The programme for 2005 has been published up to and brief details are included.

The Club decided at its Annual General Meeting on the 20th January to continue with the fortnightly meetings, with a break in August, resuming in September 2005.

Greater emphasis will be given to Digital Imaging as more and more people change away from conventional film cameras. This does not preclude other media as it is intended to ensure the Club is all-inclusive.
The Club has also decided to tap the wealth of knowledge and experience of its membership and to promote a forum for discussion with showings of members' work during the evening. The first of these took place on the 3rd March when Arthur Morgan talked about his interest in photography going back 50 years and his pleasure at seeing his work published in magazines. Arthur brought along a stunning selection of prints to illustrate his particular interest - photographing people. The evening was lively and humerous with those present declaring the new format to be a success.
On 31st March David Illingworth gave a tremendous evening with slides from his visit to Iceland. He gave a brief potted history of the land of ice and fire, before showing his tour which comprised stunning images of a region not often visited. These were not just holiday snaps -they were a superb example of travel photography and some present thought would befit publication.


On 14th April, Shelagh Roberts and Lynda Pasquire demonstrated various techniques for print mounting, as well as providing a practical demonstration and an opportunity for members to try for themselves the equipment used to cut apertures for mounting photographs or artwork. An appreciative audience learned the secrets of what makes a print more presentable and appealing and were able to take home mounts which they had cut to suit their photographs.
On 28th April, Steve Brabner from Amersham Photographic Society and gave a brilliant talk on how to use your digital images once you had captured or manipulated them. He showed a series of web pages which links are included here.
On 26th May, Trevor Hyman showed pictures from his visits to India and Nepal in a very entertaining and informative evening. Very interestingly the pictures showed the contrast between pictures taken during his first visit 25 years ago and a recent visit. The effect of air pollution round the Taj Mahal was most remarkable, when the older picture was shown in comparison. The later picture was almost like it was taken with a soft focus filter.
Alan Copeland came to judge the League competitions on 9th June. "Patterns in Nature". Alan did not disappoint us. His enthusiastic approach to judging and his humourous made any criticism acceptable.

On the23rd June 2005, Photographers were invited to walk round Abingdon, north of the River, as far as the Lock and back to the Bridge, but not south of the Bridge, and meet at the Anchor Pub afterwards for a social.
The object of the exercise is to take pictures and then to produce 6 colour prints, size 6x4, mount them on a sheet of cardboard, to give a flavour of the photographer's travels that evening. on the 21st July a competition is to be held to decide whose entry is successful Digital images are allowed, but images must not be manipulated (as if anyone would know!) Those with film cameras are also invited to take part and then we can have a good discussion about whether Digital is as good as Film.
On the 7th July, the Club assembled in force, waiting to see what the something with legs would be. A model? a spider? Unfortunately, Plan B had to be put into effect. The model session was cancelled by the Agent and the Kassam Stadium area enjoyed the attention of a dozen photographers who enjoyed exploring an area hitherto unknown to most and there seemed to be an amazing diversity of pictures being taken.
The Final meeting of the season was on 21st July and there was an interesting selection of prints showing the various items found to be photographed on the Walkabout on the 23rd June. The standard of entry was exceptional and the winner with his "digital friend" was David Mazey, with a new member, Bob Hall, with conventional 6x4 photographs in a close second place, one point behind David Mazey.
The 8th September saw the Opening of the new Season and a good attendance of members showing 5 or 6 images taken over the summer in an informal setting. Such was the interest in the wide variety of pictures, we thought it a good idea to try this formulae again. Most members were happy to bring along a few pictures and talk about them in an informal setting.
15th September
The Three on a Theme Cup Competition saw some stunning entries both in slides and prints. The Judge, Clive Jones, Oxford Photographic Society, was lost for words on occasions, and said that "the pictures spoke for themselves". For such a small club, the standard of work is excellent. We might be small in numbers, but the work produced by our members is worth seeing.
29th September 2005
Shelagh Roberts entertained members with a showing of Digital Slides from the Royal Photographic Creative Group Exhibition. Whetted the appetites of those present as to what you can achieve using photography and a computer.
13th October 2005.
Gordon Roberts judged the Print and Slide Competition with a title of "By the Seaside" There were some supberb landscapes and the winners were well-deserved.
27th October 2005
For the first half of the evening, Arthur Morgan gave a very entertaining tour of lower Egypt with some exceptional photographs. Arthur's travel photogaphy is always excellent and this was no exception. This was followed by Bob Hall's underwater photography which was an experience most of us will never get to enjoy. The intricacies of photographing under water and the skill needed to get results was apparent along with the sharp eyes to spot some of the lurking dangers!
10th November 2005
Jim Gracey from Whitchurch Hill Camera Club came to show us what could be done with digital images as AV presentations. Forget 4 projectors - one laptop, a digital projector and a set of speakers and some stunning mixes with images and dissolves using pictures to exe.
24th November 2005.
The Club formally presented the Digital Equipment to the Members, purchased via the Awards for all Scheme, attended by our Referee, former Mayor of Abingdon, Lesley Legge. The equipment, purchased via Image AV at Chilton was given its first try out and members brought along some of their images and AVs to show.
8th December 2005
Ian Bateman judged the Slide and Print of the Year Competition and did a superb job from a considerable number of entries.
15th December 2005
Fourteen of the Club members enjoyed a delicious Dinner at the Coach and Horses at Chiselhampton.



COMPETITION SUBJECTS FOR COMING SEASON

People at Work.
Riverside
Fur or Feather
Sporting Life
3 Prints, Colour, 3 Prints Mono and 3 Slides may be entered in each competition. Slides are totally set subject but prints are allowed to have one set subject and two open in each class.
Titles to the Competition Secretary the week before the Competition. Contact Jon Orme on 01235 532792

The Club has recently seen a change of Secretary. We are pleased to announce that Felicity Jenkins has taken over from Peter Phillips, although Peter is still available to help during the handover.

Felicity and Peter have put together a varied programme for 2006, starting the new season on 5th January 2006 with a Quiz Night - Find out how much you know - or don't - about photography and a few other items to add to the interest.

This will be followed by the AGM on the 19th January and if anyone wants to be involved on the committee, please contact the Secretary. There are some new members now and they might have some fresh ideas, which are always welcome.

If you want a copy of our programme, please use the email link and we will send you a copy in pdf format.