Last night we watched the Scottish Photographic Federation’s annual presentation of their awards for digital and printed images, both colour and monochrome.
Our member David gave a running commentary on the photos.
SPF Portfolio Evening 2020
Category Archives: News
Speaker: Niall Benvie
We were pleased to have Niall Benvie from near Brechin to talk to us this evening on methods for retaining viewers’ attention for more than 2 seconds – tricky in an era of flickr and instagram.
Niall showed a selection of his works – from wildlife and light-painted landscape presented as “chocolate bar” montages and colour transects to closeups of stones and pebbles; he showed behind-the-scenes of shooting grasshoppers in a light-box and flowers with flash-light in the field, and spoke knowledgeably about blending techniques in Photoshop and other applications as well.
Malcolm Lind (president) and Niall Benvie 
Niall Benvie 
Attentive Audience
Four-Way Battle 2019
Although it was my first time organising such a thing and I was therefore quite nervous, it was a pleasure for PPS to host this year’s fourway competition – the “Fourway Battle” – and to welcome our friends from St Andrews, Glenrothes and Dundee to an evening of friendly competition, excellent photography, fab food and instructive & constructive adjudication from our guest judge, Ian Tully ARPS, CPAGB.
The overall scores were:
- St Andrews 347
- Dundee 345
- Perth 325
- Glenrothes 307
St Andrews Photographic Society are to be congratulated for a well-deserved win and for retaining the title of winner. Perhaps we should discuss with the other clubs the notion of creating an actual trophy!
The standard of all of the clubs’ entries was high, with only two marks between the winners and the runners up, Dundee Photographic Society.
Ian Tully’s informed and constructive comments exceeded our hopes. His perceptive remarks encompassed not only the technical aspects of the photographs, but their composition, form, structure, light – especially light – and the opportunity presented to us all as photographers to tell a story as well as creating pleasing images.
Graham Robb, External Competition Secretary
Photos of the evening (thanks to David Stanghon):
Some of PPS’s entries for the competition:
Common Blue, by Connor McLaren, 2nd 
Sunflowers, by Vicky McNamara, 1st 
R34 Skyline GTR, by Connor McLaren, 2nd 
Bush Tit, by Connor McLaren, 2nd 
Sunset on Central Pier, Blackpool, by Vicky McNamara, 1st
Ian Cameron talk on Nov 28th 2018
Ian’s talk was entitled ‘Transient Light’ (like his book) and we were treated to some stunning examples of Ian’s skill and perseverance, visiting a location until he has captured it in stunning light. Photos by Roben Antoniewicz.
Helen Sloan talk Nov 7th 2018
Helen was a natural communicator, funny but clearly seriously dedicated to her craft. She brought to life what it is like to operate on the set of a major TV production involving actors, extras, crew, horses, mud, rain, more mud … There was something for our photographer members and something for the Game of Thrones fans who joined us for a very special evening. Photos by Roben Antoniewicz.
Dave Hunt talk October 31st 2018
Dave Hunt fascinated us with his range of photographic interests and expertise. We heard about how he uses the Snapseed and Procreate apps on an iPad to try out ideas for his fine art photographs, many of which start life as iPhone captures. He compared this to his Photoshop workflows which he finds more powerful but less creative. Finally he revealed his passion for the wet plate process which he uses to create uniquely timeless portraits of local people. What shone through was the haunting emotive messages he manages to convey through his prints, whatever photographic method he employs. Photos by Roben Antoniewicz.
Jo Cound talk October 2018
Exhibition featured on Perthshire Creates web site
Our 150th Anniversary Exhibition has been featured in the Courier, Perthshire Advertiser and on the Perthshire Creates web site: http://perthshirecreates.co.uk/2017/09/150-years-of-photography-captured-by-perthshire-photographic-society/
Rotary Club Charity Fayre
PSNS and PPS will be represented at the Perth Rotary Club Charity Fayre from 10.00 till 3.00 pm this Saturday August 26th. At our stall we will be selling tickets for Colin Prior on September 22nd and publicising the Societies in general.
Colin Prior Talk on September 22nd
We are delighted to announce that PPS has engaged renowned Scottish landscape photographer Colin Prior to give us a lecture ‘The Living Mountain’ at 7.30pm on Friday 22nd September right in the middle of our Anniversary Exhibition. Colin tells us that he will be showing many previously unseen photographs from the Karakorum Mountains and talking about the four years he has spent visiting them.
Due to the anticipated demand for seats we have booked a larger venue than our usual lecture theatre. St Matthews Church on Tay St has recently been renovated and turned into an impressive venue with state-of-the-art projection facilities.
Tickets are available online at http://pps-colin-prior.eventbrite.co.uk
PPS and PSNS members can buy discounted tickets at £6 (plus booking fee), full price tickets cost £12 (plus booking fee).
Tickets are also available to buy in person at St Matthews Church and e-Computers, 15-17 Kinnoull St, Perth. Tickets will be on sale at the 150th Anniversary Exhibition in 2 High St from September 16th or at the door on the night.
