IN FOCUSThe Disabled Photographers’ Society
Summer 2019
Inside this issue. . .
Susie Bennett goes on an adrenaline filled holiday
Julie Pigula visits Bodnant Garden
Chairman Tom explores the Kyle Line
Still life and Macro Photographyat the AGM weekend
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The Disabled Photographers’ SocietyCharity Number 262866 Established 1968
We exist to encourage people with all typesof disability to take up, or continue with, still
photography in its many forms.
Please support us byJoining as a member
Becoming a friend of the society
Donating new or used equipment
Donating Money
Remembering us, please, in your will
We attract and are able to apply for gift aid to taxpayer donations
MembershipThe procedure for membership renewals is as follows:
1. At the begining of each month email reminders will be sent to members whose membership is due to expire at the end of that month, we also send a letter reminder to those members who do not use email.
2. If at the end of that month the member has not renewed, then a reminder letter will be sent at the begining of the following month.
3. If at the end of that month a member has not renewed, their online account will be deactivated and they will no longer have access to their Members’ Gallery account and to the members pages on the website.
Please note that if you intend to renew your membership please do so after recieving the email, as sending a letter is a cost to the society and we want to keep costs down as much as possible.
If you do not wish to renew your membership then please respond to the email by letting me know, which will prevent me from sending you a letter at the beginning of the next month.
RegardsMembership Secretary (Eddie)[email protected]
What do we do?
We offer our individual members adaptations,
equipment, support and advice and we lendequipment free at the point of need. Most important, however, is the opportunity to
contactlike-minded people
We organise an annual exhibition, holidays for
Photography, our own distinctions, regular competitions,
the quarterly magazine In Focusa website and social media
Please help our members
Contact detailsThe Disabled Photograhers’ Society, 37 Orchard Close, New Barn, Longfield, Kent DA3 9BA
Contact; www.the-dps.co.ukemail: [email protected]
Chairman (Tom Molloy)[email protected]
Press and PR (Meg)[email protected]
WebMaster (Tony)[email protected]
EPG (Paul & Sandy)[email protected]
Adaptations (Gillian)[email protected]
Membership (Eddie)[email protected]
Editor (vacant)[email protected]
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Message from theStand-in Temporary Editor
I did not expect to be still editing our magazine, but our new editor has had some urgent medical issues to deal with so here we go again... I am now very used to the software that we use to create each issue, so it is not such hard work for me anymore either, phew!
This issue leans towards something of a travel issue, with hopefully some ideas for you all to get out and about and explore with your cameras.
The summer is approaching fast and there are always some great photo opportunities to be had. Village fetes, carnivals, the seaside – there is an abundance of choice to be had, even if it is the wildlife in your back garden awoken from their winter slumber. Maybe you can attend one of the days out the DPS is planning this year?
The AGM weekend was blessed with fine weather for most of it. The members who came along had great fun with the still life and macro set up, which is reported on in this issue also. It looks like that will be a new feature for future AGM weekends.
As I write this, I am also trying to pack a suitcase, to head off to The Netherlands for the World Para Archery Championships. No I am not competeing. I have a press pass for the event, so hopefully I will have some good shots of my own to share in the next issue.
Tom Molloy Hon FDPS
Contents
4. A Note from the Chairman
6. Susie Bennett travels to Brittany onanadrenalinefilledholiday
10. Quarterly Competition - Results
14. A visit to Bodnant Garden with Julie Pigula
18. The chairman travels to Scotland
22. Still life and Macro at the AGM Agi Ch
23. AGM Weekend activities Meg Jordan
25. Diary dates
Front cover image: A macro image of an upturned tray from a box of chocolatesBy Tim Goldsmith
Above - A macro image from the AGM weekend Steve Carlisle
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A NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMANTom Molloy Hon FDPS
Well my battle with the DWP over my PIP award is dragging on; I am still waiting for a date for the appeal to be heard.
The latest estimate for that is for sometime in July or August. The reason for the long delay is, apparently, that there are huge numbers of people who are also appealing similar decisions!
