Meetings held in the last month:

A VISIT TO THE TEES DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB.

On Wednesday July 2nd a small group (6) of our Members travelled to Middlesbrough at the invitation of this Club in order to see and hear Mr. Leo Palmer make his presentation “ A PRINTER’S TALE……FINE ART PRINTING “. Leo ( FRPS, EFIAP, FPSA, APAGB) is very well known to many of us from his activities on behalf of the RPS, presently being Chairman of the Judges Panel for the LRPS Distinction, a Judge for the “Travel” section of the ARPS Distinction and amongst several other photographic assignments, a leader in the RPS Bradford based Distinctions Workshops which prepare candidates for the RPS examinations.

Image from Skinningrove
Brian Gray

It was therefore with considerable interest that we decided to combine his presentation with a day trip up the coast visiting one or two possible photo locations as might be possible in the time available. With a comfortable starting time, followed by scones and tea in Helmsley we eventually arrived at Runswick Bay for our next stop. Though we might have experienced better light conditions it was possible to take some photos of this attractive little resort, which was quite uncrowded. After a walk about, followed by our sandwich lunch eaten in view of a rising but more or less wave less tide, we set off again having the intention of calling in at Saltburn and Redcar before going to the Meeting in the evening. We arrived in Saltburn, which was very quiet so we did not stop having been there recently on a previous Club trip.

Boat and "crew", Skinningrove
Image by Brian Gray

En route to Redcar one of our little group, having seen a sign for Skinningrove was reminded of iron ore mining and steel processing so we decided to explore. What in a previous time had been a prosperous and, judging by some of the “Scheduled” housing still in use, a fairly wealthy village with activities embracing fishing, steel, farming and mining has been reduced, we were told in conversation with local people, through cessation or substantial reduction in these industries; to a mainly welfare society with unemployment now into a second generation with something over 1000 inhabitants and no less than two out of three young people dependent totally on National Assistance. Apparently the main activity now is “The Fancy”, breeding and racing pigeons . Confirmation of this was easily seen by the several dozen ramshackle huts on the low cliffs bordering either side of the small brown stained river proceeding to the sea, which contributed in their own way to the general air of depression and sadness in this unfortunate village. Nonetheless we took advantage of the many photographic opportunities, which no doubt will contribute to our interest next season.

With the afternoon drawing to a close we left Skinningrove with the intention of having our evening meal at a pub or fish and chip restaurant in nearby Redcar. Some hope! Everywhere was closed and boarded up…….M&S, Boots, Woollies included. It was not early closing day nor yet normal closing time! The town was simply dead, no people saving one or two heavily tattooed men and a few teenage girl groups. No restaurants, the few pubs sold only beer, a large amusement arcade, a small ice cream cabin and………off the promenade, in a little back street a fish and chip shop! Reduced by these circumstances, we purchased a portion each in paper added salt and vinegar and eating these returned slowly to the car parked on the promenade.

After some serious efforts to remove greasy fat from fingers and the vinegary smell from clothes (well aware that we would be representing WDCC later!) we moved on through the industrial and port areas of Middlesbrough to the Transporter Bridge and some photography. Then on to our Meeting location, arriving simultaneously with both host and guest speaker. As we expected, Leo (without once mentioning aperture stops or shutter speeds) gave us all a clear view, in both mono and colour, of exactly what is possible with a camera, with matching printing papers to subject (very difficult skill that!) and with awareness of surroundings. It was very obvious why Leo is so successful and has the ability to inspire enthusiasm for what is possible amongst us all.

We made our appreciation of the invitation known to TDPG and our thanks to Leo and his wife. Our long, tiring but informative and helpful day was concluded with a fast return home in time for a couple of pints at the local and home before midnight. Now we must see how the pictures turn out! Brian Gray 5/07/08