It's a sobering experience to look at images of conflict - those men dressed as soldiers are not re-enacting historical events, and the bodies that lie by the side of the road are not there to add realism until all the partipants all pack up and go back to their everyday lives 'til the next time.

Sean Smith takes photos for a living but it is clear that he feels passionately (a quiet, modest passion) that he wants his images to record what he saw, images that may go some way to correcting or contradicting the broadbrushes of spin and propaganda.

We waited for a year until Sean was able to show us his photos and speak about them, a year whilst he was away doing what he does. And it was well worth the wait. Though the moments he captures make for graphic images, these were almost without exception stunning photographs.

A huge thankyou to Sean for giving us his time - his work can be seen in his new book 'Frontlines' and http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/seansmith

Shoot in the hour after sunset – with sunset behind you – that was the message from Tony Worobiec and the breathtaking beautiful landscape images he showed the very well attended meeting was testimony to that! And don’t forget the ‘intimate landscape’ - those interesting little detail shots...  In addition he gave us many other tips on how to take great landscape photos so wait until the sun goes down or the rain stops falling and go out and get photographing! So thank you Tony and we’re already looking forward to your next visit!

If you haven't had the Hoey experience it can't be far off - the energy and enthusiasm that Gavin brings to the world of imaging is infectious enough on the web - in the flesh he's quite something else. 

Bringing us his 'Quick Shots to Great Shots' talk last Tuesday (Feb 28th), Gavin offered another take on photography - keep it simple and work quickly. 

And then make sure you know your processing. As a demonstrator for Adobe he clearly knows his PS and how to get striking results quickly. His mission - 'to make sure you go away having learnt at least one new idea'.   

Thoroughly recommended for all clubs who haven't yet invited him over. If he's not coming to a venue near you soon, try his YouTube channel - lots to play with.
http://gavinhoeyphotography.co.uk/
http://www.gavtrain.com/

Joy and Mike Hancock made a long-awaited return to NDPS on Tuesday 17th January with a new talk.


It goes without saying that they have many years of experience behind the lens - the evidence was there in the quality and range of the prints on show. What shines through their insightful commentary and delightful banter is an ongoing commitment to the art of making images. They admit that part of their rationale for moving to Lumix bridge cameras is not having to shoulder bulky kit around any more - but there is clearly a new-found pleasure from the (admittedly small) limitations of this format. 

As with all our most rewarding speakers, Mike and Joy inspired us to keep at it and keep finding images wherever and whenever we see them.

You'll find examples of their work at www.norfolkphotographygroup.org/imagelink

Jim Hartje made a third visit to NDPS on Nov 29th with an entertaining and illuminating look at his creative approach to photography. It's clear that Jim has always pushed the available  technology from darkroom to Photoshop in the service of his image-making, and he's not been afraid to see what is possible. His enthusiastic but understated manner compliments an animated sets of images that reveal how he manipulates his images to award-winning effect. Many thanks Jim for an engaging evening - if you can't see him in the flesh see his work at www.peterboroughps.org.uk/

On the evening of Thursday 24th November Paul Hurst arranged for a photographic night walk around Norwich. Armed with with camera's and tripods a group of about 12 members set off from the cathedral snapping all the way to the Forum, and back again. We hope the present some images from this evening at a club meeting and on a dedicated web page.

It has to be said that Johnny's visit to us on Tues Nov 8th must be one of the most enjoyable and inspiring evenings that members have experienced for a long time.

John couples self-deprecating wit with audience participation and tremendous generosity of spirit and know-how. He took us on an exploration of ideas and techniques showing that anything is a suitable subject and any approach can be valid - many thanks John.
Find and contact John at http://www.johnswells.co.uk/

In the light of upcoming battles and external competitions, Competition Secretary Brian Ebbage organised an evening for members to bring along digital images  and prints for the club to view.

In all the work of about fifteen members was looked at with some discussion and constructive comments from members. By the end of the evening Brian, Belinda and Angie had asked for a number of images to consider for inclusion in the club competition library.

"Rhine Again and Again" is at the Hostry of Norwich Cathedral from Tuesday 23 August 2011 until Saturday 17th September 2011. 

It consists of photographs taken by English photographers visiting the Rhineland, with images from a collection owned by the Koblenz museum, (including work by Francis Frith and William England), combined with photographs taken in recent years by members of NDPS.

For more info click here

Many thanks to Ian for presenting his talk "How Lucky We Are" last night. He showed us his superb, atmospheric shots of the orpanage project that he has documented for 25 years in Bangladesh. We also had an illuminating discussion about his career in photography and highlights including shooting the stars at Live Aid.

Photo: Roger Blackwell

Dave Rowley gave a fantastic presentation on how to make the best of Photoshop. He covered a wide range of topics from how to manage and catalogue your images to some very novel ways of producing monochrome images.  About 25 people attended this, both members of NDPS and other clubs, and we all came away with a greater understanding of Photoshop, and lots of useful tips and new ideas! We hope to have a return visit from him.
http://www.davrodigital.co.uk