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.
Great Notley Photography Club have been very fortunate in the competitions it has entered so far. Last year saw the fledgling club win the Club Challenge in DLSR User Magazine, and the North Essex Digital Projected Image Trophy 2010. The penance for winning the NEDPI competition is that the club who wins has to host the event and the GNPC committee and ‘volunteers’ took on this challenge this year.
On Saturday evening 12 Essex photography clubs gathered to have 5 images judged by Barbie Lindsay, EFIAP, MPAGB, FBPE. There was live music, provided by Logan’s Station and raffle prizes up for grabs but the main event was the pride at stake for the clubs. Amazingly, GNPC triumphed again, narrowly beating Colchester Photographic Society and Braintree Camera Club. The penance is that we have to hold the event again next year!
GNPC Images for the NEDPI 2011
Thanks go to all the organizers and volunteers that set up and produced a fantastic spread for half-time. Logan’s Station were great and Barbie is a great judge (obviously). Onward and upward for the GNPC.
Hazy Days and Drenched Feet
GNPC members joining the Worldwide Photographic Walk on Sunday 2nd October couldn’t quite believe their luck with the unseasonably warm weather as they set out from Uncle Tom’s Cabin at Shoeburyness heading for Old Leigh. There was plenty on offer to photograph on the way, and as the temperature rose, and the beach began to fill up, members made a pit stop at the Ocean Bar for some much needed refreshment and to check their cameras for their best shots so far.
The few die hards that didn’t melt into a puddle along the Golden Mile, made it to Old Leigh in time to take some panoramic shots of the huge, sun-loving crowd that had lined up on the sea wall to soak up some of the party atmosphere.
After lunch, the journey continued on to a busy skate park where young skateboarders and bmx riders proved to be willing models for the four intrepid members remaining.
Last man standing, Mark Edwards, rounded off the day with some shots of the sunset from the beach at Shoeburyness.
Here are some of our members’ shots from the day:
Contribution by Claire Bent-Marshall
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/
Following a talk given by Peter Warne to the Club in June entitled “A walk on the wild side” which related to the wildlife of Epping Forest, the club decided it would be a good idea to arrange an outing to the Forest with Peter as our guide. On Saturday 17th September at 10am, 10 members of the Club met at Jack’s Hill Car Park in Epping Forest, all armed with cameras, tripods and an enthusiasm to learn about the forest. Within 5 minutes of starting our walk we were not disappointed as we encountered over 5 different varieties of fungi and straight away the group started getting out their gear to make a permanent record of the various species. Members were lying, sitting, standing, crouching, with tripods, without tripods, with flash and without flash and all snapping away trying to capture the life of the forest. Throughout the day as we encountered items of interest our guide, Peter, kindly provided a detailed commentary relating to the habitat and whatever we had found.
Later on in the morning we visited the Deer Sanctuary but a decent zoom lens was needed and some slightly better lighting conditions, although we were lucky to see many stags that are likely to be getting ready for the rutting season next month. Peter showed some of us a shortcut to the Park but sadly some of the group had been separated and had to rely on instructions from me on how to get there, luckily disaster was averted as Peter kindly walked back to find them. After what seemed a lengthy break for lunch we proceeded back to the car park and on the way continued to find interesting subject matter. The stinkhorn that we had visited earlier in the day had been almost been eaten completely by the flies by the afternoon and this was a fascinating find. Sadly we also saw evidence of Fungi Rage as many of the lovely fungi we had seen and capture earlier by the pathside including two beautiful shaggy inkcaps had been destroyed probably by human feet playing football.
What amazed us all is that we didn’t have to walk far to find interesting subjects to photograph and the 7 hours we spent in the Forest seemed to have flown by. We had all learnt a significant amount about the plant life in the Forest and how closely linked the fungi are to the continued development of the forest. This is a venue that is definitely worthy of another visit perhaps in the Autumn for the rutting of the deer and the change in colour for the leaves.
Our thanks especially go to the patience and knowledge of our guide Peter Warne. Here are some of our members’ photos from the outing:
![\](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6158321426_572bdf487f_s.jpg "\")
This is a must if you want to be inspired. Russell and Barbie are from the East of England area and members of the well respected Beyond Group.
With more letters after their names than there are in the alphabet, they have a wealth experience and inspiration.
So if you want to be inspired and get a flavour of their photography, go to their websites www.barbielindsay.co.uk/ and www.russelllindsay.co.uk/
See you at the Church Hall Thursday evening 7.45 for 8, the best seat go first
On Thursday 11th August, the GNPC descended upon Colchester town for another of its evening walks. Kindly arranged by Lisa, the evening’s theme was ‘Pink’, ‘Stone’ and ‘Circle’. The small contingent of members met at St.Mary’s car park, then headed off through the grounds of the Church to explore further.
The early rain showers passed, and the group made its way to the old Castle grounds. Though the summer evening wasn’t as bright as one might hope, the town and gardens were awash with colour from the multitude of flower beds and hanging baskets.
The evening light was all too quick to fade within the grounds of the Castle, yet the High Street became more vibrant as the night closed in, with its illuminated architecture and the neon signs advertising the shops & bars.
Many thanks to Lisa for arranging the outing, and NeilW for writing the whole thing up for us.
Here are some of our members’ shots from the walk:
GNPC is affiliated to the PAGB through the EAF.
We meet at The Church in Great Notley, Bridge End Lane, Great Notley, CM77 7GN on Thursday evenings at 7:45pm. See the meetings page for a map. Or Email Us for more information.
