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PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALIVE ANDWELL IN NORTH WALES This document is intended to provide information on most aspects of club photography THE NORTH WALES PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION The NWPA was formed in 1981 to represent the photographic clubs of North Wales within the structure of the PAGB (the national body which co-ordinates club activities in the UK ). It was founded by Ken Worthy, Margaret Salisbury and others to be a separate entity from the Welsh Photogrgaphic Federation, which operates mainly in the South of Wales. There are at present some twenty clubs in the Federation. Clubs should include the phrase “Affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain through the North Wales Photographic Association” in their printed programmes. Does your club do that ? If not, maybe it would be a good idea to start from next season. It shows that your club is part of the ‘family’ of British clubs. The activities of our Federation are overseen by an Executive Committee, which meets four times a year – normally in Capel Curig. The EC consists of:- President; Vice President; Immediate Past President; General Secretary; Treasurer; Exhibition Secretary; Competition Secretary; PAGB Delegate; Lecturers & Judges Organiser; Publicity Secretary & Newsletter Editor plus a delegate from each club. The role of the delegate is to liaise between their club and the Committee, i.e. to raise any matters of concern to their club; to seek help or advice; to distribute information and to deliver or collect prints in connection with folios or selections. Members of the EC are elected annually at the AGM , which is held in December. In addition to looking after our interests on the wider scene, what else does the NWPA do for us in exchange for the annual fees we pay ? Well, lets have a look at these in turn. The Exhibition Our exhibition was originally held annually but in 1988 it was decided that it should be held biennially. One of the reasons for this was the seeming lack of enthusiasm from clubs and the members. Entries started dropping and – though organising and staging an exhibition with a large number of entries is hard work anyway – it becomes less and less worthwhile when the number of entries falls. The Exhibition is currently annually again and has recently been held at both the Electric Mountain , Llanberis and Bodelwyddan Castle .. It’s your main chance to show your images to other photographers throughout North Wales . Whilst it is true that the only person that you really have to please with your pictures is yourself, it can be very encouraging and rewarding to find that others also like your work. Having your work accepted in exhibitions and, possibly even winning awards, is very good indeed for the ego, and encourages you to go out and take more pictures. With the aid of a Lottery Grant, NWPA now has frames (and storage boxes) and this means that only mounts sized at 50mm x 40mm can be accepted. These frames are available for clubs to hire via the Exhibition Secretary. The Annual Battle Known originally as the “Llanrwst Battle”, this event has been a firm favourite among clubs for many years. All affiliated clubs in North Wales may enter work for this competition, which is judged by a well known and respected judge. This event is usually held in Llandudno and takes place around the end of March/beginning of April each year and is organised by the Competition Secretary. Clubs may enter four prints and four projected images, plus a reserve in each section in case of a tie. These are accepted on the day; all prints being projected by digital camera for the competition so that all present can see the work clearly. There are trophies for the winning club and for the best print and best projected image. Make sure that your club is represented. NWPA Folios The Federation organises two travelling folios each year – one for prints and one for projected images. All clubs may submit PDIs and prints for inclusion in these folios. The work is selected by the clubs themselves, and there is no further selection by the NWPA . In this way the work seen is representative of the clubs. It is not a competitive event, but a taped commentary is made and the folios are circulated to the clubs during the year. NWPA Newsletters Newsletters have been circulated in the past to advertise events, give news of members, provide reports of club activities and any other general information. However, at present there is no volunteer for the post of Newsletter Editor. From the list above, you will see that there are many people beavering away in the background to ensure that your Federation runs smoothly and successfully. However, no matter how hard these people work, the final responsibility for the success or failure of the NWPA lies squarely on the shoulders of the clubs and their members. Unless we as photographers produce work for the various events organised, they will at best be mediocre or at worst will fail.
