Things to remember...

I know it is supposed to be Spring, but here in the Hutt Valley we can still see snow on the Rimutaka hills, so bring some warm clothes if you are coming from a warmer climate. The evenings and early mornings are still quite cold.

Also please remember that breakfast is NOT catered for in your registration. You will need to bring your own breakfast foods. There is a supermarket close to the venue if you need anything in a hurry.

Costumes!!! We would love for you to dress up with us for the Saturday dinner. The theme being 1940's army hospital. Use your imagination and surprise us. We have three local costume hire companys offering discount if you require a costume from them and we can arrange to drop off costumes back to the shops on the Monday if necessary.

See you all next week!!

Don't Miss Out

Register now before it's too late. Some field trips are getting close to their limits as are some workshops. Don't be disappointed - register soon if you want to get your first choice of either.

There are still two motel units available for those who want the luxury of their own space. We also still have share twin rooms and plenty of bunk rooms available.

Registrations both full or part (you choose which events you wish to attend) are being accepted online on the website.

Two weeks to go!!!

We have only two weeks to go to convention!!

There are only a couple of places left for the wedding workshop and the macro one is filling fast also. Both workshops have limited numbers so if these are the ones you want to do then now is the time to be registering.

One workshop that you might like to consider is Momento Photobooks.
This workshop will show you how easy it is to create and publish your very own photobook with high quality materials. Great for those Christmas presents to folk far away. Great for a coffee table book for you to display your best images in. This workshop is one not to be missed!

Part day registrations now available.

We understand that times are tough, so we have made it a little bit easier for you to take part in the Central Regional Convention at the end of this month (Oct 30, 31 & Nov 1). We have revised the registration options and now opened it up to part day registrations.

The options are:

Friday evening only: $40.00
Saturday morning: $55.00
Saturday full day: $95.00
Saturday dinner & entertainment: $35.00
Sunday morning only: $55.00
Sunday full day: $75.00

If there is a workshop that interests you, now it is more affordable to attend. Some workshops are limited so if you would like to attend, register as soon as possible so as not to miss out.

Come and join us for the dinner on Saturday night. Where else can you get dinner and entertainment (we have a special surprise organized) for only $35 per head? There will be a cash bar operating.

To register, or to find out more information on the workshops, please visit our convention website at www.get-a-grip.co.nz

27 days to go

The count down has started as we are in the last few weeks before the Convention. The committee is busy doing all those last minute organising things to make it all happen and everything is almost ready to go.

We understand there are a good few of you out there who have yet to register. Can we ask that if you are planning to register that you let us know so that we can give the caterers some indication of numbers ahead of time. We would hate to have too little food!

So if you are planning to register in the next 27 days, can you please email me and let me know to expect you. The address is toya @ digitalpix . co . nz (just remove the spaces out of the address before sending to make it work).

Thanks folks :)

Pauatahanui Inlet - Sat morning field trip.

Choose between birds, boats or boatsheds - the choice is yours!

Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve
The Pauatahanui inlet is home to waterfowl, both local and migratory waders, with occasionally a rare visitor such as the bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica, for the birding enthusiast. The inlet is the only large area of salt-marsh and seagrass in the Wellington region. At the Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve you will find well defined paths through the wetlands, several hides around the reserve which are ideal for photographing those elusive birds. You will need good walking shoes and a warm jacket.

Refreshements will be available in the Reserve car park at 6.30am we suggest you all meet here before heading off into your chosen directions for that early morning cuppa.

Pauatahanui Village
This historic settlement located nearby features several historic buildings such as Taylor Stace Cottage and St Alban's Church with a churchyard featuring the graves of some early settlers.

Paramata Boating Club
Further around the inlet you will find the Paramata Boating Club with numerous colourful boat sheds and interesting craft of all shapes and sizes.

Mana Boatsheds
More colourful boatsheds can be seen on the north-western side of the inlet. Walk along the path directly behind them where numerous photographic opportunites can be found.

To top it all off and if you have time, the cafe at the Pauatahanui Village will be open for breakfast!

