About the Society

The Society meets every Thursday from Sept to May at the Priory Centre starting at 7.30pm and anyone is welcome to come along to the evenings.  We are a group of mainly amateur photographers who enjoy looking at other peoples work and discussing all aspects of photography.  We have a mixed range of abilities from the beginners to the more advanced workers, to those who generate an income from photography.

We have a varied programme of speakers, practical evenings, outings, exhibitions, competitions, (internal and against other clubs in the area).  We try to encourage all our members to take images and show their work either at the club or to wider circles by entering exhibitions around the country. The Society enters members work into MCPF run events such as Midphot, Photofolio and the Print and DPI championship.  But we also accommodate those members who just enjoy looking at other peoples work.  

Society’s day to day running is carried out by a Committee of 10 members and are always on the lookout for volunteers.  And the programme is devised well ahead of the next season, so if you have any ideas of what you would like to see, or know of a speaker then let the programme secretary know, but remember it will have to appear in the following season.

The Society likes to show it’s members work to anyone and everyone and will take any opportunity to do so, we have a members annual exhibition which is judged by an invited judge, and trophies are awarded in various sections (see Annual Exhibition pages).  We have in the past exhibited our work at the Burton Brewhouse Arts Centre, Alrewas and Tutbury Castle shows.  

During the summer months when the Society does not meet regularly, some of the members meet up and go to events or just meet and catch up on news.  These dates are posted on the website programme but are not printed in the main programme.

The Society is often asked by the MCPF to host events for them, we have hosted six photographic seminars, including speakers coming over from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, and Holland.

We have a good social atmosphere and have evenings when we can just sit and chat to one another.

April 13th Staffs Club Competition

Burton came 6th out of 8.  The competition was judged by Peter Gennard and was won by Tamworth PC, Stafford PS and Cannock PS cam joint second.  

Congratulations to the members whose  work was selected to represent the Society (work was selected by members of the Committee).

MCPF Print and PDI Championships April 2011

Prints

Burton PS came  17th out of 25 with 159 points.  The winners were Smethwick PS followed by Tamworth PC.   
The clubs going forward to represent the MCPF at the PAGB Inter Club Championships at Connahs Quay (October) will be *Smethwick PS, *Arden PG, *Stafford PS, Tamworth PS, Solihull PS and *Worcestershire CC.

PDI

Burton came =20th out of 24 with 150 points.  The winners were Wolverhampton PS and Smethwick PS who share the trophy, followed by Stafford PS in third place.  The clubs going forward to represent the MCPF at the PAGB Inter club PDI championship at Warwick (July 17th) are *Smethwick PS, Wolverhampton PS, Stafford PS.

Clubs with asterisk are at the PAGB print/pdi championships in their own right for finishing in the top eight at the previous PAGB print/pdi championship.  

Congratulations to the members whose  work was selected to represent the Society (work was selected by members of the Committee).

May 5th Print and PDI competition against Lichfield CC.

Burton PS      Prints 165   PDI 172
Lichfield CC   Prints 173   PDI 174

Burton Members top scoring images:
Prints James Woodings The Watch
PDI    Pip Wheatcroft The New Prince

Burton versus Ashby CC

December 1st at Burton PS Judged by Peter Young CPAGB APAGB
Burton Prints 252 Ashby CC Prints 236
Burton PDI    170  Ashby CC PDI 154
Totals Burton 422 Ashby CC 390
Tope Prints - Burton - Canna by Sandie Holyland, Poppies by Jim Woodings, The White Room by Robert Belcher, Ashby CC Memories by Larry South
Top PDI Burton Homeward Bound by Ralph Duckett

Staffs Competition Projected Images Nov 2011

Staffs Club Battle Projected Images held Weds 9th Nov.
The Society came =5th  with Tamworth PC behind Cannock PS, Lichfield CC, Stafford PS, and Leek PC.  There were a total of eight clubs entering this year  Dave Lowe ARPS DPAGB was the judge.
Pip Wheatcroft had the highest score for Burton PS with Surf Action.  

Photographic Awards

Royal Photographic Society - RPS

The RPS holds regular seminars and exhibitions on various photographic topics throughout the country.  They award distinctions and these qualifications are known worldwide as measures of photographic achievement.

Licentiateship - LRPS - 10 prints or slides that are sufficiently varied to show good technical quality, understanding of the use of light, good print quality, variety of treatment and how to select the right view point.

Associateship - ARPS- 15 prints or slides.  You have to show a high level of visual competence, good technical expertise, and sensitive use of light, composition skills and meaningful communication are all prerequisites.

It recognises individuality and sustained ability in the following subjects: Portraiture, Nature, Printing, Slide-Sound Sequences, Theatrical and Wedding, Journalism and Travel, Research.

Fellowship - FRPS 20 prints or slides.  Demands distinguished ability in a specialist field.  Your individual style should be clearly recognised and it should demonstrate excellent communication through your photographs.

Photographic Alliance of Great Britain - PAGB

The CREDIT Award (CPAGB) is assessed against GOOD CLUB PHOTOGRAPHY - Obviously the standard of photography varies considerably from club to club and what is ‘Good’ in one club may not be as successful in another. At the CPAGB level the Adjudicators are looking for photographs that they would expect to do well in the Average Club in domestic and Inter-Club competitions, perhaps representing the Club in Federation competitions.

