Club Meeting, A4 Print Evening - Tuesday 28th November 2023.

On Tuesday 28th November, Morpeth Camera Club held its Annual A4 Print Competition where members had
been invited to bring along up to four unmounted A4 size prints that would be judged by other members on
the night. Entries could be submitted in either colour or monochrome and feature any subject matter. Seventy
prints were placed on temporary mounts and exhibited on the clubs’ display boards and members were invited
to judge and select their top five.

Guest judge Geoffrey Bradford MA(photo), ARPS had been invited to lead the assessment and later discussion
on the entries, and prior to the members judging he suggested that there were five categories that one may
consider when assessing the prints. Skills - Technical skills, control of lighting, exposure, focus, framing, and
composition. Knowledge - An awareness of the design factors that contribute to the production of a photograph,
use of light, choice of subject, materials, and equipment. Invention - The production of a print that displays an
inventive ability, evidence of experimentation, and development of a personal style. Communication - Effective
transmission of ideas, emotions, and feelings through photographs. Judgment - The ability to be discerning
about technical, creative, design, and communicative elements of one's work.

Although this seemed very technical at first, the criteria under these headings could be considered and may
influence our decision-making. Members then became judges as they selected their top five prints in a hidden
ballot. Whilst the votes were counted, Geoffrey selected five prints from the display boards for discussion, and
in turn offered his opinions and thoughts, both good and bad. This led the authors to explain what their print
meant to them. It was also noticeable that not everyone had these prints in their top five which showed that
we all see things differently.

The results of the members' votes were then announced, Fifth place was an Infrared Landscape by Glyn Trueman,
Fourth place went to a Monochrome Study of an elderly gentleman by Peter Downs. Third place went to a toned
print of a Storm Damaged Groyne by Davy Bolam, who also took Second place with a Colour print of a Rock on
Rocks. First Place and winner of the A4 Print Competition was a detailed colour print of a Leaf, by Paul Appleby.

                    
                     1st. Leaf.                        2nd. Rock on Rocks.               3rd. Storm Damaged Groyne.

To conclude the evening, Geoffrey again opened up the discussion about the top five prints, inviting the authors
to say why they had submitted their print, and to the members who had selected them, why they had been in
their top five. The aim of the evening was to enjoy our photography, to look closely and all photographs and to
ask ourselves not only what we like or dislike, but more importantly why. Glyn Trueman thanked Geoffrey
for his incisive input throughout the evening and everyone who had submitted prints and contributed to a
successful meeting.

Davy.