Motel Rooms

We have two motel rooms left on site for those who want more luxury accommodation. These units have a separate bedroom downstairs with a super king bed and a loft bedroom with two single beds upstairs.

We have these rooms available at $150 per night for two people and $20 per extra person. So if you put four people in the motel the cost would be $190 per night. If you are interested in these rooms contact toya @ digitalpix.co.nz (remove spaces).

We still have share twin rooms available at $21 per night (own bedding) or $27 per night (bedding supplied). Also bunk rooms at $17 per night (own bedding) or $23 per night (bedding supplied).

Salon & Interclub Competition Close Dates

We have just one week to go before the Sept 11 close off date for entries into the Individual Salon and the Interclub competitions at the Convention.

You need to get your entries in the post quick smart if you don't want to miss out.

Good luck to you all!

Last Days for Earlybird Fee

Just a wee reminder that Monday is the last day for the early bird registration fee for PSNZ members.

Don't forget the August 31 close off for early birds!

Photojournalism Workshop

Tony and Jenny Enderby will give you some insight on how to get your images and articles published, what editors are looking for and how to approach them. Their articles and photographs have been published in nearly 100 publications in at least 11 countries. They have written six books and been the prime photographers for four others.

You can see more of their work on their website at http://www.enderby.co.nz/

Programme Change

We wish to announce a change to our programme. This change has come about due to our wanting to give you the best set of options possible for the workshops. To this end, the Stop and Shoot workshop option has been replaced with Momento Books.

Momento photobooks are a new and contemporary way to present your photos in a premium hardcover book, spiral bound diary or A3 Calendar format. You will receive a copy of the software required to create these stunning books when you attend this workshop and will learn just how easy it is to create wonderful photobooks to showcase your images.

For more information please visit their website at http://www.momento.co.nz

Costume ideas for Saturday Night

Our venue is an old 1940's Army Hospital and because of this we thought it might be fun to dress up for the special entertainment we have planned for the Saturday night. We would like to encourage you all to take part in this.

We have costume hire companies offering discount to attendees (see earlier post) but if you can't take advantage of the 10% discount due to time retraints etc then why not consider bringing a costume with you. If you have a pair of striped PJ's or a dressing gown and slippers, why not come to dinner dressed as a patient!!!

If that doesn't suit, why not transform an old white pillowcase into a sling for your arm, or if you have access to bandages, consider wrapping them around your head. Get creative :)

Remember, you don't want to be the only person on the night that hasn't come in costume. Put your thinking caps on and join in the fun! The theme is 1940's Army Hospital.

Competition Closing Dates

Just a wee reminder to keep an eye on the closing dates for both the Salon and the Interclub competitions for the convention.

September 11th is the close off date so get your cameras clicking and those entries on their way.

You have just one month left!!

Judi's Workshop

Judi's Wedding Photography with a Twist workshop is proving to be very popular with those who have registered so far. The workshop is limited to 20 people in each session (both sessions will be the same) so if you are interested in attending this workshop you need to be quick to register.

We have spent months shopping online to get wedding dresses for this workshop and we have found some really adventurous models to wear them. It's been a huge amount of fun for those involved. As you can see from the photos in the previous message we have even trashed one already with paint in a water pistol. Don't panic about the lovely dresses being trashed - most of them cost less than $10 each.

As at noon August 6th, there are only 10 places left in the Saturday workshop and 17 places left in the Sunday workshop. We will keep you updated with numbers as registrations come in.

Media Release

Participants in the 2009 PSNZ Central Regional Photographic Convention will be encouraged to Get a Grip to develop their photographic expertise. They can expect to be amazed, amused, motivated and educated during the convention, to be held over a 3 day period, October 30th to November 1st. Hosted by the Hutt Camera Club at the Silverstream Retreat, Upper Hutt, it will feature workshops, field trips and guest speakers who are notable professional photographers.

Field trips will include a visit to the Staglands Wildlife Reserve with its numerous photographic opportunities which feature birds and animals, and an interesting old bush settlement. Staglands spreads over 10ha of bush, streams, ponds, hills and gullies and has been created and developed over many years to provide an area of natural beauty and character.

