21th March 2020

Going Forward

Our newsletter is a very good tool for communicating with our members, so do watch out for updates and information via this service in the days and weeks ahead.

With such uncertain times, we may publish the newsletter on a more irregular basis or in a slimmed-down version.

Feedback From Members

Matt O'Brien sent an email to all members requesting feedback on possible activities we might be able to arrange.  So far, 21 responses have been received.

Q1. Weekly Challenges.

       17 would like to have a weekly challenge. 2 against.

Q2. Digital Based Competitions.

        17 for and 1 against.

Q3. Virtual Meetings

        13 for and 0 against. Many comments encouraging this if possible.

Q4. Virtual Interest Groups 

       11 for and 1 against.

The feedback included many comments, some general in nature,  others with specific suggestions. 

There was also an overall sense of exploring what is possible, do not overload with too many activities, but a general interest in exploring virtual meetings for small and larger groups.

I will share a more detailed version of this summary with our committee with some thoughts on how we might move forward but will blank out all references to individual identity.  We will probably use the newsletter format to update everyone on practical proposals arising.

If you wish to influence the committee's thinking and/or priorities, please respond to Matt's email titled "Looking for Feedback / Ideas".  If you have not received this email, check your junk folders or request Matt to resend it to you (m@ttobrien.com). Deadline is 2 pm next Monday.

Annual Exhibition 

Tony Jobling has been working very hard behind the scenes in relation to the exhibition.  We are pleased to confirm that agreement has been reached with the library to defer the exhibition until the autumn.  

This means that you can continue to work on your exhibition images and submit them to this link when you are ready. 

https://www.dropbox.com/request/9bNDicu71JFLXL1W4eHx 

Please be assured that we will not print or frame the images until we are comfortable that the exhibition will proceed and people can fully enjoy such an event.

Tony will circulate a note with more specific details in due course.

If you have any further queries, please contact Dave or Tony.

Wendy Hannon - Lines  and Squares

Just a note for new members – if you want any of your pictures considered for the photo of the week, you just have to post them to the OffShoot Flickr group at https://www.flickr.com/groups/offshoot_society.

There’s also the latest images published on Flickr that are displayed on the OffShoot home page.

Greg Benz: How to sharpen and resize photos for the web in Photoshop

If you come across one you want to share let us know at newsletter@offshoot.ie.

Competitions are currently on temporary hold.  The current suspended competition will be the first competition held with a printed component when normal competitions resume, so all work in progress or prints can be used for this competition.  Watch out for interim arrangements as we figure out how best to cater for the current exceptional circumstances.

If you have any specific queries please send them to competitions@offshoot.ie.

Quote from the IPF Web Site

"Please be advised, In light of Covid-19 and the National Guidelines on the gathering of large crowds and most importantly in the interest of the Health & Safety of all our affiliated clubs and their members the Irish Photographic Federation have postponed the upcoming National Club Championships, Annual General Meeting and May Distinction Sitting that were all scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 16th & 17th 2020.  We will be hopefully re-scheduling these events later in the year and will keep you all informed through the IPF Website and Social Media Platforms."

Irish Photographic Federation Web Site:  https://irishphoto.ie/

Most recent news and articles posted: https://irishphoto.ie/news/

Distinction Sittings and Availability:  https://irishphoto.ie/distinctions/assessment-dates/