Thursday, December 13, 2007

THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL AUDIO VISUAL YOUTH COMPETITION


The Royal Photographic Society has today announced the launch of a new youth photography competition, aimed at young people under the age of 25.

The competition, known as IRIS-25 (The International Review of Images with Soundtrack for Under 25 year olds) is designed to promote and encourage the interest and growth of Digital Audio Visual photography among young people. The deadline for entries is 21st April and free software to assist in creating the increasingly popular sequences has been kindly provided by Igor Kokarev of the Pictures to Exe Software company [1]. Entry forms can be downloaded from http://www.iris-25.org/ .

Far from being the death of photography, digital technology has meant that a much wider audience is now able to enjoy the art form in an ever increasing capacity, which is especially true of the younger generations. In so many ways children have become tainted by overexposure to electronic entertainment, television, video games and the ubiquitous presence of the internet – but IRIS-25 aims to highlight some of the more positive effects that the digital age has had, and can have on young people.

This new initiative aims to introduce a younger generation to the exciting and creative world of Digital Audio Visual Photography, through which they are able to creatively link music, narrative and visual images. Graeme Paton, Education Correspondent at the Telegraph newspaper recently reported that A-Level candidates are increasingly concentrating on courses such as media studies and photography because they lead directly to a job. With Digital AV having become somewhat of a new buzz word in the photographic community at the moment, the new venture provides the perfect platform for schools and universities to incorporate an interesting and worthwhile project for pupils to work towards and which helps them express themselves practically and creatively. The best learning undoubtedly takes place in an atmosphere of curiosity and excitement which is what the RPS aims to help provide with IRIS-25.

“The production of AV sequences involves many skills useful in modern life, and can benefit the workers and leaders of tomorrow, teaching them to communicate, not only visually but also verbally; to look, listen and understand; and to express their ideas creatively with skill and sensitivity. There is too much emphasis on speed and not enough time to pause and reflect these days, and it is my hope that the new IRIS-25 competition will encourage children and young people to stop, take a collection of still images and use them to communicate their ideas in the form of AV sequences”
Maureen Albright ARPS - Organiser

The closing date for entries is 21st April and judging will take place on 21st June at Aldbourne Memorial Hall, Wiltshire. The entry categories are:


· Single author under 16 years old (prize - £100)
· Single author aged 16 to 24 years (prize - £150 + Pollock Medal)
· Group entry – by young people aged under 16 (prize - £100)
· Group entry - by young people aged 16 - 24 years (prize - £150)
A Special Prize will also be awarded to the school or college with the maximum number of entries

For further information or to receive free/discounted AV software please contact Maureen Albright: 01672 540 754 / Maureen@maureenalbright.com
For further press information or visuals please contact Emily Mathewson: 0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com
[1] Please contact Maureen Albright if you wish to receive the free key to PTE software to enter this competition – Maureen@maureenalbright.com
Photodex, the company which produces Proshow Gold has also made available vouchers for a 20% discount on their software

Friday, October 19, 2007

The Royal Photographic Society Workshops November 07 – February 08

The Royal Photographic Society Workshops November 07 – February 08

All workshops are open to non-members and members of The Society.
To find more information and comments about the courses please visit www.rps.org and go to http://www.rps.org/workshops

Most workshops are held at the RPS headquarters in Bath unless otherwise stated. To book a place please: Tel: 01225 325733 and E-mail: reception@rps.org



Children’s Photographic Workshop – in conjunction with Ansford Community School
10.00am – 3.30pm Tuesday 30th October, 2007
Taking digital photographs using compact cameras and creating templates with PhotoShop Elements to be transferred onto mugs, T-Shirts or mousemats. Supported by the Eric Freeborn Estate in conjunction with Ansford Community School
£20 + £3

Landscape Photography with Ron Pybus ARPS, MA, AMPA, ASWPP DipPP
11.00am – 5.00pm µ Saturday 3rd November, 2007
For beginners or those with some Digital SLR experience, this course will give you an understanding of Landscape photography by guiding you through the practicalities of a location shoot, knowledge of equipment as well as looking at composition. You will learn how to find locations, plan and research a shoot. You will be taken out on location in the Wiltshire countryside (weather permitting) followed by a feedback session of your work and discussion. This course will take place in West Ashton, Nr Trowbridge, Wiltshire £40

Advanced Digital SLR, Lightroom and Photoshop
10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November, 2007
This 2 day workshop is designed for those who wish to build upon their existing knowledge and experience of PhotoShop. It is ideal for anyone requiring knowledge on photo manipulation for work, those branching into a career in photography, or semi professionals and creative amateurs. £145