The Silver Stream Railway Museum will also provide awesome photo opportunities for the enthusiast with a steam engine working, people in period costume and authentic uniforms, period luggage and all the trappings of a bygone age.

Efil Doog (read this backwards) is another photographer’s paradise in Upper Hutt with its beautiful gardens, designed with imagination and humour. Here there are unusual trees and shrubs, and intriguing sculptures set in an area of rare and special ambience.

For those who fancy getting up early there is a treat in store with a visit to Pauatahanui Inlet with its multiple photographic opportunities. At the Western end of the inlet are numerous boatsheds of all sizes, colours and descriptions that provide ample subject material for the pictorial photographer. Pauatahanui Nature Reserve can be found at the Eastern end of the inlet where well defined tracks lead to several well-built hides which allow keen nature photographers to get up close and personal with the various birds that frequent this area.

Workshops will include wedding photography with a twist ( see photos to see what happened at a practice shoot! ), photojournalism, digital darkroom techniques, macro photography and more There will be something for everyone.

During the Second World War the Silverstream site was established as a military hospital to cater for large numbers of American marines, casualties of the war in the Pacific. This will be the theme for the Saturday evening dinner with entertainment.

This convention is suitable for anyone interested in photography. Point and shoot owners will be mingling with DSLR owners. Hobbyist, amateurs and professionals will all be learning together. This will be a fun filled weekend with photo opportunities galore.

Call for Registrations

Great to see registrations coming in already. Don't forget the workshops are on a first in first served basis.

Judi's workshop is proving to be popular and is limited to 20 people in each session, so if you are wanting to attend this workshop then we recommend your registering sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Saturday night dinner & entertainment

We have a special treat for you all on Saturday night and we would like you to join in the fun by dressing the part. This is entirely optional, however we think it will be a hoot if we call get into the theme of things.

As our venue is an old army hospital, that is our theme. 1940’s army hospital. You can be a patient, a doctor, a nurse, the cleaner, the cook, even a visitor – the choice is yours.

To assist you we have negotiated special rates at the local costume hire businesses. Their contact details are below. If you are not going to have time to visit them, how about your own local costume hire – bring something with you :)

Anything Goes Costume Hire
Level 1/Newbolds Building
24 Queen Street
Upper Hutt
Wellington
Phone: (04) 528 4653
Open: Mon 10am-5:30pm; Tue-Wed, Sat 10am-5pm; Thu-Fri 10am-6pm
http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/1rwn/anything-goes-costume-hire/
Mention you are attenting the convention to get discount.

Jesters Costume Hire
Upstairs
12 - 14 Railway Avenue
Lower Hutt
Wellington
Phone/Fax: (04) 587 0700
Open: Tues - Fri 10am - 6pm; Late night Thurs to 7.30pm; Sat 10am - 3pm;
(closed Sun, Mon & Public holidays)
http://jesters.co.nz/
Mention you are attenting the convention to get discount.

Totally Frocked Costume Hire
69 Pharazyn Street
Lower Hutt
Wellington
Phone: (04) 939 6037
Fax: (04) 920 1735
Open: Tuesday: 10:30am - 6:00pm; Wednesday: 10:30am -6:00pm; Thursday: 10:30am - 7.30pm; Friday: 10:30am - 6:00pm; Saturday: 10:30am - 3:30pm
http://totallyfrocked.co.nz/
Discount voucher required, available on request - email toya @ digitalpix.co.nz (remove spaces).

Accommodation surprise!

I know I have told you of the accommodation upgrades in a previous post but today we actually saw them first hand. We went up to the convention venue and had a look at the renovations that have been happening since we booked almost a year ago. Wow! What a diffence twelve months can make!

The lodge which houses the share twin accommodation has brand new bathrooms and showers, brand new innersprung king-single beds, fresh paint everywhere and brand new carpet on the floors. The kitchen has been upgraded and they were working on the dining room when we were there. The heating had been turned off when we visted but the buildings were still very warm. I am sure you are all going to be very comfortable with this accommodation.

The old buildings are still there so none of the photographic opportunities have been lost but the venue is constantly upgrading so who knows what other great stuff they will have finished before we get there in October!

