MEMBERS of Cowal Camera Club have been enjoying a busy and successful period, combining competition success with a varied and engaging programme of talks.
On Wednesday, March 11, several members travelled to Oban to take part in the Frank Walton Inter-Club Competition, competing against the other Argyll clubs.
Cowal emerged as winners on the night, lifting the trophy with a score of 253.5 points, ahead of Campbeltown (242), Mid-Argyll (246) and hosts Oban (247). The competition was judged by Frank Walton himself.
However, it was a more challenging result for the club just two days later, when Cowal faced Ayr Photographic Society in their annual inter-club contest. Despite a strong performance, Cowal scored 337 points, with Ayr retaining the trophy on 346 and denying Cowal a hat-trick of wins across the three competitions.
Back in Dunoon, members gathered for a series of short talks on Monday evening, offering a mix of practical advice and travel inspiration.
Adam Heath opened the session with a presentation titled Back Up or Bust, tackling the common issue of managing large volumes of digital photographs. He shared useful tips on organising image libraries and highlighted reliable methods of backing up files to avoid potential data loss.
Andy Daw then gave members an insight into his recent wildlife photography trip to Finland. Staying close to the Russian border, he captured striking images of brown bears, including mothers with young cubs, as well as white-tailed eagles, red squirrels and wolverines.
The evening concluded with a talk from Lesley McKay, who shared highlights from a long-awaited journey to Nepal. Her presentation took members through her experiences trekking in the Himalayas, as well as visits to Dubai and Kathmandu, bringing to life a trip she had dreamed of for many years.
The varied programme made for an informative and enjoyable evening for members.
Cowal Camera Club meets regularly at the Community Shed, Wellness Room, Unit 2, 8 Hamilton Street, Dunoon, and welcomes photographers of all abilities, from beginners using smartphones to experienced DSLR users.
For more information on upcoming events and membership, visit www.cowalcameraclubco.uk.