Introduction to your Digital SLR – Ross Curzon-Butler BA
10.00am–5.00pm µ Saturday 10th November, 2007
10.00am–5.00pm µ Saturday 5th January, 2008 – John Roe ARPS
A one day course to help you with the basic functions of your SLR camera, this will include F-stops, shutter speeds, and ISO settings. At the end of the day your images will be looked at by the tutor who will give advice and support on how to develop your picture taking skills. £75 /£85 (2008 increase)

Studio Portraiture - Chris Burfoot ARPS
Sat 10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November 2007
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April 2008
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May 2008
This course will be held at Lacock, Wiltshire
Day 1 Starting from Scratch
Aimed at photographers with little or no studio experience. The principals of using studio flash in the portrait environment will be discussed, showing how impressive results can be achieved with minimum equipment. Everyone who attends will have the chance to shoot their own pictures with a live model.
Day 2 Intermediate
For those with more than a basic understanding of the equipment and techniques or those who have completed day 1. Participants will be shown how more advanced lighting techniques can produce better results.
1 day £65 - both days £120

Choosing and using a digital camera – Nick Holloway
10.00 – 4.30pm µ Saturday 17th November 2007
One day workshop looking at different types of digital cameras available and the information needed to choose the best camera according to individual needs. Gaining hands on experience of different makes and models of compact and digital SLR cameras. Including an overview of the possibilities for digital image manipulation using Adobe Element. £40

Beginners SLR Digital Photography and PhotoShop CS - John Roe ARPS
Sat 10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November, 2007
For those with basic or no understanding of their SLR digital camera but wanting to learn more about its functions: F-stops, shutter speeds and ISO settings, composition and creative picture taking. The workshop will also provide hands-on tuition with PhotoShop CS. This course will suit those who use PhotoShop on a professional basis and also creative home users. £145

Documentary Photography Series for Beginners – Street Photography - Jo Murphy MA
Sun 12.00pm–7.00pm µ Sunday 2nd December, 2007
This new and exciting course will provide a structured exploration of the subject of documentary photography, enabling you to grasp a method of photography that seeks to record, investigate and comment on people and situations. £80

Colour Management with Rob Griffiths from The Colour Collective
Wednesday 10.00 – 4.00pm µ Wednesday 5th December 2007
For those with digital cameras or digital capture from film who are displaying images on screen and printing to desktop inkjet, and want to have colour consistency across their workflow. Suitable for those experienced with handling images on computers whether professional or amateur photographers. You will leave with a full understanding of colour management as it pertains to photographers. £55

New! Adobe Lightroom – An Overview with Geraint Cunnick MA
10.00am – 5.00pm µ Saturday 12th January, 2008
For those with some DSLR & PhotoShop experience or serious amateurs looking to improve your digital photography workflow using RAW files. Looking at the Lightroom interface, file management, screen presentation and output. £85

Compact Camera Course for Beginners – Ross Curzon-Butler BA
Sat 10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th January 2008
A workshop for all those who wish to learn how to use their compact digital camera and the basics of PhotoShop Elements. The first day will be spent learning about the functions and settings of your digital camera. The second day will concentrate on downloading images onto a computer, opening, storing and basic manipulation of images. A fun but informative workshop to get you going. Although this workshop is designed specifically for Compact cameras if you would like to attend using an SLR please contact the tutor at jroe@omniproductions.co.uk £145




Digital Monochrome, Toning and Tinting Lecture - Tony Worobiec FRPS
10.30am–4.00pm µ Saturday 26th January, 2008
Tony Worobiec FRPS will demonstrate the different ways to produce a digital monochrome file from a variety of sources. He will also be showing ways of achieving litho effects digitally. This will be followed by a demonstration of printing techniques using both colour dye and black pigment inks along with digital toning and 'hand tinting' effects. £55

Introduction to PhotoShop CS – Ross Curzon-Butler BA
Sat 10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd February, 2008
2 full days learning the different aspects of PhotoShop CS. This course is ideal for those with little or no experience with this industry recognised software package. £155

Contemporary Photography Talk – Richard Sadler FRPS
10.30-4.00pm µ Wednesday 6th February, 2008
Richard Sadler FRPS, Chair of The Royal Photographic Society’s Contemporary Group sets out to introduce a history of contemporary photography by looking at key figures in this genre, past and present from Bill Brandt through to Martin Parr. Elaborating on what constitutes past and present contemporary photography, he will also draw attention to the way in which technology influenced the genre. The current effect and boom in digital imagery and the recognition of photography as a legitimate Art form. £25 incl. Lunch

