APSA, EPSA, EFIAP/s, ABIPP, ARPS, APAGB joined us to judge our Best of Year. A very highly qualified photographer, he explained that his favourite set of letters was receiving recognition from the USA. He remarked on how many good strong images the club was fielding for our best of year competitions, with a lot of monochrome. There was a good selection, and a relatively narrow band of marks. At the end of the evening Glyn showed us a real variety of his work, which was a real treat.
We started with the prints, with six being held back, and eight other 18s. Single 18 honours went to Anne Nagle for 'Harvest Mouse' a fun critter in a typical pose with minimal depth of field, and Robert Mitchell's 'The Storm Waits on Windmill Hill' a beautiful quality sizeable print with the path leading in from one corner.
Double 18s went to two photographers:
Ray Foxlee with 'Table for Two' another beautiful quality print shown in monochrome which was the right medium here, and which Glyn suggested Ray send a copy of to the restaurant perhaps with an invoice enclosed; 'Dreaming Spire' also did well with good tones and a bold tree almost hiding the spire in question!
Jane Coward's 'Flamenco Red' was again commended for the movement and the way the dancer's dress had been caught; 'Night Time Prowl' was a very deliberately grainy image, which might not be suited to a straight nature competition, but added to the strength of the image.
Chris West opened his innings with an 18 for 'The Devil's Kitchen', with the subject centrally placed, a little movement in the lake and a good sky; he then scored 19 for 'Shoulders of Giants' a low angled strong transport image of what didn't look like British locomotives to Glyn (he was right, they were Spanish I believe).
Norman Kirby also started with an 18 for 'Puffins', which Glyn was pleased to see didn't have any sand eels in their beaks, just for a refreshing change, and he enjoyed the spacing and well controlled tones; 'Band Ready Sir' gained a 19 for the trio of military figures, although I am certain Glyn did not mean it literally when he said the military deserved to be shot!
Di Walker's mysterious and creative 'The Dancer' was to Glyn's eyes the stronger of the two dance images, and was one of our three 20s in the print category.
Jean McWhirter also opened her account with an 18 for 'Confrontation' with two hunters looking animated, although Glyn speculated as to what or who they had just been shooting; she went on to get the second 20 of the print category for 'Black Crowned Night Heron at nest', a creature that Glyn described as “beautiful, and he knows that he is beautiful”, and a glorious image taken by an expert.
None of these images could beat Daisy who was singled out with a 20 and the best print award for her 'Singled Out' daisy! The interesting treatment and minimal depth of field suited the image.
After a break, we settled down for the PIs. David Seddon gained an 18 for 'Low Tide', a low angle image of Southwark Bridge, with sympathetic lighting. Jean McWhirter gained her second 18 of the night for 'Long-tailed Meadowlark' a vibrant bird with lunch in its mouth, in slightly diffused lighting.
Jane Coward equalled her print results with two more 18s. 'Jon and Maggie at home' showed a loveable rogue with a sense of mischief and mystery, although his dog looked like she might not trust the photographer as much! 'Dartford Crossing on a murky day' was a good rendition of man's influence on the landscape.
Chris West also added to his earlier haul with two 18s: 'Mr Turner comes to Worthin' could have been ABS (another ****** sunset), but it was very subtle and beautiful; 'South Downs Way' was a very strong image, with a dramatic sky and a good lead in through the frame.
Glenn Donnelly proved that she is definitely up with the longer standing club members with two 18s as well. 'Sunset over West Pier' gave us an almost Turneresque sky, with strong contrast and well captured incoming waves. Her unusual monochrome 'Something Fishy' showed that there are pictures everywhere, although we were all grateful that they weren't in smellovision!
'Mr Gillette' earned Roscoe Turner a well deserved 19 for a delightful strong study, catching a happy man well.
Anne Nagle went one better with a 20 for 'Salisbury Cathedral Font', a nicely rendered strong study with a wonderful design, and lovely light emanating out from the foreground.
Derek Grieve did very well with two strong natural history images. Opening with a 19 for 'The Blackbird and the Wasp', Glyn wondered if the wasp was soon to be lunch, and liked the central horizon, giving equal weight to the reality and the reflection. At the same time as he was away in East Anglia again, his 'Bearded Tit on a Norfolk reed' scored our second 20 of the night for a beautifully rendered good quality PI, which would make a fine print. Remarking that it was difficult to find a composition that works well as a square, Glyn said that he certainly would print it!
While Martin Tomes 'only' scored an 18 for his first image 'Broadway Tower' with lovely side-lighting and a strong composition, his other entry 'Big Sky' not only scored a 20, but was pronounced the best PI. A wonderful expansive sky, it showed a “good to be alive kind of day”.
Congratulations to Martin and Daisy for their excellent photography, and a wonderful season for them. Congratulations to everyone for some great competition, I am going to have to try harder next season!