Forest of Galtres Camera Club

Monday 8th December 2014

Keith Roberts, president of the club, presented an audio visual show that kept everyone engaged. Some were even surprised when the show came to an end indicating how quickly the time had passed. Keith began by explaining the programmes he used to develop his sequences. A combination of Pictures to Exe 6 and a programme called Cooledit enabled him to see where to place pictures in relation to the different sections of the particular music chosen to compliment a theme. He also kindly offered to share his expertise with anyone who wished to know more.

Keith is a train enthusiast with a real depth of knowledge of the development and history of engines. So it was not surprising that he began with a sequence called A4s. This proved to be a celebration of the achievements of the Mallard series of engines and the 75th anniversary of the speed record recently marked by the National Railway Museum by the gathering together of six significant engines in one place.

Next, came Weardale, a trip taken with two friends to the north Pennines. Amongst the features of this area were quaint villages and abandoned lead mines. Keith used Queen’s Bicycle as the musical backing for images collected celebrating The Grand Depart. Keith captured everything from the yellow bikes to decorated shop windows to the atmosphere created by crowds and the sense of speed from the competitors themselves. Steam and Flowers in Wales was a varied collection of images captured in Llandudno, Port Madoc and Beddgelert as well Carnarvon, Bala Lake, Bodnant Gardens and Powis Castle. The steam element was provided, amongst others, by the Bala Lake Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway.

A brief history of the York Mystery plays provided a useful comparison with images from a 21st century provision of this historic form of theatre. The session concluded with a visit to the summer splendour of Helmsley Walled Garden.

Many thanks to Keith for such a good combination of photographs and music.

Next week, club member Peter Briggs will be considering digital images brought in by members.