Murcia photo of the month November 2024
Here are the top images for last month’s competition taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC)
“Combustion” was the month’s challenging topic for the keen LADCC photographers to get their teeth into! It is defined as “a chemical reaction between substances, usually including oxygen and usually accompanied by the generation of heat and light in the form of flame.” The members’ photos cleverly summarised this topic in a wide variety of ways, with a few ‘incidents’ along the way!
The competition produced some great photos of fireworks, fires, candles, matches, burners, an engine and even the power of the sun, all considered suitable interpretations. The winner this month was Louise McCartney, who produced a stunning photo entitled ‘Bright Spark’.
In discussions with the group, after the judging, Louise advised that she had wanted to create a strong, appealing image. Her photo, however, wasn’t just a one click ‘Oh, that will do’ shot but required a bulb and a sparkler candle. She also used a clear table top with a reflective surface and a black backdrop to complete the effect. The problem arose with the combustion itself as the photo had to be taken in total darkness and, only relying on the sparkler candle for light, Louise couldn’t hang around! She set up her ‘studio’ with a small enough space to catch the smoke from her sparkler, which added another dimension and some atmosphere to the image. Quite some shot!
Another of the entries for the competition, although not a winning entry, did provide the group with food for thought amid much healthy discussion. Julie Rain had taken the topic title, combustion, to mean the specific moment of reaction or ignition. In the photo below, taken in a dark room, she had tried to create that instantaneous moment of combustion using a Swedish Fire Steel. Julie made the challenge far more difficult for herself as she had to capture that split second in time and she needed the help of her husband to create the spark while she took the photo. She did well to get such a good image of the process!
We are pleased to report that, during this month’s competition, no members were injured while participating. However, it was close with one small incident of singed hair, while Julie tried to get her spark photo, and a flaming tea towel as another member tried to get his image. The things members get up to all for a photograph!
Once a month the group meets to discuss and analyse photos taken in their regular competitions. This session usually includes some other aspects of photography for the members to learn about. Last month, member Deborah Duncan, aided by Richard Townend, led a really interesting session on the different types of camera lenses and filters available, and how they can be used. This was followed by another member, Bob Gasston, who gave a short analysis and description of techniques used in an earlier competition, ‘Shadows’, where panorama and drone shots had been used.
LADCC members have been asked to “WATCH OUT” for their next monthly photo competition entitled “Timepieces” which, again, should provide some interesting and varied interpretations of the title.
The club usually meets twice a month with an indoor ‘workshop’ and, often, an outing toward the end of the month where the group gets together to collectively work on the monthly competition. The club welcomes new members, either visitors or residents, as with modern day technology we can all keep in contact for training sessions and sharing knowledge via ‘group chats’. If you would like to come along to a meeting, please contact Jill, as below, in order to receive an appropriate warm welcome.
If you would like more information about the Club, please do not hesitate to visit the website www.Los-alcazares-camera.club.com or contact Jill via email on informationladcc@gmail.com
Share the pleasure of photography in the Mar Menor area
The Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) was founded in 2006 and was originally called the LA Digital Cafe, where members met over a coffee to discuss photography. This quickly developed into a more formal programme of monthly photo competitions and outings to places of photographic interest.
Over the years, the club has adapted to the changes in camera technology and techniques, and continued throughout Covid by using ‘Zoom’ for online meetings and learning sessions.
Fast forward to 2024, and the club is now a small, enthusiastic, friendly group where members encourage and support each other at the start of, and throughout, their photographic journey. The group includes a wide range of people with varying skills, all of whom are happy to share techniques, tips and ideas to improve one’s hobby.
They have monthly competitions and outings that provide an opportunity to explore different aspects of photography and develop camera craft and artistic skills. Their indoor sessions may include in-house training, reviews of monthly competitions or planning outings to cover topics discussed.
They meet once a month at the ‘Centro Cultural las Claras’ in Los Narejos, which has super facilities and ample parking. Any outings are usually towards the end of the month to link in with our regular competitions.
New members are most welcome and if you would like more information, please make contact as follows:
- Website: www.Los-alcazares-camera.club
- Jill, via email: informationladcc@gmail.com
