Page 3 - Cape-Camera-September-2023

Cape Camera September 2023

News from the Council

This month I am not giving news from Council, but rather knowledge freely when you
write something on a more personal note. This is the last time ask for assistance.
I am writing this as my term as president will come to an end I am really keen to further
at our AGM on 18 October 2023. improve my photography
I served as secretary on Council for a number of years and and feel strongly about put-
President of CTPS was not a role I ever imagined I would take ting more time and effort
on. In the beginning I was quite reluctant to make myself avail- into my hobby over the next
able for the position. However, with the phenomenal support year. The advice of the fol-
of Council and our members it turned out to be a very reward- lowing two people seems
ing experience. like a good start:
If I reflect on my time as a member of CTPS since I joined in • This morning I read Free-
May 2012, I cannot help but be extremely glad I took that step man Patterson’s Periodi-
to join the society in the first place. Being a part of CTPS, the cal Letter #33 – October 2023. He did not plan to visit South
people I met and the friendships I made, mean such a lot to Africa this year during the flower season in Namaqualand,
me. CTPS is a happy place in my life. but when he heard about all the rain they had, he immedi-
I started as a beginner and only entered a competition about ately decided to visit. He said: “At my age, when opportu-
nity clearly presents itself, I don’t sit around on my butt hav-
8 months after I joined and with the feedback I received and ing an argument with myself about “Should I or shouldn’t
the help of all at CTPS I moved through the ranks, gained con- I?” I move fast.” I think this is true at any age – we keep put-
fidence and improved my photography. ting things off that we should just do.
I have always learned from the speakers at our E&D evenings. • One of the speakers we had during the Covid 19 period,
Even when the topic is on a genre that you are not really inter- Russel Smith, mentioned the importance of investing in
ested in, there is always at least one tip applicable to general your photography by learning from people you admire and
photography that will be of help to you. During our outings, who are specialists in their field.
fellow members who are more experienced are always willing I once again want to thank all our members and Council for
to help and give advice when you struggle with a composition your support over the last two years.
or camera settings. At club evenings members also share their Jacoba van Zyl
President

Set themes for 2023/2024

The themes for the remainder of the year and the first quarter of 2024 are listed below. Visit the competition
page on our website for the full list for the new year.

Month Subject Upload to Competition Date
Photovault by
November Shadows. Shadows can bring focus to the light in an image. Use 25 October 1 November
2023 shadows to tell your story. Colour or monochrome.
December Capture the Night. Everything changes at night and familiar day- 6 December 13 December
2023 time scenes look very different without sunlight. Capture an image
anytime after sundown. Colour or monochrome.
January Scapes 10 January 1 7 January
2024 Scapes covers the depiction of scenery such as mountains, val-
leys, trees, rivers, forests, sea, cities etc. where the main subject is a
wide view with its elements arranged into a coherent composition.
Scapes may be natural or man-made. Manipulation is allowed. Col-
our or monochrome.
February Minimalism 31 January 7 February
2024 Minimalist photography is about stripping a subject down to its es-
sence. Create photos that cut through the clutter with clean lines,
empty spaces and only the essential elements. Colour or mono-
chrome. Manipulation is allowed.
March Stairs and Stairways 28 February 6 March
2024 These should form the dominant theme of your image. Manipula-
tion is allowed. Colour or monochrome.

Cape Town Photographic Society 3