Club Meeting, Browell Trophy Competition - Tuesday 20th November 2018.
At the meeting of Morpeth Camera club on Tuesday 20th November, Peter Maguire LRPS, a member of Gosforth Camera
Club, visited to present the results of the clubs’ Browell Natural History Competition. In this competition members are
invited to enter up to three digital images in colour and/or monochrome, the main criteria being that subjects must be
in a wild or natural setting and cannot include pets, farm or captive animals, including those in zoos or wildlife parks.
Among the fifty two images projected were Burnett and Humming Bird Moths, Tortoiseshell and Swallowtail butterflies,
a bright green Bush Cricket, a variety of seabirds including Guillemots, Black Headed Gulls, Arctic Terns, Curlews, Shags
and swans. Several varieties of fungi, Balcony, Grey Capped mushrooms & Woodland Whites followed which led to Peter
advising the audience that although woodland flora and fauna should have a sense of place, the background should not
detract from the subject; a little bit of ‘gardening’ should be considered to rid of scene of unwanted distractions. Also
included were puffins in every pose, jumping, soaring and flying towards the camera; an unusual Austrian Black squirrel,
a ‘ Starling Choir ’ on telegraph lines resembling a stave, and a sea anemone and giant jellyfish stranded on the shore.
Before announcing his results Peter stressed the importance of depth of field which plays a vital part in judging natural
history, adding that when judging photographs of birds he concentrates on sharpness in the plumage and he would
preferably like to see a catch light in the eye.
Highly Commended places were given to Alan Barker for his Great Spotted Woodpecker for its viewport and sharpness;
to Paul Appleby for Zebra Spider with Prey which, for a very speedy insect the judge added, was well captured; Winter
Robin by Alan Barker for its sharp plumage, its seasonal aspect and good proportions; and to Karin Jackson for Puffin,
which Peter admired for its detail in all aspects.
Fifth place was awarded to Glyn Trueman with Precision Landing, a lone Guillemot landing among many others which
was appreciated for its great exposure and feather detail. In Fourth place was Christine Wilson with Goat’s Beard, Peter
liked its graphic quality in mono and its detailed feathery effect. Mark Harrison was awarded Third place with Male Bull
Finch. The judge said it had all the attributes of a bird portrait, a good catch light in the eye, the salmon pink feathers
contrasted perfectly with the sharp green foliage. Fox by Alan Barker was given Second place for its fur detail, catch
light in the eyes and pin sharp whiskers. The winner of the Browell Natural History trophy was then declared as Karin
Jackson with Shag; the judge said that although there were other images of shags in the competition, this one really
hit the spot. Its unusual composition of the bird preening its feathers with an arched neck, highlighted the bottle green
and purple feathers together with a nicely out of focus background.
1st.
2nd. 
3rd. 
Club Chairman Mark Harrison thanked the judge for his constructive comments and all who had taken part, after which
coffee was enjoyed.
Steph.
Club, visited to present the results of the clubs’ Browell Natural History Competition. In this competition members are
invited to enter up to three digital images in colour and/or monochrome, the main criteria being that subjects must be
in a wild or natural setting and cannot include pets, farm or captive animals, including those in zoos or wildlife parks.
Among the fifty two images projected were Burnett and Humming Bird Moths, Tortoiseshell and Swallowtail butterflies,
a bright green Bush Cricket, a variety of seabirds including Guillemots, Black Headed Gulls, Arctic Terns, Curlews, Shags
and swans. Several varieties of fungi, Balcony, Grey Capped mushrooms & Woodland Whites followed which led to Peter
advising the audience that although woodland flora and fauna should have a sense of place, the background should not
detract from the subject; a little bit of ‘gardening’ should be considered to rid of scene of unwanted distractions. Also
included were puffins in every pose, jumping, soaring and flying towards the camera; an unusual Austrian Black squirrel,
a ‘ Starling Choir ’ on telegraph lines resembling a stave, and a sea anemone and giant jellyfish stranded on the shore.
Before announcing his results Peter stressed the importance of depth of field which plays a vital part in judging natural
history, adding that when judging photographs of birds he concentrates on sharpness in the plumage and he would
preferably like to see a catch light in the eye.
Highly Commended places were given to Alan Barker for his Great Spotted Woodpecker for its viewport and sharpness;
to Paul Appleby for Zebra Spider with Prey which, for a very speedy insect the judge added, was well captured; Winter
Robin by Alan Barker for its sharp plumage, its seasonal aspect and good proportions; and to Karin Jackson for Puffin,
which Peter admired for its detail in all aspects.
Fifth place was awarded to Glyn Trueman with Precision Landing, a lone Guillemot landing among many others which
was appreciated for its great exposure and feather detail. In Fourth place was Christine Wilson with Goat’s Beard, Peter
liked its graphic quality in mono and its detailed feathery effect. Mark Harrison was awarded Third place with Male Bull
Finch. The judge said it had all the attributes of a bird portrait, a good catch light in the eye, the salmon pink feathers
contrasted perfectly with the sharp green foliage. Fox by Alan Barker was given Second place for its fur detail, catch
light in the eyes and pin sharp whiskers. The winner of the Browell Natural History trophy was then declared as Karin
Jackson with Shag; the judge said that although there were other images of shags in the competition, this one really
hit the spot. Its unusual composition of the bird preening its feathers with an arched neck, highlighted the bottle green
and purple feathers together with a nicely out of focus background.
1st.
2nd. 3rd. Club Chairman Mark Harrison thanked the judge for his constructive comments and all who had taken part, after which
coffee was enjoyed.
Steph.