Angie Cotitis writes - Well done to everyone who was placed and all who entered in this years Sleep Trophy, especially Julia who managed to have all three entries placed.  John Baker was a very good judge who manged to compliment and critique all the images in a very positive and kind way. For anyone who is a member of the National Trust, there may be good photo opportunities at some of the local places like Colleton Fishacre, Killerton and Saltram.  The gardens and interiors are decorated for the Christmas period.

Next Monday is the last one before our Christmas break, we have our Diploma evening hosted by Rod Fry.  It is also the Christmas Buffet and raffle.  Please bring something with you if you are able, either food or a raffle prize.  A number of members have already stated what they will be bringing with them and so far we have enough sausage rolls (provided by the club), mince pies and pork pies.  All other items gratefully received.

Steve contacted the website with some home studio equipment for sale. If any members are interested, I know one or two of you are looking at home studio setups, you can contact Steve directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He writes:

This Interfit INT117 Super Cool-Lite 5 Fluorescent Lighting Kit is an all-inclusive kit with two heads, two Reflectors and two Softboxes plus two 2.3m (7.5ft) light stands - ideal for your own home studio. It offers a convenient and economical method of modern studio lighting, suitable for use with still digital or video cameras. It provides a soft uniform diffused light, ideal for Portraits or web based photography and can be setup in a choice of configurations to suit the desired effect. The Super Cool-lite 5 uses daylight balanced fluorescent lamps (five per head, each individually switchable) equivalent to around 600 watts of tungsten lighting per head for excellent quality results. The kit has been little used and is in top condition, it includes 9 x 28w lamps and 1 x 24w lamp (the only replacement I could get at the time).

This Kit Contains:-

2 x Interfit Super Cool-Lite 5 Heads

Each Head uses five fluorescent lamps (this kit contains 9 x 28w lamps and one 24w lamp)

Uses five individual toggle switches on the rear of each Head for precise lighting control

Operates silently, making it ideal for photo or video shoots

Remains cool to the touch, keeping your subject comfortable during prolonged photo shoots

Long 4m (13') Power Cables

2 x 58x60cm Softboxes with removable front diffuser

2 x 40cm high-contrast Reflectors

2 x COR750 4-Section Light Stands - 2.3m ( 7.5ft)

If any of your members are interested, I'm asking £170 for this kit and live in the Broadsands area of Paignton.

Angie Cottis writes "What a great variety of speakers we had last night, well done and thank you to everyone who took part.  Rod the Gold Bus story to Plymouth was great, very different and entertaining.  I am not sure I could do the two hours there and two hours back by bus, but you never know.   Chris Arkell, well done your photo stacking was fantastic - I'm not sure I understood some of it - a tad too technical for me, but very interesting and some good results. A great photographic journey around Brixham harbour from Chris Champ was very interesting, along with some of your amazing underwater and other prints up on show for us all to see and appreciate. Willie showed some the great shots that members had taken during the famous Summer School.  Well done, so much effort put into the evenings, you certainly come up with some great ideas Willie. We had a lovely journey to Scotland with Stuart, as usual Stuart amazing landscapes. Last but not least and holding the fort, Mike Bond showing his fabulous aeroplane photos, sorry Mike I have forgotten where it was.

Here is a date for your diaries Friday 10 January to Monday 23 March 10am to 3pm, RPS South West Region is holding their Biennial exhibition of South West Region Members' work at Torre Abbey Museum and Art Gallery, Torre Abbey, Torquay TQ2 5JE.  I couldn't find our if it is free entry or not.

On Monday we have the results of the Sleep Trophy on the theme Modes of Transport.  The judge for the evening is John Baker. See you all Monday"

Angie Cottis writes it was a really good evening on Monday, great judge, very complimentary of our photos and very fair. Well done to everyone who was placed. All of the images have been added to the competition gallery here on this website so take a look. 

On Monday we have George Collins the title of his talk is "In Search of Inspiration",  mmm could definitely do with some of that - should be interesting. 

Although this is nothing to do with photography (but there may be some photo opportunities) have a look at the lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/projects/thankstoyou for free entry to various lottery funded places of interest.  A few of the closest to us are Eden Project, Drogo Castle, National Trust Godolphin, Fleet Air Arm Museum.  Of course there are many others if you happen to be travelling in the UK. 

See you Monday, Angie Cottis