January 2011 - Photographic Society of Sri Lanka

Photographic Society of Sri Lanka
Presentation
January 2011
Volume 4 Issue 1
Member of
Patron
Mr. Joe De Livera
Executive Committee
Sample from web
President
Mr Mithra Weerakone
Vice President
Mr. Manohara De Silva
Secretary
Mr. Manju fernando
Asst Secretary
Ms. Cheryl Silva
Celebration of Majesty, The Sri Lankan Elephant.
Mr. Vajira Wijegunawardane a famous wildlife photographer presented his majestic
images contained in his book, “Celebration of Majesty, The Sri Lankan Elephant" at
the December meeting. The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas Maximus Maximus) is the
largest living land animal in Asia today. It is a distinct sub-species of the Asian elephant and is indigenous to Sri Lanka. What’s more, Sri Lanka is considered the best
place in Asia to observe these regal creatures in the wild. During his presentation he
took the audience through an intimate visual journey into its world, which was a result of a 14–year long personal odyssey photographing elephants in the wild.
Treasurer
Mr. S.K. Soysa
Committee
Mr. Panduka De Silva
Mr. Bandu Gunaratne
Mr. Romesh De Silva
Mr. Marcel Bandaranaike
Dr. Ruwan Fonseka
Sample from web
Next Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 8th
February
Photographic Society of Sri Lanka
Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre, 18, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7.
Tel. +94 011 4901837
photosocsl@gmail.com
www.pssl.lk
Page 2
Reflections
Capture This ! Winners for January
January 2011 – in Uniform – A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization
while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary
organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates in prisons
Assignment Monochrome
Ravindra Ranasinghe 5 pts
Assignment Colour
Chandrasena Perera 5 pt
Open Monochrome
Ravindra Ranasinghe 5 pts
Open Colour
Chandrasena Perera 5 pt
Page 3
Reflections
Capture This !
February - Loneliness
Closing date 27th January
The photographic submission should convey the feeling of loneliness through the overall mood or
via the subject matter.
March – Bloom
Closing date 22nd February
As in a flower or a bud to depict the natural transformation that occurs in a plant’s life cycle.
ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY FROM MEMBERS WHO HAVE PAID THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS
Thank you
PSSL wishes to thank the Metropolitan Group of Companies who have continued to support us in innumerable
ways.
Page 4
Reflections
Continued…
News
The Closing Date (February 12, 2011) for Coachella 2011 International Exhibition of Photography is getting
closer! Perhaps now is a good time to enter! The Closing Date is February 12, 2011.
Click for entry forms (www.cvdcc.org/exhibitions).
This exhibition is recognized by the Photographic Society of America Color Projected Image Division (CPID).
There are two sections: Color General and Color Theme. The Theme this year is Buildings. Fees are US$7 per
section.
Entry is now online at the above link. Images must be in JPEG format and not exceed 1024 pixels on the longest side. There are no restrictions on file size.
We look forward to your participation!
Our warm wishes to our friends around the world for any and all holidays and New Years!
With regards
The Coachella 2011 International Exhibition Team
The first German International DVF-Photocup, a circuit with 3 judgings.
Patronages from PSA, FIAP and DVF.
The total cash prize for best author is 500 Euro, as well as special prizes for clubs and youth.
You may enter with 4 images in the sections Open (PSA division CPID) and/or Nature (PSA division Nature).
Closing date is 29. May 2011
All information can be downloaded on following website: http://www.germanphotocup.de. To enter very
comfortable you may find there also a link for uploading your images.
Apologies for duplicates if you have already entered or received this announcement.
Norbert Heil
Chairman German International DVF-Photocup 2011
Page 5
Reflections
News
‘Nature Trail 2011’ : An excursion to the wonders of nature
Senkadagala Photo Circle invites interested individuals to spend a few days roaming through
cloud forests in Horton Plains, while escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. This provides a
golden opportunity for those who are engaged in different occupations loaded with stresses and
worries to relax and taste the comfort of nature.
‘Nature Trail 2011’ is a residential workshop on nature conservation, appreciation and photography conducted in Horton Plains National Park. Participants can adore the novel experience of
staying in the national park as they will get accommodation in the new dormitory, which is situat
-ed in the National Park. Huge diversity of fauna and flora of Horton Plains and quick but dramatic climate changes will provide an extraordinary experience and create a vast array of photographic opportunities through-out the day. Horton Plains is the only place that you would be
able to get an experience of this nature. As the participants will be staying in the park, they will
also get the rare opportunity of creating fine arts images in Horton Plains during twilights at
dawn and dusk. In general, the participants will have a great prospect of getting acquainted with
wild-life and nature photography, wildlife conservation and fauna and flora of vibrant cloud forests.
