[QueensPhoto] wintry things and important info

[O.J. Beardon]

Dear Friends,

I hope you have managed to sleep off that energy deficit after the term, 
and indulge in some good wholesome food!

Winter is often underrated for photography, but I know that some of my very 
best photographs have been taken at this time of year, for the landscape, 
nature and abstract stuff I enjoy the light this time of year is wonderful 
- warm, low, and full of atmosphere. When there's light at all that is. Do 
make the most of it, it doesn't matter much what you're shooting. If you 
want a theme, and I know some of our new members would, Light would be a 
good one. It's about time we had a proper discussion about something, I 
think we've had light before but nothing ever came of it. If you fancy 
another, please do suggest it!

Talking of themes, it would be nice to run some workshops too, and 
following this term's excitement with the RAG naked calendar, would anyone 
like to do a workshop on nude and figure photography? One of our old 
members, Duncan Grisby, who runs the mailing list and website 
(www.queensphoto.org if anyone hasn't checked it out yet) is an expert in 
this area and has kindly offered to do a workshop on it. He is also 
familiar with the darkroom side of things, so if you need a hand or an 
introduction, he would be a good one to contact.

Last summer saw the second QCPS annual exhibition in Cripps hall and it 
went down very well with the whole college, there was one little problem 
however: who goes to the buttery in the summer term when there is Erasmus 
lawn for picnics? The point of having an exhibition is for it to be seen 
and enjoyed, which it was, but not nearly enough. So this year, we will 
abandon May week to the millions of other attractions and bring it forward 
to this coming term. I brought this idea up at the Creative Arts committee 
meeting and it was generally approved of. What do you think? The Art 
society will also be having an exhibition too which I think will be in the 
first half of term, so ours would be in the second half and maybe on into 
the summer term too if it is popular. Putting on an exhibition is a big job 
- getting the printing done at the Architecture dept, ordering and 
collecting backing, sizing, cutting mounting, getting money from college, 
etc. etc. an so far I have done the most part entirely on my own. I will 
need some help please, especially as I have no time to even think this 
year. For those of you not in your third year, it might just be a nice 
creative break from Lent term drudgery.

Which brings me on to a very important issue which you all need to 
consider. I have been President, Secretary and Treasurer of this society 
for two years now, and it's been a lot of fun, but the time has come to 
abdicate. I simply don't have the time to give the society, that's you, the 
attention it deserves. (I expect you've noticed that this term!) There has 
to be a president, secretary and treasurer (or just a dictator - I staged a 
coup) to maintain our society status, so consider nominations for those 
posts open, and we should have it sorted by the end of this term. You will 
get to have lunch with the president every term! Tempted?

I'm not sure if anone has seen this year's Wildlife Photographer of the 
Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London? I have been every 
year for several years now and it really is the most beautiful and 
inspirational thing I have ever seen. I recommend you go. Students get in 
for £3.50 I think. WELL worth it. I will be going on the 27th 28th or 29th 
of December, and it would be great if we made this a 'visit'. If anyone 
would like to join me let me know. It also tours around, so if you can't 
make it to London, do check the NHM website to see where.

Sorry this is so long, well done if you've got this far, but this is quite 
important stuff.

Have a lovely Christmas and a good break from work if you can. And get 
shooting for the exhibition, it ain't so far away!

Oliver