Nick Berentzen CPAGB, BPE3 judged for our first PDI Competition of the season, and as usual he gave us a well-balanced and thoughtful critique offering good advice on how to improve our images.
In the Colour General section Ian Whiston’s re-enactment ‘It’s been a hard life’ portrait of a ragged Victorian lady took the top marks. Nick thought the environmental portrait was well lit and had character. Stephen Coyne scored 19 with another re-enactor’s portrait entitled ‘The Gatekeeper’. Nick likes the characters expression, the background and drama that was created. Peter Robinson’s ‘Singer Diva Fiesta’ was also awarded 19. It was taken during Crewe’s Pride event and Nick how the moment had been caught with the pride background in place. Four images were awarded 18 marks. They were Keith Mulliner’s studio portrait ‘The lady likes a flower’, Kath Hill’s excellent action photo of a ‘Grass Tack Racer’, Paul Hill’s beautiful landscape of an ‘Autumnal Woodland’ and Ian Whiston’s lady portrait called ‘1920s look’.
Keith Mulliner won the mono section with his photo of a muddy lady ‘Enjoying the mess’ Nick thought it was engaging and the low viewpoint helping the composition. Kath Hill’s sealed knot re-enactment photo of two soldiers called ‘Warriers’ was awarded 19 marks. Nick liked men’s expressions and the slight grain helped the mono image be more authentic. Stephen Coyne’s ‘Black Backed Vulture’ was also awarded 19 marks. Nick liked the texture of the feathers and strong eye contact. Paul Hill’s graphic ‘Starling Murmuration’ scored 18 , as did Stephen Coyne’s high impact ‘Tiger Tiger’ and Wallace Baxter’s portrait of a ‘Resting Monkey’.
The nature section was won by Keith Mulliner’s Tawny Owl on gate’. Nick liked the bird’s strong eyes, the bland background and lighting. Ian’ Whiston’s ‘Oxpecker Cleaning Buffalos Ear’ was awarded 19 marks. Nick liked the dash of red of the bird’s beak and that it was a close up study. Paul Hill also score 19 for his ‘Razorbill coming into land’. Nick liked the shape the bird made and told us the ariel shot was well exposed and sharp. Paul Hill scored 18 for his ‘Little Tern with Shrimp’ in flight and Keith Mulliner scored 18 for his ‘Where’s my next meal’ photo of a seagull chick being fed. Ian Whiston also scored 18 for his ‘Elephant with Calf’ in Africa’s dry grassland.
See a slide show of all the images that scored 18 or over above. All the results can be seen in our Results page.
All the images that came 1st, 2nd, 3rd, can be seen in the slideshow above.
Next Meeting: Thursday, 22nd Our members compete in our first print competition of the season. – Judged by Roger Evans MPAGB FBPE EFIAP.
We open the doors at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start at the New Life Church in Fuller Drive, Wistaston, Crewe CW2 6TH. Everyone is welcome.
Whether you have just picked up a camera or you have been shooting for years, our club is a friendly place to learn new skills, share your passion, and enjoy photography together. New members are always welcome — why not come along and give it a try? Non-members can attend 3 meetings before deciding to join us. All we will ask, is that they pay the £4 attendance fee that covers the coffee and biscuits.
See our programme on our Programme page. Follow us on Facebook and Flickr sites.
We meet at the New Life Church in Fuller Drive, Wistaston, Crewe CW2 6TH.
You can find using the ‘What3Words’ app at ///hissing.markets.toothpick
The doors will open at 7:15 for a 7:30 start, and we usually finish by 9:30.
♦ Here are large and small scale maps to our new home.
WYPROBUJ NAS: Po prostu przyjdz na spotkanie. Mozesz przyjsc na trzy spotkania zanim zdecydujesz sie dolaczyc do Stowarzyszenia
NEW ♦ Congratulations to Stephen Coyne who is the champion of our PDI League for season 2025-6. Stephen has consistantly produced some imaginative and creative images to deservedly take the title. See the results by category and overall in our Results page here.
♦ Gifted photographer Christine Widdall excells with her amazing composites and portrait photography. She’s an experienced judge and active member of Oldham Camera Club. See her unique photographs on her website here. Christine will be giving us a talk on 11th.March
♦ Do you want to try sports photography? For some good advice, see Michael Berkeley’s website here.
♦ The Ron Smith Trophy is award for the most creative photograph of the season as voted for by our members.Ron passed away aged 101 and was well known for experimenting with photographic techniques. He gave us many fascinating talks on how to create interesting images using various household equipment and improvised lighting. Read more about Ron’s amazing life here.
♦ The Jim Harrison Trophy is our Annual PDI Competition, but who is Jim Harrison? Newer members may not have known him. John has written a fine tribute, telling us of gentleman Jim’s interest in photography. Read it here.
♦ Congratulations to our talented member, Ian Whiston who is one of just over 50 photographers to achieve a FBPE (Fellowship of the British Photographic Exhibitions). That’s over 500 acceptances in BPE sponsored exhibitions. Wow! See more of Ian’s pictures here.
♦ CPS now has its own Virtual Gallery proudly displaying its members photographs. Browse the images here.
♦ For some inspirational black and white street photography, see Alan Schaller imaginative work here.
♦ Read John’s latest article ‘James Ravilious ‘Making an art of recording’ under Resources>Documents>General documents Find it here.
♦ Robert Frank – The photographer who showed the Americans who they were, has died aged 94. Member Ian McNab wrote an article about him Robert Frank – is Ian’s latest piece.
Be careful what you wish for is a personal account of art photography since 1970 by Ian McNab.
♦ If you can’t find what you’re looking for it may have been moved to the Links page.