I know from talking to some of you that there are others out there now starting down the PIP route. My only advice is to get the best help that you can as soon as you can and do not go to or allow them to do an assessment of you when you are on your own, get a witness to be there or go with you.
Motability have been very supportive in allowing me to keep hold of my car until the outcome of the appeal is known, but I must admit the stress of it all is not good for my health and I am sure also the many others in the same boat.
I made two trips to Scotland in the later part of the winter. One was
courtesy of a friend who was holding a party to mark his leaving a high profile job for an even higher profile job within the M.O.D. I am not allowed to say too much about that for various reasons, but it did remind me of an old itch that I have needed to scratch for a long time, a trip along the “Kyle Line”.
The Kyle Line runs from Inverness on the east coast of Scotland to The Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast
and is said to be one of the best or most scenic train rides in the world. There is more on that elsewhere in this issue.
In early March we upped our preparations for The Photography Show to the maximum, sorting out the pile of donated items ready to sell. It takes months of planning to bring everything together in time for the early Friday morning start to put our stand together.
We had all of the bases covered until the opening morning, the Saturday. With about 30 minutes to the doors opening I tested our credit card machine, by trying to renew my own membership. It did not work, so I tried again and again and again. After attempt number 7 I got on the phone to the bank. “Ah easy peasy” said the youthful voice on the help line number. “Just do X and then Y and then Z and that
The early morning Inverness departure board.
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will sort it out”, err no it did not. “Ah....ok....errr try this then...”. No, that did not work either. Promising to get back to me within 10 minutes said youth rang off to obviously consult somebody else.
The doors to the show opened and we were still without a credit card machine and so it remained all day and all the next day too! In this world of 24 hour seven day a week internet banking and commerce almost unbelievably there was nobody in the office who could sort out the problem until Monday morning! I was not amused to say the least.
We lost a fair few high value sales because of that and as a result we did not break any records this year, but we did get close all the same. Thankfully our tame auction house friends, Astons in Dudley, came to the rescue and delivered in good style on several high value items, which almost made up for the card machine debacle.
It took me a few weeks to fully recover from The Photography Show. Like many of the other volunteers on the stand I think that I just run on adrenaline for the 5 or 6
day duration of putting up, opening and taking down the stand.
At least I could then settle down to plan the AGM weekend at a gentler pace.
This year we did something different at the AGM, a still life set up that Tim Goldsmith organised. We were limited in our use of the hall this year too, as a conflicting booking meant that we could not leave our sets out overnight. Literally everything had to be packed away and set up again on the Sunday morning. So I decided that this year we would have to “travel light” with a reduced selection of backdrops and lighting but still enough to do a good job.
The AGM itself was uneventful and took just over half an hour to complete, not quite a record but just a few minutes over. Then it was time to break out the kettle again and the sandwiches. Agi writes elsewhere about the still life set up, so I will let her enthral you with that.
I am now going to the World Para Archery Championships in The Netherlands in early June, I have just had my Media accreditation approved.
Our treasurer Martin Saych is one of the competitors, so hopefully I can get a few shots of my own of him in action, for a future edition of In Focus.
I am also hoping to go to the World Para Swimming Championship in London this September. It was going to be held in Malaysia but a failure on the part of the Malaysian Government to give guarantees saw them stripped of the opportunity and London has stepped in at short notice to host the event.
I have also had my Media reminder about the Invictus games 2020, in The Hague in The Netherlands next year, which I am planning to attend again. If any of you fancy going along too then let me know and we can discuss what is involved and what is expected of you. It would be great to have a few DPS photographers there again.
Right, I am off to pack my suitcase, yet again! Oh and just in case you are worried, no the DPS does not pay for me to attend those events. I have to self fund them, but they can be great events to go to and very inspirational to say the least.
Tom MolloyHon FDPS
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I have enjoyed photography for a couple of years now, and joined the society because I wanted to interact with other disabled people who also have the same passion as I do. I enjoy seeing the world through the lens and it is a chance to take part in an activity whilst on a level playing field with non disabled people.
