Club Meeting, 1st Open Pdi Competition - Tuesday 17th October 2023.
On Tuesday 17th October, Morpeth Camera Club was pleased to welcome Northern Counties Photographic Federation
judge Dave Phillips to comment upon the entries and announce the award winners in the first Open Pdi Competition
of the season. Dave, who is a member of Saltburn Photographic Society, opened the evening by saying how much he
had enjoyed going through our images.
Crown green bowlers, pink brambles and soft focussed bluebells, autumnal scenes, characters at a classic car event,
sand patterns, a stylised tall ship bow, pastel seascapes, birds of prey, monochrome portraits, harbour sunsets, castle
ruins, and still life poppies were included in the entries.
The judge offered advice along the way; from choosing the appropriate points of view, the positioning of the subject
in the frame, to suggestions on cropping. He recommended that abstract images should be impactful and that images
presented in monochrome should have a nice range of tones.
Also included were images of Herdwick sheep grazing, reflections in chrome, pattern pictures of modern architecture,
a vibrant multi-layered fairground scene at night and stunning wildlife. As with all open competitions, a wide variety
of subject matter was entered, not only to give the photographers freedom from set subject restraints but also to
have the opportunity to demonstrate one’s own particular style of photography.
There were so many good images in the competition that the judge said that he wished that he could choose more
to receive a Highly Commended award but had narrowed it down to four as requested.
His Highly Commended images followed with Flying Heron by Glyn Trueman, for its plumage, eye detail, and great
depth of field. A triptych entitled Just Rust by Davy Bolam was chosen for its vibrant colours which, he said ‘punched
one between the eyes’. Old Wrecks by Mark Harrison, had great composition and sharp lead-in lines. Also by Mark,
Thortergill Force, a waterfall in monochrome, the judge said that he had used a long exposure to great effect.
In fifth place was John Barnes with The Fire Eater, chosen for its detail and flames which made it impactful. Fourth
place was awarded to Paul Appleby with White Ibis for its feather detail, soft light and sense of animation. Davy
Bolam was awarded third place with Ebb and Flow of the Tide which the judge admired for its successful use of
intentional camera movement, its stunning pastel shades, creating light and mood. Second place was given to
Graham Sorrie with Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan. He said that Graham had selected an excellent depth of field
setting, caught the catch light in the eye, and the vignetting invited the viewer to concentrate on the bird itself.
The judge then went on to announce the winner of the 1st Open Pdi, to be Jeremy Cooper with Gloucester Cloister
Triptych, depicting different aspects of the Cloister which the judge said was impactful; the author had captured
stunning light, intricate ceiling patterns and had placed the images to create a continuation of the theme.
1st. Gloucester Cloister. 2nd. Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan. 3rd. Ebb and Flow of the Tide.
Club Chairman, Peter Downs, thanked the judge for his constructive comments, after which refreshments were
served.
Steph.
judge Dave Phillips to comment upon the entries and announce the award winners in the first Open Pdi Competition
of the season. Dave, who is a member of Saltburn Photographic Society, opened the evening by saying how much he
had enjoyed going through our images.
Crown green bowlers, pink brambles and soft focussed bluebells, autumnal scenes, characters at a classic car event,
sand patterns, a stylised tall ship bow, pastel seascapes, birds of prey, monochrome portraits, harbour sunsets, castle
ruins, and still life poppies were included in the entries.
The judge offered advice along the way; from choosing the appropriate points of view, the positioning of the subject
in the frame, to suggestions on cropping. He recommended that abstract images should be impactful and that images
presented in monochrome should have a nice range of tones.
Also included were images of Herdwick sheep grazing, reflections in chrome, pattern pictures of modern architecture,
a vibrant multi-layered fairground scene at night and stunning wildlife. As with all open competitions, a wide variety
of subject matter was entered, not only to give the photographers freedom from set subject restraints but also to
have the opportunity to demonstrate one’s own particular style of photography.
There were so many good images in the competition that the judge said that he wished that he could choose more
to receive a Highly Commended award but had narrowed it down to four as requested.
His Highly Commended images followed with Flying Heron by Glyn Trueman, for its plumage, eye detail, and great
depth of field. A triptych entitled Just Rust by Davy Bolam was chosen for its vibrant colours which, he said ‘punched
one between the eyes’. Old Wrecks by Mark Harrison, had great composition and sharp lead-in lines. Also by Mark,
Thortergill Force, a waterfall in monochrome, the judge said that he had used a long exposure to great effect.
In fifth place was John Barnes with The Fire Eater, chosen for its detail and flames which made it impactful. Fourth
place was awarded to Paul Appleby with White Ibis for its feather detail, soft light and sense of animation. Davy
Bolam was awarded third place with Ebb and Flow of the Tide which the judge admired for its successful use of
intentional camera movement, its stunning pastel shades, creating light and mood. Second place was given to
Graham Sorrie with Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan. He said that Graham had selected an excellent depth of field
setting, caught the catch light in the eye, and the vignetting invited the viewer to concentrate on the bird itself.
The judge then went on to announce the winner of the 1st Open Pdi, to be Jeremy Cooper with Gloucester Cloister
Triptych, depicting different aspects of the Cloister which the judge said was impactful; the author had captured
stunning light, intricate ceiling patterns and had placed the images to create a continuation of the theme.
1st. Gloucester Cloister. 2nd. Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan. 3rd. Ebb and Flow of the Tide.
Club Chairman, Peter Downs, thanked the judge for his constructive comments, after which refreshments were
served.
Steph.