The DISTINCTION Award (DPAGB) is assessed against OPEN EXHIBITION STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHY - Although there is a much greater commonality of standard at exhibition level there are still variations. Every potential exhibitor has had an image accepted in one exhibition and rejected from the next one. The PAGB Adjudicators are looking for photographs that, in their opinion, would be likely to achieve a high level of acceptance in Open Exhibitions.

The MASTER Award (MPAGB) seeks to recognise the HIGHEST STANDARD OF AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY - The Adjudicators are looking for a very high standard of photography, images which, in their opinion, would enjoy a considerable level of success in International Exhibitions, including consistent and frequent acceptances. Pictures do not require to have been entered or accepted previously in any International but must be of an exceptional standard.

Award for Meritorious Service (APAGB) - Awarded in recognition of a person who has given outstanding service to photographers belonging to member societies of the PAGB.  They will have given their services for a period of not less than 10 years.  Services may have been given in the capacity of a Federation Lecturer or Judge or as an organiser of a regular event at Federation, National or International level.

Federation International de l’Art photographique –FIAP

FIAP Distinctions - there are 7 distinctions for photographic merit:

AFIAP - Artist FIAP  EFIAP- Excellence FIAP

EFIAP/b - EFIAP bronze   EFIAP/s EFIAP silver

EFIAP/g - EFIAP gold  EFIAP/p - EFIAP platinum  

MFIAP - Master Photographer FIAP

AFIAP - Waiting period has been reduced to 12 months after receipt of first acceptance in an approved salon and requires at least 30 acceptances from 10 different works in 10 different * salons in 5 different countries. PAGB have added the requirement for at least one award.

EFIAP - Can be applied for not sooner than one year after the AFIAP, and requires at least a total (including AFIAP) of 150 acceptances with 50 different works in 30 different * salons in 15 different countries. PAGB have added the requirement for at least 5 awards (including AFIAP). * different salons = salons with different names, not merely different years of the same salon.

“Award” = medal, trophy, ribbon, HM, HC etc

British Photographic Exhibitions - BPE

The crown award system is designed to enable successful photographers to gain additional recognition.  Exhibitors are invited to aggregate their acceptances in the affiliated exhibitions and upon reaching the accepted aggregate they apply without charge for a Crown Rating Award.  They will receive a certificate and ribbon and will be entitled to use the letters acknowledging their award after their name.  i.e. BPE 1* or BPE 2* up to BPE 5*.  There are further categories available.  For more information visit their website.

David Harrison CPAGB Exhibition Acceptances
Waiting - Great Barr Exhibition
Irish Rover - Beyond Group Exhibition

External Exhibition News

Gordon Hudson DPAGB Exhibition Acceptances

Barn Owl Hunting - Northern Counties International Exhibition

Barn Owl Hunting - Great Barr Exhibition
Puffin                 - Great Barr Exhibition

MidPhot 2011 Results for Burton Members

Monochrome Prints
Ralph Duckett         The Maize Field
Phil Genders           Talisker Bay
Phil Genders           The Folly
Simon Holyland       Out of the Mist
Simon Holyland       Brash Ice

Colour Prints
Andy Bott                  Antelope Canyon Curves
Ken Bray                  Cycle Stop
Adrian Halford          Dune Sunrise
Ruth Hill                    Painted Fern
Sandie Holyland       Petrification in Progress
Sandie Holyland       Pines in the Mist
Simon Holyland        Dune Walkers
Simon Holyland        Mammoth Terrace
Simon Holyland        Morning Light, Bryce Canyon
Simon Holyland        Evening Light, Mesquite Dunes

Nature Prints
Simon Holyland         Male Great Spotted Woodpecker
Simon Holyland         Puffin     Commended

Projected Images
Steve Bright               KGB
Steve Bright               Out of the Mist
David Harrison           Frosty Morning Walk
Phil Nixon                   Between the Clouds
Pip Wheatcroft           Holly
Pip Wheatcroft           Mastiff in the Making
Pip Wheatcroft           Leucistic Greater Rhea
Pip Wheatcroft           The New Prince
James Woodings       Multiplicity Layla

David Harrison CPAGB Exhibition Acceptances
Waiting - Bromsgrove National Exhibition

Ralph Duckett MPAGB EFIAP APAGB Exhibition Acceptances
Yardley National Exhibition
Out of the Mist - Monochrome Print - Highly Commended

November 2010

Well done to Sandie Holyland who was awarded CPAGB at the adjudications held in November 2010.

October 2010
New member Scott Ager has had an image chosen to represent the Midland Counties Photographic Federation. Scott’s image “Winter Travel” is one of 57 chosen for the MCPF entry in the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain’s Annual Inter-Federation Digital Projected Image competition.  The competition will be judged in October and we will keep you posted as to how Scott gets on. Scott’s image can be seen on the home page of this site or in Scott’s gallery on the members gallery page.

September 2011

Rosemary Mutimer achieved her BPE5* Congratulations

January 2012
Congratulations to Phil Nixon who won the Best Intermediate Worker Trophy at this year’s MidPhot 2012 AV Championships.

Phil’s sequence entitled Hoar Frost at the Arborteum beat 18 other sequences in the Intermediate section.

October 2010
Michael Mutimer has been successful in having his image of the Harvest Mouse “In the Balance” selected for the 2011 Countryfile Calendar.