Over time I have seen improvements with my images and still enjoy the challenge of wanting better.
I have always pushed my own boundaries and challenged myself to try things throughout my life and even now I still live to the full despite getting older and constantly adapt to change.
By Susie Bennett
I met the owners of ineedaholidaytoo.com, Jacqui and Carl Alban, over 10 years ago as they were in the throws of setting up the company. They had a vision to make the impossible possible for disabled people to be able to access the means to go on holiday like everyone else. Hence the perfect company name.
In July 2018 I decided that I wanted a new challenge and a summer holiday that I would remember for a lifetime. I Need a Holiday Too was the perfect company to help me achieve the challenge that I was looking for.
They provide holidays for people with disabilities whether it be a relaxing
time or a holiday for the adrenaline junkie. Based at La Roche-Derrien (Breton: ArRoc’h-Derrien) in Brittany in northwestern France.
From the Gallo-Roman period it became a castle town before a castle was erected in the Middle Ages, with a defensive purpose, to prevent any maritime invasion and to protect the first commercial exchanges.
In 1347, however, during the war of succession to the duchy of Brittany, the troops of Jean de Monfort, allied to the English, won a decisive battle at La Roche-Derrien over those of Charles de Blois, allied to the French. Later the famous Du Guesclin received in reward of
My Travelsto Brittany
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services rendered to the King of France, the lordship of La Roche-Derrien and would have come to settle there.
However, the prosperity of the city remains, considered until the middle of the twentieth century as one of the most active in the historical region of Trégor (Shops, slate, flax work). Its historical and authentic heritage in the heart of a territory with the preserved environment makes La Roche-Derrien, which has a good thousand inhabitants and has been labeled “Small City of Character”, a pleasant stage.
This being my first holiday with them I opted for their adrenaline holiday in Brittany France. Believe me when I say it was the best option for me and an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
During my holiday I had the chance to visit amazing places like The Valley of
the Saints. The Valley of the Saints is unique: it’s a historic site, a land of legends, and the birthplace of incredible monumental sculptures all in one. A feudal moat, a 16th-century chapel and giant statues of Breton saints are found here in the undulating Poher landscape.
The next place I had the pleasure of visiting was The Pink Granite Coast. The seascape here was truly amazing and yes the granite is very pink!! The Pink Granite Coast, so-called because of the colour of its rocks, is one of the most beautiful stretches of Brittany’s coastline. The highlight of the holiday
was when we went to Pointe Roselier. That was the day that I tested myself to the limit, the weather was just perfect to take advantage of taking to the skies. Yes I took off from the cliff and went paragliding, yes you read it right. I took flight and had total freedom flying through the sky.
The Valley of the Saints
The Valley of the Saints
The Pink Granite Coast
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I still can’t believe that I flew to France and then took to the sky through the power of the wind thermals, a special framed seat, a canopy and a team of people who specialise in paragliding.
Everyone thought I would be nervous, although I wasn’t and couldn’t wait to take off from the cliff edge. It was a fabulous feeling to be flying through the sky with the help of the pilot who was controlling both of us. After a short while he allowed me to take control of the ropes and wow my adrenaline was off the scale.
Just as I thought it couldn’t get any more amazing he asked if I would like to do some manoeuvres and of
course my answer was Yes!!!!! Within seconds we were swooping left and right, dropping down low and coming back up. I didn’t want this freedom to stop ever!!!
I had the opportunity to enjoy the local culture by joining the locals, at
Tregastel market. It was full of local produce, amazing clothing and gifts and local artists painting.
Mid week I had the chance to go to see Mercredi en fête in Treguier.
It was an amazing night of live music, dance and
Me taking to the air
Local artists at work
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great food with hundreds of people.
There were lots of things going on in every direction that I looked and the food was amazing. I had a salmon pizza that was gorgeous, followed by ice cream and doughnuts.
