Our third and final league print competition of the season was judged by sports photographer, Noel Patterson. It was relatively a small entry of 36 prints made up of 12 Colour General, 9 Mono and 15 Nature prints. However, that gave Noel plenty of time to deliver his comments and marks.
In the Colour General section, Keith Mulliner’s ‘Drummer Girl’, a strong studio portrait of professional model Natatsha Bella took top marks. Noel liked the skin tones and complementary colour pallet. Noel thought the background was in keeping and the lady’s express was apt. Ray Hill’s canoe action photograph called ‘Ready to duck-under’ was awarded secnd place. Noel thought the low viewpoint added to the effect and drama. Wallace Baxter’s terrific capture of superbiker ‘Storm Stacey’, scored 18. Noel enjoyed the moment in time and the impression of speed generated by the wheels. He also said it was unusual and good to see a rider’s eyes.
Keith Mulliner also won the Mono section with another fine studio portrait. ‘Having a sad day’ took top marks and Noel liked its emotion. He added that it was well lit with good detail. The model had a thoughtful expression and cultured pose. Peter Robinson’s characteristic ‘Asiatic Lion’ portrait score 19. Noel liked the texture and detail in the animal’s mane and the eye contact. Another of Ray Hill’s canoeist photos scored 18. ‘Determination’ live up to its title with the canoeist’s strong expression dominating the image. Peter Robinson’s ‘Polocrosse Duo’ also scored 18, but Noel thought the second player wasn’t involved enough.
The Nature competition was the higest competed. It was won by Peter Robinson’s photograph of a ‘Black jaguar prowling’ and taken in Chester Zoo. Noel told us that what made it stand out was its low viewpoint and strong eye contact. Keith Mulliner was in the high marks again with his fine study of a ‘Northern Goshaw with prey’ which was awarded 19 marks. Noel liked the drama and story it told. Keith also score 19 for his ‘Kingfisher with catch’. It had added humour with the ‘no fishing’ sign included in the photo. Wallace Baxter’s ‘Turnstone’, scored 18. Noel again liked the low viewpoint of the natural photgraph and noted that the background was well out of focus to make the bird stand out. Keith also score 18 for his ‘Red Squirrel enjoying nut’. Again Noel liked the blurred green background and the squirrel’s action. He just thought it was a little dark.