ALAN ABERCROMBIE'S BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOBLOG

RETURN TO TATE BRITIAN

2012-02-04T14:22:00.001Z

I’ve been thinking that it was about time I went out withthe camera once again, so last Thursday, in spite of the sub-zero temperature,I ventured forth. My earlier trip to Tate Britainhad left a lasting impression, and I had promised myself a return visit at somestage. So only being a short walk across Vauxhall Bridge from theunderground/overground station I decided that was where I was going.

What another satisfying two or three hours it turned out tobe, both culturally and photographically.

I expected to see mainly the same exhibits as last time butapparently things are removed and replaced on a regular basis. The main hallswere taken up by large statues of Hares by Barry Flanagan. The main stairwellhas been painted in rectangular blocks of bright colours from floor to ceiling,three floors, which I found very appealing and fertile ground for abstractionsof images that hung together.

Don McCullin’s exhibition of strong B+W images is still insitu and a panel of David Bailey’s 60’s images have been added in another room.

Being a ‘people’ photographer I find myself looking more atthe visitors than the exhibits, but on this occasion the relationship betweenthe visitors and the exhibits, not a new slant on pictures taken in galleries Ihasten to add, took my eye. This time there were occasions where an apparent disinterestbetween a dynamic exhibit and the viewing public existed, hence the title Weeeelook at Meeee! formed in my head.

WEEEEEEEE LOOK AT MEEEEE!

COLOUR EXTRACT

PERFORMING HARE

LADY AND BOY AT THE WINDOW

I shall certainly make the place a regular date on mycalendar from now on.

THAT TIME OF YEAR

2011-12-29T08:42:00.000Z

It has become a ritual at the year’s end to look backwardand forward at the same time to assess what, if any, progress has been made inthe foregoing twelve months and what actions are to be taken to furtherstrengthen any weaknesses in the forthcoming year.

Blimey! This sounds just like the intro to one of thoseinterviews with a line manager at work that took place in order to tick amultitude of boxes on forms that were signed off by both parties and then filedaway until the same time next year.

That’s one of the beauties of retirement, no formalisationof paying lip service to a system that only the HR department has any regardfor, except for a few eager newcomers to the business world. Those graduateswho thinks it all works like it says in the manuals and look with incredulityat those old hands that have through years of experience, managed by the seatof their pants and with an inherent feeling of what’s a sound decision andwhat’s a bloomer.

A little bit like photography really.

So this year I’m not looking back or forward, I’m notworrying where I failed last year and not setting myself any targets for thenext twelve months. I’m just going to enjoy my photography, offer my work upfor consideration for inclusion in a few exhibitions, and do what seems a goodidea at the time.

If you’ve read this far, may I wish you a Happy andPhotographically Satisfying New Year.

Remember!

2011-11-09T15:04:00.000Z

It's that time of year again when I get a little sad and maudlin when we are reminded of the sacrifices that armed forces make, even now on an almost daily basis.

A post on a forum that I subscribe to, illustrates that pictures and music combined can be a powerful combination, and this particular video more than most.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Gx27jRbYo&feature=related

WW1 has had an influence on my family ever since I can remember. My father lost his dad when he was 9 years old and was left with his two sisters and mother to make their way in the world. I always found it incredible and somewhat poignant that when my father spoke of his dad it was through the eyes and memory of a nine year old boy.

My grandfather was conscripted in late 1916 and died of wounds received in action in May 1917, in Salonika in Greece. His younger daughter Vera never saw her father and at the ripe old age of 95, still has immense pride in his sacrifice.

I can only imagine what my father felt when he was conscripted into the army in 1942 leaving behind his wife and a six year old boy, luckily with a happy ending.

William Abercrombie

Battlefield Grave

War Graves Citation

Wear Your Poppy With Pride

DREARY DEMO.

2011-10-31T12:39:00.000Z

As far as protests and demonstrations are concerned, thecurrent one at St. Paul’s Cathedralis very low key and somewhat disappointing, photographically that is.

Just a collection of small tents tethered by bags of gravelcovering in total an area equivalent to about half the size of a footballpitch.

There is not much activity and the protesters just standaround answering questions, why they are there and what they hope to achieve.They comprise a mixed bag of the usual types wearing the obligatory woollenmulticoloured jumpers with the usual jelly bag hats covering dreadlocks andwith others dressed in ‘City Suits’ mostly wearing the Guy Fawkes masks thatbegan to appear some two to three years ago at the more upbeat demos.

The surrounding walls and pillars are covered with home madeposters and slogans railing against the capitalist system, with bankers and thelarge global corporations particularly lambasted.

It’s a photographer’s duty to find something different, butin this case I found it very hard. Most of the usual shots can be seen eitherin the press or the television, people in masks, the juxtaposition of the cathedralagainst the tents, bemused on lookers, nowhere will you see any policeconfrontation.

I took a few shots just to say that I’d been there, but cameaway somewhat deflated and disappointed.

MAN THE BARRICADES

AGENDA FOR REFORM

FREE TEA AND COFFEE

'V'

Damp in Devon

2011-10-16T13:40:00.001+01:00

Spent a long weekend in Devon last week to celebrate my wife's birthday. Took the whole family plus a couple of other guests. Weather wise we had one decent half day where beach cricket and rounders were the order of the day, but apart from that drizzle and driving rain kept us inside. Never mind wet outside was compensated for by being wet inside with a few slabs of beer and numerous bottles of vino disappearing rather rapidly.

So photographically, almost a complete washout! However during a quiet moment when a siesta was in place for everyone except yours truly, I started seeing squares all over the place and a took a few shots to illustrate the fact. Two of which are here.

DEVON COW SHED

WOODBURNER

Beyond the Cars.

2011-09-17T16:08:00.002+01:00

Made a long promised visit to the Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey a few days ago. A terrific facility for those interested in cars and that marque in particular. As you would expect with such a prestigious manufacturer the facility is beautifully conceived and presented to the public, and doesn't charge for entry.

There was a charge for driving around the test track and skid pan should you be so inclined, not excessive but enough to make you think a bit!

As well as their current range of products there are working models of engine types and information about their heritage and sporting achievements. I was met by a delightful lady at the door who explained what I should see and where I should go, that I could sit in any of the cars that didn't have a barrier around it and finally informed me that photography was allowed with no restrictions whatsoever.

A veritable Shangri-la for the petrol head and car photographer. Not that I'm one of the former, having spent forty years in the motor industry or one of the latter since my interest in cars is somewhat jaded after those forty years. It was interesting taking an unescorted tour of the facility, wandering where I wanted over the three floors of the building and noticing that there were stacks of photographic opportunities apart from the automotive ones. So when I came home I had some 45 pictures of the building, outside and in, but none of the cars.

It was sunny day for a change and the interior of the building presented some fairly minimalistic shadow opportunities, more black and white geometrical images than anything. The coffee bar was a welcome sight and the stools arranged with Teutonic efficiency, after all we're talking Mercedes here, fascinated me.

When I looked at the pictures I had taken I realised that I had missed several opportunities and since the place is only 4-5 miles from where I live I shall be going back quite soon with some preconceived ideas.

Geometric Light

Chequered Entrance

Stairwell

Aerodynamicism

Tea For Two

Dominant Evil.

2011-09-01T08:47:00.000+01:00

As someone I greatly admire and I feel has had some degree of influence on my photography I went to see the Don McCullin exhibition at the Tate yesterday. It was all I expected, combining his hard hitting social documentary with his moody landscapes of the Somerset levels. Well worth the visit.

It was my first visit to the Tate. Having driven past it on numerous occasions I hadn't realised what a wealth of wonderment there was inside.

Of all the works of art on display I kept being drawn back to Peter Peri's bust of Joseph Stalin and spent quite some time looking at and photographing it. I remember during the war, WW2 that is, he, along with Churchill, Roosevelt, Montgomery, Eisenhower et al were childhood heroes plus my uncle Jack who was mentioned in despatches at the Normandy landings.

Stalin, the man of steel, represented the Soviet nation and was a figure of fierce and unbending resistance to the Nazi invaders. Despite this awesome reputation he was known as 'Uncle Joe' and promoted so in the press of the day.

After the war, and during the height of the cold war that followed, his reputation was shattered by revelations of human rights abuses, cold hearted slaughter of opponents to his regime and the infamous gulags of Siberia and was revealed as a monster who ruled with a rod of iron.

With all this background knowledge of Stalin I felt that Peri had captured all these qualities that made the man what he was, strong and unbending and basically evil.

Taking or Making?

2011-08-22T16:47:00.000+01:00

I haven't been out with the camera for three weeks now and really have no inclination to. Mind you when I make up my mind to shake of this lethargy, the weather decides to turn nasty and piles on the agony. So what I've been doing to keep my hand in is 'making' pictures rather than 'taking' them.

At the last count I've some 8000+ images on my hard drive, gathered together over the past four years. Why I've kept 80% of them I'll never know, so I've spent the past couple of weeks trying to discover why, by making pictures from the reservoir of that 80%, either singly or by combining one or two together. Hence the title, 'Making or Taking'.

Norfolk Surrealism

The Shroud

Whilst not producing anything startling or artistically remarkable, I feel that my photoshop capabilities have expanded and the discovery of new and different manipulations are adding to my repertoire. I'm sure that what I have learned would be meat and drink to the accomplished photoshop manipulator, but little by little things are improving, that's if I can remember what I did to achieve the effects that I ended up with!

GOOD OLD WALTER MITTY

2011-07-03T08:37:00.000+01:00

It’s strange how things stick in your mind. I vividly remember seeing the film, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ starring Danny Kaye when it was released in 1947. I Googled it to find out the date of the release and was horrified to find it was that long ago! It was at the Palace Cinema on Frogmore in High Wycombe. How’s that for a memory? Mind you what happened last week is a bit of a struggle to recall.
James Thurber’s eponymous hero is given to flights of fancy where he imagines he is a hero of differing sorts, living out his fantasies to release him from a somewhat humdrum existence. Two of those characters are impressed on my memory, the Fighter Pilot and the Surgeon, and they appear in my mind’s eye on the occasions when I’m reading somewhat over egged and spurious accounts in the press, of actions or deeds, especially in today’s climate of ‘celebrity worship’.

