The forecast of a hot and windy day did not deter fourteen photographers (and one supportive partner) from descending on Ballarat. Thankfully the wind kept the temperature in the mid to high twenties for most of the day but it did make hat wearing and holding the camera steady difficult. We gathered at the Ballarat station and soon dispersed, looking for interesting compositions. Brian’s hat went flying off his head and its rescue was captured by Karl, illustrating his street photography prowess.
News
On the weekend of September 2nd–4th, 30 Members and family headed to Benalla for the only weekend organised for the year. After two years of uncertainty due to COVID, it was great that the planned weekend was not cancelled or interrupted in any way.
On a wet and dreary Melbourne morning 21 Club members headed north for a photo shoot in and around the Cascades at Metcalfe and Malmsbury. I am sure all of us were hoping we would leave the wet and miserable weather behind and luckily all we had to contend with for the whole shoot was a bit of intermittent drizzle. We even had a few short bursts of sun and blue sky.
Driving along the Calder Freeway toward Mt Macedon there were some sunny breaks with intermittent cloud.
After nearly seven months without seeing anyone in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, 18 Club Members met in Geelong outside the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, what an amazing building! With a couple of our upcoming competitions in mind, we wandered around the area taking "Window" and "Architecture" shots.
After having our outing to the Full Flight Birds of Prey cancelled last year due to Covid, 24 Members drove up to Miners Rest yesterday. We were all excited and ready to attempt to take motion images of the Birds of Prey. Graeme introduced us to about six different birds, ranging from owls to a raptor and eagle. Quite a few of us laughed at our attempts to get the birds in flight and decided we need a lot more practice.
On the 20th of March, around a dozen members set off for an outing to Point Roadknight in Anglesea. Some of the "bird nerders" in the group met a little earlier, in search of elusive Southern Emu Wrens. These wrens remained elusive, but a flock of Gang-gang Cockatoos flying overhead and some tips from a local birder made up for that!
It has been five very long months since we have been able to have an outing together due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions here in Victoria. Yesterday saw 31 Members and friends attend the outing at the State Rose Garden.
Can you believe it! On Sunday May 31 we had our first outing in what seems like forever and we took it back to an old favourite: Mount Macedon and its fungi.
Around 20 of us met up at Days Camp Ground, Lions Head Road, Mount Macedon. Breaking into a couple of groups to ensure we maintained the correct social distancing; as required because of this crazy pandemic that currently grips the world. We were all grateful to be out of our homes and seeing each other in person once more.
The first day of autumn saw 16 club members and families head out to the Blue Lotus Water Garden, Yarra Junction.
It has been about nine years since we have been out to the Farm as a Club and those of us who had visited it before noticed a big change with several new areas.
The weather was kind to us, heating up later in the day. Lots of photos were taken of lotuses and water lilies as well as other plants; also looking for birds in the wetland area. All the attendees seem to enjoy the day - well worth the 1½-hour drive!
The Blue Lotus Water Garden is found at 2628 Warburton HWY, Yarra Junction, Victoria 3797, Australia. OPEN December 26 - April 13.
Upcoming
Judging: Judging: Monochrome & Open
Judging of our first competition of the year: Monochrome & Open
Supper night, bring along a plate to share
Entries due for competition 2: "Curves" & Open
Walker Close Community Centre
28th March 2023 7:30 pm
Workshop: Image Evaluation
Members are encouraged to submit and bring along images for a group project in Image Evaluation. In groups we will discuss the images presented and "evaluate" them providing constructing feedback.
The aim of these evenings is to encourage reflection on our own images and to stimulate conversation about our work beyond "that looks nice" expanding on how the image makes us feel, what the maker might do to add to the image's appeal and better their and our own work.
Walker Close Community Centre
11th April 2023 7:30 pm