On 7 April the Hermanus Photographic Society (HPS) held perhaps its last meeting over Zoom in “virtual” conditions as it is planned from next month (on 5 May) to restore the regular monthly meeting at the Dutch Reformed Church in Church Street, Hermanus. However, Zoom meetings have been a link for all members during Covid conditions, and although somewhat limited to photographic opportunities, they have yet again achieved local, national and international success with their photographic endeavours.
First and foremost at the club meeting was congratulations to three members for achieving much sought after Photographic Society of South Africa (PSSA) honours. Phil Sturgess obtained the designation APSSA for a body of work in the Mono category whereas both Elizma Fourie and Carina de Klerk were awarded the LPSSA designation for their body of work in the Colour category.
The meeting also had its regular monthly competition ably judged, albeit remotely, by Kim Stevens of Limelightfoto and of the Cape Town club. This month the set subject being Silhouettes where Phil Sturgess was the winner with his “Misty Poplar Spires” and to follow that up he also obtained the Senior Image of the month designation with his “Vermont Cascade” both images having also obtained Certificates of Merit.
Alongside these two excellent photographs were a further 13 gold awards and two certificates of merit (COM).
In various international salons five club members had great success with Phil Sturgess also achieving a COM for his “Winter Tree Zig Zag” and David Wilson achieving three COMs for his “Kalta Minor Khiva”, “Sher Dor Madrasah” and “Vatican Skyline” as well as four honourable mentions.
On 2 April with the lifting of Covid Restrictions, HPS’s participation in the Hermanus First Friday Art Walk was again a success with the best attendance for months.
Then on Sunday 4 April the club also very successfully manned a stall at the return of Hermanus Art in the Park that now takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 9am at the Cricket Ground (Country Market). This will be a regular monthly event for the club and more so as on 2 May, Hermanus Art in the Park will be making “Photographic Arts” its featured monthly theme. Any local photographers wishing to take part in this please contact the club president at 064 745 3552 or at info@hermanusphoto.co.za
Next month’s (May) set subject and another challenging one for the members will be “Weather”. At this point of time it is planned that this will be a return to a regular meeting at the Dutch Reformed Church in Church Street Hermanus.