Portfolios for 2023

Jen Fawkes

I thought I would give you all an update for the plans for this year’s Portfolio projects. There is no doubt that last year was a great success with 17 members finalising their portfolios (and several more that I know wished they had joined in). If you want to have a look at last year’s results, the final portfolio master images and artist statements can be viewed in our Portfolios 2022 gallery.

So what is planned for 2023…

Firstly, ‘What’s good about a portfolio’?

  • Portfolios are a private collection of work based around something you are passionate about. The theme, or topic, has to be something you are interested in. This might be a topic, a technique, a new skill, a documentary or following an event in your community.
  • This is non-competitive so there are no winners, just the best work you can do at the skill level you are at.
  • By sharing your portfolio journey you can get support, advice, education, tips and praise from other members of the club
  • and… if all goes well, you get a nice certificate of achievement at our end of year dinner.

This year we will relax a few rules and expand some opportunities.

Some things stay the same… you will need to come up with a theme that you will base your portfolio on, and start collecting images that tell the story you want to share. You will need to take a number of images (between 10-25) that sit within your theme and you will still need to write some form of artist statement.

And some things will be different… How you present your portfolio is only limited by the capacity of your imagination and creativity – think photobook, poster, printed on wood, as an AV, written as a story, put to music, as a jigsaw… the creative possibilities are endless. If you just want to make a master image – that’s fine too!

Our first get together will be in April (I will be away for most of March) and will be an in-person session at our usual venue. The date is to be confirmed. We will look at last year’s portfolios, discuss what was good/difficult, what worked and what did not, and I will share the process and rules for this year’s activity.

For now, get your thinking caps on, and start to think about what you might use as your theme and envision what the end result might be. Try not to leave everything to the last minute but start with a plan, and work on this throughout the year.

I’ll see you all in our group meeting in April. If you have any questions or concerns just ask.

Sandridge Lookout outing – Saturday 18th February 2023

Jennifer Sui

I hope you all had a great start of 2023 and now it is time for our first outing of 2023!

We are going to Sandridge Lookout in Port Melbourne to capture sunrise, followed by a breakfast at Local Rules Coffee Roasters to give us a chance to catch up!

Date: Saturday 18th February 2023
Time: 6:10am (ready for 6:52am sunrise)
Location: Sandridge Lookout, Port Melbourne
Camera gear: Camera, tripod, 70-200 cm lens or similar. (filters optional!)

Please RSVP by 16th February by replying to the email sent to members.

Image: Anne-Marie Anderson

February 2023 ‘Scapes’ results

Stephen Edmonds

Judge: Barry Feldman

Set subject EDI

John Crawford - Golden Melbourne at Dusk
Intermediate: John Crawford – Golden Melbourne at Dusk

Tuck Leong - Dune Tree 2
Advanced: Tuck Leong – Dune Tree 2

Open EDI

Michael Silverstein - swallow in the shade
Intermediate: Michael Silverstein – swallow in the shade

Tuck Leong - The Catch
Advanced: Tuck Leong – The Catch

Open Print

Leanne Poole - Ahhh the serenity
Intermediate: Leanne Poole – Ahhh the serenity

Geoff Shaw - Taj 3
Advanced: Geoff Shaw – Taj 3

Set subject definition:

An image featuring an expansive view. Generally a scape could be defined as a “vista” or a “broad view” of the subject.
Landscape – A landscape is a picture of natural inland scenery displayed in a pictorial fashion. It may include evidence of man, people, animals and even part of the sea provided that none of these dominate the picture.
Seascape – A seascape is a photograph of natural coastal scenery, a wave study or a picture of the open sea. People, boats and items related to these may be present as incidental items in the picture.
Cityscape – The urban equivalent of a landscape, a cityscape depicts the built form and shape of a city or town (or one of its parts) through general or broad views of buildings and/or streets. Architectural detail images of one or more buildings are not considered cityscapes.
(Vigex 2022 definition)

Creative competitions in 2023

Geoff Shaw

As communicated last year, we have moved the “creative EDI” competition from the main competition nights. We did this because in months where we had an additional Creative section the number of images to judge was getting to be a significant burden on the judges, and the extra images were making for an overlong competition night.

