle town centre. Tony Murphy will present some images from a famous photographer and lead a discussion about what makes a good or bad photograph.

Our next photo-shoot is on Sunday, November 15th, when Peter Boalch leads a trip to Ballymote in County Sligo to enjoy a flying display of birds of prey at the 'Eagles Flying' centre. This trip will cost €10 each for admission. Some members will already have been to the centre earlier this year, when heavy snow left some of us unable to travel, so a return trip was arranged. Meet in the car park in the Crescent, Boyle, for car pooling at 9.30am, or meet at 'Eagles Flying' at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. As always, for insurance reasons, this will be a members-only event.

LGC