Treguier is above the River Jaudy in the Côtes d’Armor department, Tréguier is best known for being the birthplace of St Yves, the patron saint of lawyers. But this attractive ‘little town of character’ also has a splendid cathedral. I love architecture and to be able to see this amazing cathedral in the market square was heaven for me.
Tréguier Cathedral (French: CathédraleSaint-Tugdual de Tréguier) is a Roman Catholic Church and former cathedral in Tréguier, Côtes-d’Armor, France. It is dedicated to Saint Tudwal.
One day we were driving and we came across the Antoine Kito sculpture
Market stall with colourful bags
garden by sheer fluke and I just had to go and investigate. We didn’t know what we were expecting to see and wow I’m so glad we went to have a look. The sculptures were dotted around the gardens and it was free and open to the public. They were all shapes and sizes and very thought provoking.
For more information visit:
Below - A tasty salmon pizza
Above - Antoine Kito sculpture
Above - Dancers
Above -The Cathederal in Treguier
http:www.ineedaholidaytoo.com
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Quarterly Competition
Winning ImagesAspiring CategoryOpen to those members who
have not won any award in any previous annual competition
class or do not hold a distinction such as LDPS, ADPS or FDPS
or similar RPS distinctions. If you enteracompetitionforthefirsttime and we feel that your skill level is above that of Aspiring photographers then you will
be placed in the Experienced Category.
Music To My Ears by Alan Douglas
1st Alan Douglas
2nd Keith Parker
3rd Alan Douglas
Cocktail Waiter by Keith Parker
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Coffee Break by
Alan Douglas
ExperiencedCategoryOpen to all members who have won an award in any annual competition and those who hold an LDPS, ADPS or FDPS or similar RPS distinction or those of a skill level that we feel is above that of the Aspiring Category.
1st Mike Pockney FDPS
2nd Paul Grant
3rd Lee Sutton
Determination by Mike Pockney FDPS
File naming:
Please adhere to the following structure:
E.G.
A_Sunset over the sea_JBlogs
( If you are entering the aspiring class)
Or
E_Mountain view_B Franks
(If you are entering the experienced class)
Please state if you do not wish for your image comments to be published on the website.
You will receive an email confirmationofreceipt.
If you do not get an email confirmationitshouldbeassumed that the images have not been received and you should try again.
The themes are listed in advance. Use your imagination and skills to convey these themes to their best advantage.
Medals are awarded annually to the photographer with the highest total scores in each class league table.
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Aspiring
Alan Douglas & Gordon Eagling
Smooth White Please by Gordon EaglingThe Spoon Whittler by Alan Douglas
Highly Commended
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Experienced
Richard Wiseman & John Peters
Rules of EntryQuarterlyCompetition
Please submit digital JPG images ONLY- You may submit a maximum of 3 images
Image sizes: Maximum size is 1200 pixels on the longestedge.Maximumfilesize of 1.5mb
Images must be submitted by email as an attachment, pleasedonotuseaZIPfile.send to:[email protected]
Lost It by Richard Wiseman
Friendship by John Peters
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My Favourite Garden by Julie Pigula FRPS FDPS
Let me introduce my Labradoodle Bailey, we both enjoy regular walks and rides around Bodnant Garden. I must admit when I first started to have walking problems I never dreamed I would be able to get around any of the National Trust properties and gardens.
However, when my consultant, who was a wheelchair user himself, told me that you could now hire mobility scooters from two of my local National Trust properties, we decided to find out more.
This heralded a new era for myself and my husband, after trying out the scooters at Dunham Massey and Tatton Park we went ahead and invested in one for myself. So back to Bodnant, we returned along with our newly acquired scooter and our miniature Labradoodle, Bailey.
I should point out too that Bailey isn’t an assistance dog (although he tries his best).
Dogs are welcome anytime at Bodnant from Oct until the end of March and
from then on just on a Wednesday evening during the summer months when the garden opens late until 8.00pm and you can bring your dog in after 5.00pm for a Wag Wednesday walk (but please check on the website before visiting ). Assistance dogs are welcome anytime.
