AGM & Council Meetings

The WCPF hold the AGM usually on the second Saturday in October and the Council Meeting on the first Saturday in March.

The AGM meeting takes place in the morning leaving the afternoon for an invited quest speaker(s).

Each club is invited to send two delegates to both meetings but other club members are welcome to attend and enjoy the afternoon lectures.

Election of executives members is held annually at the AGM. To download a nomination form, click;-  executivenominationform.doc 

Click for minutes of the 2011 AGM 
Click for minutes of the 2011 Council Meeting

The 2011 AGM of the Federation was again held at the Village Hall, Clyst St Mary, Exeter. As reports were previously distributed to the clubs, only comments and queries were dealt with at the business meeting.

The new executive committee was elected with Eddy Lane of Calne Woodlands CC as incoming Vice President. Paula Graham of Newton Abbot was elected as assistant to DPIC and Peter Fry of Barnstaple was elected as an ordinary committee member. With the retirement of Mike Wheatley, who was thanked for his service, the role of archivist has been removed as a committee position and offered to any general member who would be willing to take on the position.

After 15 ½ years on the committee, Barrie Bluer stood down from the Health and Safety position. This role is now to be the responsibility of each event organiser. Barrie’s service and loyalty to the Federation in varying committee positions, including being President, was much appreciated.

DPAGB certificates were presented to both Eddy and Pam Lane following their recent successes in gaining these distinctions.

At the Members’ Print Exhibition, members from the public were invited to choose their ‘Favourite’ print. ‘Dewy Demoiselle’ from Peter Norwood won the trophy, and this was presented to him.

A totally different approach was used for the after AGM presentation this year where Bristol Photographic Society was invited to give a presentation of their society’s work. BPS being one of the oldest and most successful photographic societies in our federation with over 100 members – who currently hold 65 distinctions, displayed some 100 prints and projected 500 images. Barry Mead led the presentation of 39 members work. The Prints were made up of panels that had gained various distinctions in recent years for 12 members. With images ranging from Mono, Sport, Figure studies, Wildlife, Travel and Landscapes, AGM attendees were treated to a feast of the finest in photography. Neil McCoubrey gave a novel power point presentation used by the society to make new members welcome and as a lesson to other clubs. This is now added to our website courtesy of BPS. Our grateful thanks to the entire BPS team who gave their time for this display.

Peter Howell, Neil McCoubrey, Barry Mead, Ann Mead and Carol Sykes from BPS

2011 Council Meeting

The WCPF Council meeting was held at the Village Hall, Clyst St Mary on the 12^th March. Thirty two clubs were represented for the ‘Business’ part of the meeting. As reports had been previously sent to the clubs, more time was available for questions to each of the executive committee.
Encouragement was given to enter the forthcoming Members Print Exhibition by Pam & Eddy Lane who are looking for a bumper entry this year, with a closing date of 24th April.
Questions were raised about the issue of ‘Photographers Rights’ and attendees were directed to an article in a recent PAGB Newsletter which is available on the WCPF website. A copy of the current situation can be printed off and carried by photographers which can be presented to Police if so challenged.
There are still vacancies on the WCPF executive for Inter Club DPIC Sec. and a PAGB representative.
Closer links are being sought with the RPS who is showing interest in Federation activities which could develop into a two way relationship.
The PAGB have suggested an alteration to how members qualify to enter for distinctions. The WCPF propose to keep the system the way it is with members proving a support to the federation first. The PAGB also wish to get a feeling regarding the use of video clips within Audio Visual competitions. The WCPF are recommending at the most allowing a ‘minimum’ amount per sequence. The PAGB will discuss both issues at their AGM in April.

In the afternoon attendees were treated to an award winning yet controversial presentation by David Penprase FRPS entitled ‘Passion, Pleasure and Pain’. Later David and his Wife Jan featured a wonderful study of the locals of Porthleven in Cornwall. These pictures have been made into a book which has so far produced over £20,000 for a local children’s hospice.

The picture below shows David and Jan with some of their pictures from ‘Harbour to Harbour.

SPEAKER AT COUNCIL MEETING 12^th March 2011        DAVID PENPRASE FRPS

David rarely gives talks on his photography, and it is some years since he last spoke at a WCPF meeting.  A member of the London Salon, his photographs achieved several London Salon Gold Medals before his election to that eminent body. He is also a member of the RPS Printing Distinctions Panel, and will bring along a number of his own superb monochrome darkroom prints, so their quality can be appreciated at close quarters.

                                                           Passion Pleasure and Pain

Twice winning the Monochrome section of the Austrian Super Circuit, his dark and moody “people pictures” have a justified reputation as enigmatic and sometimes even baffling photographic constructions. The primal atmosphere in them demands viewers attention.

David's wife Jan has played an important part in the development of his style by direct involvement in the creation of the particular look of the models used in the photographs.

                                                                    Harbour to Harbour

 They have collaborated again in their latest venture, which is a series of photographs, quite different in style to those described above, which portrays the people of Porthleven in Cornwall, and endeavours to capture the true essence of the harbour town's community. The book of the project is due to be published in February, so WCPF members attending the Council meeting are seeing the very latest work of this talented team. An exhibition of the photographs is being held in Porthleven for two weeks from 12^th to 25^th February, and profits from sales of the book are going to the Precious Lives charity appeal.

David will give his presentations in the afternoon of the Council Meeting, starting at 2pm. In contrast to the dark and sometimes menacing appearance of some of his work, David is a lively and humorous speaker, and has been a great supporter of amateur photographers over many years.