Please contact the Secretary or the President for more information .
Page 6
Reflections
How to win a photography Competition…..

How will the images be used? – Each competition will use the images submitted differently and it worth considering the implications of
this. The first competition that I entered made one of it’s conditions of entry that they could use the images in pretty much any way that
they wanted after the competition. This left a lot of photographers angry when their images started appearing all over the place.

It can mean the difference between winning and losing – one of the heartbreaking things about being involved in the running of a competition is seeing the many wonderful entries that are submitted incorrectly and as a result are not able to be considered for a prize. Read the
rules of the photography competition to see how many shots you can submit, when they need to be in, what format they should be in etc –
and stick to these guidelines or you could well be wasting your time!
Photography Competitions are a wonderful way to improve your photography. While photography just for the
sake of photography is a lot of fun sometimes a competition can help you raise the bar as a photographer as
you know your image will be seen by a discerning group of judges and Photography competitions come in all
shapes and sizes and range from online friendly competitions or assignments through to local competitions in
photography clubs through to international photography competitions entered by pro photographers.
Having judged and entered my share of Photography Competitions I thought I’d write up a few tips for aspiring
photographers wanting to have a go in competitions:
1. Know and Follow the Competition Rules
While they might be a little boring to read – the terms and conditions of entry to the competition that you’re
entering are the place that you really need to start when considering if and how to enter.
There are two main reasons for this:
.
How will the images be used? – Each competition will use the images submitted differently and it
worth considering the implications of this. The first competition that I entered made one of it’s conditions of entry that they could use the images in pretty much any way that they wanted after the competition. This left a lot of photographers angry when their images started appearing all over the place.
·
It can mean the difference between winning and losing – one of the heartbreaking things about being
involved in the running of a competition is seeing the many wonderful entries that are submitted incorrectly and as a result are not able to be considered for a prize. Read the rules of the photography
competition to see how many shots you can submit, when they need to be in, what format they
should be in etc – and stick to these guidelines or you could well be wasting your time!
2. Stick to the Theme of the Competition
This leads us to our next tip – an obvious but important one – stick to the theme! I am always amazed when
judging competitions just how many of the images leave A LOT to the imagination of judges in terms of how
they relate to the theme.
While there is generally room for creativity and interpretation of themes, there’s only so far that a group of
judges will allow an image to stray from the nominated theme of the competition.
While it’s always possible to find an image in your archive of shots that fits the ‘theme’ of a competition – I find
I have more luck when I shoot something new with the competition in mind. I not only get better results this
way but more importantly – it means I’m taking new images and learning more about photography in doing so.
Reflections
Page 7
3. Do Some Research
It is amazing what you can do to improve your chances of winning a photography competition if you just do a
little logical thinking and research before you start shooting.
If the competition is annual, look at the winners from last year – while you don’t want to copy them, they
could give you some hints as to the type of images that do well. If the competition is run by an organization or
has a major sponsor – this can also be worth keeping in mind as it could tell you about the type of image they
are looking for. Lastly – if the judges names are published take a little time to familiarize yourself with their
work. What style of work do they do, what type of image might they appreciate?
4. Avoid Cliches and Stand Out
If the competition has a theme it can be a fine line between a great shot and one that is a predictable cliche.
Keep in mind that judges will potentially be viewing thousands of images in their task of choosing winners so if
your image is just like everyone else’s it’s not likely to even get on their radar.
A tip I was given by a mentor years back for interpreting themes was to identify the type of shot that you expect everyone else will be submitting in response to the theme and then to set out to do everything you can
to set yourself apart from it. This is a skill that comes with experience – but it’s worth learning.
Stand out from the crowd by choosing compelling subjects, striking colors, unusual but strong composition
etc. Display your knowledge of rules of composition but don’t be afraid to break them if necessary.
5. Aim for Technical Brilliance
This should go without saying but from my experience as a judge I can only say that many photographers
seem to settle for less than their best. If an image isn’t perfectly focused, exposed brilliantly or composed
strongly – take another one. Don’t settle for mediocre results – the judges won’t!
