Upminster Camera Club: 2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

CHRISTMAS PARTY

It was good to see that this year's party was more of a religious theme. It was impossible to recreate the Nativity the committee was going to invite external judges to represent the three wise men, but we could not think of any that suited the role, and we did not have a baby to place in the manger (glad you didn't ask, Andy?).

We did however, manage to recreate some miracles with Lin playing the part of Jesus, (we are nothing if not a equal opportunities club) by feeding the 50ish with loaves or in our case rolls and fishes & chippies and Manna from Heaven or Wallies.

The rest of us did our bit by turning Wine and/or Lager into water.

The meal gave me the chance to ask Gordon how you work out the correct balance between too big in the frame and too much negative space, thinking I might require a doctorate in Pure Mathematics or need to know Einstein's theory of relativity, or make a phone call to Stephen Hawkins. He said I will just explain, he opened up his serviette, blew his nose open it put it away and said you just know, and hope the judge agrees with you.

He then turned his attention to auctioning off the unopened drink, causing one married couple to bid against each other, sparking a domestic.
Mandy claimed to have people bidding on the phone, although I think she was on the phone to her Spanish contacts to see if it was worth buying now or waiting to they moved out there.

Soon it was time to go and wish each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Our newly appointed official photographer unfortunately could not make it, so I have posted a picture of him below.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

FUN PRINT COMPETITION

It was too good an opportunity to miss, when Lin asked what the prizes should be for the competition, I quickly raised my hand (well actually both hands) for Maltesers. Well they are Janet's favourites and as I have not got her Christmas present yet I thought if I could get on the winning team it would save me going out Christmas Eve for her present.

My expectations rose when I saw Eric & John at the first table with no one with them, knowing they were on the winning side for the last 3 years I quickly joined them, elbowing several people out of the way first.

My confidence did not last very long as once again the rules were changed for the competition, well it does keep us on our toes.

We also seemed to have people coming in off the street with a chance to get warm and the possibility of leaving with a box of chocolates.

The prints were split into four piles one for each table, giving up I volunteered to help Lin.

The competition started with Gordon & Dave sharing the judging duties. Dave has obviously got great respect for Gordon's judging skills and soon morphed into him declaring everything was too big in the frame, while Gordon seemed obsessed with black mounts with white edges, something that has been playing on his mind for thirty odd years and he has been waiting for his revenge.

The winning team was B, thanks to one of my prints giving them maximum points I thought they might show their appreciation with each team member giving up 3 or 4 of their Maltesers so that I might present Janet with something on Christmas Day, so back to panic buying just when I thought everything was organised.

Good to see Richard,Joe & Alf victorious again so soon after their Safari win