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ALLIANCE OF GREAT BRITAIN (PAGB) (www.pagb-photography-uk.co.uk) The PAGB is the ‘umbrella’ organisation for just under 1000 camera clubs. These clubs are organised into fifteen Federations, one of which is our own NWPA. Like the NWPA, the PAGB is run by an Executive Committee which meets three times a year. These meetings are attended by a delegate from each of the Federations. The PAGB publishes a Handbook biennially, which gives details of all the Federations. It also lists Judges and Lecturers in each Federation. There is always a demand for more judges and lecturers so, if you would like your name to be included in the NWPA lists, then please contact our own Judges & Lecturers Organiser. The following activities are organised by the PAGB: Public Liability Insurance. Public Liability Insurance cover is arranged annually through the PAGB’ brokers, Darwin Clayton. The reasonably priced premiums are collected by the NWPA Treasurer each year, together with the club subscriptions. There is also a proposal to arrange Trustee Liability Insurance. Equipment Insurance This can be arranged independently through the same brokers, Darwin Clayton. Recorded Lectures The PAGB runs the Recorded Lecture Service to provide lectures on CD/ DVD by well-known photographers on a variety of subjects and also of the Inter-Federations Exhibitions. Full details can be found in the centre of the Handbook. With the increased costs of travelling expenses for visitors, these lectures provide a relatively cheap evening for the programme. The Inter-Federation Print Exhibition & Competition Each year the PAGB puts on an exhibition of the very best of amateur photography in Great Britain . Federations select work from their member clubs, which is then submitted for selection for the exhibition itself. The NWPA selection committee meets around mid-May to choose 10 colour/10 monochrome prints to be forwarded to the PAGB by 1 st June each year. The numbers are determined by the size of the Federation. The Federations take it in turn to organise this event and 2013 is when it will take place in North Wales . The Inter-Federation Projected Image Exhibition & Competition This is organised on a similar basis to the print exhibition. The NWPA selection committees meets around mid-September to choose 15 projected images, which will be forwarded to the PAGB by 1 st October each year. Again, the number of images is determined by the size of the Federation. Again, there is a rota for organising this event, but North Wales last organised this in 2005 and won’t repeat the exercise until 2020. The Inter-Club Projected Image Championship This competition is held annually in July at the Warwick University Arts Centre. Two clubs are invited to represent each Federation. The Federations must nominate their clubs and submit these names to the PAGB by 1 st May. Most years the NWPA enter the Eryri Photo Group, plus another club, which is usually the PI winner of the NWPA Battle. (Round 1 : 8 images, Round 2 ; 8 images, Final(top 8 clubs) ; 20 images or Plate : 8 images) The Inter-Club Print Championship Similar to the PI Championship, except that it is held at the end of October at Deeside College , Connah’s Quay, near Chester . Again, two clubs represent each federation, usually the Eryri Photo Group plus the winner of the print section of the NWPA Battle. (Round 1 ; 12 prints, Final (top 8 clubs); 15 prints or Plate ; 5 prints) If you consider that your club would like to represent the NWPA in either of the two championships, then please tell the EC – via your club delegate – at the March meeting, because the Battle winners don’t always wish to compete. Great British Cup ; Projected Digital Images (for individual clubs, not a federation entry) Closing date – mid-November. Open section (large clubs) : 18 images on CD / Small clubs - 12 images on CD, Natural History 4-20 images on CD. PAGB Awards The PAGB makes awards for photographic merit at three levels:- CPAGB - Credit of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain The standard for this award is that of ‘good club photography’. A submission for this award consists of ten prints or ten PDIs which, are judged individually. See below for judging details. DPAGB – Distinction of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain The standard here is that of ‘national exhibitions’. The submission this time consists of fifteen prints or fifteen PDIs, again judged individually. MPAGB – Master of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain This is the highest PAGB award for photographic merit. The standard is now that of “the highest quality of UK amateur photography”. Twenty PDIs or twenty prints are submitted for this award and are again judged individually. To be eligible for this award, entrants must have held the DPAGB for at least one year. The Judging System The adjudication panel for the above awards consists of six experienced selectors. For presentation before the panel, entries are mixed up so that the