A long time ago in a car park not too far away a group of hardy Gwynfa Knights would regularly gather together on a frosty morn carrying flasks of hot coffee and heavy bags of black equipment. Led by their own 'Luke Skywalker' (known only as 'the Nick'), they would wait an extra 10 minutes for the arrival 'the one with the Saab', and then depart for their chosen destination, in convoy, following 'the Nick' at Millennium Falcon like speeds. It was not unknown for as many as six or seven of these craft to transport themselves many, many miles to destinations across the Welsh-iverse in search of a location for their 'photography', a cause held dear in their hearts.

This gathering became known as the 'field trip'. Days were long, and the sun shone, except when it rained. There were many... and it was good!

With their SLRs, zoom lenses and light sabre tripods they would arrive at unsuspecting locations and spend many hours trying to create a masterpiece (that didn't have Philippa visible on the horizon somewhere) and one that may score the now fabled '20 points' when judged by an approved representative of 'the Empire of the WPF'.

Come rain or shine the Gwynfa Knights would walk many 'Nick miles' and take many exposures before moving on to an establishment known as 'the pub' for sustenance and refreshment. There they would tell wild and unlikely tales of 'beautiful light', 'f22' and and 'polarising filters' as they sampled the Bishops Finger, Nuns Habit or Buttface.

Later, after more 'photography' at a second location, they would stop for the ritual 'afternoon tea' where one among them would complain loudly that £4.95 was way too much to pay for a cream cake! Further tales of f-stops, missed exposures and soft Nikon lenses would ensue before the Gwynfa Knights disappeared back to their normal everyday lives, pausing only to help one among them who had locked the keys in her car.

Some say those days of legend will never return but there are those who hope for a new Skywalker to arise and lead the Gwynfa Knights once more across the Welsh-iverse for field trips anew.

But who will take up the light sabre? Is the force with you?

The 36th Welsh International Projected Image Salon 2012 (WIPIS) is now open for entries. Full details can be found here.

There will be an opportunity to photogtaph Venice Carnival costume wearers at Laycock Abbey on Sat 14 July or Sun 15 July 2012. The cost is £130. Here are the details provided by the organisers…..        

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The 2012 Welsh Salon exhibition is now on at Swansea Museum, Victoria Road, The Maritime Quarter, Swansea, SA1 1SN. The anticipated closing date of the exhibition is June 4th but this will be confirmed at a later date. Free admission. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm (Last admission 4.40pm). Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays. Tel: 01792 653763

Neath & District Photographic Society is again holding the Hornbill Challenge, a competition open to all UK based photographers. There is a £200 cash prize for the overall best image. The competition is an OPEN subject and all the entry details are on the Neath Photographic Society Website. Closing date for entries is May 31st, 2012.

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Here is the amended Merit Table after the April 'By Night' competition. Regrettably there were some errors in the original table that was published here a few days ago. Apologies particularly to Margot Rowlands who is in second place at present, not first as we reported. Bob Beynon actually leads the way. It is still very close though. Ten points covers the first 19 photographers! Please take a moment to check your total. Advise Allan Squires if there are any problems.

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Huge thanks to 'Beddau Boy' Ken Watkins for all his hard work in organising the 2012 Gwynfa Express to London. Despite the inclement weather everyone had a great time and we look forward to next year. Get your request for a sunny day in now please Ken!

The Porthcawl Summer Competition and Exhibition is an open subject print competition and open to all members of Clubs and Societies affiliated to the Welsh Photographic Federation. First prize will be a Sony DSLR-A450L Alpha camera with zoom lens worth over £500.  Second prize will be £100 and third prize will be £50.  Each prizewinner will also receive a Trophy, which they can retain.

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A selection has been made for our battle on 17th May. Representing Gwynfa will be photographs by Alec Stewart, Val Shepherd, Rob Dummer, Terry Donnelly, Bob Beynon, Lynda Beynon, Gwynfryn Jones, Leigh Woolford, Chris Murphy and Mostyn Davies. Our guests for the battle will be Llanelli Photographic Society, Merthyr Tydfil Photographic Society and Inn Focus and there will be 6 prints and 6 DPIs from each club. The judge is John Ridgwell.

Congratulations to the following members who have had prints selected to represent Gwynfa in the prestigious Barrian Cup Competition: Margot Rowlands, Bob Beynon, Terry Donnelly, Leigh Woolford and Alec Stewart. The competition takes place at Barry's usual venue on Saturday, 9th of June 2012 at 2pm.