Fotofest Central

I celebrated my 70th birthday by attending Fotofest Central, an event sponsored by Fotospeed with some high power photography speakers, such as Morag Paterson (pictured) and her husband/photographic partner Ted Leeming (extra). Mark Littlejohn, Tom Way and Charlie Waite were the others.

A point to remember from Tom Way and Charlie Waite: the smallest detail can 'make' or 'break' a photograph. Charlie sometimes prints two copies of a photo making the smallest of changes in one of them, then asks someone to say which photo they prefer. Invariably the photo chosen is the one he thinks is better.

I liked the way the light fell on Leeming and Paterson in the big tent set up for the venue, which was being held on the sidelines of the annual Patchings Arts Festival, just north of Nottingham.

An incredibly hot day but there was a very welcome breeze which blew open the side panels at one point in the afternoon. It got hot in the tent but we could dip outside between talks to get a breather and look at the stalls set up by various vendors with generous discounts on their products. I thought £300 off a Sigma wide angle lens was quite good but couldn't afford it. In the end, I settled for a pack of Fotospeed Gloss Art Fibre paper. I like the warmer colour of the paper.

The event and festival were very well organised. I can thoroughly recommend them. And the pavilion was open this year for refreshments which saved the long trek down to the cafe and a probable wait in a queue. And, best of all, I met a lady who had been on the Venice trip with me last year. We had a very enjoyable day together.

Journey home delayed by steam tractors departing the Rempstone Steam and Country Show. Must go and peel garlic and ginger for prawns tonight.