New! Getting the most from your Digital Camcorder – Ross Curzon-Butler
10.00am – 5.00pm µ Saturday 9th February, 2008
A fun and informative course for those with a digital camcorder who wish to learn more about narrative, scene composition, white balance, shutter speeds and F-stops. The course will also touch on the basic principles of 3 point lighting, sound recording and preparing for an edit. Suitable for people with little or no knowledge about how to get professional results from their consumer Digital Camcorders.
Please note that this course is specifically designed for consumer digital cameras, however should you wish to use a professional level camera please contact ross@omniproductions.co.uk £85


Advanced PhotoShop – Frank Menger MA
Sat 10.00am–5.00pm, Sun 10.00am–4.30pm
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March, 2008
This 2 day workshop is designed for those who wish to build upon their existing knowledge and experience of PhotoShop. It is ideal for anyone requiring knowledge in photo manipulation for work, those branching into a career in photography, or semi professionals and creative amateurs. Onone’s Plug-In Suite 3 will also be included. £155


For updates and further workshop details visit: http://www.rps.org/workshops

Monday, October 15, 2007

THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY INTRODUCES THREE NEW YOUTH BURSARIES TO SUPPORT YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS


The Royal Photographic Society (http://www.rps.org/) is very pleased to announce a major new initiative in offering a range of different bursary schemes for the benefit of young image makers. These have been made possible by funding from a number of different sources that include: income from The Society’s investments, legacies, and a generous donation from the photographic industry (Genix Imaging). They will be available for members and non-members and three types are currently on offer:

1. To support professional or potential professional photographers in commercial photography. This Jeff Vickers FRPS Genix Imaging Bursary (http://www.genix.co.uk/) is in support of young photographers (up to the age of 30) who are in commercial professional practice or who can demonstrate that they will become involved (excluding photojournalism which is covered by The Joan Wakelin Award).

2. To support postgraduate students undertaking photographic research or studying Masters courses in photography. These Postgraduate Bursaries are open to bids from Course Leaders of Masters courses or Research Directors in Photography at UK Colleges and Universities for nominating students, no more than one per institution.

3. To enable young photographers to attend selected Society Regional and Group events that they would not normally be able to afford. These Young Student Bursaries are only open to bids from Society Regional and Group Organisers.

The Royal Photographic Society was founded in 1853 ‘to promote the Art and Science of Photography’, a mission it continues to this day and is recognised as the foremost photographic society in the world.

Application forms are available from:
Stuart Blake
Director General
The Royal Photographic Society
Fenton House
122 Wells Road
Bath
BA2 3AH


For further information or images please contact:Emily Mathewson, MAX PR & Events, 0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com

Friday, September 21, 2007

The Royal Photographic Society 2007 International Projected Image Exhibition – WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT


The Royal Photographic Society’s (http://www.rps.org/) International Projected Image Exhibition (formerly The International Slide Exhibition) was renamed this year with the addition of an Open Digital Section. This resulted in a massive 80% increase in entries, with the Digital section being the largest, whilst entries for the Nature Slides were also increased this year. 2,400 images were submitted by over 400 photographers worldwide and 476 images have been selected for the Exhibition which will open at the headquarters of The Society, Fenton House, Bath on 14th October. It will then tour the UK and the Republic of Ireland until March 2008. See the website http://www.rps.org/ for dates and venues.
The 3 categories are:
General Slide (excluding Nature)
Nature Slide
Open Digital
Gold Award winners:
General Slide - Chris Robbins MPAGB S.J.
Nature Slide – Paul Keene FRPS MPAGB EFIAP/p Sanderling
Open Digital – Camilla Broadbent ARPS The Betrothal

The Exhibition has been well established within the photographic fraternity for many years and continues to attract many outstanding photographers and the quality of images has remained extremely high. This has been confirmed by the feedback from the shows around the country.

It has always been a great achievement to have an image accepted in this Exhibition and with the introduction of the Open Digital category, there is a greater opportunity to do so.

The Society continues to enjoy the Patronage of the Photographic Society of America (PSA), providing a PSA medal in each category for the best overall exhibitor. The Society’s own Patronage has also been awarded in this Exhibition.