Now I’m not immune from the ‘Mitty’ syndrome, if there is such a thing, I quite often get it when out with the camera, and I suspect I am not alone in suffering it.

What are the symptoms?

Looking through the viewfinder and getting a sudden rush of adrenaline, feeling that you are about to capture the picture of all time, the one that will bring you fame, and perhaps fortune, when it’s displayed in the most prestigious galleries around the world. Another symptom is when playing with the sliders on Lightroom and filters on Photoshop, there is that feeling that you and you alone have discovered a combination of actions and manipulations totally unique to the photographic world that will mark you down as a photographer extraordinaire. You may even get an image into the Taylor Wessing competition or an exhibition in the Photographers’ Gallery! The BJP may even give you a mention! You may even get E-mails tinged with jealousy from Martin Parr and William Eggleston!

Arty-farty critics will be lining up to tell you why you took the picture and what your inner feelings were when you did so, instead of you just thinking it was a good idea at the time!

Good old Walter Mitty, thanks for teaching us to have those wonderful flights of fancy that makes photography the delightful pastime that it is.

THE OLD ADAGE "LESS IS MORE".

2011-06-13T15:17:00.000+01:00

We spent last week in around Bournemouth and the Purbeck Hills. The weather was very kind and the visibility was crisp and clear. All the blurb tells us Bournemouth is the gateway to the Jurrasic Coast and I can see why this is so as all the inhabitants and visitors to the area would appear to have come from that period in time! We are no spring chickens but I would guess that we brought the average age down by about 15 years. The pace of life there is from dead slow to a complete standstill.

Having seen a myriad of images of Durdle Door and Kimmeridge Bay I wasn't too disappointed to find that to get to these places require required not only determination and physical stamina, but some deep pockets full of two pound coins and assorted other change. The parking charges in and around London pale into insignificance when motoring along a Dorset coastline. One needs to factor this in when planning a holiday to this part of the world. Needless to say I haven't added to the number of images that have been taken of the two above popular sites that attract so many photographers.

Now what usually attracts the photographic eye when by the briny? Definitely sunrises and sunsets, more recently a groyne surrounded by milky water after using a 10 stop ND filter, if a lighthouse is in the vicinity that's a must, fishing boats either floating at high tide or on their sides at low tide and for the sports photographer wind and kite surfers. All this was available to me at Bournemouth and regions adjacent, come to think of it though I can't recall a lighthouse anywhere.

What I found intriguing was spending a couple of hours on a clifftop car park, looking down on a sparsely populated beach and promenade with lampposts dotted along at regular intervals. Not only was the car park free, even more satisfying, but trying to make pictures of very little the most satisfying of all,

..and break rules along the way.

DO YOU NEED A KICK UP THE BACKSIDE?

2011-06-03T08:38:00.000+01:00

Or should you be left to your own devices?

Without going along the well trodden path of the why’s and wherefores of one’s involvement in photography, you know, the outlet for some repressed artistic urge, the opportunity to let others see the world as we see it, etc. etc. A subject that fills many books and articles by photographers that feel the need to explain their work ad infinitum, and provides many column inches for the so called cognoscenti and critics of the photographic world.

I am of the opinion that you should learn by mistakes and progress on to better things by using your own noddle. Why don’t you set your own objectives? Why do you rely on others to point you in a direction that may have no relevance to your own desires and skills, why pay people to tell you what you already know, why slavishly follow orders to look at certain things in a certain way and explore areas that you will have explored anyway in the natural scheme of things?

When I took up photography I’m pretty certain that there were no university courses in the subject, no paths to stardom via expensive privately run workshops and courses. True there was ‘nightschool’, where you learned how to load a film, develop it, make a print and the basics of composition plus a few add-ons such as lighting and the mysteries of lith film and infrared, but very little in the way of artistic interpretation and expression. You were sent out into the wide world eagerly grasping your beloved SLR, which had cost you a few days wages, and left to develop your own style, after being told to look at pictures of all kinds at every opportunity that presented itself.

Now that those establishments and opportunities are available to the budding snapper, and have been so over quite a few years, I can’t say that I’ve noticed a massive upsurge in quality of work presented to the viewing public at large, just more pretentious twaddle being talked about the art form.

So don’t pay someone to kick you up the backside, it’s much cheaper to do it yourself, it just takes a bit more effort and physical manipulation!

An illegitimate son of a Devon farm worker with no formal education, Ernest Bevin took the post of Foreign Secretary in the post war Labour administration, he was asked by a cabinet colleague what university he had attended, he supposedly replied ‘All that I know has been learned in the hedgerows of experience’.

ENTHUSIASM AND SKILL A POTENT COMBINATION

2011-05-14T07:12:00.001+01:00

Had the good fortune to listen to a talk Thursday evening given by Eamonn McCabe entitled 'A Life in Newspapers', who during some 40 years in photography has been a sports photographer (5 times Sports Photographer of the Year), Guardian picture editor and now a portrait photographer.

Apart from showing his own marvellous work he included images from those within his profession that he himself admires and reveres. His presentation was as fresh and as enthusiastic as if he had just started out on his career and was not only informative but hugely entertaining.

His modesty and, to some extent, self deprecation really endeared him to the audience, and whilst immensely proud of his work he didn't keep reminding us he was a professional but just another photographer like the club members gathered to listen to him.

It's an irritating trait of some professional photographers that they need to keep reminding their audience or readers that they are a 'pro and when you look at their work it's very little different to anything you can see posted on forums or online galleries.

It was his sports shots and Jane Bown's portraiture that appeared every Sunday in the Observer back in the early '80's that really got me interested in photography in the first place.

A wonderful evening and if you get the chance to attend one of his talks grab it with both hands.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

2011-03-28T08:29:00.001+01:00

As the saying goes!

I’m at the end of a three month trial using a Sony NEX 3 camera that I bought just before Mr Osbourne raised the rate of VAT. It’s a bit silly to say that I have been trialling it, it gives the impression that if I didn’t like it, I could send it back. It really was a calculated decision to buy on a like it or lump it basis.

So why did I buy it in the first place? Reason No.1 was that I felt that all those pictures that I saw when out and about with no camera should be recorded, and No.2 was that the old legs were getting a bit rusty and I couldn’t have it away on my toes quite so readily if someone objected to me photographing them! But No.1 was the main reason.

Now I’m not going into reams of a camera review, there’s plenty of those to bore you in the myriad of magazines that usually have a vested interest in giving such things, and are usually written by the office boy using the camera manufacturers’ press releases.

I chose the Sony because my current equipment is Sony, I would think that all I am about to say would apply to any small compact whatever the manufacturer.

It took a while to get to find my way around the camera and where the buttons are and what they do, and once that is mastered it’s piece of cake. One thing that I still do on occasions is when I see something in a fleeting moment I put the camera up to my eye looking for the eyepiece that isn’t there, and usually miss it. But for street photography it allows all sorts of situations to be recorded, where perhaps a DSLR would be too intrusive.

I can’t imagine sitting comfortably at a well known railway terminus or shopping centre for 30 minutes or so watching and waiting for something of interest to come by manipulating a DSLR, whereas the Sony, with its articulated viewing screen, allows that with no problems. I’ve never had any qualms or problems taking candids but this camera has added to what I can now attempt. The very fact that I can see what is going on around me and anticipating what will appear on the viewing screen gives you that little edge, especially when you are trying to get what I call a ‘juxtaposition’ image.

The image quality is brilliant, something that I was perhaps a bit wary of, but I have no complaints whatsoever on that score. So all in all I’m delighted with my purchase it does everything I want it to.

It is still a little strange going out to take a few pictures without a bag on my shoulder, albeit a small one, just with a strangely heavy lump in my right hand pocket!

London Street Photography Exhibition

2011-03-17T08:34:00.001Z

On at the Museum of London until the 4th September 2011. Free entry.

What a treat!

The pictures on display are the work of numerous artists over a period of some 150 years, so there are many differing angles on what constitutes 'Street Photography', and this is to some extent dependant on the equipment available at the time.

All the pictures in the exhibition tell a story, either about the people, the conditions they lived in or how they made a living, from the cheery costermonger to the lady sipping champers at the races. Too often today we are presented with 'Street Photography' which just comprise pictures of streets with people, nothing more than that.

Particularly pleasing to see, was a panel of four pictures accredited to The Richmond and Twickenham Photographic Society, my club, taken into the Museum's archives from an project undertaken by the club's members back in the '60's under the direction of Peter Wilkinson, the then president of the club.
For all us aspiring street photographers this exhibition is a must, it shows you what we should be aiming for.
As an aside two pictures stick in my mind.
One, a group outside a pub which included a character called 'Hooky Harry', who sounds like a character from 'Only Fools and Horses' and the second, more for its irony than anything, a picture of a West Indian immigrant from the '50's with a carrier bag advertising a store called Powell!

All fired up, here's one from the journey back!

WE APOLOGISE FOR THE DELAY TO OUR SERVICE.

There's More to Photography than Photography!

2011-03-10T14:31:00.000Z

Visited the Focus on Imaging exhibition yesterday. It wasn’t planned. Whilst eating my wheatybangs at breakfast and mulling over what, if anything, I would do when I’d read the paper I suddenly realised that Wednesday the 9th was the last day of the event so on the spur of the moment I decided to go.

You never know there might be last minute bargain to be had in a final selling frenzy by the stallholders, either to make their targets or save themselves the task of loading their wares back into their vans.

So really my purpose in going was motivated by greed, rather than seeing, touching or trying the latest gizmos on offer. Sad really, because by the time you added up the cost of petrol and parking plus the entrance fee and a limp sandwich, a packet of crisps and a beaker of watery coffee at lunchtime, some kind trader would have had to give me a whopping discount on anything I bought to ameliorate the total outlay in going along to the shindig. I’ve never been good at the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ columns where finance is concerned!

However I do take satisfaction that I did save £18 on the retail price of some paper I bought, so that covered the parking and entrance fee. If I’d stayed at home and read my newspaper I wouldn’t have spent £82 on paper that I won’t need for another couple of months at least.

The Dreaded Effect of Cabin Fever!

