1st UKNP Conference

We have been pondering over this for some time and recently decided to go for it

The following is a preview of something to come.

The 1st UKNP Conference

Date: Sun 7th Jan 2007
Venue: A lecture theatre 1 mile from Junction 23 M1. Free car parking availiable (a private site but cars are parked at the owners risk)
Cost: £20
Cost Note: This is a non-profit event. Costs incurred, for the room booking, AV hire, etc. will be deducted from the 'pot' and the remainder will be given to a Wildlife Charity.

The agenda is based around Nature Photography (obviously) but with a more commercial or practical issue being addressed within each subject.


Start time will be 9.00am for 9.30am start.
Ending approx 4.30pm

Agenda (subject to modification)

9.30am...... The Mods "Welcome and Intro"
10-11am.... Dave Kjear(P) "Nature Photography and working with Agencies"
11-12pm.... Paul Hobson(PA) "Nature Photography and travelling with your camera"
12-2pm.... Lunch at a local Pub - not included in price
2-3pm..... Mike Lane(P) "Nature Photography and digital workflow"
3-3.45pm... Kevin Keatley, Wildlife Watching Supplies "Getting Close"
3.45-4.15pm.. Tom Wylie(PA) "The Isle of May - The Photography and Logistics"
4.15-4.30pm Questions and round up.

where (P) = full time Professional and (PA) = Pro/Am i.e. Photography is not their full time job.


It is intented that the 1 hour presentations will be about 45mins presntation and 15 minutes discussion and questions.
Obviously Wildlife Watching Supplies will be bringing some of their kit for you to have a look at - so bring a cheque book

Are you interested? If so more details on the presentation topics, how to book and the Venue to follow on Sunday 29th around 10pm.

As with any UKNP activity if places are limited, as is the case on this occasion, there is an obligation to initially give places to those that are members of UKNP. Obviously if all the places are not taken by members then regular guests are next in line then, subsequently, anybody who asks.

To clarify

Members are those that pay a subscription/membership.
Guests are those that are registered to post but don't pay a subscription/membership.
Anybody is anybody not registered.

Hi Tom

Looks good to me, count me in as an attendee.

cheers

Sean

Sounds really interseting, I'm definately interested Tom, please put my name down.

Hi Tom,

I'm definately interested (even if it means circumnavigating Birmingham!) Afraid it might depend on work/funds, but will be able to confirm when needed!

Tom,

I will definately attend, cant miss out on ths kind of knowledge sharing.

This sounds interesting Tom, if you get down to guests you can count on me

Terry

I shall go as well, seems an opportunity to good to miss.



Tim

Back to the piggy bank,I will see if i can raise the funds for the flight although may need to ponce a lift

Should have renewed my membership by then.... definately one I would like to attend...

Phil

Tom,

Yep I'm interested - now I just have to go and explain to the wife about the money - ouch!



Adrian

Hi Tom

Its marked on my calendar, it a definite for me, just wot i need

Tony Anderson
West Sussex

Well, seeing as all these other fine people are going, blow the money, count me in too!

Count me please in Tom



Paul

I might drop by as well
Rene de heer

Hi Tom

Sounds good but I think that there should be a preferencial ticket price for paid up NPNers to that of guests say £15 members £20 guests or whatever, so that those who support NPN get some benefit over the non members. Would also have liked to see more NPNers giving the lectures rather than shipping in outsiders. There's some good photographers on here who must be posting only the minimum of what they have and I for one would like to have seen a full presentation from Justin, Tim Munsey or Danny Green rather than some of the lecturers you have booked, especially as one will concentrate on software only available to Canon users (though I agree that most people here use Canon!).

John

I agree with what John says. I wouldnt have mind participating if i would have known, i'm sure others would have been interested too....gives it also a bit of a "foreign" feel as i always believed, despite the name that UKNP was european....

By the way John: you should have participated yourself as well.

Rene de Heer

Sounds good Tom, I would like to attend.

Unfortunately there will be no preferential ticket price for UKNP as I need to cover the costs for the event and am unsure, as this is the first time we are holding such an event, how many will attend. Reducing the cost simply makes this harder and therefore, the event, less likely to happen. The gate price is set so that if I get a 3/4 room I just cover the costs. Also, as this is a non-profit event all surplus cash will be given to a wildlife charity, hence reducing the amount also reduces the potential amount given to a wildlife charity Not a good message!


