Report - 29th November 2008
A few members of the Club were invited to attend a Fashion Show by Posh Frocks of Epworth held at Haxey Memorial Hall. It was a terrific evening with the opportunity to photograph models on the catwalk, and in the changing room. The glitz and glamour really comes across, as models ( mostly local girls ) paraded in ball gowns, evening wear and cocktail dresses. Behind the scenes, there were good shots to be had, but some even better shots had to be missed in the name of decency!
It was a great evening, and lots of fun. As some members know, I have been trying to organise such an experience for some time. There have been many setbacks, but many thanks to Leesa at Posh Frocks for allowing us to go to her first show. It was a privilege, and as she is hoping to make it an annual event, members who were unable to attend this time may get the opportunity in future.

Fashion show-3
Fashion Show 1
Model-Sue-Otley
Sue Otley
Finale
Finale

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Report - 1st October 2008
Members and visitors to Axholme Camera Club recently enjoyed an evening presentation by Geoff Trinder. Geoff, a club member and member of the Royal Photographic Society, brought digital images from his recent trip to the Kalahari Desert and the Okavanga Delta in Botswana, Africa. He gave an extremely interesting talk, entertaining and informative. Not only had he captured  some stunning images of wildlife, his speciality, but also the landscape, the people and the culture. Aware that we have many new members, Geoff also threw in some very useful tips for improving our photographic technique. No doubt a few of our members are now thinking they would like to visit this beautiful area of the world in the hope of taking photographs as good as Geoff's.
Last year we had a visit from Anita Wright who brought her fantastic photographs of the Everest region where she had been trekking some years ago. On Tuesday November 25th, Anita will be returning to Axholme Camera Club to tell us about her 'Return to Nepal'. We are all looking forward to this event with great anticipation. Non-members are also welcome to join us, there will be a small door charge of £1.50. We meet in the Church Hall, Haxey at 7.30pm.
Members have a varied programme planned for this month, photographing fireworks, getting advice on how to take news photographs and taking part in the second competition of the season.


23rd September 2008
“The Confessions of a Nature Photographer”
Robert Hawksworth FRPS.

Members were treated to an evening of fine photos and down to earth practical advice when Robert Hawksworth visited the club on 23rd September 2008. Geoff Trinder introduced Robert as a respected nature photographer of many years and as a past Chairman of the RPS Nature Group.
We didnít quite know what to expect from the title but what we got was an introduction to all the various facets of the natural world and sound advice on the techniques that Robert has used to photograph that world. From plants to funghi; birds to squirrels; lichens to ferns; they were all there. Various approaches to the difficult lighting situations encountered were explored and explained in a plain language. Locations where it was possible to photograph various species in sympathetic conditions were disclosed and illustrated.
All of this was delivered in a humorous and expressive way, supported by stunning colour slides. The real value of the evening, in addition to enjoying the presentation, was the enormous amount of insight that Robert gave into tackling this area of photography. We were able to go away thinking ëI can improve my photography without spending vast amounts of money but by just thinking a bit more deeply about how I approach each shot.í
This was a photographerís evening presented by a master photographer.

Allan Rowsell


Report - September 2008


The new season at Axholme Camera Club got off to a good start as many members, and a number of new members, met in Haxey Church Hall on Wednesday evening. New style membership cards, sponsored by Tom Dennis Cameras of Scunthorpe, were issued by the Treasurer, Peter Webster.
 

EmlynPlusCake

Ex-Vice Chairman Emlyn Perrett,  soon leaving the area, was honoured with a Life Membership. Emlyn has been at the centre of the camera club for many years, and was instrumental in its recent renaissance. He is an experienced and talented photographer, embracing the new digital era in spite of his advancing years. He is also very active in Parish and Church matters, and will be missed by everyone. The Axholme Camera Club wish him well in his new life. To commemorate and perpetuate his efforts with the club, the annual award will now be the Emlyn Perrett Trophy. In celebration, Charmian Roberts presented him with a cake she had made herself, aptly decorated with a model camera in icing. 
 
For the rest of the evening a presentation of stunning Nature photography by the Royal Photographic Society Nature Group was enjoyed. The Group Chairman, Geoff Trinder, is a club member. 
 
Tony Ferris, of the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum, gave a short talk as a forerunner to a visit by the club on October 11th, when the trolleybuses, sheds and other paraphernalia will be available to view and photograph.
 
During the summer, two of our members received commendations for their work in a national exhibition run by the Camping and Caravanning Club of Great Britain, Albert Phillipson and David Ulyett. Albert's superb black and white photograph of the interior of Litchfield Cathedral thoroughly deserved the award, and David's 'Gone Fishing' was describe by the judge, Malcolm Sales,  as  'a peep into someone's life' and was praised for the delicate handling of the backlit leaves framing the picture.
 
Haxey Parish Council, in conjunction with  Axholme Camera Club, is running a Photographic Competition for local residents. There will be three categories; Children; Adults; and Camera Club members. With prizes of £75 offered, it is worth considering entering, but do look at the rules first.
 
With such a start to the season, the Axholme Camera Club is looking forward to a successful year.
                                     
                                                 Lynda.


Vist to Austerfield Field Study Centre July 2008

When Axholme Camera Club was asked for volunteers to spend an evening in a room full of snakes, spiders and insects, I'm sure no-one expected the ladies to be first in the queue. However, the ladies outnumbered the men by 2 to 1 when the Camera Club visited Austerfield Field Study Centre to photograph the livestock on Wednesday.
 
Head of Centre Andrew Jagger (BEd) hosted the session for the group, talking about the creatures he presented for photographs, so the evening was entertaining and enjoyable, with some members taking so many photos they ran out of film or digital capacity.
 
The snakes were very popular, and posed nicely for the photographers, or perhaps they were just basking in the heat of the floodlights. With their beautifully smooth, patterned skins and slow movements, they made good subjects for the cameras. However, the expert advice of experienced photographer Alan Townsend was much appreciated by those new to photography, helping them to get the best possible results.
 
Some of the ladies were happy to hold the snakes, but only Monica Bland was keen to get more closely acquainted with a Mexican Red Spider ( commonly known as a Tarantula)!
She picked it up and allowed it to crawl up her arm, its hairy legs delicately feeling the warmth of her bare skin.
 
Hissing sounds emanated from the cockroaches when Andrew demonstrated their self defence mechanism, and due to their size, bigger than a £2 coin, they were easy to photograph. The strangely shaped Australian Leaf Insects clung to a sturdy shrub for their portraits.
 
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Firebellied Toad. The striking green and black warty skin of its back was replaced by a fiery orange when it turned over and played dead! Numerous repeat performances kept us amused for ages. The heavily pregnant Firebellied Newt, however, refused to indulge us.
 
Gerbil City, a high-rise of white plastic apartments, contained families at all stages of life,
from the jelly- baby-like one day olds, pink and wriggly, with no eyes, ears or fur, through all ages to the elderly gerbils, all albinos.
 
With the constant chatter of cockatiels demanding attention in the background, the members of Axholme Camera Club had a great evening, and some good photographs should be appearing in future competitions.
 
We are grateful to Andrew Jagger for his time and expertise, and would recommend a visit to anyone interested. Andrew can be contacted at 01302710415 or by Email on
AFSC1882@aol.com  for group bookings.