2011-02-20T13:55:00.001Z

I can count on two fingers the number of times I have been out with a camera this year taking photographs, and not too many more to do anything else other than shopping, for food that is, a couple of times a week. The weather has been so wet and windy, cold and biting and the light so dull and flat that going outside has been totally out of the question. Even as I write this looking out of the window it’s the same. So most of my time has been spent sorting through all those images that I’ve kept from past shoots that have somewhere within me promised a tiny spark of hope that something could be made of them if I tried hard enough. My wife has remarked with ever increasing frequency that she wishes I would get out from under her feet and stop being so grumpy!

So like the bloke in Jerome K Jerome’s book Three Men in a Boat I started looking up symptoms. The bloke in the book went to the library at the British Museum and by chance picked up the medical tome on all possible symptoms really out of boredom, and after reading it from cover to cover decided he had every disease known to man apart from Housemaid’s Knee. Being a man of the 21st century I Googled my symptoms and after a millisecond it plumped for Cabin Fever as a distinct possibility.

Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark.

The fact that my wife had remarked a few days ago that I was laughing in my sleep confirmed the diagnosis.

Now this pernicious state of affairs has manifested itself in a peculiar way in my photography.

I’ve been busy at the computer and printer preparing offerings for a couple of exhibitions and an annual club competition. Now the decisions as to whether these pictures are successful or not, is down to exhibition selectors or competition judges.

However I am also preparing a panel of images for my club’s annual exhibition, that will comprise a panel of six prints of MY choice, so I am both selector and judge rolled into one. I have made that choice whilst clearly suffering from cabin fever and I’m sure it has drawn me away from what I would normally choose to exhibit.

The resultant panel is a combination of existing images, very heavily photo shopped, but still retaining some semblance of the original picture, which to my eye, since I am both selector and judge, alleviates the symptoms of restlessness, irritability and irrational frustrations.

Hopefully the sun will soon reappear and my cabin fever will soon disappear, and then I can get back to my ‘normal’ photography!

It's that time of year yet again!

2010-12-31T16:44:00.000Z

Do I carry on as though another year hasn’t passed, or do I celebrate the fact that a new year has arrived. It’s only a date on the calendar so why should it make any difference to what I propose to do over the next 365 days. It’s a struggle enough to maintain, or try and maintain, a standard that is in my eyes, somewhere approaching satisfactory without adding to that struggle.

If I remember, last year I resolved to get away from photographing people and try to improve my pictorial skills. I stopped posting as many pictures on sites such as Flickr and the other two forums that I subscribe to, and concentrated on entering prints for selection in exhibitions. No ribbons or medals of any colour were forthcoming, but I did manage to get some 22 print accepted, and a few of those were in colour, surprise! surprise! I think I will carry on along those lines for 2011. I find it more satisfactory to have an effort acknowledged by photographers that are in themselves regarded as image makers of some repute.

What I’ve found interesting over the past couple of months is, for want of a better phrase, messing about on the computer. Nothing startlingly new, because there seems to be nothing startlingly new in the photographic world, but discovering what happens if I tweak this or that slider or button and end up with a result that I find pleasing. No doubt someone somewhere has already pressed and slid the sliders and buttons and found it pleasing and achieved an end result infinitely more pleasing than mine; but I’ll keep plodding on.

I don’t know if it’s my eyes that are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, but increasingly ‘soft’ pictures are appearing on the screen that please me and sometimes just the opposite, sharp images that bear no resemblance to the original picture that I took. I’ve added a couple to illustrate what I mean. Both have been taken at the same place at the same time. Perhaps a visit to Specsavers should be on my list for 2011.

I think they will both make interesting prints and I will enter them for possible exhibition selection and see what the selectors think.

Well if anybody reads this, and gets this far, I hope all your New Year resolutions come to fruition and you spend many happy hours indulging in your photography.

Photographic Dyslexia (have I spelt that rite?).

2010-12-03T16:55:00.000Z

I have had a sneaking suspicion that I suffer from, and have for a long time, Photographic Dyslexia. Whether it actually exists is a matter for debate, but, I’m sure I’ve had it to some degree or another for a number of years, but of late the symptoms have become more and more apparent, and it’s worrying me!

The first symptoms occurred as long ago as the early ‘80’s when I first took up photography and joined a camera club. Within the club was a group of about half a dozen members that had decided that the photographic vogue of the time was stilted and showed no artistic merit. So in order to change things they would seek out the innovators of the day and study and discuss their work. I think they saw themselves as the avante garde of the photographic world. I always had a sneaking suspicion that as they never did very well in club competitions and their work was never ‘understood’ by judges, they would shut themselves away from the photographic proletariat and set up on their own, still taking advantage of the clubs premises and facilities of course. Well they were after all members!

So this is where my affliction began, and where I noticed the early stirrings of the disease.

You have to remember that I was but a newcomer to photography, and like now had a lot to learn. So keen to expand my appreciation and knowledge I went along to this exciting and challenging group.

I recall vividly the first meeting. A member of the group had brought along a series of black and white images of a recent visit he’d paid to a garden somewhere or other. Since most garden are green in the summer there was very little tonal range in any of the pictures, so an overall mid grey predominated. O.K. the trimmed box hedges did make some sort of pattern within the images but nothing remarkable.

The reaction of the assembled members was one of orgasmic delight with congratulations all round at the perceptive and artistic endeavours made by the photographer. I felt very left out and dreaded anyone asking me to give my reaction to the pictures. I was well into my forties at this stage and had always remembered my dad’s advice, “If you can’t say anything good about anything, say nothing”.

If I had said what I wanted to say I could imagine the looks of distain that would have been given in my direction. However it shattered my confidence because I was left with this feeling that if these sorts of photograph could engender such delight in what I at the time thought were accomplished photographers, and I couldn’t see why. I was doomed from the outset, or perhaps I had photographic dyslexia!!

It still happens today. I still see pictures in exhibitions that are presented with gold medals and all sorts of accolades, and I can’t see for the life of me why.

I am particularly prone to a severe outbreak whenever I visit the Photographers’ Gallery in London!

Nevertheless I shall fight on and bear my disability with fortitude and continue to enjoy pictures that I can appreciate and applaud.

CONCEPTION or CONVERSION?

2010-10-26T15:38:00.000+01:00

I sometimes read in comments made on monochrome images the statement “Nice conversion to Black and White”. Whilst I agree that there has been some manipulation to arrive at a black and white image and that statement has some credence, it obviously hasn’t dawned on the commenter that from the outset the final image was destined to be monochrome.

Sometimes the comment “This would look good in Black and White” is made. There is at least some salvation for anyone that makes such a comment, but would they have taken the picture with that particular end in mind?

Is it possible that there are some photographers that can only see in colour and a B+W ‘conversion’ is only an afterthought after what they’ve taken has not turned out to be what they envisaged when they pressed the shutter?

It’s true that not every colour photograph would have the same impact if converted to monochrome and it’s equally true the other way round.

With autumn upon us it’s easy to see that a black and white image would be a complete waste of time trying to get across the feeling one gets when seeing all the colours that one associates with the season, so monochrome isn’t a be all and end all.

I look for B+W images, not colour images that would look good in B+W.

The two images below are a case in point.

One a colour original and the subsequent monochrome image that I saw when looking through the viewfinder.

The composition speaks for itself, several lines leading to a fixed point within the frame. For me, the colour version is just a picture postcard of a dubious chocolate box appeal, whilst the B+W image has the atmosphere and impact that I wanted. I must add that I do not hold either image up as an image of quality, just to illustrate the point I'm trying to make!

The B+W image has been softened somewhat and toned to try and increase the atmosphere, and I turned into the council road mender to get rid of the potholes and puddles in the colour version, lord knows what it will look like when the austerity measures take hold!

Keep conceiving not converting!

BEER BEAUTIFUL BEER

2010-10-17T23:48:00.000+01:00

THE MORNING I GOT UP WITH THE SUN

I’m rather pleased with myself. I’ve just spent six days in beautiful South Devon, along shores with plenty of rock pools at low tide and not once did I succumb to getting out my tripod, putting it at its lowest possible setting and taking a picture of the sea all milky and misty with wet shiny rocks protruding through the surface; even on the one morning when I was on the beach as the sun rose!

We were based in Beer, a small fishing village clinging to the steep sided cliffs of East Devon. We’ve been visiting Beer on and off over some 40 plus years. It’s a place that has remained fixed in my mind since our first visit for a week when the kids were still in single figures age wise.

Since I was born before WW2 we didn’t have the opportunity to visit the seaside, what with Herr Hitler making such a trip impossible. All I had was a comic book view of what it was like. The Beano and Dandy always depicted it as a place where the beach was inhabited by rosy cheeked fishermen smoking clay pipes whilst working on their fishing boats or mending nets sitting by lobster pots. There were always cliffs and rock pools where star fish and crabs could be caught with ease.

After the war finished when the ‘seaside’ became available again we used to have charabanc day trips to the coast, but nowhere seemed to match up to those wonderful scenes in the Beano and Dandy. I was always bitterly disappointed. That is until we made our first visit to Beer. I remember walking to the beach down a steep alleyway and low and behold, there it all was, boats, fishermen, nets and lobsterpots and rock pools with crabs and star fish.

The Beano and Dandy had it all spot on! And Beer is still like that today with the addition of a lot more deckchairs though. Well worth a visit.

FRESH (VERY) FISH SHOP

I'M CONVINCED

2010-09-24T19:19:00.000+01:00

Without re-opening a can of worms that has been discussed ad infinitum on all sorts of forums, I’ve finally made my mind up that silver printing is superior to digital printing.
I’ve hovered over this question ever since rejoining the photographic fraternity some three years ago and not having the wherewithal to set up a darkroom, I’ve always said, without too much conviction, that there is little to choose between either method.

For some it is enough to produce a digital image which can be viewed on a screen and there are those that find sending their work out to a print house suffices. For me, making your own print is the final link in the chain of producing a picture, and that includes mounting and cutting the matte.

What finally convinced me was the pleasure of seeing a presentation by Andrew Sanderson, see http://www.andrewsanderson.com/ where he gobsmacked the audience with a host of B+W images from his considerable portfolio, each one a prime example of quality and darkroom technique second to none.

It’s difficult to put one’s finger on the difference between the two methods, but his darkroom prints have a certain glow and resonance with a tonality that is not present in digital prints however well produced, I suppose I must add, not that I’ve seen to date.

