FEBRUARY was a very trying month for the Barry Camera Club.

A combination of sicknesses, horrendous weather and the lasting effects of the Covid pandemic have made life difficult for us, but faint heart never won fair lady, as my old Welsh granny used to say. We now hopefully look forward to things resuming some semblance of normality

Our first meeting of the month was held on the 4th where we were scheduled to have a talk on the subject of macro photography, which is the specialised photography of very small items, from Vince Penticost AWPF . Unfortunately Vince had to cancel, so we had an ad hoc meeting where members showed their own work for critique from other members.

February 11th saw the return of former club Chairman Roy Carr AWPF with a presentation entitled “Making Mono”. Roy works in colour and monochrome, but is best known for his high quality Black and white work.

This show consisted solely of a selection of his extensive portfolio of monochrome images in print and digital formats. Roy’s show started with a talk on his presentation of the panel of prints he showed to gain his Associateship from the Welsh Photographic Federation. These were a combination of landscape and seascape shots taken around the UK and Iceland.

He followed this with a show of prints that he compiled after documenting the trials and tribulations of several Welsh sheep farmers over a year and finished up with some stunning landscapes in digital display.

18th January was scheduled to be a talk on Landscape Photography from local photographer Berren Rees who is very active on social media, but Storm Eunice caused a cancellation.

As always the month concluded with our monthly competition night.

On the 25th the judge was Brian Coleman AWPF, AFIAP, APAGP, Hon FWPF.

Brian is an experienced judge who always makes honest and succinct critique. Brian was impressed with the overall quality of the images, making particular comment that not one of the images received a score lower than 14 points. He went on to make the following awards from more than 30 submissions

The winner, with 20 points, was Roger Harrison “Sgwd Yr Eira” a black and white image of the waterfall taken on a very old 5”x4” vintage camera using traditional wet technology film.

Second place with 19 points each went jointly to Heulwen Roberts for her semi-abstract surrealistic shot “The Sky And The Trees” and Tina Haydon for “Cosmos Flower”, a close up natural history shot.

Brian also awarded joint third place (and 18 points each) to Phil Stillman with a beach volleyball action shot entitled “Going For It” and Phillip Kitchen for his shot entitled “Bath Weir”.

Throughout the rest of the year we have a full programme of talks, demonstrations, photographic expeditions, competitions and inter-club battles planned.

March plans include talks from Nick Jenkins ARPS, AWPF and Barbra Archdale-Smith ARPS, AWPF, also a three way battle with Gwynfa and Rhondda camera clubs and a studio based portrait shoot.

New members will be made most welcome, with a programme being prepared especially for the new and less experienced photographers. During the summer we will be holding open days and field trips to encourage people to learn a little more about the art of photography and produce better pictures.

Barry Camera Club meets every Friday evening from 7pm to 9.30pm at St Francis Millennium Centre, Park Road, Barry Garden Suburb, Barry, CF62 6NX.

We are a friendly organisation and new members of all experience and skill levels are always welcome to attend with no obligation to join.

Alternatively visit www.barrycameraclub.co.uk