Club Meeting, Bates Cup Landscape Competition - Tuesday 26th March 2024.

    
1st.Ingleborough from Smearsett Scar.    2nd. The Last Tree, Rimside Moor.                3rd. Old Man of Storr.

On Tuesday 26th March 2024, Morpeth Camera Club met to welcome back Guest Judge Lynda Golightly, LRPS, from
Consett & District Photographic Society, who came to comment upon and announce the results of the Bates Cup Pdi
Landscape Competition.

As usual there was a wide variety of locations which included seascapes and skyscapes. Among the images featured
was the dramatic Lake District, sweeping Garlieston Bay, the Isle of Skye’s Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr, Bolivian
salt lakes and steam geysers, Lanzarotes Lava fields, an Asian seascape, and Machu Pichu terraces nestled among
vast mountains.

Nearer to home, included was Cragside in autumn, Blyth beach, drifting sands at Cresswell, as well as Northumbrian
woodland, either unkempt or regimented, sweeping Druridge & Newbiggin bays, River Wansbeck scenes, those taken
at Wallington and Seaton Sluice, and bluebells at Bothal Wood. During her observations, Lynda gave advice along the
way such as the avoidance of the halo effect caused through over processing, that a landscape needs something to
link the land to the sky and suggested options on cropping and the need for a focal point.

She noted that busy skies can compete with a busy landscape resulting in a cluttered image with no main focal point
and added that when people are included in the scene one should consider their positioning and to where the eye is
led. But above all, she said that throughout her assessment, she was looking for a creative element and then went on
to announce her Highly Commended Images. First up was Graham Sorrie with Fairy Pools, Skye which was chosen for
the softness of the waterfalls which complimented the heavy skies. To Sue Dawson with Hadrian’s Wall Country, for its
lead in lines and natural textures; also to Sue for Colours of El Golfo with its rough and smooth textures and wrinkled
look mountains. Blue Day Dawns, Budle Bay by Davy Bolam, an intentional camera movement image (ICM). She said
this technique is not easy to get right and considered this example to be well done. The separation of the many colours
made it very restful on the eye.

In fifth place was David Moore with Completed Harvest. Which the judge said was unassuming and simple; the author
had taken advantage of good light, and she had admired the diagonal textures and tonal differences. Fourth place was
awarded to Davy Bolam with Magical Morning, Cloud Inversion which the judge considered to be moody and mystical
with mist in the trees which had real softness. The author had achieved a well-controlled management of the light.

In third place was Graham Sorrie with Old Man of Storr. The judge said it was taken from a good viewpoint providing
a different take on the scene. The author had captured the gorgeous glowing light and reflections and had points of
contrast which worked very well. Second place was awarded to Davy Bolam with The Last Tree, Rimside Moor; the
judge admired the lone bent tree which said so much about the weather, and included lovely textures and shadows;
its letterbox format added to the wind effect and clarity.

She went on to announce the winner of the Bates Cup Pdi Landscape Competition for this season to be Paul Appleby
with Ingleborough from Smearsett Scar. She said that it was all about the light on the land which receded in layers.
She added that the foreboding background of clouds gave it great depth. Club Chairman, Peter Downs thanked Lynda
for discussing every image entered and for her considered comments, after which refreshments were enjoyed.

Steph.