Ah well, with no prospect of a darkroom magically appearing somewhere in the house I’ll have to blunder on with digital.

How to appear knowledgeable.

2010-09-13T19:26:00.002+01:00

On the rare occasions that I’m asked, I find it hard to give photographic advice. This is because whilst I think I know what I’m doing to satisfy my own needs, I am never quite sure how I should react to someone who quite clearly wants to progress but they themselves are not too clear in what direction.

That all too often posed question, “What do I need to do to improve?” is so open ended and so woolly that it can raise even more questions than answers. Visiting a couple of forums on a regular basis there appears to be a movement towards complete reliance on advice rather than working it out for oneself. Learning by other’s mistakes is an admirable way of progressing but not half as admirable as learning by your own.

What I find perplexing is when someone asks for advice on equipment of any description, whether it be cameras, lenses, even camera bags, there is such a widespread of opinion that I’m sure the questioner ends up more confused than when he/she asked the question in the first place.

The other question that bemuses me is, “I’m visiting such and such a place, where should I go to take photographs?” Why not say, “Where can I go to take the same photographs that everyone else takes when they visit?” For me the pure pleasure of photography is finding somewhere or something that for me is different and unique and that only occurs very rarely which makes it all the more satisfying when it happens. Sure I have regular haunts that are open to everyone, but I do try and find something different when I visit.

Now here is some advice that I give freely and somewhat with tongue in cheek.

The chart below is invaluable when asked to judge either at a camera club, or pass comment on pictures on a forum.

By choosing any word from column 1, followed by any other word from column 2 and so on up to column 4 you can string together a totally meaningless but nevertheless an impressive comment that is guaranteed to impress any audience and by so doing enhance your reputation no end.

I have it on good authority that most commentators, critics and museum curators use a chart somewhat similar to this! Especially at the Photographers Gallery.

        1                           2                            3                           4

Eye-catching         Expressive          Representational       Image

Well seen              Graphic               Impressionistic          Picture

Innovative             Striking               Intimate                   Rendering

Conventional        Vivid                   Vibrant                      Creation

Unusual                Charming           Nebulous                   Concept

Iconic                    Luminous           Inspirational               Portrayal

You may want to add a further columns, but you run the risk of people thinking perhaps you're bullshitting!

Good luck!

An Iconic, Charming Representational Creation.

Now What Was He Looking At?

2010-09-04T23:48:00.000+01:00

Standing having a cuppa by my front window a couple of days ago I noticed an elderly man stood astride a bicycle next to my front gate. I’m not normally a curtain twitcher but this chap had a camera slung around his neck, and that immediately aroused my interest.

We have read that councils are sending people out to assess properties to see if any improvements have been made and to photograph them to have concrete evidence before they put your community charges up to even more astronomical heights. I was ready to rush out and confront him if he pointed the camera at my humble abode.

However he seemed more interested in looking down the road at something that had caught his attention. That puzzled me even more. Having lived in the road for some 11 years I couldn’t see what would be of interest to anyone. Where he was looking was just an ordinary road with a slight bend to the right and another road joining it from the left some 30 yards away. The houses are just houses with no particular unusual architectural features, in fact just an ordinary suburban road.
He then began looking up at the sun which at that time of day was fairly high in the sky and shining over his right shoulder and glancing at his watch. He occasionally raised his camera up to his eye but didn’t appear to fire the shutter.
I’m sure there are people who would be able to look at his camera and immediately identify it, quoting make, model and mark even at the thirty paces he was away from me. The camera in question was an SLR, whether it was a DSLR I couldn’t say and it had a medium length lens attached.

He stood there for some 10-20 minutes still looking up at the sun from time to time and squinting through the viewfinder every now and then without pressing the shutter button.

We live on a bus route and there are about two buses an hour that come along the road. Suddenly the photographer sprang into action and raised his camera up to his eye. Now I couldn’t see the oncoming bus until it almost reached our house but its appearance coming around the corner galvanised the mysterious photographer into action and he pressed the shutter. Immediately after the bus had passed he got on his bike and left.

Now, as photographers we all see things differently to one another, or hopefully so. What had this chap seen that was different to what I would see looking down our road? What would he see differently to me with a bus coming up our road?

I’ve been out to my gate and looked down the road several times now to try and see what our photographer friend saw but with no success. It’s worrying my wife, she thinks I’m waiting for the postman to deliver a new and expensive bit of gear that I don’t want her to know about!
I’ve come to the conclusion that he works for the bus company and was spying on the driver to see if he was keeping to the timetable.

The point I’m trying to make is we all see things that excite us but leave other people cold.

I think I’ll call it the Martin Parr effect!

What’s the point?

2010-08-30T15:06:00.000+01:00

Something that caught my eye the other day was a remark left on a web site concerning a monochrome image.

It left me breathless for a while and wondering if the person who had made it really was a photographer or just one of those people that thought he/she was because he/she had bought a camera.

The remark in question was, “What’s the point of Black and White?” !!!!!!!!!!!.

I have a feeling that all you mono-maniacs out there would have cheerfully sentenced this poor myopic being to a fate worse than death if such a thing as a High Court for Photographic Misdemeanours existed. A suitable sentence would be to impose a community order that required him/her to look at a series of black and white images by Don McCullin, Jane Bown, James Ravillious, Fay Godwin, Robert Frank etc. etc. etc. until he/she was totally and utterly purged of his/her unfortunate affliction.

Should we feel compassion for such people who obviously have some sort of photographic dyslexia or just an incurable addiction to pictures of any sort, no matter how puerile, as long as they are in colour? Are they to be pitied or shunned completely, here we have to be careful we wouldn’t want to infringe their human rights!

Whenever I see such a remark or comment that dismisses out of hand anyone’s picture I am always reminded of a scene from the movie ‘Lust for Life’, Hollywood’s take on the life of Vincent van Gogh.

Van Gogh (Kirk Douglas) is in an argument with Paul Gaugin (Anthony Quinn) about Van Gogh’s painting style when Gaugin remarks “Your trouble is you paint too quick”.

Van Gogh replies, “Your trouble is you look too quick”.

So don’t ‘look too quick’ when viewing pictures, you may miss something.

EQUIPMENT MANIA!

2010-08-24T22:54:00.000+01:00

I’m a driver with some 50 years of driving under my belt. Had a few bumps in the early days and have been lucky enough to have had only 3 points for speeding about 12 years ago, so I won’t claim to be a perfect driver but safe enough. Over those fifty years I estimate I’ve had 20 cars, 17 of them company cars, ranging from a Ford Popular to an Audi A6 to my current privately owned Citroen C4. Yes, as I made progress up the greasy pole the cars got bigger, more powerful, more comfortable all with more bells and whistles and gizmos and perhaps more envious looks from the neighbours.

Has my driving improved over the years? I would like to think it has. Has it improved because of the succession of cars available to me? I don’t think so, I think it has improved because by driving an average of 30,000 miles a year over 50 years I’ve gained experience. So the equipment has not had an influence on my driving skills, a little perhaps on my ego.

This prolonged preamble is purely an analogy to photography. To be a driver you need a car, to be a photographer you need a camera. You won’t necessarily be a better driver with an upmarket better specified car and you won’t be a better photographer with an upmarket better specified camera. You may feel like a better driver as you may feel like a better photographer.

Just a bit of fun!

2010-08-05T08:12:00.000+01:00

Photography can be a serious business, how serious is really up to you. Many times you read on the forums how people have got 'photographer's block' and are wringing their hands in desperation, some appear suicidal!

I know I've been there many times, not to the level of contemplating suicide I might add, but I often think it's a good job we haven't got a cat. It would sometimes be in for a good kicking. I must admit the neighbour's cat sometimes looks a bit vulnerable, if only I could catch the ginger bleeder.

As an amateur it really doesn't matter that the old creative juices dry up occasionally. So what! You can always take the opportunity to get all those other jobs done in and around the house and score some browny points with the better half.

I suppose if you are a 'pro it could be a bit of a problem since there would be a distinct lack of food on the table next month. On second thoughts however, pros don't need a constant flow of creativity, just a constant flow of work. How many ways can you photograph a wedding or little Amanda sitting on a cushion in the studio? Once you have hit on a style that works you just keep repeating it. I can't imagine a wedding photographer experimenting on the big day, what if it didn't work? How do you explain to the disappointed couple that although it looks a bit strange with the bride sitting on the groom's shoulders, that it really is de rigeur to have such a picture in the album.

Whilst on the subject of professional photographers, why do they have to keep telling us they are 'pros'? O.K. tell us once but surely that's enough. I don't find it necessary to keep telling people I'm an amateur, one glance at my work should be enough, but how many times to you read us amateurs saying, "I was on an 'am shoot the other day", "A group of us 'ams got together to discuss photography...", "Yeah I'm a semi-am photographer...". I mean us 'ams are busy enough earning a living outside photography or busy spending the kids' inheritance in retirement without taking the time to tell everybody at every opportunity that we are 'ams.

I digress, a bit of fun. Whilst up in Norfolk, Hunstanton to be correct, I spotted this rubbish bin in the shape of a stylised penguin. Penguins being one of, if not my favourite animal, I couldn't resist taking a snap of it. At a loose end I came across it and decided if I can't get to the Antarctic, the Antarctic should come to me. Hence the unique picture of penguins marching across the sands at Hunstanton.

CONTINUATION.

2010-08-01T09:02:00.000+01:00

Along with fulfilling a long held promise to Barbara to clear out the garage I've been relieving the boredom of such a tedious job by thinking about photography whilst doing it, especially my new found experimentation of merging of two images. Do they have to be totally disparate or can they be somewhat similar and complement one another? Only time and experimentation will tell.

Complementary:- Character and Background.

'Yesterday's papers...Yesterdays News'
(Apologies to Ralph McTell)

Disparate:- Embankment Statue plus Bullrushes.

'Icarus Alighting'

It's like anything new, once you find you can do it, you have a tendency to flog it to death. Still it makes you go back through all those images that you have put to one side with the thought, 'I'll look a little closer at these one day' and look at them from a different angle.
I can see long evenings when the clock goes back, if I haven't tired of it by then!

RAIN

Disparate or just Desperate.