Camera Talk Misprints

It has been bought to our attention that the May/June issue of Camera Talk has some errors regarding dates for the Central Regional Convention in the "For your diary" section. We apologise for any confusion caused by these errors and would like to reassure you that the information contained on our website is correct. If in doubt, check the website (www.get-a-grip.co.nz).

To clarify:

Closing date for the Interclub Competion and the Individual Salon is September 11th and NOT July.

There is NO Northern Regional Convention this year.

The Central Regional Convention is in October (Oct 30th, 31st & Nov 1st). We don't want you to miss out on a fantastic weekend cos you have the wrong date in your diary!

Early Morning Shoot

Pauatahanui Inlet, Porirua, is the magical location chosen by the Convention Committee for the early morning (6 am) field trip on Saturday 31 October. Here there are endless photo opportunities for photographers of all tastes and inclinations and you will not be disappointed.

At the western end of the inlet are numerous boatsheds of all sizes, colours and descriptions that provide ample subject material for the pictorial photographer. The early morning mist rising off the still waters, the reflections of hulls at anchor and the maritime ambience of this boat lover’s paradise can all be easily captured.

Pauatahanui Nature Reserve can be found at the eastern end of the inlet where well defined tracks lead to several well-built hides which allow keen nature photographers to get up close and personal with the various birds that frequent this area.

And to top off your visit, hot tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at the nature reserve car park.

(Own transport required or car pool with others)

Accommodation Update

We thought the accommodation looked pretty good when we checked out the venue but now things are even better there. The share twin rooms are being completely upgraded, new gib on the walls, new paint, new wardrobes, new carpet on the floors and upgraded bathrooms - and yes the prices are remaining the same!

There are also three apartment style motel units available to the first takers. These units have a super king bed in the main bedroom and two single beds in the loft room. The couch in the lounge also folds out to a bed if required. Get a group together and enjoy the luxury of the motel accommodation on site.

If you are interested email toya@get-a-grip.co.nz to see if they are still available and for costs.

Register Online Now

Registrations are now open, we have a online form available for you to use on the site. There will be a printable copy available for posting on the site later this week.

Dont forget to put your name as the reference on your direct deposits so we know who the money is coming from.

Also of note: Almost ALL of the rooms have locks, so you can lock away your valuables without fear.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

We have added a new field trip option to the website.

See, touch and hand-feed native and introduced birds and animals. Walk through aviaries and enclosures, and a replica of an abandoned colonial village. Loads of photographic opportunities.

Submit your two best images for us to give to Staglands and if they use them on their website full credit will be given to the photographers. (More information will be supplied to those who choose this field trip option. Photographer retains copyright ownership)

Our latest mail out

As you may be aware, Hutt Camera Club are hosting the 2009 Central Regional Convention from October 30 to November 1 at Silverstream in the Hutt Valley.

This e-mail is to let you know that the convention web site is now up and running at http://www.get-a-grip.co.nz and that you will be able to find out all sorts of details about the convention including speakers, costs, accommodation options, competition details etc.

Registration forms are nearly finalised and should be available on the site in the next week or two.

Note that even though the convention is not until late October, the competitions will close on 11th Spetember due to prior commitments by some of the judges. Please note that we are only accepting Salon entries from those people who have registered for the convention and that PSNZ rules mean only those clubs from the Central region can take part in the InterClub competition.

It would be very much appreciated if you could bring the convention and the web site to the attention of your club members at the next club meeting or via your club newsletter. We hope to see many of you at the convention.

Its getting close! Oct 30th, 31st & Nov 1st

Welcome to the Get-A-Grip 2009 web blog. This is the spot to find out all the latest news about whats going on for the PSNZ Central Regional Convention 2009.

And we are the ONLY Regional Convention this year in the North Island!!!

The organising committee are in full swing now as we work to finalise the programme for the convention. We have had a few hiccups along the way with plans being squashed by circumstances outside of our control but that is not going to stop us putting together an awesome programme for an awesome event.

The Hutt does things differently so be prepared to be surprised and entertained!