Club Meeting, Members Pdi Knockout Competition - Tuesday 17th December 2019.
On Tuesday 17th December, at the final meeting before the Christmas break, Morpeth Camera Club held their annual Pdi
Knock-Out competition. This is a fun event with no marking involved which gives members an opportunity to display their
previously unseen images and gauge reaction to their work.
Sixty nine images were entered and projected onto the screen two at a time. The audience then voted for their favourite
which went through to the next round, the other being eliminated from the knockout. As usual, there was an eclectic mix
of subject matter, including yachts in a tranquil harbour, pet dogs and cats, rock musicians, rock patterns, bridges, street
photography, flowers, a golden Buddha, fishermen, Tynemouth Pier at sunrise, an abstract time travelling tardis, and an
oriental musician.
The first round produced images which seemed easy to decide upon, decisions which were usually based solely according
to one’s taste, but as the rounds progressed more thought had to be given to content, composition and the amount of
expertise used when taking the picture. As the rounds progressed, the previously chosen images were shuffled by the
computer software programme. Quite often two of ones favourite images were pitched against each other and murmurs
of frustration could be heard around the room.
Bold monochrome wall art sat next to a softly lit autumnal forest, gentle sand patterns vied with a strong portrait of a
Goth, gently curving ballerinas feet en pointe were placed beside a linea shot of a stadium. As the rounds continued it
became more and more difficult; choosing between a silhouetted pit head against a warm sunset and a cool modern
cityscape, abstract Baltic reflections with a modern street scene, a speeding classic car vied with a mid air motor cross
rider, a beautiful snow scene pitched against a detailed teasel complete with spiders’ webs, and stained glass patterns
on stonework vied with autumnal foliage.
At the semi final stage Stunt Rider, a daring motorcycle rider in mid air, by David Ranson and Dave Minchin’s wonderful
rural snow scene entitled A Perfect Day, were very unlucky to be eliminated leaving Calm at Infinity, by John Willmore,
a striking shot of the Infinity Bridge at Thornaby, with its perfectly replicated reflection, and Mark Harrison’s stunning
shot, entitled The Horn Player, a silhouette against a vibrant red lit background in the final. The audience were left with
a very difficult choice but in a close vote decided in favor of The Horn Player as this years knockout winner.
1st - The Horn Player. 2nd - Calm at Infinity Bridge. Club Xmas Tree.
Earlier in the month the Camera Club were represented at the annual Morpeth Christmas Tree Festival in aid of Multiple
Sclerosis which was held at St Georges United Reformed Church. Our tree had been decorated with miniature versions of
photographs of stained glass church windows taken by club members. After this display the tree was transported to the
club venue for all to admire while enjoying a pooled christmas supper after the knockout competition.
The Club looks forward to welcoming guest speakers, taking part in competitions and hosting exchange visits when they
reconvene after the New Year, on Tuesday 7th January.
Steph.
Knock-Out competition. This is a fun event with no marking involved which gives members an opportunity to display their
previously unseen images and gauge reaction to their work.
Sixty nine images were entered and projected onto the screen two at a time. The audience then voted for their favourite
which went through to the next round, the other being eliminated from the knockout. As usual, there was an eclectic mix
of subject matter, including yachts in a tranquil harbour, pet dogs and cats, rock musicians, rock patterns, bridges, street
photography, flowers, a golden Buddha, fishermen, Tynemouth Pier at sunrise, an abstract time travelling tardis, and an
oriental musician.
The first round produced images which seemed easy to decide upon, decisions which were usually based solely according
to one’s taste, but as the rounds progressed more thought had to be given to content, composition and the amount of
expertise used when taking the picture. As the rounds progressed, the previously chosen images were shuffled by the
computer software programme. Quite often two of ones favourite images were pitched against each other and murmurs
of frustration could be heard around the room.
Bold monochrome wall art sat next to a softly lit autumnal forest, gentle sand patterns vied with a strong portrait of a
Goth, gently curving ballerinas feet en pointe were placed beside a linea shot of a stadium. As the rounds continued it
became more and more difficult; choosing between a silhouetted pit head against a warm sunset and a cool modern
cityscape, abstract Baltic reflections with a modern street scene, a speeding classic car vied with a mid air motor cross
rider, a beautiful snow scene pitched against a detailed teasel complete with spiders’ webs, and stained glass patterns
on stonework vied with autumnal foliage.
At the semi final stage Stunt Rider, a daring motorcycle rider in mid air, by David Ranson and Dave Minchin’s wonderful
rural snow scene entitled A Perfect Day, were very unlucky to be eliminated leaving Calm at Infinity, by John Willmore,
a striking shot of the Infinity Bridge at Thornaby, with its perfectly replicated reflection, and Mark Harrison’s stunning
shot, entitled The Horn Player, a silhouette against a vibrant red lit background in the final. The audience were left with
a very difficult choice but in a close vote decided in favor of The Horn Player as this years knockout winner.
1st - The Horn Player. 2nd - Calm at Infinity Bridge. Club Xmas Tree.
Earlier in the month the Camera Club were represented at the annual Morpeth Christmas Tree Festival in aid of Multiple
Sclerosis which was held at St Georges United Reformed Church. Our tree had been decorated with miniature versions of
photographs of stained glass church windows taken by club members. After this display the tree was transported to the
club venue for all to admire while enjoying a pooled christmas supper after the knockout competition.
The Club looks forward to welcoming guest speakers, taking part in competitions and hosting exchange visits when they
reconvene after the New Year, on Tuesday 7th January.
Steph.