2010-07-25T07:52:00.004+01:00

Man of Steel

Still in the learning mode, as we all should be all the time, I've been getting down to trying to get to grips with the possibilities offered by the CS5 upgrade I bought recently. Although I'm still at what I would call the chalk and crayon stage with merging two images together I've become convinced that there is a whole new range of possibilities out there in the photographic world. I'm not saying there is anything new that I've discovered, just new for me.
I've been looking at two disparate images which when combined make another, not completely different image, but an image that adds to one another. Whilst in Norfolk I spent a lot of time looking for backgrounds that would hopefully combine with images to fulfill this goal.
Like other treatments I've been trying recently I'm quietly pleased with some of the results.
So perhaps Disparation, if there is such a word, could be the answer to my Desperation

A Few Days in Norfolk

2010-07-19T08:00:00.005+01:00

The Norfolk Shopping Experience

Norfolk Bus Shelter

Just got back from three days in Norfolk. After what is now our third visit to the North Norfolk coast I've returned with the obligatory pictures of boats laying on their side in muddy creeks and old posts sticking out of the sand at low tide!

However looking around a bit more closely there are other images to be found, and not the picture post card chocolate box images of sleepy villages and windmills. There are places where time seems to be fixed in the '30's and '40's. A tea shop in Wells-by-the-Sea together with a clothes/haberdashers shop which I have a feeling is a tongue in the cheek establishment, see above.

The epitome of rural decay was a bus stop shelter we passed on our way to the coast. Whilst it is not particularly photogenic I couldn't resist stopping to take a couple of shots for my Erwitticisms gallery on my web site.

Hunstanton is a journey back in time as well. It has everything that evokes the memories of the day trips of my childhood. I'm sure it was as seedy then as it is now, but through children's eyes it's all glitz and excitement. Wonderful sandy beaches still.

Took the opportunity to call in and see Martin Wase in his shop where he sells all sorts of ephemera along with his images of wildlife and landscapes of Norfolk, see http://www.theatticphotographic.co.uk/ .

I Googled 'Erwitticisms' to see if it had recorded somewhere on their radar and was surprised to see it listed in all sorts of areas. So a little gentle publicity does seem to work.

Is Nostalgia Taking Hold?

2010-07-01T16:44:00.003+01:00

HOLY ISLAND

It's been hot, it's been humid, so much so the best place to be is in front of the computer with the fans full blast. That's when I'm not having my afternoon kip, with my fans full blast as well I might add.

I've been messing about with stuff I've had on the computer for ages. Matching appropriate images with textures and borders and learning a lot, well, so I think. I'm sure what I've been doing is so basic that the PS experts would laugh up their sleeves to see what I've come up with.

Messing about with those two elements, texture and borders, I seem to be heading consistently towards pictures from a long gone era. The sort that you see when you read books about 'The Pioneers of Photography". Still it's a bit of fun and they look a bit twee, but who cares, it keeps the old grey matter engaged.

ERWITTICISMS!

2010-06-07T14:28:00.006+01:00

A totally made up word to describe any picture that loosely fitted into the genre of photography by Elliott Erwitt.

I have added a gallery to my web site
http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk/

with some 30+ images that can be described as such.

I have also Blurbed it into a book of the same title, click ERWITTICISMS above.

HAT TRICK!

2010-05-14T18:29:00.003+01:00

THAT WAY!

A bit of good news after being told that once again I hadn't got an acceptance in this year's RPS international print exhibition. Letter dropped onto the mat from the London Salon telling me they had the good sense to accept one of my offerings for their annual exhibition. See above. Third year in a row they have included one of my prints.

A Little Of What You Fancy Does You Good.

2010-04-30T14:28:00.006+01:00

I've been wandering about with no particular scheme of thing to make me concentrate on photography. My New Year's resolution ( how long ago that seems now and we're only just in May?) like all resolutions is long forgotten, but I suppose I have been trying to make different images to try and stretch my photographic technique as promised. See above. Not too sure about it, but I am looking to complete a panel of pictures with trees or woods in mind.

I think it was Ronald Reagan who said, "If you've seen one tree, you've seen 'em all", still it's a bit late for him to see my trees!

P.S. Remember the word 'erwitticisms'

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

NOW THE KNEES DON'T ACHE QUITE SO MUCH.

2010-03-05T18:35:00.002Z

Since the New Year I seem to have spent an inordinate amount of time printing and mounting pictures, a task that I have to admit I enjoy. I'm still of the opinion that you can't call yourself a real photographer if you can't apply the finishing touches to a finished article,i.e. printing and mounting. (I wonder if I'll get some irate person posting anonymously of course, that my arrogance knows no bounds?).

Anyway it's the mounting that causes me a problem. I have to do it on the dining room floor and that means kneeling, and that means stiffness and pain!

But it has all been worthwhile since the results from various exhibitions and competitions have been pouring in.

Richmond & Twickenham Club Competition.

Won the Randall Webb Trophy (Candid and Street) with The Rabbis.

Surrey Photographic Association Exhibition - Four Mono Prints accepted.

Small Print International Exhibition.
Dumfries - 1 Colour and 3 Mono acceptances.
Carlisle - 1 Colour and 2 Mono acceptances.
Arden - 1 Colour and 2 Mono acceptances.
Anfogasa? 0 Colour and 2 Mono acceptances.

Southampton International Exhibition.

Two Mono and three colour acceptances.

So all that creaking and groaning has proved worthwhile!

NOT ANOTHER BOOK!!

2010-03-02T19:36:00.003Z

OBSERVATIONS

By Alan Abercrombie

Book Preview

I've been working on a different book for some weeks now, sent it off to Blurb and finally got it back today. I'm very pleased with the quality and the way it has turned out. Any readers please take a look.

Well Well Anonymous.

2010-02-19T13:12:00.002Z

I had my say, now you've had yours and of course you are fully entitled to comment in the way that you did and I respect that.

However I would have thought the least you could have done was to have the decency to put your name to the comment!

Perhaps the excessive use of ???? gives it all away.

Never mind!

A little grumpy I suppose.

2010-02-03T23:12:00.003Z

It must be the time of the year, the Winter just seems to drag on and on; and not getting out much with the camera an inordinate amount of time is spent at the computer, either tidying up all the rubbish and trying to get some order into things or reading posts on forums that seem to be put there by people who can't think for themselves! Or that's the way I see it.

People who ask questions like, "I'm visiting New York, what camera should I take?" For Christ's sake a black one of course! "That's a great view of the Mall, where exactly did you take it?" Err, in the Mall!

Surely the whole point of photography is to produce pictures for yourself, soon people will expect someone to accompany them and even press the shutter button.

Mind you, even more annoying are the people who can't wait to leap in and help. You can bet your boots any question will receive an immediate reply from a fairly restricted group with information about equipment and all its pros and cons carefully gleaned from magazine reviews, what are the latest industry rumours, who is developing what, how many pixels are available in whatever camera is the flavour of the day, and so on and so on....

They must sit by their screens just waiting to leap on their keyboards with help and information. The most annoying ones are those that opine incessantly about how the manufacturers have got it all wrong, or how the latest software is complete bollocks using erudite words that put them apart from us mere mortals.

You read how they use multiple layers, and curves with masks and levels and you think this bloke must some wunderkind so you look at his web site or Flickr stream and you find images that are about as interesting as a gumboil!

Mind you they are clever because they actually offer their work for sale and tell us their prints are going like hot cakes. They have obviously done their market research and found out where the visually impaired congregate on a Saturday morning.

Still each to his own, they are happy in their life's work imitating Harry Enfield's character, "Only me!"

Blimey my cocoa's got a nasty thick skin on it.

Here We are 2010 already.

2010-01-05T21:56:00.004Z

Not one to make New Year's resolutions since the only one I've ever kept was to give up smoking in 1969, and I've kept it ever since. So that's 40 years without a fag and I think that should suffice as far as resolutions are concerned. What I will do from time to time, and not necessarily at the turn of the year, is to decide to try and go in a different direction with my pastimes. I've been known to completely destroy a well tended garden and alter it over a Summer to something that is diametrically opposite to what it was. That is however hard work and I'm not particularly keen on that now at my age!

Over the past few months I've been trying to branch out photographically. My pictures of people still are my first love, but trying a 'softer' approach with other images has been fascinating and restored my levels of satisfaction.

Using the scanner to create images from ordinary objects is another road I shall be going down during the next year, and I suppose variations on that theme will appear as I discover what can be achieved.

LOtS TO DO, BUT LITTLE INCLINATION.

2009-12-14T22:32:00.004Z

ANGER

Haven't been out with the camera for over a month now, been somewhat occupied with more important things at home. However when the time allows I've been looking through all those shots I've kept that seem to have some merit and deserve some attention. Also been looking at those that I think are spot on just to see if they can be improved upon and tickling around with some colour stuff. Getting a little fed up with that now!

There's a whole host of exhibitions that are coming up early in the New Year that I want to enter prints for, so I'll have to get off my backside and get down to it. Stocked up on ink and paper ready for the fray'

WHAT IS THE SAYING,"SECOND PLACE IS THE FIRST OF THE LOSERS"

2009-12-03T14:27:00.002Z

STANDARD BEARER

Apparently this picture that came close to winning the Portrait section in the Black+White Photography magazine 2009 POTY, which they kindly published in the December issue. A double page spread makes it look very good and I'm quite pleased with it.

Also had a print accepted for the Smethick International,. but it was a colour image, they didn't like the monos I entered. Ah well there's no accounting for taste.

HIT THE SPOT?

2009-11-27T00:00:00.002Z

The image 'Two Minutes Silence' seems to have hit the spot with several people on Flickr after being briefly on the front page of Explore, (never quite sure what that means).
To date it has received 904 views been commented on 128 times and been 'favourited' 174 times. Now what this all means is a mystery to me but it feels very satisfying. It's a bit like a pyramid scam the more it's seen the more you are asked to post it on other groups, so whether its has any particular merit is open to question, but it will be interesting to see how far it goes.

Went to the monthly print and DPI judging night at the RTPS tonight, left at half time, WHAT A BORE!

