Ireland takes top prize in FIAP Monochrome Biennial

Ireland took the overall prize in the FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) Monochrome Biennial, which took place in Spain earlier this month, staving off stiff competition from rival countries such as England and Spain.

Ireland has punched above its weight in international competitions hosted by FIAP to date but this is the first time that Ireland has scooped the overall prize in a FIAP event.

Irish camera clubs and societies have ranked highly in other FIAP events, such as the 2011 FIAP World Cup, where Dundalk Photographic Society took second place and Celbridge Camera Club ranked in the top 10 grouping.

Building on that success, Irish photographers raised the bar even further to take the top prize at the 31st FIAP black and white biennial when the results were announced on March 14th.

There was also cause for celebration for two of the participating Irish photographers who each took a FIAP bronze medal for their images: Judy Boyle from Drogheda Camera Club for ‘Holy cow’ and Ciaran DeBhal from Dundalk Photographic Society for ‘Big door, small people’.

View the Winning Panel HERE.

An Óige Photographic Group Annual Exhibition 2012.

The annual An Óige Photographic Group photography competition and exhibition takes place at The Botanic Gardens in Dublin on 22nd June 2012. Submission details and application form via the link below.

All entries must be submitted to;
Marie McDonnell, An Óige Head Office, 61 Mountjoy St, Dublin 7.
Closing date for receipt of entries is Wedesday April 25th 2012.

Open Competition Entry Form for the An Óige Photographic Group Annual Exhibition 2012.

REMINDER - LICENTIATESHIP APPLICATION Closing Date 1st April

Please take note that the closing date for receipt of applications for the next distinctions sitting is April 1st. The next sitting will take place in Athlone on May 19th.

DOWNLOAD the Application Form and Protocol Documentation HERE.

The number of applications is being limited for both Licentiates and Associates at each sitting - please see below for further details.

The IPF intends to roll out an additional distinctions sitting this year (provisionally scheduled for Sept 15th) in addition to the regular sittings in May and November.

Further information on Distinctions Sittings for 2012 are detailed below;

• Saturday 19th May, Athlone – closing date for applications 1st April
• Saturday 15th September, venue TBA – closing date for applications 1st August
• Saturday 24th November, Thurles – closing date for applications 1st October

N.B.: Irrespective of the closing dates, applications will be limited as follows

• Licentiate: maximum 40 applicants
• Associate: maximum 10 applicants
• Fellowship: no limit

Places will be reserved on a first come – first allowed basis.

Photo Shoot - Knockvicker 25th March 2012

The Club's monthly photo shoot was held at Clarendon Lock, Knockvicar on Sunday 25th March. It must have been the clocks going forward that prevented a full attendance but those that made it enjoyed beautiful weather for photography! The location was chosen to suit the Club's Motivation topic for March - 'water'. Long exposure filters were used to maximise the effect of the water running over the weir. Later in the morning graduated filters were used to deal with the strengthening sun. There were also plenty of opportunities for capturing passing boats and the first flowers of Spring. We look forward to many more days like this.

Des.

Club Meeting - Tuesday 13th March

The Chairman, Christopher O'Connor, introduced our own John Walshe who gave a presentation on his recent experiences during a ‘Cars & Lights’ photo shoot.

Motivation

The Motivation theme for March was “Still Life" (using a torch for lighting). Phil Burns judged the Motivation entries and Joe Kennedy presented the results with a short critique on each.

The winners in each section are;

Advanced

1. John Walshe - “My Fathers Watch”

2. Brian Munnelly - “Grater”

3. Des O Dwyer - “Ballerina”

Intermediate

1. Debbie McCormack - “Wired”

2. Norman Little - “The Power is in your Hands”

3. Donal Hackett - “See the Light”

Beginner

1. Caitriona Feely - “Untitled”

2. Amy Clarke - “First Dance”

3. Laura Laugere - “Round as an Apple”

Next motivation (set by Joe Kennedy) is Water (anything to do with water).

TOP Photo Calendar Competition 2013

Capture Ireland’s ‘WILD SIDE’!

Roscommon’s budding photographers encouraged to enter the TOP annual amateur photography competition.

12 winning images will be selected and will appear in TOP's 2013 calendar, which is distributed to 40,000 homes across the country for free. The overall winner will receive a €1,000 voucher and the 11 runners up will receive a €300 voucher.

You can enter your photos HERE and also 'like' TOP on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Please let me know if you need more information, I have included the press release below for you.

Eagles Flying Photo Shoot Postponed!

Due to a shortfall in numbers interested in going on this shoot (we needed a minimum of 15 members participating), we are forced to postpone this Sunday's visit to Eagles Flying. Instead, we will assemble on the Crescent in Boyle at 9.30am for a local shoot. Details and car-pool arrangements on the Crescent.

Norman Little wins IFA and The Irish Farmers Journal Photo Competition for February

Norman Little won the February monthly photo competition run by the IFA and The Irish Farmers Journal newspaper with 'Coming Home'. Norman's photo will be included in the 2013 IFA calendar. He also won a weekend away in one of the Carlton Hotels. Well done Norman.