I am also a keen photographer and Bodnant is the most amazing place to go if you enjoy taking pictures. It’s not just about flowers and rose beds, there is lots of wildlife, beautiful architecture, waterfalls and all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Welsh
mountains. The garden is open all year round with the exception of a few days over Christmas.
Spring brings not only snowdrops and daffodils but lots of shrubs like the Daphne and Hamamelis bringing a beautifully scented blossom to the garden.
April and the Azaleas and Rhododendrons bring swathes of bright colours to the slopes of the garden. There are lots of beautiful shapes and colours in the new leaves on the trees. May and the spectacular Laburnum Arch starts to
Julie and Bailey
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flower, a curved walk about 55 metres long covered with laburnum which produces a magnificent cascade of long yellow flowers from late May until early June. Summer and the garden is filled with the colours and scents from the rose terrace.
Autumn is also a great time to be out with all the rich autumnal colours of the leaves of the trees along with the late perennials still flowering in the upper terraces. Winter brings snow and frost which bring a whole new dimension to garden photography. Wrap up warm for a trip around the Winter garden
which has been planted to show off winter trees, shrubs and heathers. From the beautiful barks of the Himalayan Birch
tree to the red stems of the Dogwoods. You will be amazed at how much there is to photograph even in the middle of winter.
The Laburnum Arch
Bodnant Garden House and Lily Pond
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Whilst Bodnant does not as yet provide mobility scooters there are several wheelchairs available for hire.
The garden including the car park and entrance to the garden is built on a slope with increasing gradients as you head down to the Dell at the bottom of the garden. The top tiers are on the flat with gentle slopes to each of them but after that, it does get steeper. For people on foot or carers pushing wheelchairs, there are lots of benches and seats to stop, rest and take in the view. You can collect a leaflet as you arrive showing you the suggested disabled routes around the garden which is signposted with a disabled icon. There are also signposts with a red strike through indicating which routes are not accessible for wheelchairs
or mobility scooters. I would advise you to stick to these routes, especially if you are not familiar with the garden’s layout. If you veer from these routes the slopes can get rather steep and there are steps in places.
The Mobility Scooter that I use is a Shoprider
Paris (the same scooter is available under different names) which even though it is only a 4mph buggy has good ground clearance, slightly larger tyres and doesn’t have any problems getting around the garden including down to the Dell, which is a wonderful spot to stop and let the world go by.
A couple of years ago we downsized for a smaller lighter model which whilst it would make it down to the Dell, with less power and skinny tyres I was not that confident how it would get back up again! It was also not very good on grass so I kept to the paths and to the three top tiers of the garden where there is so much to see, anyway the year after I went back to my old trusty Shoprider.
Bodnant Lily Terrace
A rose in Bodnant Garden
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These are just a few of the pictures I have taken over the last couple of years. Most of my pictures are taken from low viewpoints because I am either sat on the ground or in my mobility scooter. Using a scooter or wheelchair gives you a whole new perspective on photography and I find the arms of my scooter provide a brace to help keep my camera steady. I am also at flower
level too which can be an advantage as you can get very close to many of the flowers around the garden without having to bend down. The rose bed on the top terrace is one of my favourite places to take pictures because you can get so close to the roses.
I never get bored with Bodnant, there is always something different to see every time I visit. A lot of
the Flowerbeds change with the seasons and there is always something coming into flower or leaf depending on the season. As a gardener myself I appreciate how well the garden is maintained and the fact that many of the plants and trees are labelled so if there is a specific plant I like I can take a picture of the label and then buy one for my own garden.
Bodnant is truly a garden for all seasons and is accessible for people with mobility problems like myself. I have also been
Bodnant Garden Pin Mill
around a couple more gardens in North Wales which I have found very accessible, Chirk near Wrexham and Plas Newydd on Anglesey. Sadly we are limited to which gardens we visit as a lot of the Trust’s properties are not as dog friendly, but there are more and more each year.
