Amiable Adrian Lines MPAGB FBPE ARPS EFIAP SPSA was the highly qualified and popular judge for our Annual Print Competition. He gave us many tips on how we could improve our photography and told us what judges look for to separate the prints. He admitted that when it gets to the stage that the prints are all excellent, he just picks his personal favourite. This was the case in choosing our print of the season from the three winners of the general, mono and nature categories. He decided to award Peter Robinson’ mono ‘Candle Maker’s Workshop’ as our print of the season.
The images in our annual competitions aren’t given a mark, but are awarded 1st,2nd, 3rd, Highly Commended and Commended. In the Colour general section, Wallace Baxter’s motorcycle photo of ‘Lucca Allen’ won. Adrian told us it was full of impact and action. He liked that you could see the Lucca’s eyes and that the diagonal composition added to the image. Keith Mulliner’s studio portrait of ‘Natasha Bella’ came second. Adrian like the even colour pallet that gave a warm atmosphere. Professional model, Natasha had good eye contact and a thoughtful expression. Peter Robinson’s floodlit ladies football action photo of ‘Jade on the ball’ came third’. Adrian like the tri-angular shape the players made and that the dark background hid any distractions. Peter Robinson had his ‘Wild Willy Barret’ highly commended and Kath Hill’s delightful landscape ‘October Glow’ was Commended.
Peter Robinson’s print of the season ‘Candle Maker’s Workshop’ won the monochrome section. Adrian thought it converted well to mono and told a story. It narrowly beat Ray Hill’s fine photo of a canoeist fighting the current, aptly called ‘Determined’. Adrian told us the canoeist had a good expression and stood out well from the background. He added that in mono it’s more difficult to make the subject stand out, so it needs to be done usings tones and focus. Peter Robinson’s portrait of an ‘Asiatic Lion’ came third. Adrian like the simple framing, lighting and strong eyes. Wallace Baxter’s portrait of ‘John Stone’, a civil war re-enactor was Highly Commended. Adrian told us he liked the texture of the gentleman’s beard as he has one too! Keith Mulliner also entered a photo of a canoeist and called it ‘No. 26 Talu Aysan Concentrating’. It was awarded a commendation’
Photographs in the Nature section received highest number of awards. Keith Mulliner’s ‘Northern Goshawk with prey’ won. Adrian liked that it told a story as the bird was eating its prey. He added that it was a good size in the frame and of good quality. Kath Hill’s ‘Red squirrel with nut’ came second’ Adrian liked the texture and detail of the fur and the blurred background with made the animal stand out. Kath’s husband, Ray came third with his wonderful photo of a ‘Juvenal Nuthatch’. Adrian like the shape and pose of the bird. Kath’s ‘Eagle Owl’ was Highly Commended. Adrian told us it had depth, plenty of contrast and strong eyes. Wallace Baxter’s ‘Goldfinch with seed’ has done well this season and it was also awarded Highly Commended. Adrian said it was a simple photo with plain background contrasting with the bird’s detail. The three prints that were commended were, Peter Robinson’s ‘Orangutan at work’, Kath Hill’s wonderful ‘Little Egret in flight’ and Ray’s ‘Eagle owl coming in to land’ which had plenty of impact and detail.
A slideshow of the 1st,2nds and 3rds plus the commended images can be seen above. Well done to all of the winners. the results can be seen on our results page.