To enter photos to the IFA/Irish Framers Journal Calender Competition; email photos to photos@farmersjournal.ie

Pictures must be sent with a title, along with the name, address and phone number of the photographer. Also it is requested that you clearly state where the photograph was taken.

Photos should be a minimum size of 1mb and be in landscape format.

Photos for March should be entered before Friday 13th April.

Easter Course - Pinhole Photography at NCAD Dublin

April 2nd, 3rd & 4th - 10am-4pm daily.

This intensive 3-day workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the exciting world of pinhole photography. In this practical, hands-on course, participants will make their own pinhole camera, take their own pictures, and develop and print their own photographs in the darkroom. The course is ideal for both young people and adults. No photographic experience is necessary. From our base in NCAD, participants will go to selected locations for shoots, returning to the college darkrooms for processing and printing the work.

Phone: 01-6364214 or email cead@ncad.ie

NCAD - CEAD

RAMON SAMMUT BACK IN IRELAND: A NOT TO BE MISSED SEMINAR HOSTED BY THE SOCIETIES

Ramon Sammut Senior Image Editor, Photographer, Owner of I Labs in Malta and Photoshop Guru is back in Ireland.

A lecture not to missed, Ramon is one of the most sought after Photoshop Lecturers in the world. His presentation and workshop will address the following;

• Raw work area - how best to work your way through it
• Post-Production Lighting - such as Barn Door lighting, Soft-box lighting, Strip Lighting
• Automations and Work-Flow to speed up your processing times
• Digital Wedding Editing and Layout Composing
• Avangarde Techniques in Portraiture
• Creating Protective PDF Proofs

Date - Sunday 1st April 2012

Venue - Green Isle Hotel Dublin

Time - Registration 9.30am. To finish at 5pm.

Cost for Members of The Societies €40.00 (this is a very special once off price to members as Ramon is Sponsored by I Labs Malta.

Cost for Non-Members of The Societies €120 and for an extra €19.00 non members can join The Societies for a full years membership.

Lunch is not included in these fees.

Booking - For Booking please contact The Societies HQ or Podge Kelly, details below;

C Podge Kelly

E mailto:podge@podgespics.com

M +353 (0)87 221 2354

W http://www.SWPP.co.uk

W http://www.rsammut.com

BCC Group attend Studio Photography Course in Dublin

Club members, Des, Brian, Geoff and John arrived in Dublin at 5 pm on Saturday the 10th March for an informal evening shoot around the Grand Canal and Sir John Rogerson's Quay.

The following morning Donal joined the group and they headed for D-Light Studios to participate in a course on Studio Photography organised by "The Academy of Photography". The course covered a range of lighting setups and techniques. It began with a single light setup and progressed to 7-lights. Other items covered included various backdrops and light modifiers. The course also addressed shallow depth of field studio photography and how to achieve a black back round without using a back drop. During the session the lads got to work in small groups using the equipment to set up various shots. They would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in studio photography.

Club Meeting - Tuesday 13th March

'DeLorean DMC' by John Walshe

Presentation

John Walshe will discuss his experience of using studio lights during a recent photo shoot involving vintage cars. John confesses to being a lighting novice but has embraced the challenge of experimenting with the club's studio lighting system. He will advise members on the pros and cons of coming to terms with lighting from his perspective and show a selection of the images he produced during this marathon shoot! A must for anyone with aspirations to explore this very rewarding photographic field.

The Agenda for our March club meeting is as follows;

• 8pm - Chairperson's Address

• Presentation - John Walshe - Vintage Car Photo Shoot

• Tea/Coffee

• March Motivation - Still Life using a humble flash light, presented by Joe Kennedy. Submissions available to view HERE.

• Group Sessions - Advanced & Intermediate Groups will join to discuss studio lighting. Beginners will examine the issue of Camera Aperture with Paraic Brennan.

Other Items to Note

• 52/52 Challenge up-date. (7/52 should be posted by Friday 16th March).
• IPF Related Issues - Distinctions preparation meetings - 1st April Application Deadline!
• March Photo Shoot - EAGLES FLYING, Ballymote - March 25th.
• Adobe Lightroom Tuition - Gratitude to Jason Mallard. Photoshop course for Beginners hosted by Advanced club members.
• Photography Magazines donated by Tony Murphy.
• Club investment in NEW EQUIPMENT. Studio Lights available to members on loan.
• Summer Weekend Photo Shoot to Clare Island. Booking Deposit Details disclosed.

House Keeping Duties

• All members are reminded that their annual subscription is now due. Membership Form and fees can be given to the club Treasurer at the meeting. Download the Club Membership Form HERE.

• Setting out the room in advance of the meeting.
• Taking charge of refreshments.

_____________________

Club meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month in St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle at 8pm.

New members are always welcome.

We look forward to seeing you all.