Julie Pigula FRPS FDPS
Bodnant Garden FloraBodnant Garden Acer
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The Kyle Line by Tom Molloy Hon FDPS
Back in the depths of a cold snap in early February I was invited to a party in northern Scotland, by an old flying colleague. Road and air transport was being provided, so it would have seemed churlish to turn it down, despite the freezing weather!
There was not a cloud in the sky all the way there and back and the northern half of the UK looked like a huge sugar frosted cake from 30,000 feet.
It stirred up memories of an unfulfilled tick on my bucket list, to travel along the railway line from Inverness on the east coast to the Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland. It is supposedly one of the most scenic rail routes in the world.
I did not fancy a 950 miles plus round trip by road,
A quick search shows that I can get a direct train to Edinburgh and connect with “The Chieftain” there. My disabled persons rail card gives me a third off for me and a carer, so how much?
Well to go direct from Kings Cross was around £88 for second class and £197 for first Class. Changing from Virgin trains to LNER at Edinburgh was £103 for second class and £182 for first; all of those are advance purchase return ticket prices.
First Class gets you lots of extra perks and more comfy
in mid winter (I am not as young as I used to be you know) so I switched on my computer and looked at the possibility (and the cost) of travelling to Inverness by rail.
There used to be a once a day direct service on the west coast mainline, many years ago, “The Clansman”. Sadly that no longer runs. There is however “The Highland Chieftain” which runs on the east coast mainline. That leaves London’s Kings Cross every day, at about 12 noon, and takes around 8 hours or so to get to Inverness.
The line splits at Dingwall, running along the Cromarty Firth and on to Thurso
A Scotrail train crossing the bridge at Loch Achanalt on the Kyle line
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complimentary drinks and snacks if you want them. I am then collected and taken to my seat on the “Highland Chieftain”.
Just outside of Edinburgh we are served with a choice of dinner. I opted for a chicken chasseur with crushed new potatoes, all washed down with a glass of wine and all included in my ticket price. More free drinks are served all the way up to Inverness, not just alcoholic ones there is also tea and coffee, which all helps to anesthetise my by now stiffening joints. I was so glad that I opted for the comfy first class seats.
Arriving in Inverness I was again taken from my seat and deposited right at the door of a taxi just outside of the station. My hotel was just a £5 ride away and I was soon asleep after a long journey.
for a day return. Now, I just need to think about assistance at the stations. A quick phone call to LNER’s assisted travel phone line and I have help booked at both Edinburgh and Inverness.
So, I set off and arrive in Edinburgh where my LNER assistance helper boards the train and takes me from my seat to the First Class Lounge to await my connection to Inverness. That allows me to digest the brunch, lunch and afternoon tea that I had courtesy of Virgin West Coast. The lounge has more
seats, which is a good idea for an 8 hour plus train journey, so I opted for the £182 total cost return fare for the Virgin train from Coventry to Edinburgh and then the LNER onward to Inverness. A cheap couple of nights at one of the local Premier Inns and all was booked.
Hang on a minute, what about the train ride to The Kyle of Lochalsh? OK switch on the computer again and look up the Scot Rail website. That service is second class only and takes around 2 and half hours each way, costing £17.90 The river Carron near to Strathcarron
The route from Inverness to The Kyle of Lochalsh
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The next morning it was back to the station for the 08.55 departure to The Kyle of Lochalsh. The weather is now a good deal warmer than my last trip to Scotland, but there is still plenty of snow on the mountain tops.
Leaving bang on time our first stop after leaving Inverness is Beauly, which has the shortest platform in the UK at just over 49 feet 3 inches long (15mtrs-ish). It is so short that the two carriage train can only open one door when it stops. At the next but one station, Conan Bridge, the platform is just 1 inch longer and is the second shortest platform in the UK!
After the next stop at Dingwall we head out into the wild country of the Scottish Highlands. Dingwall is where the line divides, one side going to The Kyle of Lochalsh and the other to Thurso and
Wick, the most northerly line in the UK.
The train is well equipped with free WiFi and USB points at every seat to keep your phone charged if you need to, not that a signal is easy to get in places along
the route. I did not take my bulky SLR with me on the train, so I just made do with my phone to take a few pictures, so keeping it charged up is very handy.