This year we will be running the Creative EDI competition in conjunction with the “Creative Special Interest Group” meetings, which I am convening in 2023. These meetings will be held every second month by zoom and are open to all members of the club, whether or not they have expressed a specific interest in joining the Creative SIG.

The competition judging will be run at the very start of the meeting – I expect a start about 7:30 PM with a brief introduction then the images and judge’s comments will be finished before 8 PM after which we will move on to the rest of the Creative SIG meeting, so those who want can join for the judging and exit or stay with the meeting for longer if they wish.

Creative image entries due Judging and Creative SIG NOTES
Tuesday, 31 January 2023 Tuesday, 14 February 2023 Judge: Heather Prince
Tuesday, 28 March 2023 Tuesday, 11 April 2023 Judge: TBA
Tuesday, 30 May 2023 Tuesday, 13 June 2023 Judge: TBA
Tuesday, 11 July 2023 Tuesday, 8 August 2023 WCC-Geelong Creative interclub comp.
Tuesday, 26 September 2023 Tuesday, 10 October 2023 Judge:TBA

Further information and the 2023 creative competitions schedule.

Portfolio Project for 2022

Jen Fawkes

Congratulations to everyone who joined in the Portfolio project for 2022. As mentioned at the awards night, the outcomes of this project far exceeded any of my expectations, and the result is 17 outstanding portfolios. I have enjoyed watching the development of ideas, the sharing of images and statements, and final results are something to be proud of.

Thank you to the committee for embracing something ‘different’.

Here is the list of members who were successful in achieving a 2022 Portfolio Distinction:

Tim Keane - Bunjil Place

Thank you for a great 2022!

Ian Coombs

What a year it has been, so many workshops, outings, lots and lots of images, what more in life could we want!!

Last night was the Annual Presentation Night, with many highlights, some being:

  • Paul Spence, became a life member
  • Jennifer Sui was top aggregate scorer
  • Portfolio distinctions were awarded
  • Judges Christopher Ian & Mandarine Montgomery, gave insightful comments, and answered many questions informally
  • Lots of door prizes won, with very happy recipients
  • A very social time was had by all.

On behalf of the committee, have a wonderful and safe festive season, see you all next year with our first event a BBQ on 10th January 2023 at Brickmakers Park.

End of Year Results 2022

Stephen Edmonds

End of year competitions

Judges: Mandarine Montgomery and Christopher Ian

Best Print

Vicki Moritz - Acheron tree

1st – Vicki Moritz – Acheron tree
2nd – John Noble – Black Shouldered Kite nest building
3rd – Tim Keane – September Blossom

Best Colour EDI

Rebecca Kashyap - Path to Fuji san

1st – Rebecca Kashyap – Path to Fuji san
2nd – Sim Chong – Sand Forest Explorers
3rd – Felix Shparberg – Flying food

Best Monochrome EDI

Trace O'Rourke - Isolated

1st – Trace O’Rourke – Isolated
2nd – John Crawford – High Fashion Hire Wire
3rd – Sim Chong – Hallway

Best Creative EDI

Sim Chong - Alone

1st – Sim Chong – Alone
2nd – Trace O’Rourke – Home Made
3rd – Steve Hilton – Eggsistential Crisis

Aggregate awards

Open Print – Advanced

1st – Vicki Moritz – 22 points
2nd – Felix Shparberg – 18 points
3rd – Trace O’Rourke – 15 points

Open Print – Intermediate

1st – John Noble – 22 points
2nd – Jenny Hartman – 17 points
3rd – Jennifer Sui – 15 points

Set Subject EDI – Advanced

1st – Sim Chong – 23 points
2nd – Jen Fawkes – 16 points
3rd – Steve Hilton – 14 points

Set Subject EDI – Intermediate

1st – Jennifer Sui – 20 points
2nd – John Crawford – 17 points
3rd – Colleen Singleton – 16 points

Open EDI – Advanced

1st – Rebecca Kashyap – 22 points
2nd – Dianne Willis – 21 points
3rd – Alan Bennett – 16 points

Open EDI – Intermediate

1st – Jim Thorne – 16 points
1st – Jennifer Sui – 16 points
1st – Leanne Poole – 16 points

Creative EDI

1st – Sim Chong – 7 points
1st – Jennifer Sui – 7 points
1st – Helen Warnod – 7 points

Top Scorer (across all sections and groups)