A PLEASANT DISCOVERY

2009-11-19T09:49:00.002Z

A couple of days ago I received the Autumn 2009 edition,No.57 of Ag magazine. I had spotted a link to it somewhere and looked at the web site in question. It looked interesting so I took the plunge and took out an annual subscription, not cheap mind you £37.50 for four editions. So I was somewhat anxious that I had not made a rash spur of the moment decision.

Not on your life, what a great publication. It oozes quality and is just the sort of magazine I've wanted for ages. It's about photography pure and simple. No masses of pages of advertising, no meaningless and interminable reams of equipment reviews, no infantile 'Your Mission for the Month' or 'Assignments'. Nowhere does it make un-keepable promises to make you a better photographer or allow you to produce 'stunning images', the things that ordinary magazines seem to rely on to get readers attention, just a couple of hints on how the photographer makes his/her images.

Apart from a couple of pages of exhibition and book snippets it concentrates on photography over its 96 pages.

Take a look at

http://www.ag-photo.co.uk

I think you will be impressed.

THAT SAD TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

2009-11-12T09:03:00.004Z

THE TWO MINUTES SILENCE

Attended the local Remembrance Day parade this year. It was a grand turn out with many more people attending than usual, obviously the Afghan war has had an effect on people. More so this year because a local lad has recently returned from the front minus a leg and half a hand. Chris, a cheeky happy lad who played football in the same team as my eldest Grandson attended the service to pay tribute to three of his comrades who were killed in the explosion that has maimed him.

I became very angry at the end of the service, when after the British Legion M.C. quite rightly paid a tribute and thanks to Chris for his sacrifice, then in almost the same breath congratulated and thanked our local M.P. for attending the service and asked the crowd to show their appreciation for him representing the constituency over the years. The same M.P. who lives closer to Westminster than I do, which is 14 miles, and has claimed the full expenses for a second home in London for most of that time, and will be retiring at the next general election with a substantial 'Golden Handshake'.

There is no justice in this world.

Took a dozen or so photos one of which is posted above.

ALL DONE AND DUSTED

2009-11-02T14:37:00.004Z

'A Double Take on Photography' at Osterley Park closed yesterday. The total attendance over the 10 half days it was open was 508, a result that pleased both Phil Drake and myself, immensely, especially when the total for the first two days was 19!

Comprising all age groups it was interesting to note that the visitors split roughly into three main groups, 50% casual callers, 30% photographers, and 20% self confessed Art Lovers, i.e.painters, and watercolourists. No one expressed disappointment that it was an exhibition wholly of Black and White images. In fact the reverse was true, it proved an eyeopener for some that B+W was still practised; that was mainly amongst the non-photographic fraternity, and quite often the remark was made that B+W had more impact than colour.

The fact that Osterley Park is a National Trust site meant that there was a good sprinkling of overseas visitors, with people from France predominating.

One or two other observations,

Women look more closely than men.
Non photographers ask more detailed questions than photographers.
People are interested in 'where the photograph was taken'.

The fact that no photographs were titled didn't bother anyone.

Infrared fascinated most people.

For anyone thinking of mounting an exhibition of their work I would thoroughly recommend it, it's hard work and it can be expensive, but discussing your work on a face to face basis with an on the whole appreciative audience is as satisfying as it gets.

SEEMS AGES SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

2009-10-07T18:35:00.005+01:00

Well it is really! Now let me see what's happened since the 50+ anniversary?

Had a day out with the old DCM group, now the CC group, at Speakers' Corner. I think everyone enjoyed it, and made them feel more at ease taking people pictures, mind you it's not difficult doing that there. So CC site was inundated with images from our visit there.

Strangely enough I had an Email from a gent who has been going there for the past 50 years and is collating a book on the history of the place and wants to include some of my images in it, looking forward to meeting him there in a couple of weeks time.

Getting ready for the forthcoming exhibition I'm sharing with Phil Drake at Osterley Park during the last two weeks of this month in a small gallery next to Osterley House called the Garden Gallery.

Publicity going well for the event, got a mention in B+W Photography, most of the web sites, local press and magazines, surrounding clubs and organisations.

One fly in the ointment was PhotoRadar who refused to list it in their news items, their excuse was I didn't have a gallery on their site, and no-one would know me, despite having a gallery on DCM with some 100 or so images generating over 2500 comments before I took it off. Still there is more than one way to skin a cat.

All the prints are done, mounted, and framed all by own fair hand. Just the titles and info panels to be finalised. Then it's the OFF!

50 +

2009-09-16T11:36:00.002+01:00

Celebrated our 50th. wedding anniversary last weekend by taking the whole family for a few days down to Devon. The weather was great sunshine all the way, and having the kids and grand kids all together made it quite memorable.

Didn't spend much time with the camera, although having the free run of the farm presented plenty of opportunity to try and put a few landscapes in the bag. Resisted the chance to take a few back-lit sheep, but couldn't keep away from the fishpond.

Slap-up meals out on the Saturday and Sunday evenings, with a fair quantity of wine and beer finished it off perfectly. Here's to the Diamond celebrations. Perhaps I'll get the hang of landscapes by then!

MORE INFRARED.

2009-08-27T22:41:00.004+01:00

Well had a good day on Saturday down at Hampton Court, the light was just right, and now I've learned to set the white balance things are looking up.

Still not sure where I/R fits into things, it's a bit of a cheat really. The effect it gives make an ordinary shot have something a bit more to it, and but it's a bit like B+W, you need to set out with I/R in mind. As an old mate says, it brings out the Chocolate Box effect very well. I would think it would have a customer appeal if you set out to sell pictures. A thought for the future.

INFRARED CONTINUED

2009-08-19T13:52:00.002+01:00

I'm seeing everything in I/R at the moment, but none of it is too good. The images I brought back from the Peak District were nothing startling and a day out yesterday didn't show too much promise.

One thing I've learned is to get the White Balance right, which is something I hadn't done previously. No a great fan of I/R colour, but adding a small percentage of toning in Lightroom adds a little something to the image.

A whole new learning curve.

INFRARED

2009-08-08T16:25:00.005+01:00

THE CAFE ROUGE

Finally succumbed to the latest fad, infrared. Used to do it quite a lot way back in the old film days. I liked the buzz developing it with baited breath to see if worked, and if so was there anything worthwhile. I entered a panel in an exhibition, which got accepted, with the cheesy title "In a different light".

I've had my first digital , a Sony A100, converted, and went out with it today for the first time. Reasonably pleased, lot of work to do to get it right. I've put a landscape on Flickr to see if there is any response.

I liked this one, it seems to have an old American feel to it.

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

WEBSITE UPDATE

2009-07-23T22:45:00.003+01:00

Well after a few weeks faffing about I finally launched the updated web site last week. Notified those that had kindly left a comment on the old one and was pleased to find 80+ hits and a few more comments on the updated one.

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

Waiting to hear that my old A100 has been converted to infra red. I used to enjoy I/R with film and am looking forward to using it digitally. I find colour I/R totally unsatisfactory so as usual all my attempts will be in mono.

Visited Silverprint today for the first time to buy some storage boxes and was fascinated to see the range of materials they have there. Even saw a book by Randall Webb of Richmond & Twickenham PS fame.

Got a load of stuff ready for the B+W Photo Mag Photographer of the Year, not much hope there as they seem to be interested in what they deem 'Art' photography. Still we live in hope.

A DAY OUT AT LAST

2009-07-13T13:59:00.003+01:00

Went to my old stamping ground yesterday, Speakers' Corner. Had a great time. The congregation of a local evangelical church was there, singing hymns with all the gusto that one associates with that branch of the Christian faith.

I was saved for Jesus, took some doing I can tell you, blessed by the Catholics, welcomed by the Muslims, now I'm sure to get into one heaven or other. Not too sure if I will know anyone when I get there!

DISAPPOINTING RESULT

2009-07-12T08:04:00.004+01:00

The postman delivered a parcel yesterday from Edinburgh. In it were eight prints all returned as rejections for the Edinburgh International Exhibition, not one acceptance which I find disappointing. No letter inside, no judges marks on the back of any print, just eight prints. I'll be interested to see what standard of prints were accepted. Never mind, some you win some you lose!

I have to applaud their efficiency. Entry cheque cashed within days, prints returned with a fortnight, unlike the Havant Exhibition where the entry cheque hasn't been cashed after two months, makes you wonder if they have lost both the cheque and the prints, when both were delivered by hand!

MESSIMG ABOUT

2009-07-09T07:19:00.003+01:00

Whiling away during the heatwave and then the thunderstorms putting images that together perhaps make an interesting picture, plus different borders.

It's the syndrome that if you can do it, then do it, just for the sake of it. Something that I have always laughed at. Now here I am doing it!

Must get out more!!!

LIGHT + ARCHITECTURE = PICTURE

2009-06-27T07:34:00.002+01:00

Driving along Southsea front when the light on the pier leaped out at me. Just had to stop and take this image. I expect the same picture has been taken '000's of times before, but I find it quite satisfying.

PATIENCE AND SUPPORT

2009-06-25T08:39:00.003+01:00

This lady was sitting waiting for her husband to return from the D-Day Parade in Whitehall, and it struck me that things never change. Men are out there and women wait patiently and in hope of their safe return.

EVERYDAY HEROES

2009-06-21T23:20:00.002+01:00

HERE COME THE BOYS....AGAIN

Had a great weekend out with the camera taking the pictures I like taking, people.
Saturday joined the Liverpool Supporters in their protest at the lack of justice they feel they have had concerning the Hillsborough tragedy.

Sunday I was privileged to be amongst the members of the Normandy Veterans when they paraded in Whitehall to mark the 65th. anniversary of D-Day. All in their 80's and still displaying all the comradeship, humour and discipline that must have seen them through a very harrowing experience on the beaches of Normandy.

I think the picture above shows that grit and determination that makes them all heroes.

EXHIBITION ACCEPTANCES

2009-06-13T11:15:00.005+01:00

" THE GRIN"

A couple more Exhibitions have accepted prints from my portfolio for inclusion in their events.

The Photographic Alliance of GB have accepted 1 print, "Street Performer" for their National Exhibition, and the Cotswold Salon 2009, two prints, "Alien Abduction" and "The Grin"

Quite chuffed really!

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk/

BORED!

2009-06-07T08:09:00.002+01:00

Read an article about borders in B+W magazine and decided to have a try. Not too sure about the outcome.

