Nick Berentzen CPAGB, BPE3 was the judge 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 Keith Mulliner’s studio portrait ‘Deep in thought’ took the honours. Nick liked the sympathetic environment which matched the models period costume. He told us the model was well posed with a considered expression and good eye contact. Stephen Coyne’s moody artic landscape scored 19. It has a strong sky and Nick thought the lighting made the picture. Peter Robinson’s ‘Polocrosse catch’ action shot also scored 19. Nick enjoyed the drama and the expressions of the players and the horses! Wallace Baxter’s ‘Eyes on the Ball’ cricket action caught 18 marks with Nick telling us that the all-important ball was just in the right place. Wallace also score 18 for his fine motorcycle photo of ‘Kenny MacLeod BMW’. While Paul Hill’s relaxing ‘Sunset at the Roaches’ took the last 18 spot. Nick told us it was had a simple composition with the tree perfectly balanced.
Stephen Coyne won the Mono section with his photo of a re-enactor having a ‘Night on the Town’. Nick thought it was well processed and gave a feel-good feeling. He also liked the strong eye contact. Stephen also took equal second spot with his ‘Popping Up’ An enchanting photograph of a polar bear popping its head out of the water. Nick liked the setting and the texture of the water and cliffs. Peter Robinson also scored 19 for his rugby action photo ‘Determined Player’ of a lady rugby player being challenged as she heads for the line. Another of Stephen’s artic photos took third place, so he had a good night. ‘The Icy Fjord’ is a strong monochrome image showing a drifting cloud through mountains leading to the sea. Keith Mulliner’s nude studio portrait of ‘Lady Valerie’ also scored 18. Nick liked the pose of her arms and the modelling light. Peter Robinson’s candid ‘Happy Reflection’ of a young girl seeing her face painted reflection was award 18. Nick like the moment caught in time and the expressions.
Nick told us that the Nature section was our strongest with many excellent images that gave him a difficult job. In the end, it Ian Whiston’s ‘Male Impala chasing Female’ that won the competition. It was a worthy winner indeed showing great action and movement. Nick enjoyed the animals expressions and the natural environment. Stephen Coyne’s ‘Long Eared Owl Landing’ took equal second place. Nick thought it was taken in a studio and very well done having a perfect exposure and well timed. Paul Hill also scored 19 marks for his ‘Common Gull with Cockle’. It was a well panned photo of the gull soaring though the sky with space to fly into. Nick liked that the head was light which made it a focal point. Paul Hill also scored 18 for his ‘ Puffin with Sandeels’. Nick thought the flying puffin was very strong with a good background and taken from a good viewpoint. Ian Whiston’s well caught ‘Cheetah jumping onto a Termite Mound’ also scored 18.
See a slide show of all the images that scored 18 or over above. All the results can be seen in our Results page.