GNPC

The club’s selection committee is swinging into action again for the final round of the Advanced Photographer’s Camera Club Championship 2012.  Having won the first round of the competition the club went straight through to the finals.  The images for the final are being chosen this week, some of which may be on the thread here.

By David Robbo Roberts

It is testament to the talent and dedication of the club members and committee that we seem to be able to produce a number of high quality images in all categories.  Here’s hoping that in the next few months we are celebrating more national club success.

By Paul Daines

Sat reclining, Homer Simpson style, after all the Christmas feasting most of us would find ourselves in front of the TV on Boxing Day.  I was shaken from my post postprandial slumber when Winterwatch displayed TWO images from GNPC club members on their Christmas Special.

Peter Warne’s image of the Avocets below got a special mention (and he got name checked), so kudos to him:

Peter Warne's Avocets

John Parish’s shot of deer in Wethersfield was picked out (and not criticised) by Chris Packham, so plaudits to him too:

Wethersfield Deer 'Gamboling'

For those of an inquisitive nature the images appear 1hour 20 mins into the programme, which you can check out on iPlayer for the next couple of weeks.  Winterwatch-link.

The Winners from each division, from April to Dec 2011.

Test for video linking to the new GNPC YouTube Channel.

Rock Stars Wanted - Dead or Alive

This shot was taken at Madison Square Garden, New York in February this year. I had treated my partner, Diane, for her 40th birthday and booked a backstage tour, dinner with the crew and ‘pit’ tickets. We were three rows from the front and on the centre aisle, so had the best vantage point to get plenty of shots all evening with an unobstructed view. The shot was taken during “Wanted Dead or Alive” when Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora take centre stage at the beginning and end of the song.

At the end of their 2010/11 tour in July, Bon Jovi announced their “2010 & 2011 Tour Photo” contest. The international competition was open to anyone who had been to their gigs within the timeframe. Only one image was allowed per entry and I think this was my strongest image from the evening. A congratulatory email came through to confirm it had come in 2nd place and  I had to sign a release form so it can be used for any publication. To say we were ecstatic is an understatement!

The winning images were posted on to the Bon Jovi website and also on their Facebook site. At midnight on the day the results were posted the picture had received 2,426 ‘likes’, which was 606 more than the winning image, and hundreds more than 3rd and 4th place. It also received numerous comments asking who the photographer was and if they could buy it!

I can safely say that a lot of elements brought together make this picture a personal favourite for me. Having a reliable, good quality bridge camera (Canon G12), excellent viewpoint and location, and obviously good subject matter! Winning 2nd place and receiving recognition has made an unforgettable trip even more memorable. But part of the success is purely down to right place, right time!

Contribution by Paul Daines

GNPC stalwart, John Parish, has got himself a four-page spread in the current issue of Essex Life.  This showcases John’s talents for taken engaging local images that dovetails perfectly with the magazine’s outlook.  The article includes ten images taken by John and includes a piece outlining how he feels about, and approaches, his photography.

John Parish Essex Life Spread Dec 2011

Earlier in the year the entire club put forward Essex-related images for an article in the magazine, but this is the first time a single member has been showcased.  Well done John.

Please join us and many others as we take part in the world wide walk weekend, on Sunday the 2nd of October. The GNPC walk will start at Old Toms Cabin Shoeburyness at 9am and then finish (1st stage) in Old Leigh Town.

Photo by Leigh Garner

Lunch will taken in one of the pubs in Old Leigh (dare say fish and chips on the menu).

You can then either walk back to Shoeburyness or you can catch the train back to pick up your car.

Please copy the link below and send to as many people as possible. Whilst aimed at photographers it is a great opportunity for a lovely family walk. Please join as a walker on the site and enter intention to join below.

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/southend-on-sea-united-kingdom-uncle-toms-cabin-shoeburyness/