HARSH SUMMER LIGHT

2009-06-02T16:20:00.002+01:00

Summer's finally arrived accompanied by the harsh sunlight that makes thing so contrasty. Gone is that low light that makes things moody and lends itself to lengthened shadows with modelling on landscapes and architectural images.

Went out with the camera for the first time in a fortnight last Saturday, having spent most of the time printing and mounting for the Havant CC and the Cotswold Salon. Paper and ink running low, new supplies on way from the Channel isles, hopefully in time for the Edinburgh later this month.

LONDON SALON OF PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-05-14T13:54:00.002+01:00

Delighted to hear that one of my prints, Rabbis, has been accepted for the 2009 London Salon of Photography Exhibition.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

2009-04-30T22:54:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I had the privilege and great pleasure to meet and shake the hands of two brave men.

Havildar Lachhiman Gurung VC (on the left) and Tulbahadur Pun VC. Two Gurkha soldiers who won their VC's serving with the British Army in the Far East in WW2.

Their exploits can be seen described on

http://www.nepalesekhukuri.com/vcs.html

Aged 92 and 86 respectively these two old soldiers wore their medals with justifiable pride, and both retained a military bearing.

What I found quite moving was the action of a group of Red Berets, who by the medals on their chest were no strangers to conflict, standing to attention in front of the two Gurkhas and smartly saluting them. All brothers in arms.

The day turned even more memorable when the House of Commons voted to reconsider the shameful restrictions that had been placed on the Gurkhas seeking to remain domiciled in the UK.

A G20 MOMENT

2009-04-27T11:48:00.002+01:00

THE FOUR HORSEMEN BEFORE THE APOCALYSE

This image was taken near the Bank of England where the main body of protesters was "kettled" by the police. Soon after the picture was taken a double line of helmeted police with shields and batons placed themselves between us, who were merely onlookers, and then menacingly advanced towards us and cleared the street.

Strange and ominous.

CLUB EXHIBITION OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR

2009-04-20T16:07:00.002+01:00

Richmond & Twickenham PS have had a successful annual exhibition at The Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington.
An old converted church, the Arts Centre affords plenty of space for the exhibition which is not selective and all club members are given the opportunity to display whatever images they like. As a result some 30-40 panels each with six images are on view, with a wide variety of images and subjects on display.

The public are encouraged to visit and some 600+ attended.
The club workers put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the exhibition and are to be congratulated for such an excellent event.

TAMIL DEMONSTRATION LONDON

2009-04-13T09:53:00.003+01:00

Attended the demonstration on Saturday 11th April. Amazingly the crowd was estimated at 100,000 a tremendous turnout.

Very little coverage in the media however.

LONG TIME NO POST

2009-04-11T08:16:00.003+01:00

Been very busy over the last couple of months. Printing for entries into various exhibitions with pleasing results.

The Southampton International Photographic Exhibition. Two prints accepted. One monochrome, one colour!.

The Dumfries International Exhibition. One monochrome print accepted.

The West Cumbrian International Exhibition. Three monochrome prints accepted.

The Arden International Exhibition. Three monochrome prints accepted.

The Wigan 10 International Exhibition.Two monochrome prints accepted.

Fell flat on my face with two other submissions, the RPS Members and the RPS International, must find the secret for these two.

My club The Richmond & Twickenham PS is currently holding its annual exhibition and I have two panels in that, so all in all rather than taking picture and processing them it seem that printing and mounting has been the main preoccupation.

As far as taking images this has been spent attending the various demos and protests taking place around London. Stop The War, The Gaza demos the G20 protests and today the Tamil Tiger march. I eventually hope to get a book together on Protests and Demos.

That's a quick update.

Thanks to Roger Hance for giving me a nudge!

SILHOUETTES.

2009-02-13T08:07:00.003Z

Been looking at the images taken on a recent trip to Portsmouth and the only passable ones are a set of silhouettes taken in the large building by the waterfront. I seem to remember that I've been attracted to this form of photography recently, are my eyes going?!

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

NO TWO PICTURES ARE THE SAME, ARE THEY?

2009-02-12T14:53:00.003Z

An amazing coincidence seems to have occurred with the Digital Camera Magazine Photographer of the Year competition. The winning image was immediately jumped on by a far eastern photographer who pointed out another award winning image from Asia that to all intents and purposes was extremely similar. If not exactly the same it's a use of someone else's vision and creative ability. i suppose it happens all the time, how often is the question asked "where did you take that" in order for the person to go along and repeat the shot.
C'est la vie!

TOTAL SALES TARGET REACHED IN TWO DAYS!!!!

2009-02-04T14:21:00.002Z

Well I never, it didn't used to be like this when I was working,sales have exceeded all expectations. I'll have to set my targets higher next time!

BLURB BOOK PUBLISHED

2009-02-01T13:00:00.002Z

SPEAKERS' CORNER

THE BEST FREE SHOW ...

By Alan Abercrombie ...

Book Preview

OBAMA TAKES FRONT STAGE

2009-01-21T18:58:00.002Z

RABBIS OF CONSCIENCE

I accept that a new president of the U.S.A will fill the front pages for a couple of days if not weeks, but that tends to hide the fact that other more depressing things are going on in the world. So Israel has withdrawn its troops from Gaza after slaughtering some 1,300 of its inhabitants, a large proportion of those children. Hopefully the front pages will soon highlight these facts once again.
Another demonstration is to take place in London on Saturday 23rd January, it will be interesting to see what the turnout will be this time. i hope to be there recording the event.

http://alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

A WEEKEND OF DEMONSTRATIONS

2009-01-12T21:57:00.002Z

This weekend was spent photographing the two demonstrations held in London over the situation in Gaza. Saturday the demonstration in Hyde Park was to show support for the Palestinian people and condemn the Israeli actions in Gaza. Sunday's in Trafalgar Square was exactly the opposite and was organised by the British Jewish deputies.
Both provided good material for photography and I tried to show both sides of the argument, with great difficulty I may add since my sympathies have always been with dispossessed Palestinians and their treatment not just by Israel but by the world in general.

THE MURDER OF INNOCENTS.

2009-01-06T18:21:00.002Z

Time and again we read of innocent children slaughtered by the Israeli armed forces or with their connivance as at Chabra and Chatilla in Lebanon. Today more are added to the list in Gaza.

The demonstration on Saturday in London was attended by many Palestinian children who clearly would be at risk of annihilation should they be in their homeland. We are as guilty as the Israelis by standing by and letting it happen, shame on us!

GAZA DEMONSTRATION 03-01-09

2009-01-05T11:35:00.003Z

Attended the demonstration against the Israeli incursion into Gaza and the horrendous treatment of the Palestinians, not only by Israel but by the world as a whole. If any nation has been abused and mistreated more than the Palestinians it would be hard to find. So not only did I attend "photographically", I felt I had to protest as well.
The bulk of the protesters were naturally exiled Palestinians but a large cross section of all religions and races were represented, and across a wide age range. Young children who are potentially tomorrow's militants were there in groups and with their families.
The solution to the problem seems totally beyond the wit of man. The causes are clear for all to see though.
http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

SAD START TO THE NEW YEAR

2009-01-02T19:04:00.003Z

Lost a good friend and neighbour over the Christmas. Our dear friend Jack passed away whilst on holiday in Spain.

In his 90's Jack retained all the good humour, devilment and principles of the archetypal Englishman. He served his country in WW2 in the navy and saw active service throughout the globe and was proud of his family near and far.

I will miss our chats putting the world to rights and that twinkling in his eyes. I will always think of him as an aged hippy, who did what he wanted to do, but always with consideration for his fellow man.

Jack you will be sorely missed.

2009 HERE WE COME.

2008-12-30T18:30:00.002Z

Last post before the New Year. What to do for next year is taking a bit of sorting out. I think I will concentrate on entering exhibitions as my main objective. I'll keep posting on Flickr as that seems to be the most active site. Keep an eye on the DCM forums, just in case the new web site turns out to be worthwhile and it gets away from all those tiresome and silly questions about equipment and posts about switching on cameras!

Paid a final 2008 visit to Speakers' Corner yesterday, and saw the youngest speaker I've ever seen in 25 years of visiting. A 10 year old holding forth very eloquently on the endangered species around the world, and our duty to help protect them.

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to anyone that stumbles across this blog.

JAMAICAN_

2008-12-24T14:36:00.002Z

JAMAICAN_
Originally uploaded by abers

After deciding to "sort out" my multitude of useless images, I discovered quite a few that deserved more attention and work. The Jamaican is an image that I've looked at many times and suddenly decided I would try and make something of it. I'm sure there are quite a few more that could do with a little more effort on my part. A New Year's resolution perhaps?

DAY OUT AT LAST!

2008-12-16T08:24:00.005Z

Didn't get to Speakers' Corner as promised, but I did go out. Woke up to some mist and light fog, and decided to go down to the RHS gardens at Wisley, to try and get something that has been in my mind for some while. Knowing that the dogwood around the lake is particularly colourful at this time of year, combining that with the mist might make a muted colour image. Decided that the statues of "Dancing Cranes" would add to the atmosphere I decided to make them the focal point.

Trying to get to grips with Lightroom 2 and the added tools that come with it, so I bought a book on the subject and am working my way through it. The catalogue and keyword sections are a little confusing at first, but it has made me sort out the rubbish in amongst my images, so it's no bad thing. Should complete it by this time next year!

SLACK PERIOD PHOTOGRAPHICALLY!

2008-12-11T14:42:00.003Z

I haven't taken a picture now for four weeks! The last time I pressed the shutter was on 11-11 in Trafalgar Square. It's been a combination of poor weather, other things to do, but most of all a distinct lack of get up and go. Been looking at books and trying to get enthused but the cold weather has put me off. Definitely will go out on Sunday up to Speakers' Corner to renew some old acquaintances. That's a promise.

Put few posts on the DCM forum to try and engender some sensible discussion about photography, but the usual posting of abject mediocrity keeps appearing.

Paid a visit to the Arena Exhibition in Guildford last week and there are some stunning prints from the members. Only one of the original members, Roy King, was showing, his pictures as interesting as ever. Harry Cundell gave a talk about each artist and their individual approach to photography. Surprised at the prices that were being asked, be interested to know if any sales were made?