Taking pictures through a grimy train window is never a good idea. The train itself is very empty this morning although I understand that at the height of the tourist season it can get very crowded.
As we rattle along the single track we pass numerous lochs and small hamlets dotted along the line, some with Gaelic names that I will not try to pronounce, even after listening to the train guard at each stop announcing the destinations. We also pass several herds of wild deer, with stags sporting some very impressive antlers and all running away from the train.
Considering this is a very modern diesel train, equipped with WiFi, the rail infrastructure along this route is very antiquated. The signals all appear to be of the old semaphore type, raising
Kyle of Lochalsh Station with the Isle of Skye in the background
Loch Garve as seen from the train as the weather improved heading back east to Inverness
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once more deposited with a cheery “We will see you in the morning” right beside a taxi door. They really could not be more helpful.
Such a change from some of the dour looks you get from grumpy station staff in other places.
I have to get up early the next morning and endure a full cooked breakfast, courtesy of the 07.55 LNER southbound “Highland Chieftain”, plus mid morning elevenses, all before we reach Edinburgh. Then it is lunch, afternoon tea and then also dinner, courtesy of Virgin Trains.
My assistance at all stations was again spot on and most helpful, making a long journey so much easier. In fact rail travellers in Scotland only need to give two hours notice of needing assistance to book it, compared to the 24 hours notice required in England. Even then if you just turn up unannounced Scotrail say they will do their very best to help you. I could not
and lowering their arms to allow us to pass along the line.
I don’t know about the claim to being the most scenic rail route in the world, I am sure the Rocky Mountains would beat it, but the scenery is certainly very spectacular, even with today’s unpredictable weather, which gets worse as we go further west.
After following the coast along the side of Loch Carron for about 15 miles, we rumble slowly into Kyle station and the weather is now very damp and grim. The isle of Skye looks anything but inviting today.
I opt for a quick cup of hot chocolate at the station cafe and then get back on the train, ready to retrace my steps to Inverness and the warmth of my hotel room. The weather improves once again the closer that we get to Inverness.
By now I am on very good first name terms with most of the assistance team at Inverness and again I am
fault their service at all.My only regret was not being able to stay for longer but I gambled on it being cold snowy weather, just like my trip a few weeks earlier, which did not happen. Well it is Scotland after all and it is always snowing there, isn’t it? That is the pot luck of buying an advance ticket I suppose. Sadly I need to get back home and get ready for the NEC show.
I often travel up and down to London for meetings by train, so I have had a Disabled Persons railcard for many years and it can easily pay for itself in just one trip. If you have the luxury of picking and choosing your travel times and rail company, especially off peak, then rail travel is a great way to see more of the country. The assistance provided has also improved immeasurably since the days of British Rail, and the catering is now way better too.
Tom Molloy Hon FDPS
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/ Costs £20 a year or £54 for three years. Gives you1/3rdoffyourfareandacarersfaretoo.
https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ For west coast mainline service to Scotland. Journeycare for assistance bookings 08000 158 124
https://www.lner.co.uk/ For east coast mainline services to Scotland. Assistance bookings can be made via this number 03457 225 225
https://www.scotrail.co.uk/ For all other services in Scotland. Assistance bookings can be made via this number 0800 912 2901
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Still life and Macro
PhotographyAt the AGM weekend
By Agi Ch
For the AGM weekend photo shoot this year, it was suggested, just to make a change, that participants would be encouraged to take some still life, close up and macro images.
Tim Goldsmith and myself provided all sorts of different props and equipment. We had a great selection of macro lenses to fit most of the popular camera makes, with adaptors, close up filters, a light tent, light box and tripods for everyone to use. We even had a spare camera to use, for the owners of any cameras the lenses etc did not fit.
To make it all even more interesting a prize of a £50 voucher for the best image was announced, kindly donated by Frame Creatives, and a bottle of Prosecco for the runner up, provided by our chairman.