The whole Exhibition is available on a CD, playable both on PC and Mac and in a colour catalogue, both can be purchased from RPS Reception 01225 325733 reception@rps.org
Awards in each of the 3 categories:
1 RPS Gold Medals2 RPS Silver Medals 3 RPS Bronze MedalsRPS Ribbons & CertificatesPSA Medal to the Best Overall Exhibitor in each category
SELECTORS (3 for each category): John Chamberlin FRPS MFIAP Bob Moore Hon FRPS Hon PAGBLeo Palmer FRPS EFIAP FPSA David Cantrille FRPS EFIAP MPAGB



For further information, visuals or to organise an interview please contact:
Emily MAX PR & Events
0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com
or Lesley Goode, RPS Exhibitions Manager
01225 325720 / lesley@rps.org
http://www.maxpr-events.com/

Monday, July 16, 2007

THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY AWARDS CEREMONY 2007

Don McCullin CBE Hon FRPS will be presented with the Centenary Medal of The Society at The Royal Photographic Society Annual Awards, which take place in London in October. The Centenary Medal is awarded in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography. Don is heralded as one of the greatest photographers of conflict of the modern age. His first press award was for photographing the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and his assignments covered war, famine and poverty throughout the world.

However degrading the circumstances, his images document human conflict and grief with compassion through his own moral code. McCullin moved to photograph landscapes, aids victims in Africa and the tribes of Ethiopia. He has recently returned from photographing the conflict in Darfur and is an extremely worthy winner of this coveted award.

Accompanying him at this prestigious event are other highly respected figures from the world of photography and media, who similarly will receive acknowledgment and appreciation for their contribution and innovation to photography.

Simon Roberts ARPS will receive the Vic Odden award, which recognises notable achievement in the art of photography by a British photographer aged 35 years or under. Simon has carried out major assignments in Russia, Ukraine, America, Zimbabwe, Israel and Palestine and has recently had his first book published with an associated show at the Photographer’s Gallery, London.

One of his most popular images from the exhibition Motherland was also selected for The Society’s 150th International Print Exhibition.

The Lumière Award, for major achievement in British cinematography, video or animation, will be presented to Martyn Colbeck. Martyn has been filming wildlife worldwide for over 25 years. As well as making several award winning films, he has also filmed sequences for many of the best known blockbuster series produced by the BBC including the highly acclaimed The Trials of Life and The Life of Mammals. More recently Martyn was a member of the award winning camera team on the esteemed BBC series Planet Earth.

The Royal Photographic Society Annual Awards recognise individual achievements and contributions to the art and science of photography and celebrate the creativity and commitment demonstrated across the whole spectrum of photographic endeavour. The ceremony has honoured some of the world’s most celebrated photographers and is an important event in the photography calendar. This year it is being held at The Royal Institute of British Architects, London W1 during the evening of Thursday 4th October. The evening will commence with a dynamic and fast moving presentation including audio visual clips illustrating the winners’ work. The evening will end with a reception.

www.rps.org

For further information, visuals or to organise an interview please contact:
Emily/ Kate, MAX PR & Events
0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com
or Jo MacDonald, RPS Awards Manager
01225 325721 / jo@rps.org
Limited tickets available for journalists.


www.maxpr-events.com Martyn Colbeck, Don McCullin

Monday, July 9, 2007

THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNOUNCES
NEW DIGITAL SECTION
2007 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTED IMAGE COMPETITION
DEADLINE: TUESDAY 31st JULY 2007

The Society invites amateurs, students and professional photographers worldwide, to submit digital files and slides for consideration. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 31st July 2007.

This year The Society is introducing a new Open Digital Section. The 3 categories are:
General Slide (excluding Nature)
Nature Slide
Open Digital

The Exhibition has continued to attract many outstanding photographers over the years and the quality of images has remained extremely high. This has been confirmed by the feedback from the shows around the country.

It has always been a great achievement to have an image accepted in this Exhibition and with the introduction of the Open Digital category, there is a greater opportunity to do so.

The Society continues to enjoy the Patronage of the Photographic Society of America (PSA), providing a PSA medal in each category for the best overall exhibitor in addition to the individual Society medals.

This year, as last year, all entrants will receive a Presentation CD of the accepted images with their catalogue. The Exhibition will be shown at a number of venues throughout the UK from October 2007 to March 2008. Details of dates and venues will be posted on The Society’s website www.rps.org





09/07/2007
Editor’s contact: Emily on 0208 334 5751
For Immediate Release
Page 2 of 2

Awards in each of the 3 categories:
1 RPS Gold Medal
2 RPS Silver Medals
3 RPS Bronze Medals
RPS Ribbons
1 PSA Medal to the Best Overall Exhibitor


Entry fee: £5.00 (€10.00, $12.00) per category or £12 (€24.00, $28.00) to enter all 3 categories
Judging: Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th August 2007

This year’s Selectors are:

General Slide (excluding Nature) and Open Digital Categories:
John Chamberlin FRPS EFIAP
Bob Moore Hon FRPS Hon PAGB
Leo Palmer FRPS EFIAP FPSA

Nature Slide Category:
David Cantrille FRPS EFIAP MPAGB
John Chamberlin FRPS EFIAP
Bob Moore Hon FRPS Hon PAGB

