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The gloomy month of February is behind us, and spring's glory lies at our feet. Flowers bloom, birds sing and young mammals frolic. While the feast of St Brigid may be the Irish first day of spring, the meteorologists tell us that this is, in fact, the 1st March.
As the days lengthen, sunrise and sunset are still at a sociable hour, so the camera must come out of the bag, and the outings committee are determined to keep you occupied.
Last Monday – Image Critique Night
Robbie O’Leary led a session to assist members to better understand the process of image critique. There were so many tips available that we feel will help members take better photographs.
Next Monday - 3rd March
Have you got photographic equipment you bought in that mad moment of enthusiasm? And, you now have either updated the equipment or decided your purchase was really made in that mad moment of enthusiasm. Well, help is at hand; we intend to run our annual Car Boot Sale on Monday 3rd March.
So now is the time to root out anything photographic that is surplus to your requirements but may be of value to another club member.
If you haven’t done so please email Emily urgently (carboot@offshoot.ie) with details of what you have on offer with an indication of the price so that she can start putting the sales catalogue together.
B&W Portraits Night – March 24
On Monday, 24th March, a B&W portraits night is planned. It is always an instructive and enjoyable evening.
For this, we need members to bring along simple lighting setups – one light or two. Then everyone will shoot each other (sic) and produce B&W images.
IPF Club Championships
The Club Championships competition is for photographers competing at any level with a limit of a maximum of two images per panel per photographer. In other words, two photos on the colour print panel and two on the monochrome print panel maximum per photographer.
Each panel is composed of ten images, and each individual image is judged by a panel of three international judges. Judging itself is private, however, judges provide commentary on all panels prior to the awards ceremony.
We are asking members to submit up to five images, each of both colour and black and white. When you have decided what five images you would like to submit for consideration please upload to the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/request/4F8buwjPtOxJZ99nuTW7
Distinction Assessment Notifications and Dates appear on the Home Page when they are available, along with the link to the applications.
Please find the upcoming IPF Distinction dates below:
29th March - Dunamaise Arts Centre.
17th May - Mullingar – applications from 12.00 pm on 7th April to 10.00 pm Fri 25th April.
27th September - Dunamaise – applications from 12.00 pm on 12th August to 10.00 pm on 5th September.
22nd November - Thurles – applications from 12.00 pm on 7th October to 10.00pm on 31st October.
Next Outings
1st March (this Saturday)
CLUB OUTING - OLD BELVEDERE V NENAGH ORMOND
Rugby match at Old Belvedere’s ground just off Anglesea Road.
Kick off is 2.30pm
“Wild Waterways – A Celebration of Life on an Irish River”
Written by Robbie O’Leary and designed by Taryn Barling “Wild Waterways – a celebration of life on an Irish river” will be in bookshops nationwide in the coming weeks. Published by Merrion Press, the book will formally be launched by Éanna ní Lamhna in Hodges Figgis, Dawson St. on Thursday 13th March from 6.pm. All Offshoot members are welcome to attend. Retailing at €12.99, all royalties will be donated to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. The book, with text in English and Irish, provides a comprehensive record of the wildlife that inhabits Dublin’s river Dodder.
2025 Member Subscriptions Are Due
We asked you to pay by 28 February 2025, and if you didn’t, report for detention after the school closes (!). You can still squeeze under the wire by paying the annual sub of €90. Payment can be made by PayPal at https://www.offshoot.ie/subs or to our Treasurer (Nigel) at our meetings with cash/card.
To pay by bank transfer, please email treasurer@offshoot.ie for the BIC and IBAN details.
Bray Wanderers Seeking Photographers
Bray Wanderers FC are looking for 1 or 2 photographers to photograph their matches in Bray. There will be some payment. It’s a long-term arrangement (not just for a one-off event). If you can commit, please let Steve Crozier know, and he will set up contacts.
Tip of the Week
The rule of thirds is a ‘rule of thumb’ which creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition. The rule of thirds places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open and generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots.
The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Aligning a subject with these points.
Of course, the rule of thirds is only one of many guidelines and, like any rule can be broken. For example, a subject in the centre can create a sense of symmetry and balance, and can be particularly effective with symmetrical subjects.
Remember you are striving to direct the viewer's gaze to the main focal point of an image, whatever the subject may be. The rule of thirds makes the most of empty space by drawing your eye to a specific part of the image, emphasised through composition. |