John, to address,

especially as one will concentrate on software only available to Canon users

I have phoned Mike Lane about your concern and he has assured me that, regardless of the camera brand, most of the software used (i.e. Breezebrowser) is of OEM manufacturer and relativelty generic.

That said. I am sorry that the choice of the photographer/lecturers presenting don't meet with your approval (hence, by assumption, your non-attendence), but I am hearthened by the others above that appear keen to attend.

Rene, apologies, unfortunatley, I had to set this up in a hurry. When I am organising next years I will consider the European aspect )

I suppose it just goes to show that you can't make all of the people happy all of the time.

I will simply settle for some of the people happy most of the time

Hi Tom

I'd probably still come and don't mean to sound like a killjoy, but I do think it would have been better to have had presentations from NPN members whom I think have more than enough photographic skill to do so. It's kind of a bit of a slap in the face that NPN members aren't good enough to present. If the cost has to be £20 to ensure you cover costs, then you could make non-members pay £30. That way you'd cover your costs more safely and even be able to donate much more to charity.

I may have got the wrong end of the stick but I thought breezebrowser only supported Canon files, I'm sure that was the case when I saw Mike demo it at the NPP convention.

John

Wrong John: i use BB for my Nikon NEF files.
Rene de Heer

I stand corrected. Has that always been the case? BTW the Nikon NX capture is awesome for editing NEF.

John

John

To my knowledge 3 of the 5 are NPN members, 1 is a commercial equipment supplier who was coming for this purpose (but has also agreed to do a small slot and take some of my time), that leaves 1 non-member.

Also, to be honest, I know the ability to give a good lecture is not inextricably linked to the ability to take a good picture therefore, prudently, as the time scales were tight, I have reduced the risk by asking those that have been recommended, have a proven track record of presenting, and that I have been told are dependable. I hope this proves to be the case. I am sure it will. That is not to mean that others cannot do this, they just did not come ready to the top of the list at the time, or they live a long way from the East Midlands therefore T&S would be an issue.

As to the cost; I still need to fill the room!
Some of the additional services provided/facilitated freely by the moderators (gatherings, meetings, challenges etc) are pitched at both at members and potential members. This is to engender a feeling of ownership in 'guests' so they consider becoming members.
Raising the enterance price for non-members means that we have a decreased chance of getting non-members to turn up and, potentially, leaves a 'bad taste' in the mouths of those that are, potentially, considering joining the forum. Also, if we cannot get a full complement of members attending, and non-members feel disenfranchised and don't apply, the enjoyment of all may be compromised.

I suppose, ultimately, its up to 'The Mods' to discuss and organise events and the increasing membership gives me some indication that we are doing, and pitching, something right. Hopefully we have struck the correct balance on this one and hence can 'run' the day.

T

Well i have just booked my flight and will be coming up with my brother so thats 2 definant tickets-do we pay on the door?In true Dame Edna fashion do we badges with our names on,On a serious note we will probably come up on the saturday so do you know of a b+b or travelodge with a good pub (one that serves lager not that northern stuff )

Hi John & Rene,



I appreciate your comments regarding membership benefits, however I have to back Tom up here - we did discuss differentiated pricing for non/members but in the end decided that we'd much rather we could get bums on seats and make the show a success for everyone - organisers and participants alike .

I also appreciate that we could have asked for contributions from members, but due to the timescales and uncertain expenditure involved we also decided to go with the speakers we've chosen - they're all seasoned speakers/presenters and have been able to pull together the topics/presentations for us at short notice. We'll look to tap into our own latent expertise in the forum in future years and we'll welcome ideas from people on presentations/speakers that they'd like to see or give so get your thinking caps on folks .

(John - Breezebrowser & Breezebrowser-Pro have always been able to deal with NEF files!).

Nick, i think its a missed opportunity. if you have time to speak with speakers outside NPN, you have time to speak with members of UKNPN as well. You could have put the idea of a get together forward through UKNPN to get ideas and potential speakers etc ... and i dont think there is any "time pressure" of having this event in January...it could have been in February, March or April as well or am i missing something here?

Whatever; i think its a good idea and wish you good luck with the event.

Rene de Heer

Hi Tom, Nick, All

I just wanted to say I am pleased that there has been such a positive response to your idea for the UKNP conference.

I think the pricing and format is excellent for a first off attempt at such an event and not only will it be good to listen to some of the speakers, but just meeting up face-to-face with other UKNP members will be worth the trip.

