AREA NEWS
AREA 3`s YEAR:- After some period of `quiet`, Co-ordinator, Roy Salmons re-started a local newsletter using a very nice computer printout. Roy has been poorly of late, having suffered a mild heart attack. During December he had a heart by-pass operation and we hope that he is now up and fighting again.
Roy is back to using commercial kits, but I am sure many of you will remember the excellent Photoworld E6 kits that he produced. On the `Digital` front, Roy touched on possibly using computer technology to your old B&W prints to remove blemishes, scratches and other marks, or even remove people from the print. A friend of his, though not a computer buff, came up with the following notion.... Using a scanner or Genlock to get the required image into the computer`s memory you then do the necessary work on the image - remove the people you don`t want, fill in the scratches etc. using an art package or similar programme. Then comes the clever bit! You use the actual television screen picture as your negative and print it on to photographic paper. The television acts as a cold cathode head, and the picture on the television is the negative (the image has to be reversed in tones of course). Used then above a normal enlarging head and your finished picture is produced on to the photographic paper and processed in the conventional way. I see no reason if this works (and why shouldn`t it?) in B&W, why it should not work from a colour negative or transparency, printed on to colour paper. Please don`t shoot the theory down in flames if you haven`t actually tried it. But your comments would be welcome.
We have actually linked up a video to a small monitor, plonked the monitor on top of the bottom section of a large format enlarger and made a print. The `lines` are not obtrusive and the enlargement we made was most promising. All we have to do now is link up the computer into the system.
Roy also reported on a `strange` business! Kodak had issued a memo to the effect that counterfeit Kodacolor Gold film has found its way on to the market. Although the boxes are a good imitation of the genuine article, the same cannot be said of the contents, which according to Kodak are a most inferior product. The boxes bear an unusual logo so should be easily recognisable. There is no suspicion of any slide films suffering the same fate - yet. As a minority product this might be an area left alone by the counterfeiters.
Since mentioning the Photoworld kit (above) Roy adds "About seven years ago, when the lease expired on my shop and I had to leave, I moved in (with my model trains) with a friend who ran a `rival` photographic business. This meant that the photographic half of my own business had to come to an end. Also ended were the E6 Kits which I used to supply to an appreciative world - especially to a number of members of the CRC. Now that I am back on my own again, I am considering re-starting the photographic kits that I used to do. As their production is very time-consuming it would obviously be sensible to first try and get some idea of the demand - if any. If you might be interested in E6 Kits, C41 (colour Neg.) kits, RA4 (colour paper) kits, etc. perhaps you would care to give me a brief note to that effect. Or give a ring or send a Fax. (Home number and fax, 0492-875806). There is no idea of price yet, although there would be special deals to CRC members, and there would be no obligation on your part. Just at the market research stage!".
Your editor used Photoworld kits many times and found them excellent. So, if you are interested why not get in touch with Roy, at Photoworld, 7a. Victoria Road, Craig-y-Don, Llandudno, Gwynedd. LL30 1LQ. Also enquire about his Special Limited Offers to CRC members, on the new Agfa CTX100 & 200 colour reversal film, Agfa HDC200 colour print film, Canon EOS 500 camera kit, Ucar Alkaline batteries, Ilford B&W (1995) film, and Barclay resin coated B&W paper (made by Kentmere).
AREA 22`s YEAR:- The Area has had a good year and is the largest group in the C.R.C., with -- members, although they suffered the sad loss of two `elder` members, Eric Clark and Patrick Marchment, during April.
Also in April they held the Area`s A.G.M., at the Village Hall, Catherington, Surrey, which also included demonstration of D.I.Y. cameras & photographic accessories, Jessop`s new Studio Flash, slide & print shows and a Bring & Buy stall. Refreshments were available.
Jeff gave a `talk` on the new Kingston, local, FM Radio station and got the CRC a nice mention. This has led Jeff into a weekly series on Photography, and news about local Clubs, during May 1994, with a 20 minute slot every Saturday or Sunday.
Jeff also reported that, on going to buy a replacement battery (2CR5) for Jane`s Canon Sureshot Megazoom 105 camera, he was quoted a price, between, œ11.95 to œ6.95, each. Looking through current photo magazines he found that CAPITAL CAMERAS of 24-26. The Boulevard, Crawley, Sussex, advertised the 2CR5 at œ4.95, each plus œ1.95 p&p. The batteries were of Sony make. So for the price of one battery he could buy locally, he could obtained two. These lithium batteries have a shelf life of up to 10 years.
On June 26th. a "Photo Day" took place at Horton Country Park at Chessington. Jeff reported that it was a fine sunny day with plenty of photographic interest at Horton Park Farm, with many free range small black pigs running all over the place. A large black pig had made a deep hole in a pond and gave its impression of a mostly submerged Hippo, then moving into the shadows to shake itself off like a dog with pongy black mud flying everywhere. there were also rare breeds of cattle, sheep, chickens, ponies, goats and ducks and geese. Its a great place to take the children or grand-children.
In the evening they enjoyed a very tasty meal in Jeff & Jane`s garden, with Jeff as head chef at the barbecue. The only disappointment being that they wished more members had come along. The Area is very wide spread making it difficult for most of the members to meet. However `feelers` are being put out to see if a "Sub-Area" meeting may be possible in Devon and Cornwall.
Area 20 member, Reg Cornish, made similar comments in the October CRCN, Letter page. A lot of hard work & organising goes into these meetings and they are always very enjoyable, but it does require more members to try and attend. If YOU think you can help your Area Co-ordinator to organise a day out I am sure he/she will be very pleased to hear from you and help wherever possible. You don`t have to organise refreshments in the manner that Jeff & Jane, do, simply arranging to meet at a local pub or restaurant would suffice. Transport costs could be shared.
It is not always appreciated how much work Area Co-ordinators do behind the scenes to keep your Area active and supplied with your local & National Newsletters. I am sure they would appreciate hearing more from their members to know if you are satisfied with your membership or to hear your views on the things you think could be added to the annual agenda. Why not make a New Year`s resolution to put pen to paper, today!