Applied Photographic Group (APG)

A is for Applied in Manawautu Camera Club APG.         
The Applied Photography Group is an adjunct of the Manawatu Camera Club and its members are brought together by the love of photography. They are a group of people who seek to advance their photographic skill and knowledge and applying this through regular outings, studio work and projects. The emphasis of the group is the sharing of knowledge and expertise and working as a team on photographic projects in and around the wider Manawatu.
In March 2009, the APG was extremely proud to present an exhibition at Te Manawa, of photographic portraits entitled “So Many Ways to Say Hello”. The Group presented 50 images  showing the portraits and telling the stories of people who had moved to the Manawatu but who were not born in NZ.  It was a fabulous success and planning is now under way for another project. We envisage this to coincide with the Manawatu Festival of Cultures 2012
The group has regular meetings in our photographic studio at Square Edge and organises trips for landscape photography.
A recent Saturday outing saw members rising early for a 5.30am departure from Palmerston North, bound for Apiti. The start time, while early was necessary as the best light of the day for image taking is either just after sunrise or just before sunset. This is when the sun lights the land with soft golden hues and shadows are not too dark. Photographers call them the golden hours.
A little beyond Kimbolton, an elevated view towards the Ruahine Range was a quick stop. The rolling hills and terraces wedged between our viewpoint and the ranges had their valleys streaked with mist. The night had been cool and the early morning air was still. This was a beautiful and uplifting place to be, whether taking photos or not.
Table Flat is a little beyond the Apiti hamlet. The road rises toward the ranges onto a flat topped ridge. The views from here are amazing. As we left our vehicles a young woman ran by, heading towards Apiti. (Some of our group would meet her later on her return journey). Photos were made, making use of the stunning landscape stretching away below. The shots taken ranged from broad sweeping vistas to tight patterns in the landscape. Fox gloves and lupins as features in the view to lines of power poles, and, an ancient relic of the past. This referring to an old, lichen encrusted petrol pump. The individuality of group members resulted in the variety of depiction.
Nine o’clock was time to return home. The young woman returned up the road toward us. She showed interest in our photography. ‘Next time you are up here” she said, “ Just go up the drive beside the house to the cowshed”. “If you ask the boys milking, they will direct you to a place with stunning views to the north and Mount Ruapehu”. A revisit will be a must. 
Previous outings this year included the Paekakariki steam engines, the Ohingaiti Boulders and white water canoeing at Mangahau. A visit to the “Mole” on the coast a Wanganui is the next venture.
Projects “in the pipeline” include photography of “what makes the Manawatu” and workshops on portraiture using the APG studio. For the latter, anybody who would like photos for their personal portfolio in exchange for modelling at workshops should email Udo: udo@trelum.co.nz.  We are looking for people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. There is no cost to the model and they would receive the best portraits on a CD for their personal use.
It must be stressed that APG this is not an elitist group. It encompasses new comers to expert. The common bond is the desire to extend oneself in the application of  photography .