Hopefully if the event is a success there will be further follow up events and then other ideas for format, content, and speakers can be planned out. There are definitely a lot of talented and knowledgeable people on the forum who (if willing of course) could give excellent presentations on a wide variety of subjects.

cheers

Sean

It was put to members of UKNP at the Bradgate Park Gathering in October - if you participate you get a say

As for a "missed opportunity" well I supposed your right, I can how some would view this as a missed opportunity , but hey-ho on with the show.

Hello Tom

Count on me but it would be a poor show if I didn't come as I could walk to the venue Dave Courtenay give me an email and I will put you in touch with some local b&bs, as for the speakers I think it will be good. Dave Kjaers will be of interest to most of us and I am really looking forward to that, Paul Hobson is very knowledgeable about his subjects and his photography is superb, Mike Lanes will be great for me as any info on computers will be a major help. See you all there I will bring the left over mince pies

Danny

Unfortunately, I couldn't make the Bradgate Park meeting as I was running a workshop so was unable to participate.

John

Hi Tom,
I'd also like to offer support by coming along. Like Sean I would hope that this event is a success and leads to others in the future where we could perhaps take full advantage of the knowledge and skill within the UKNP membership. Having said that I'm certain I'll learn something from everyone on the bill. Looks good and only 2 junctions up from me too!

Regards

John S

Danny, i would appreciate if you could drop me an email as well with regards to B&B and local pubs.
many thanks
Rene de heer

Danny, any local campsites for my motorhome? Thinking of camping at Kingsbury waterpark at the moment but it's quite far away but has a stonking pub nearby.

Tim

Tim, camping in January? - you are a hard man!!

Not sure why this is generating so much flack when it is an inaugral event, it is a positive step forward to get more member participation.

To a ceratin extent, and not trying to downgrade the talks in any way, the attendence is much more important than the content as the input, shared experience and general banter is the invaluable uncosted element.

Adrian - I aim to go to this if you want to hitch a lift, plus anyone else Thames Valley way

Mike

Ross and I would like to come if there is any space left!

Gary

If there are any others going from the London area. let me know, im happy to take a few participants with me in the car.Just let me know.
Rene de Heer

Gary, Ross... places haven't be allocated as yet for, as the original post states...

...more details on the presentation topics, how to book and the Venue to follow on Sunday 29th around 10pm.

...so log on on Sunday night although, unfortunately as you aren't members , you may be dissapointed this time as, potentially, the uptake looks good and space is limited.

Cant come as its too far from deepest Devon but good luck with it - its a great idea and i expect it will be nice for everyone to put some names to faces! perhaps it would be good to post some pics of the event on here afterwards?

Mark

I don't see what everyones complaining about

Informative talks by 5 thouroughly nice chaps who are amongst the most knowledgable people on the British Nature Photography scene, slap bank in the middle of the country and near a pub (I hope!!!) and all for only £20

An absolute bargain I'd say

to the mods for coming up with the idea.

tom, i'd love to come, i'm hoping to be in the uk from sometime early jan but can't at this time guarantee i'll be in the uk on the 7th. if i am i will definitely want to get there, can you tentatively hold a place for me? i'll let you know as soon as i have my flights arranged.

mark

Hi Tom,
Count me in also.

I agree with Larrys last comments, good job guys

Hi Tom,
Could I please reserve a seat.
Thanks
SteveHL.

SteveHL this isn't a dig at you it just to clarify to everybody the situation.

Historically 'gatherings' normally only get about 10 people max. I thought this 'gathering' would get about 20-25 max so I booked a lecture theatre for around that number. The response to date has been overwhelming as can be seen by the above postings and additionally by the numerious emails/PMs from people asking to reserve tickets.

I stated (in the original top post) that details on how to book would be posted on Sunday at around 10pm and I really need to be true to that original intent to give everybody a fair chance for (as the first paragraph indicates) places are currently limited.

Therefore as a result of the above, I feel that, I cannot accept any of the current emails/pm's/posts as a definate booking so there are no reservations taken at present.

I really do hope to cater for all that wish to attend and have requested a bigger lecture theatre but if I cannot obtain a bigger lecture theatre then apologies in advance to those that don't make the gate.

The instructions will go up tomorrow night (at around 10pm) and the the gate opens for those that can follow those instructions on a first past the post basis but bearing in mind the member/non-member bit!