Jennifer Sui – 58 points

President’s trophy

Phillip Harris - Happiness
Phillip Harris – Happiness

Monthly competitions in 2023

Stephen Edmonds

February – Scapes

Judge: Barry Feldman
Entries due: Tuesday 10 January 2023
Judged: Tuesday 7 February 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: An image featuring an expansive view. Generally a scape could be defined as a “vista” or a “broad view” of the subject.
Landscape – A landscape is a picture of natural inland scenery displayed in a pictorial fashion. It may include evidence of man, people, animals and even part of the sea provided that none of these dominate the picture.
Seascape – A seascape is a photograph of natural coastal scenery, a wave study or a picture of the open sea. People, boats and items related to these may be present as incidental items in the picture.
Cityscape – The urban equivalent of a landscape, a cityscape depicts the built form and shape of a city or town (or one of its parts) through general or broad views of buildings and/or streets. Architectural detail images of one or more buildings are not considered cityscapes.
(Vigex 2022 definition)

March – Shadows (monochrome)

Judge: Theo van der Meulen
Entries due: Tuesday 7 February 2023
Judged: Tuesday 7 March 2023
Sections: Monochrome open print
Monochrome open EDI
Monochrome set subject EDI
Set subject definition: The shadow(s) is the main feature and the cause of the shadow may be included but must not be dominant.
(modified from SAPF)

April – Motion/movement

Judge: John Chapman
Entries due: Tuesday 7 March 2023
Judged: Tuesday 4 April 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: This subject covers the full range of techniques to indicate the state of moving including Intentional Camera Movement, long exposure and light trails
[1] Of people – encompassing, but not limited to, dancing, ballet, sport, callisthenics or gymnasium.
[2] Of things – an image in which our visual sense tells us that the subject is moving eg waterfalls, panning traffic, motor sports.
[3] Of fauna – capturing all forms of movement on land, in water and in the air. The sense of motion may be added in post processing
(modified from APJA & SAPF)

May – In the City

Judge: David Norris
Entries due: Tuesday 4 April 2023
Judged: Tuesday 2 May 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: Images taken in any major city of the world. The image must include iconic, characteristic, distinctive and recognisable physical features although it is not necessary the image identify the exact location. Images that predominantly or exclusively depict people and their activities must illustrate a distinctive aspect of the city, country, region or continent. There are no limitations on processing techniques.
(Partially taken from the PSA 2023 travel definition)

June – Portrait (Human or Animal)

Judge: Craig Wetjen
Entries due: Tuesday 2 May 2023
Judged: Tuesday 6 June 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: Where the character of the subject/subjects or the character being portrayed by the subject is made evident by suitable lighting, pose or expression. Costume, props or scenery are acceptable aids.
(SAPF)

July – Macro / Close-up

Judge: Trish McKeown
Entries due: Tuesday 6 June 2023
Judged: Tuesday 4 July 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: An image that shows a subject closer and in more detail than we are used to seeing in everyday life.

August – Autumn

Judge: Mario Mirabile
Entries due: Tuesday 4 July 2023
Judged: Tuesday 1 August 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: An image in which the dominant content is associated with the season of Autumn.
(APJA)

September – Cemeteries (monochrome)

Judge: Mandarine Montgomery
Entries due: Tuesday 1 August 2023
Judged: Tuesday 5 September 2023
Sections: Monochrome open print
Monochrome open EDI
Monochrome set subject EDI
Set subject definition: Images taken in a cemetery. There are no limitations on editing.

October – A pop of colour

Judge: Tony Knight
Entries due: Tuesday 5 September 2023
Judged: Tuesday 3 October 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: An image where the main feature/subject is a dominant colour. When a singular/dominant colour stands out from the background, eg the colour of a subject stands out from its background, it “pops”

November – Plants and Fungi

Judge: Jeffrey Nankervis
Entries due: Tuesday 3 October 2023
Judged: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Sections: Open print
Open EDI
Set subject EDI
Set subject definition: Images of plant life. Plants include flowers, trees and in this case fungi (which are not formally plants). There are no limitations on editing eg this is not following the nature definition.

December – End of year

Judge: Tony Harding
Entries due: Tuesday 31 October 2023
Judged: Tuesday 5 December 2023
Sections: Open print
Colour EDI
Monochrome EDI
Creative EDI
President’s trophy