​"Birds of Prey"
 
This week we welcomed Derek Curtis of DLS Falconry and his birds to the club. He arrived with Calvin and seven "friends" led by Orpheus a Bengal Eagle Owl.
 
We had set up a couple of Perches on tables to allow for members to get in close to photograph the birds.
Derek and Calvin displayed all the birds in turn an American Kestrel, Barn Owl, African Spotted Owl (the grey one), Boobook Owl, Lanner Falcon and the  Harris Hawk. All the birds provided us with some great shots and
although 42 members came on the night there was no overcrowding or jostling for positions. Derek and Calvin answered many questions about their birds and members children who came were all enthralled by the display.
 
Derek invited any members to contact him for further information at DLS Falconry based at the Rising Sun Country Park.
 
We had lots of good feedback from the members on the night so looking forward to seeing some images in future competitions.
 
A thank you to Derek and Calvin and all who turned up.
 
Colin Livingstone
Secretary

​​My Summer in 10 Minutes or Less.
 
Tonight was an evening for the members to show what they had been taking shots of during the summer.  As per usual there was some amazing images shown throughout the evening.  Pat Mole showed photo's of  houses perched high on rocks taken on her summer holiday abroad. Alan Tailford showed some superb images from Norway and the surrounding regions and Alec Cowley showed a very interesting, and very well put together AV presentation about aircraft.
 
All in all, 10 members showed their images, so well done those who had the courage to stand up and talk in front of the other members. It's not an easy task.
 
Alan Lockey
PDI secretary

This week we introduced our own David Johnson with a slide show of images of his "Painting with Light".

David took us through a series of images from Orbs and Fire balls to Light trails on the roads of Newcastle.
As he showed each image he described the technique used and answered questions from members.

At the end of the show he then set up his equipment and showed us how each piece of apparatus worked, from LEDs stitched to umbrellas and "light sabres" to a bicycle wheel with lights attached. The one thing David could not show was the spectacular effects of "Flaming Wire Wool"

At this point members were invited to get their cameras out and David gave a workshop on tacking photos using his equipment. A number of members tried and were quite successful at their first attempt.

This was David's first time at giving a presentation and members showed their appreciation accordingly.
Many thanks also for his offer to take members out one night for a "Live" demonstration.
A great night entertainment.
 
Some of the shots from our members are below.

Colin Livingstone
Secretary

This week's presentation, by Northumberland wildlife photographer Keith Cochrane got the season off to a good start with the first live presentation on the programme.

Keith started with his love of Kingfishers, he has an obvious passion for the birds as they inhabit the pond at the bottom of his garden. He explained some of their habits and what to watch out for when photographing the birds. He is also a regular visitor to Gosforth Park where he shoots other birds and wildlife.

He then went on to show a selection from an African safari with images of  the Wilder beast migration and some of the larger beasts that roam the Massai. He continued  with some landscapes and sunsets of Northumberland, and a variety of  images of Osprey fishing  in Aviemore  and  other wild birds

Some members asked questions as the show progressed and we thanked Keith for his time and presentation. Keith also kindly donated his fee back to the club.

You can visit Keith on Flickr at  kingfisher888.

Colin Livingstone
Secretary

​Tonight was the 1st evening of the 2016/17 season at Cramlington Camera Club. 
It was great to see so many familiar faces returning to the club for another season, but also to welcome 6 new prospective members. 
 
The evening was spent discussing this year's forthcoming programme including some new features, from a bird of prey evening to 'Petcha Kutcha' and a master class in product photography.
 
To give our new members some inspiration for their photography, we held a slide show of the clubs last two open PDI competition entries and also the NCPF International Salon for Creative Photography.
 
I look forward to another successful, interesting and enjoyable season for Cramlington Camera Club.
 
Lauren Clayton
Club President