Sowerby Bridge by Stan Searle
EDITORIAL
 All Club and Programme Secretaries look out in September for the new/revised editions of the EAF Club Directory and the Judges/Lecturers Handbook. These will give you all the latest information regarding the EAF. Make sure that the right people in your club have access to these handbooks.
It is important to read the Treasurer’s report on page 2, concerning the Public Liability Insurance and how it can be affected by lack of event notification. John Currant the new Exhibition Secretary, on page 4, gives you prior warning of two rule changes concerning entries to the 2009 Exhibition.
Naomi Saul continues to arrange a fantastic event programme, but the attendances are not what they should be considering the size of the Federation. Clubs are indicating that their memberships are increasing, but this not being reflected at the EAF events. From my contacts around the region and with my lecturing commitments it seems to me that the majority of club members seem wrapped up in their own club world. They are reluctant to travel to events and exhibitions to see what rest of the photographic world has on offer and to get inspiration from others to develop their own photography. No doubt some say the cost of travel makes them reluctant to make the journey to events, but why not share cars. The company will also improve the experience.
Barry Freeman ARPS DPAGB
PRESIDENT’S PREAMBLE
“It isn’t the camera that take’s the photo. It’s the eyes, the heart, and the stomach - all of it .... “
LARTIGUE
By the time you receive this “Bulletin” I trust you will all have enjoyed a summer break - a time when many Clubs close their doors and allow Members to gather together the pictures they will use during the coming season. For many, the high sun in the UK does not encourage the photographic eye, but of course the “world” is much more accessible now and that allows us to choose venues for pictures and suitable weather conditions throughout the year - financial situations allowing! So, I am looking forward to the season ahead, where we see the results at the Clubs.
During the past few months however, the World of Photography has continued - Eric and I have been privileged to visit a number of Club Exhibitions over the summer, which is a very pleasurable Presidential “duty”. We also enjoyed the Club Print Championships at Bildeston in June - a good day, although sadly poorly attended. The results will no doubt be mentioned in Marilyn Steward’s article, but our congratulations to the winning Clubs - the positions were very closely fought. We naturally hope that we will see more enthusiasm and participation from Clubs at the Latton Bush Centre, Harlow on Sunday 15th February 2009, for the Projected Image and Print Championship. It is well worth attending such days, even if your Club does not need support - to see the wonderful work on display throughout the day - a challenge and inspiration for all.
In addition, there was the last ever PAGB Inter Federation Slide Championship at Warwick University on Saturday 12th July - not too far for anyone to get to and an opportunity to see the best work from throughout the UK. Next year, the competition will use digital projection - necessary, as the majority of the images seen for several years have originated from digital files. Converting these to slides has little merit, as invariably they are not quite as good as the originals - whereas good slides, well scanned, become very good digital files. The two Clubs representing our Federation did us proud and are to be congratulated - even Smethwick did not make the final round this year - although they did ultimately win the Plate competition - it still seems strange to me that there is a Trophy effectively for 9th place!
Of course, I must also mention our Federation’s own Exhibition, which was on display at Harlow Civic Centre for most of May. I hope many of you took the opportunity to go and have a look, even if you did not have any work accepted. We had many positive comments about the good variety of work chosen by our Judges this year, giving due credit to most genres of photography, from landscape to record. The continuous projection of slides and digital images has also received very positive comments - a much better method of display than trying to peer at small images in the cabinets used previously. It certainly helps to physically see the images and the standard necessary to gain acceptance - one that can be achieved by any enthusiastic photographer, providing they are prepared to try ever harder and give it the necessary thought and care, with attention to detail - at the taking stage.
Following this year’s Exhibition, Malcolm Tinn retired from the position of Exhibition Secretary after 5 years of tireless work - we owe him great thanks for the work he has put into a very demanding job for our Federation - including finding the wonderful venue that we have for the display. It is also opportune for me to thank all the other Federation Members - both Committee and other willing helpers, who have given time during the past 12 months (yes - it is a whole years work) to ensure we can showcase our Members work with pride. We are delighted that John Currant (from Shillington & DCC and Ampthill & DCC) has agreed to take over the role from Malcolm - indeed he has been shadowing Malcolm for the past year - but has also during that time, been instrumental in masterminding the process of successfully including digital images too. I know we can count on you all to support John as he settles into his new position.
On page 5 of this Bulletin you will see Publicity for the next Judges Workshop on Sunday 12th October. Our training days are the envy of many other Federations, so do take the opportunity to attend one - whether already on the Judges list, or aspiring to be. We are all ready to “judge” the judges on Club nights, especially if they do not appreciate our own “masterpiece”! - So why not see whether you could do better! It really can be very enjoyable viewing the work of Clubs other than our own - it broadens the horizons and it is very rewarding encouraging Members and trying to help them do even better.
Then on Sunday the 2nd November, we have “Prints for All” - another day not to be missed - more details in the Event Secretary’s article - but hopefully your Club Secretary will have already mentioned it and put a publicity flyer on your notice board.
Well, that is more than enough for now - keep taking those images and remember the quote at the commencement.
Naomi Saul ARPS EFIAP DPAGB APAGB BPE4*
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