LIP Putney and Barnes July Meeting – LIP Satellite Groups

Dear All

Finally, a bit of sunshine but best make the most of it, as rain sets in from sometime tomorrow – sort of how I remember summers always used to be – 4 days and a thunderstorm.

Good to see everyone this week…

Given the attempted shooting of President Trump over the weekend, I couldn’t let the moment pass and had to bring up the most astonishing picture taken at the time, which, as James K said, might well determine an election and just underlines how important a still image can still be these days of endless video. The picture was taken on burst by an award winning photographer, Evan Vucci and he can be found on Instagram @EvanVucci – well done him and he will no doubt win many awards for it. I don’t like Trump but you can’t ignore him.

We then moved onto our theme for the month – food (no drink) and James K has kindly given his verdict on what he thought and his top three plus a special mention for Paul R.
This month’s theme ‘Food’, produced a wide range of wonderful, imaginative images that left many of us with grumbling stomachs, longing for a take away. Choosing a winner was not easy.
Winner – Charles French: Hanging up to dry (a striking image, captured in blue hour with the sky and sea as a perfect back drop for the drying octopus)
Runner Up – Alastair Wilson-Clarke: Hot Work in the Flames (a good environmental portrait, the capture shows the keen focus of those working in the kitchen)
Runner Up – Fred Barrington: Lunch (a simple, yet different perspective, playing with the geometric shapes)
A special mention for Paul Rawkins’, ‘The Tiger That Came To Tea’. What fun, a marvellous bit of knitting which brought laughter and cheer to the whole room. Well done and thank you for including it.

We then took a break and, on our return, I took the opportunity of sharing some of my most recent images – I have been to Scotland, The West Country and also had some memorable wildlife moments…
After some chat around the room, Fred suggested that our theme for the summer, should be the same as LIP’s – ‘liminal’ and thanks to Rodney for kindly sending me some notes on this…
The term “liminal” refers to a state of transition or in-betweenness, often with eerie or surreal connotations. In photography, capturing liminal spaces involves portraying empty transition areas between different stages, marked by uncertainty. Here are some key characteristics of liminal space images:
1. Transition Spaces: These could be hallways, staircases, or pathways—places that serve as thresholds between different areas.
2. Eeriness or Uneasiness: Liminal photos evoke a sense of eeriness or unease. They might depict locations that were once bustling but are now abandoned.
3. Awe and Wonder: Successful liminal images often evoke awe or wonder, drawing viewers into the mysterious atmosphere.
4. Nostalgia: Some liminal photos tap into nostalgia, especially for the late 1980s or early ’90s.
Good luck with that everyone – as Fred explained, it is also LIP’s current magazine theme (for their Winter edition), the deadline for which is 4 October, so giving us time to all enter.
Again, good to see everyone – as you know, we don’t hold a meeting in August, so our next meeting will be on Tuesday 17 September.
Enjoy the holidays and in particular your photography – cheers AW