COBBLER'S PAGE

As I write my piece I am unaware of what took place at the AGM but I assume everything was sorted out and that official were appointed to keep the club running. It has been a trying time for CRC and its hard working officials. It is a problem at the best of times to get people involved in the running of a club. At the moment I am President, Syllabus Secretary and, most importantly Tea boy at Batley Camera Club. No one wants to know if there's a job to do. However I presume photography continues to be practised in the darkroom by some members and we are not about to become the CCC (Colour Computer Club). 

Bill's admirable pages on how the computer works for the club magazine underlined for me just how much hard work goes into producing what I take for granted - my piece laid out to read so well. 

Some time ago Lawrence Edwards produced a formula for processing RA4 paper. It was printed as % solution. I had a word with Lawrence and sorted out a method of weights I could follow. Since then Rayco have produced a lovely little booklet with Lawrence's formula included in it. (see the winter magazine). I got the necessary chemicals and made the formula up. First thing I noticed was how strong it smelled, not an unpleasant smell more like a lady's perfume. I use my own formula for RA4 processing as printed in the CRC magazine. I know several members have used it with good results so I used this as a comparison to try out the Lawrence Edward brew. In particular the rate at which it goes 'off'. I don't find this a problem as I usually mix and use within a week-end ie. 48hrs.

But I realise this is, or could be a problem if you are using a Nova tank system.

To compare: the L E formula does seem to go on for longer. There is no difference in the results though filtration was a lot different. I had to use higher values than I normally do. It seems to be harder to get consistant results. A test print may give you colour that is correct but in using the findings the final print can be out 5-10 units. This is in the paper or in the processing not, I am sure, anything to do with the chemical side. What else can I say? RA4 processing is EASY.

Use dishes, a safelight well away from the processing area,and you can have a finished print within minutes. Both formulas work well. Use Lawrence's for longer life, use mine for its simplicity. Glycerine as recommended or 5cc if using for short periods. You will be impressed with the results.

AV is an abbreviation that's used a lot by the small band of enthusiasts that meet in my home through the September to May period each year (and have done for the past ten years). AV meaning Audio Visual are slides set to music, the spoken word or both using two projectors with a facility to fade one projector down as the other comes up onto the same screen. This produces some spectacular effects. As one picture fades into the next you can get a combination of the two, with a slow fade this can be quite magical. Done quickly you can get a strong sense of movement from static pictures.

When combined with a suitable piece of music/commentary your slide shows take on a new dimension. As a group we produce an annual show, each member being given ten minutes to fill. This is stimulating and leads to some good ideas for sequences. The show is presented for two nights for our club funds and is well supported. The show is then made available to other groups wanting to raise funds or entertain their own members.

The people who book us range from Probus Clubs, WI, Churches, Scout Fellowship, Stroke Club and Residential Homes for the Elderly. We have a small fee to help with the maintainance of our equipment and are asked out twenty times a year on average. The technical side of all this can be quite simple by operating the projectors manually but it is more usual these days to have it done electronically via a pulse on a tape.

Equipment to do this can be expensive or reasonable depending on the size of audience you intend to aim for. If there is sufficient interest for a series of articles on the equipment used in AV and the way sequences are produced I would be willing to write some. It is a big subject and could not be condensed into one short piece. For instance, Lith film as explained by John Batty in the last issue is used a lot in some sequences and it could take pages to explain how it is used. I am willing but would like feedback on this.

A line to Bill or to me would give us some idea of the extent of interest.

Anyone who has tried to get the Library these past few weeks I'm afraid will have had no answer due to my extended holiday, my apologies. I shall be back on 26th of August.