pictures by one worker do not follow each other. As the pictures appear before the panel, each judge will award a mark between 2 and 5. The minimum mark is therefore 12 and the maximum is 30. These scores are shown electronically and are totalled and recorded by a marker. In order to gain the CPAGB, an entrant must gain a minimum total of 200 marks, which represents an average of 20 marks per image. To gain the DPAGB, a minimum total of 300 marks is required, again an average of 20 marks per image. For the MPAGB, the minimum qualifying total is 440 marks. This time it is an average score of 22 marks per image. Adjudications are normally held twice a year in April and November and are hosted by a different federation on each occasion. In November 2011 it should be hosted by the NWPA. Anyone may attend an adjudication, subject to the availability of tickets. Indeed, you are positively encouraged to go along and see the standard of work. These awards, once achieved, are held for life. Details of how to enter may be obtained from the NWPA Awards Officer. The PAGB also presents one other award – the APAGB. This is an award for outstanding service to a club or a federation. Prospective recipients of this award are nominated by their club or their federation. It is an honour not lightly given, and rewards the recipients for their long and outstanding contribition to their club or Federation or both e-news The e-news is issued periodically by Rod Wheelans to circulate all manner of photographic information relating not only to the PAGB, but also giving details of other events, exhibitions, etc. To receive a copy register by e-mail to rod@creative-camera.co.uk
Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP) The Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique operates on a world-wide basis in the same way as the PAGB operates in the UK. It is the global overseer for national bodies in scores of countries all over the world. Like the PAGB, it organises events and activities and makes awards for photographic merit - AFIAP, EFIAP, etc. For more details, see the PAGB Handbook. FIAP also gives its accreditation to very many international exhibitions world-wide, at which it awards medals and other trophies.
OTHER EVENTS & ORGANISATIONS
The Celtic Challenge This is a competition between the Celtic nations of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, South Wales, Cornwall, North Wales. Hosted in rotation by the participating countries, this is very much a social occasion, accompanied by a good humoured but seriously contested competition. Each region enters 10 monochrome prints / 10 colour prints / 10 projected digital images. It takes place in the Autumn and is judged by one impartial judge.
National Audio Visual Championship Digitally produced sequences not exceeding 12 minutes. Usually held in Leicester. The Royal Photographic Society – North Wales Region The RPS has a North Wales Region, which organises events during the year across the region. All are welcome whether RPS members or not. (Margaret Salisbury – 01745 855934)
The Eryri Photo Group This is a separate club within the NWPA which was initially set up for the keener members of North Wales clubs for the purpose of entering the two Inter-Club Championships. Occasional meetings are held with visiting lecturers. These meetings are widely advertised and all are welcome to attend. ( Usually in Llandudno) Further information from: Christine Langford (01758 713572)
North Wales Monochrome Group Regular group meetings are organised by Geoff Leah (01745 730714)
North Wales & Wirral AV Group Marion Waine (0151 343 1551) organises regular meetings and workshops (usually in Capel Curig)
Welshot Imaging Photographic Academy Set up by Lee Iggulden and Eifion Williams (01248 670693) who run various workshops and Academy evenings.
GENERAL ADVICE TO CLUBS
Presentation of Work - All prints entered for NWPA events should be on mounts of 50 cm x 40 cms and bear the Title, name of Author and the name of the Club. Specifications for entering projected digital images will be provided on the entry forms of the various competitions/exhibitions.
Help with your Programme - Recorded lectures and showing of national and international exhibitions are available on CD/DVDs through the PAGB Handbook. Many exhibitions distribute CD/DVDs to their entrants. Persuade your members to enter exhibitions and gain a free eventing !
Co-ordination - Because of the number of events and the problems of geography, clubs are urged to be aware of the various closing dates and deadlines and to plan well in advance.
Club Representation - Where a member belongs to more than one club, it is strongly recommended that they decide at the beginning of the club season (probably September) which club will be able to use their work in battles/competitions for the forthcoming season.
If you require any other information or advice, Updated: 12.09 consult one of the Association Officers listed in the NWPA Directory. Christine Langford
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