Entry forms for the International Projected Image Competition can be downloaded from The Society’s website www.rps.org



For further information, visuals from the exhibition or to organise an interview please contact: Emily/ Kate, MAX PR & Events
0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com
or Lesley Goode, RPS Exhibitions Manager
01225 325720 / Lesley@rps.org

www.maxpr-events.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 150TH INTERNATIONAL PRINT EXHIBITION

The Royal Photographic Society is pleased to announce the Award winners for its prestigious International Print Exhibition which, this year, celebrates its 150th Anniversary. The Gold Award was won by Richard Merritt FRPS for his extraordinary photograph of a Scalloped Hammerhead Shark taken in the waters of Costa Rica’s Cocos Island National Park. Also this year, to mark the anniversary, an ‘Under 25years section’ has been introduced and the Gold Medal has been awarded to Chris Charnock ARPS, aged 19, who also wins an E400 digital SLR camera, kindly donated by Olympus for his print ‘Exploited’.


15/05/2007
For immediate release
Editor’s contact Emily/Kate: 020 8334 5751
Page 2 of 3


The Exhibition will open at Hoopers Gallery in London on 20th June 2007 and will then tour the UK until April 2008. Full details can be found on The Royal Photographic Society website, http://www.rps.org/exhibitions.php


Selectors included the Chairman Bill Wisden Hon. FRPS (Visual Art Photographer), Ken Lennox (Reportage Photographer), Terry O’Neill Hon.FRPS (Celebrity Portrait Photographer), Roger Reynolds Hon. FRPS (Professional Travel Photographer), Ray Spence FRPS (Fine Arts Photographer & Lecturer), Anne Sutcliffe FRPS (Digital Creative Photographer). The number of entries increased again this year with a 17% increase in the number of photographers entering. The final selection of 125 prints was selected from over 2,200 images submitted by 600 photographers from 33 countries worldwide. The competition was open to students, amateurs and professional photographers with the Exhibition representing some of the very best photography from around the world. Contributions this year have come from as far afield as Bangladesh, New Zealand, Africa, USA, Hong Kong and Europe.

“I was delighted with the strong support for the under 25 section and most impressed by the standard of the photographs. As one who has encouraged young photographers over the years I was also delighted to see that a number of photographs from this section made it into the main exhibition”.
Roger Reynolds – Hon FRPS – Selector & Past President

The Royal Photographic Society is the foremost Photographic Society in the world. It was founded in 1853, when photography was in its infancy, and has been a leading force in its advancement ever since. This year The Royal Photographic Society is celebrating 150 years of staging The International Print Exhibition, the longest standing exhibition of its kind anywhere in the world. Throughout its long history it has maintained a reputation for exhibiting a wide range of photographic taste and outlook. This has ensured that it is unique within the photographic world.

15/05/2007
For immediate release
Editor’s contact Emily/Kate: 020 8334 5751
Page 3 of 3

To celebrate this special anniversary, the Society will be showcasing a Retrospective Exhibition which will include images and text on the historical aspect of the Exhibition, with examples from each decade, to be shown alongside the 150th International Print Exhibition.

“It was indeed a great pleasure and privilege to chair the selection panel in choosing the images to make up The Society’s 150th International Exhibition. Undoubtedly this annual exhibition is the most visible form of The Society’s dedication to the promotion internationally of photography. I feel that the exhibition reflects much that is happening in the photographic world today”.
Bill Wisden – Hon FRPS – Chair of Selectors



The Exhibition will be accompanied by a full colour catalogue and Presentation CD which is available from the RPS Reception. There is an Education Pack that accompanies the exhibition and links in to the national curriculum.

See website www.rps.org

GOLD X 1
Richard Merritt FRPS ‘Scalloped Hammerhead Shark’ UK/Amateur

SILVER X 2
Wolfgang Schweden ‘Gallopers’ Germany/Amateur
Alan Shawcross FRPS ‘HRH Prince Charles’ UK/Professional

BRONZE X 3
Harry Borden ‘Baroness Thatcher’ UK/Professional
Judy Boyle FRPS ‘4 Dolls’ UK//Amateur
Julia Fullerton-Batten ‘Man in Bathtub’ UK/Professional

GOLD ‘UNDER 25 yrs’ X 1
Chris Charnock ARPS ‘Exploited’ UK/Student


For further information, visuals from the exhibition or to organise an interview please contact: Emily/ Kate, MAX PR & Events
0208 334 5751 / emily@maxpr-events.com
or Lesley Goode, RPS Exhibitions Manager
01225 325720 / Lesley@rps.org