NOT SO BAD!

2008-12-07T08:22:00.002Z

The week has past and it all seemed to go well. The members at Midhurst CC were a kindly bunch and didn't throw things! I feel better now having reintroduced my toe back in the water, and frankly I enjoyed myself on the evening. The projector issue was totally unwarranted, everything worked tickety-boo. Karen the president was extremely helpful, and thanks to her for her support.

Did quite well in the R&TPS open competitions. Won a Cup a Rose Bowl and a Platter.

BIG WEEK THIS WEEK

2008-11-30T13:01:00.002Z

Here we go with a some trepidation this week. Wednesday see the presentation at Midhurst CC, a step back into the past, making a presentation for the first time in 20+ years. Got everything ready, just hope that the projector is compatible with my images, it will be a complete balls up if it's not.

Thursday sees the judges comments at the R&TPS on the open entries. Didn't know that would be happening, I just thought results would be announced, otherwise I wouldn't have entered.

Disappointing news from the RPS, neither of my two prints were accepted for the members' exhibition.

THREE BOATS

2008-11-25T18:16:00.001Z

THREE BOATS
Originally uploaded by abers

First "High Key" picture I've attempted since my return to photography.
Taken on a very foggy morning by Hampton Court so the background was missing, and with a couple of tweaks in PS to arrive at what I wanted.

A SURPRISE FROM AN UNEXPECTED QUARTER

2008-11-18T18:15:00.002Z

I was surprised to find a number of referrals to my website via an unknown link. On examining the link it transpired it came from an online photo magazine Magical Places Fine Art, where readers were directed to my site to enable them to see what could be achieved by using Clikpic. A little bit of ego massage never goes astray!

11-11-11

2008-11-12T08:30:00.004Z

Attended the very moving service in Whitehall/Trafalgar Square to mark the exact 90th anniversary of the ending of WW1. It was great to see groups of schoolchildren attending to learn what it was all about and the wide mix of people amongst the crowd.

THE NIGHT FIGHTER

2008-11-10T15:53:00.001Z

THE NIGHT FIGHTER
Originally uploaded by abers

Remarkable sculpting on the Battle of Britain Memorial of which this is just a small part.

THE CENOTAPH

2008-11-10T08:04:00.004Z

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Attended the Cenotaph service yesterday, very moving and very photogenic. I found the camaraderie of the participants quite uplifting, a testament to the British character, I will certainly use some of the images in my "England" project.

Learned a few lessons for next year apropos viewpoints, no chance of moving around, the crowds are solid, and most of the places where the old soldiers assemble are ticket only. It's a question of what you want and where you want it.

Going nowhere fast.

2008-11-08T07:31:00.005Z

I seem to be just mooching about not really achieving too much at the moment. Haven't been out with the camera for what seems like weeks. Put a lot of time in getting ready for the Midhurst presentation, but have come to a complete stop waiting for information about image size for the projector.

Had a rummage in the scanned negative files and worked on a few images there, pleased with a couple of them.

Off to Whitehall tomorrow for the Remembrance Day service, hopefully will get some shots to augment my woeful "The English" project. The forecast keeps changing by the hour, fingers crossed for a bit of decent light.

A BIT OF A LULL

2008-10-31T15:06:00.002Z

Strange how one minute you seem rushed off your feet, and the next you are left wondering what to do next. The Hi5 Exhibition is well forgotten, and preparing two prints to enter for the RPS Members Exhibition and eight prints for the R&TPS Annual Open Challenge is complete. No pictures have been taken for at least four weeks, so I must get out with the camera this weekend in case I've forgotten which buttons to press.

Next on the agenda is the December 3rd talk to the Midhurst Camera Club that I agreed to some months ago, it's surprising how fast time flies, and how you begin to wonder how you agreed to do it!

COMPETITION OR EXHIBITION?

2008-10-21T21:18:00.004+01:00

Is there any difference between entering a competition or entering prints for an exhibition? Both are subject to rules of entry, both are judged as to their photographic credentials, the only difference is that competition entries if they are successful have the kudos of a tangible prize, exhibition entries have the kudos of being judged as suitable for inclusion in the exhibition. Which is preferable?

I suppose it depends on the magintude of the prize or the standing of the exhibition within the photographic calender and which you would prefer to achieve.

OVER AND DONE WITH

2008-10-20T18:47:00.002+01:00

The exhibition is now well and truly behind us. It would be stretching it a little to say it was a roaring success in terms of attendance, but those who came seemed to enjoy it and make all the necessary "nice" comments.

There's a lot of work to organising and putting on an exhibition and it should be a team effort if only a few exhibitors are taking part. If it had not been for Tillie Jane it would never have happened, and all my thanks go to her, one for inviting me to take part and two for her enthusiastic organisation.

There are many lessons to be learned and many ways to improve things, and if there is a next time these can be implemented.

Next item is to prepare two prints for submission to the RPS Members' Exhibition and the Open Print competition at the RTPS. Busy, busy, busy!

EXHIBITION OPENING

2008-10-14T08:37:00.003+01:00

Opening night at last. About 60 people turned up which was heartening considering the short time available for publicising the event.

A good mix of ages with a good few students amongst the audience. Pleased to see Mike Lackie from the RTPS and renew an acquaintance with Harry Cundell of Arena.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the images and left with a smile on their faces. All it now wants is a steady stream during the week, unfortunately I have my doubts, we will have to wait and see.

RPS Journal October 2008

2008-10-06T16:01:00.003+01:00

At last the RPS Journal has printed my article along with images and most of my copy. I am really well pleased, it was worth waiting for.

HIGHLY DELIGHTED

2008-10-02T18:26:00.002+01:00

Google Analytics have recorded my 2,000th. unique visitor to my web site. I set myself a target of 2,000 for the year when I launched it in January this year, so we are three months ahead of schedule, must try for 2,500 by the first anniversary.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

2008-09-30T18:19:00.004+01:00

The last week has been a blur. Spent the first four days printing and mounting 22 pictures for the forthcoming exhibition, Saturday up to town to support Keith's gathering in Trafalgar Square, Sunday morning to Kew Gardens for the DCM meeting in the morning, and then back up to town for an exhibition meeting and mounting the pictures on the wall. Got back home about 8p.m. absolutely cream crackered.

Must admit the exhibition so far what with Phil's and my pictures is coming together well.

Did a bit of work on a candid that I took at Trafalgar Sq. to relax somewhat. See above.

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

EXHIBITION PREPARATION

2008-09-21T08:07:00.003+01:00

The next couple of weeks will be devoted to preparing prints for the forthcoming Hi5 event at Butlers Wharf. I expect to display 25 prints, 15 A3 and 10 A4, that may change but I want to keep those proportions.

I've made all my choices, got the Permajet paper, using Fibrebase Warm Tone, just got to get the mounting board for the mattes. It's like being back to the old times, printing and mounting, great satisfaction. Proper photography.

Now a fully fledged member of the R&TPS, so most Thursday evenings are booked for the foreseeable future.

Working through the Norfolk images and sticking them on Flickr to see what response there is, nothing outstanding.

http://www.alanabercrombieimages.co.uk

FOUR DAYS IN NORFOLK

2008-09-13T11:27:00.002+01:00

Returned from a break in North Norfolk. Weather not brilliant but allowed some photography. Got up at sunrise on a couple of mornings to try and capture that fabled Eastern Light, and it certainly does exist. Plenty of boats in muddy creeks, long deserted beaches and sand dunes with gravel and shingle a-plenty for some texture. Cloudscapes seemed appropriate for the weather we had.

Hunstanton is a long established holiday town in the old seaside tradition, lots of opportunities for people pictures mostly elderly. Visited Cromer "the land of the living dead! We must have brought the average age down to about eighty whilst we were there!

REJOINING.

2008-09-05T08:34:00.000+01:00

I spent a cracking evening yesterday visiting my old camera club in Richmond.
We were entertained by a photographer showing his work from the past 6 years. All beautiful images all beautifully presented and with a lighthearted but informative commentary. It was great to listen to someone who loved his art with a passion explaining how he had arrived at this particular point in his photographic life and how he looked forward to expanding his horizons.
The audience consisted of photographers of all levels, beginners to three or four FRPS's, with everyone joining in. Everyone learned something from the evening. The beginners by seeing what can be achieved by being presented with a range of subject matter, lighting conditions and image presentation, the old hands by seeing that compositional rules can be ignored to great effect.
The club notice board was packed with informaion about the different groups that exist within the club and news about local and national events. There was a photographic "buzz" around the place.
That's camera club life as I remembered it from way back, and it was pleasing to see the same ethos yesterday, so much so I re-applied for membership.

SHADOWS FROM YESTERYEAR

2008-09-02T13:03:00.001+01:00

SHADOWS FROM YESTERYEAR
Originally uploaded by abers

Seems to be the most sucessful image so far posted on flickr.

THE GREAT BRITISH DUCK RACE.

2008-09-01T12:03:00.002+01:00

Wonderful bit of fun at Molesey Locks yesterday, what I would call typically British. Sponsored by Bath Store you could participate by "buying" a duck and enter the race with some other 249,999 others. A great sea of plastic ducks floating downstream to Albany Reach, a distance of 1Km. First past the post wins £10,000! All proceeds are for charity some £500,000. Downs Syndrome being a major recipient.

Race was started by Emma Barton (Honey, Eastenders) and Andy Hodge. Took the opportunity to photograph Andy Hodge's gold medal he won in the Coxless pairs at the Beijing Olympics.

Miserable day but a great event.

LANDSCAPING

2008-08-27T08:14:00.005+01:00

Posted some landscapes on Flickr to gauge the reaction to them, not wholly satisfying with the results. i will have to pay more attention to details . Looking forward to the Norfolk trip when hopefully the weather might be more kind than recently.

Great piece in the Observer Review this week on Jousef Koudelka who has an exhibition opening at the MOM in New York. Alerted the forum on DCM to it.

Off to photograph a church and it's interior tommorrow, courtesy of Phil Drake, may try the dreaded HDR!

A BIT OF A FORAY INTO LANDSCAPES

2008-08-25T13:15:00.004+01:00

Decided to try and improve my B+W landscape skills. Searched my images for such pictures and discovered very little to work on. Will have to add to my stock.