6. Avoid Distracting Elements
One of the big mistakes that I see in judging of photography competitions is images where the photographer
simply has not paid attention to every part of the frame. Distracting elements pop up in backgrounds, foregrounds, color etc and they can mean the difference between a good shot and a fantastic one.
7. Go for a Reaction
As I think back on winning images in the last few competitions that I’ve participated in as a judge and participant – they all do a great job of ‘connecting’ with those that are viewing the image. Tell a story, hit people
with emotion, do something with a shot that connects and evokes some sort of a reaction in those looking at
the image.
Technically great shots without a ’soul’ will leave judges wanting something a little more. I know when I’m
faced with the choice between the ‘technically perfect’ and a shot that is slightly less technically brilliant but
which connects with me that it’s the later that usually gets my vote.
8. Enter Another Competition
Did you win? Yes? Build upon your success and enter another one. No? Do try again! The glory of winning a
photography competition fades in time – but the lessons that you learn in competing will stick with you forever.
Courtesy : http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-win-a-photographycompetition#ixzz1DACRqKoI
Page 8
Reflections
News
Dr M S Weerakone honored
Well known Veteran Photographer Dr M.S.Weerakone was honored with a Kalabushana title
from the state at a colorful awards ceremony recently. This is the second instance that a
member of the society was thus honored, the first being Kalabushana L.E. Samararathne
(Journalist/Photographer) The society congratulate Dr.Weerakone of his achievement on his
contribution on artistic photography to Sri Lanka.
2nd Student Photography Exhibition
The Students who successfully completed the Dec 2010 batch are to organize an exhibition
with the inclusion of all 2010 student batches. Mr Mohan Morais will coordinate as Exhibition Chair-man. Please coordinate with him for further details . Contact no: 0773541982
Certificate Course in Photography—2011
A record number of participants were enrolled (72) for the course and the success of the
course is of the quality of the lecturing by Mr.Panduka De Silva where this year’s program
did not need any advertising . The past students had introduced their friends, and relatives
to join the course. We also thank Mr.Chandrasena Perera and the Society President’s contribution on the Field trips.
PSSL Classifieds
If you would like to sell any of your photography
related equipment or services this is the place to
do it.
Rs. 200 per box. Per issue.
You may include pictures and text. If you wish, a
multiple of boxes may be combined. Payment to
be made in advance to the Society on or before
the 21st of the preceding month.
A target audience of people who are especially
interested in Photography.
Example
Over 450 email recipients and approximately 2,000
Facebook members. Can also be accessed via the
PSSL website.
The latest (1948) model Rolliecord
Excellent condition
Price expected—Rs. 100,000
Contact - 123 456789
Page 9
Photographic Society of Sri Lanka
SCOREBOARD
Monthly Competition
Winners January 2011
Topic - In Uniform
Judged By
Mr.Panduuka de Silva
Mr. Bandu Gunaratne
Assignment Colour
Chandrasena Perera 5
Chandrasena Perera 3
Ravindra Ranasinghe 1
Quick update
The presentation in the month of December was “Celebration of Majesty,
The Sri Lankan Elephant” by Mr. Vajira Wijegunawardane a famous wildlife
photographer.
Capture This - topics
January
- “In Uniform”. Wining pictures in the news letter
February
— Loneliness
March
—Bloom
“How to win a Photography Exhibition...” an article from the Internet.
Assignment Mono
Ravindra Ranasinghe 5
Chandrasena Perera 3
Chandrasena Perera 1
Open Colour
Chandrasena Perera 5
Chandrasena Perera 3
Suresh Weerasuriya 1
Congratulations
To Veteran photographer Dr M S Weerakoon who was honored with the
Kalavibushana title.
News
Open Mono
Ravindra Ranasinghe
Suresh Weerasuriya
Chandrasena Perera
Chandrasena Perera
5
3
1
1
2nd Student Photography exhibition and the Certificate Course in Photography 2011
Thank you
PSSL wishes to thank the Metropolitan Group of Companies who have continued to support us in innumerable ways.
Next Monthly
Meeting
Tuesday 8th
February
Editors Note
We truly value your encouragement, suggestions, and constructive criticism. Thank
you to all of you who have taken the time to do so. My sincere apologies for the delay in publishing this issue of Reflections— Manju Fernando
Photographic Society of Sri Lanka
Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre, 18, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7.
Tel. +94 011 4901837
photosocsl@gmail.com
www.pssl.lk