The competition was fierce and I am pleased to say that
winner was Alan Raymond’s image. He absolutely nailed it by using the bottom of a small crystal bowl as a filter to distort the shapes of Haribo sweets and glass balls placed on the light box. By doing so he created a very colourful and abstract image.Well done Alan!
Thank you to everyone who took images for this little competition. It was great fun and we will certainly do this again next year.
Agi Ch
almost everyone at the two day event took part. At the end of the second day, Tim and I judged the entries. This in all honesty wasn’t easy, as the standard was so high, but we looked for the most interesting and creative use of the given props.
The runner up of the competition was an image taken by Em Theresa, one of the wonderful models present during the weekend. Her image shows an innovative use of props and light and tells a beautiful story. But the
The light box and light tent in action
Left - second place image By Em Theresa
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The overall winning image by Alan Raymond
The 2019 Annual General Meeting was held again at Little Paxton Village Hall, near St Neots, in Cambridgeshire on Saturday 11th May 2019.
The AGM was well attended by both the Committee Trustees and DPS members, who heard reports from the President, Chairman and other contributions. These illustrated that the last year was successful in terms of all the events staged, especially the excellent 50th Anniversary Awards and Exhibition held at the
Ch in securing this venue and catering, organising the judging of the awards and the presentation of the
Library of Birmingham on February 7th. The meeting acknowledged the hard work and enterprise of Agi
And the rest of the AGM weekend?By Meg Jordan
Martin Saych using the lightbox for his macro creation
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exhibition.
Membership numbers are rising steadily. The Chairman commented on how pleased he was that in the 10 years in his role as Chairman, the DPS has been able to keep members’ fees at £10.
Events to be held during the rest of 2019 will be more varied and fundamentally different from the previous format of the studio days. Details will be made available regularly on the website and social media, so look out for these.
Following the AGM, the traditional photo shoot covered the next two days, with models Scarlot, Em Theresa and Tammy offering plenty of photo opportunities with a variety of different outfits and backdrops.
Sunday offered warmer and sunnier weather, allowing some outside shooting as well. Help is always on hand, if photographers need assistance with lighting or any other photographic advice in order to create the best possible shot.
As you will read in Agi Ch’s report on page 22 she and Tim Goldsmith organised a still life competition, which created real interest and enthusiasm among participants to make the best use of the props and
Tammy shooting outside in the sunshine
And inside under studio lighting
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equipment available. This made a welcome addition to the usual activities on offer.
Our thanks must go to Tim Goldsmith for finding this excellent venue for
the DPS, which not only provides ample space for the AGM but also for the photo shoots. There are great catering facilities, so that the delicious buffet, provided by Tim, his wife and mother-in-law, can be
enjoyed to the full, together with the numerous teas and coffees provided during both days. Look out for the famous strawberry sandwiches again next year!
Meg Jordan
Below - Em Theresa on one of the studio set ups Below - Scarlot Rose shooting outside the hall
CALENDAR 2019 DPS Dates For Your DiaryJuly
1st JulySummer QuarterlyCompetition deadlineTheme - Open
September
19th SeptemberA boat trip in Cambridgeshire
October
1st OctoberAutumn QuarterlyCompetition deadlineTheme - The Industrial Scene
31st OctoberDeadline for distinctionssubmission for November panel sitting.
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Do not forget that all DPS members
have an Exclusive Offer of a 40% Discount on the Entire Range From the Vanguard Website!
To avail of this offer you will need to email the DPS chairman to get a code to use on the Vanguard website.
The code will be sent to you by email after up to date membership has been validated by the DPS.Once you have the code to use it you just • Visit the vanguard website
www.vanguardworld.co.uk• Select the items that you want to buy• Proceed to the checkout
• Enter the code you have been given into the box for discount codes on the bottom left and click on apply to get your discount.
Please note this will replace any other offers or sale prices that may apply at the time used and cannot be used in conjunction with them.
The value of the discount may be reduced with 28 days notice from Vanguard to the DPS and the code will also change periodically to prevent possible fraud.
This exclusive offer is available to DPS Members only!
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