Club Meeting, First Open Pdi Competition - Tuesday 15th October 2019.

   
 1st - Generation Gap.                          2nd - Yellow Dancer.                         3rd - Blackberries for Tea.

On Tuesday 15th November, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed David Stout, EFIAP, PPSA,DPAGB, a photographic judge
and member of Whickham Camera Club, to announce the results of the 1st Open Projected Digital Image Competition.
With an entry of sixty four images submitted by twenty two members the subject matter covered a wide range of topics
which included colourful insects and flowers, beautiful stained glass windows and church interiors, coastal scenes of a
refuge hut on Pilgrims Way with poles receding into the distance, a rainbow between glowing colourful beach huts and
views of Bamburgh & Dunstanburgh castles seen through dramatic surf & billowing clouds. In juxtapose were ethereal
pastel studies of sand, sea and sky and a painterly image of boats at Seaton Sluice. Images of abandoned fishing boats
on Mull, Scottish lochs, mountains and cross country skiers in a blizzard contrasted completely with thought provoking
images of political rallies and marchers.

Horses featured in dramatic eventing and carriage driving scenes, a majestic Clydesdale with gleaming harness and a
lovely white horse where the author had concentrated on coat, eye and eyelash detail. Abstract, high impact, vibrantly
coloured textured images of neon lights and burnt paint and Malaga’s street art were placed next to travel photographs
taken of Amsterdam’s canals, kids fishing in Costa Rica, an Exogi pyramid set in low cloud and vibrant blue sky, a quaint
Cornish shop and an Ithacan amphora. Throughout the evening David admired the abundant use of curves and lines
which led the viewer into the scene, and he gave advice on cropping, colour balance, exposure, straight horizons, and
sharpness after which he announced his results.

Highly Commended images were Bohms Bee-eater by Graham Sorrie, After a Passing Storm by Glyn Trueman, Tranquil
View by Sophie Elliot-Edwards and Just a Little Rain Cloud by Steve McDonald. In fifth place was Vermin’s Diner by Brian
Morris, a drag race vehicle exuding steam and smoke, which David said had vibrancy, impact and had an all American
feel about it. Fourth place went to Emerald Basilisk Lizard by Roseanne Robinson, camouflaged against the undergrowth,
the judge admired the detail in its scaly body and fins adding that it was very well seen. Sue Dawson was placed third
with Blackberries for Tea, a harvest mouse perched foliage, David said the fruit was nicely out of focus, a catch light in
the eyes, whiskers and claws and the look of intensity in the creature was superb. He commented that it was a struggle
to choose between the top two but decided that in second place would be Yellow Dancer by Brian Morris. Silhouettes of
dancers, with hands perfectly in sequence set against a shimmering voile background, with one dancer in yellow which
had caught the spotlight. David said that it was artistic, had vibrancy in action and he felt that he was actually there
adding that he loved it and described it fantastic. The winner of the 1st Open Pdi Competition was Paul Appleby with
Generation Gap. It featured two passengers looking out of separate windows on a train in South East Asia; an elderly
lady whose face the judge described as one which could tell a thousand stories, and a young child with an expression
of innocence and of anxiety. As one who enjoys travel photography himself, he remarked that he wished that he had
taken this image himself.

Vice Chair, Sue Dawson in thanking David said that the club always encourages new members to enter club competitions
adding that this selection of images were submitted by photographers of all abilities. However his comments and advice
throughout the evening would be of great help and encouragement not only to novices but acted as a reminder to more
experienced members of the club. Coffee and much conversation concluded another interesting evening at the club.

Steph.