Dear All

Our theme of the month, Wandsworth – tying in with our exhibition theme. The job of choosing this month fell to yours truly and I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
Given the level of appreciation shown in the room on the night, it will not surprise you to learn that I have chosen Juliette’s beautiful river picture as my shot of the month. The autumn mist, the rower, the colour, the composition and the man taking a picture of his dog (waiting for this moment was pure genius – who was to know he was about to do it, but isn’t that part of the charm of what we do). Anyway, congratulations Juliette, a worthy winning picture and I’m glad you have chosen for it to be a part of the exhibition, it is bound to get further praise, I’m sure.
As for my runners up, in a tough field I’d like to mention James for his technically brilliant picture of Battersea Power Station. Not seen anything quite like it and a real stand out. Again, destined for further praise, I’m sure. Finally, with a lovely bit of humour and another shot taken in the Power Station, I did enjoy Paul’s shot – maybe he should have added ‘read my’ to the word LIPS in the background?
So, over to you Juliette next month. However, in my haste last Tuesday I forgot to set us a theme, so, going by Sue’s ideas from last month, would you like to choose one of these –

1. Chiaroscuro – is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for the use of contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects and figures.

or

2. Fake of Real – A picture may say a thousand words, but what if the photograph has been fabricated or the photograph is an illusion? Fake or real …. can you tell?
Please let me know or just post it on our What’s App group?
After a short break we then moved onto Tim’s Japanese slot, only to be thwarted by technical demons. So, sadly, this will need to wait until next month – instead, I had in the wings some shots I took just in the last week at Elmley Nature Reserve, including some fabulous Owls. A great place and I hope I have encouraged some of you to go see it for yourself?
Before bringing the curtain down, I explained that I was finally investing in a new laptop, as the one I have is well past its sell by date, and asked if I might put the money donated to me for a new projector to this, which you all kindly agreed too, so thank you for that.
See you all next time – please note this will be the 4th Tuesday 22nd April, as otherwise it would clash with our party on the 16th, being the next evening and a bit close.
Please get out and enjoy your photography – all the best AW

Cover image: © Andrew Wilson