Club Meeting, Set Subject Print Competitions - Tuesday 9th January 2024.
On Tuesday 9th January, Morpeth Camera Club met to welcome Alan Wilson ARPS AFIAP from Whickham Photographic
Club who came to announce the results of this season's Set Subject Competitions. Members had been invited to submit
prints on the theme of 'Clouds' in the monochrome section and 'Heads' in the colour section. A recognised NCPF judge,
Alan has received Acceptance or Medal status within International Photography Salons with images exhibited in many
different countries, which led to him being awarded AFIAP Distinction via the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain.
He opened the evening by saying that the results had been based on his own opinions and that on another occasion
with a different judge, the outcome could be different. He said that he had been impressed by so many genres which
had been entered and would welcome interaction with the authors during the evening.
Starting with the colour section, Alan then commented on all prints submitted on the theme of 'Heads'. Zebra heads,
an enigmatic family tree sculpture, a lady head to head with a tortoise, gargoyles, seed heads and flower heads, tree
carvings, Dragons Heads at Wallington, a flamboyant South African feathered headdress and Zimbabwean sculptures,
were among the entries.
While he appreciated that many entries had been well presented, he added that at high end competition level the set
subject, lighting, technique, sharpness and depth of field and how the image makes one feel, were his main criteria.
He went on to announce his five Highly Commended awards; Heads 1 by Stephanie Robson, for its abstract quality,
Paul Appleby with Heads Viewing Heads which had been well seen, I Used to be Gold, by Stephanie Robson for its
colouration and depth, Evolution by Sue Dawson which was imaginative and memorable and Veteran Singer Enjoying
Applause by Glyn Trueman, an action shot which had been caught perfectly.
Third place was awarded to Davy Bolam with Heads Up, casts of people’s heads which was complicated and left a
lasting impression. Second place was also given to Davy with Blood Brothers, a merged image of two heads which
was admired for its composite, 3D liquid effect. The judge went on to announce the winner of the Set Subject Colour
section to be Glyn Trueman with Heads Engrossed in Conversation. It was awarded for it story telling quality, lovely
lighting and great focus.
1st.Heads Engrossed in Conversation. 2nd. Blood Brothers. 3rd. Heads Up.
Moving on, Alan commented on all prints in the monochrome section where the theme was Clouds. We saw billowing
clouds over forest and hills, a cloudscape in a vertical letterbox format, dramatic clouds over Wensleydale, Lindisfarne
and Northumbrian beaches. A sharp vapour trail heading towards clouds, above the clouds taken from a plane, and
threatening clouds over Bamburgh Castle. In several instances, the judge said that he would describe some entries
as landscapes. Although land anchors the scene it must not be dominant. The brief was to photograph clouds and
he had to mark down some entries for this reason.
Five prints were awarded highly commended, Gathering Rain Clouds by Karin Jackson for its atmospheric quality,
Threatening Clouds by Paul Appleby for capturing a dramatic weather phenomenon, Sunset at East Chevington by
Glyn Trueman for its receding dramatic clouds and, also by Glyn, Sunset from Amble North Pier for its great light
and Dark Clouds, and finally Clouds over Dunstanburgh by Sue Dawson for its impressive dark and white cumulus
clouds.
In third place was Davy Bolam with Cloudscape No 1 which was admired for its migrating clouds resembling wisps
and fingers. Second place was given also to Davy with Celestial Splendour, which the judge said was a mix of many
different clouds and was full of light which shone out the print. The judge then went on to announce the winner of
the Set Subject Monochrome section to be Dave Bisset with Sky Dragon; a dramatic Tornado, which the judge said
had evoked heavy dramatic music, with emphasis on light which made it look alive.
1st. Sky Dragon. 2nd. Celestial Splendour. 3rd. Cloudscape No 1.
Throughout the session, the judge asked most of the authors to identify themselves and to discuss their work which
made it a truly interactive evening. Club Chairman Peter Downs then thanked Alan for his considered thoughts, and
members were able to view the prints up close over coffee.
Steph.
Club who came to announce the results of this season's Set Subject Competitions. Members had been invited to submit
prints on the theme of 'Clouds' in the monochrome section and 'Heads' in the colour section. A recognised NCPF judge,
Alan has received Acceptance or Medal status within International Photography Salons with images exhibited in many
different countries, which led to him being awarded AFIAP Distinction via the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain.
He opened the evening by saying that the results had been based on his own opinions and that on another occasion
with a different judge, the outcome could be different. He said that he had been impressed by so many genres which
had been entered and would welcome interaction with the authors during the evening.
Starting with the colour section, Alan then commented on all prints submitted on the theme of 'Heads'. Zebra heads,
an enigmatic family tree sculpture, a lady head to head with a tortoise, gargoyles, seed heads and flower heads, tree
carvings, Dragons Heads at Wallington, a flamboyant South African feathered headdress and Zimbabwean sculptures,
were among the entries.
While he appreciated that many entries had been well presented, he added that at high end competition level the set
subject, lighting, technique, sharpness and depth of field and how the image makes one feel, were his main criteria.
He went on to announce his five Highly Commended awards; Heads 1 by Stephanie Robson, for its abstract quality,
Paul Appleby with Heads Viewing Heads which had been well seen, I Used to be Gold, by Stephanie Robson for its
colouration and depth, Evolution by Sue Dawson which was imaginative and memorable and Veteran Singer Enjoying
Applause by Glyn Trueman, an action shot which had been caught perfectly.
Third place was awarded to Davy Bolam with Heads Up, casts of people’s heads which was complicated and left a
lasting impression. Second place was also given to Davy with Blood Brothers, a merged image of two heads which
was admired for its composite, 3D liquid effect. The judge went on to announce the winner of the Set Subject Colour
section to be Glyn Trueman with Heads Engrossed in Conversation. It was awarded for it story telling quality, lovely
lighting and great focus.
1st.Heads Engrossed in Conversation. 2nd. Blood Brothers. 3rd. Heads Up.
Moving on, Alan commented on all prints in the monochrome section where the theme was Clouds. We saw billowing
clouds over forest and hills, a cloudscape in a vertical letterbox format, dramatic clouds over Wensleydale, Lindisfarne
and Northumbrian beaches. A sharp vapour trail heading towards clouds, above the clouds taken from a plane, and
threatening clouds over Bamburgh Castle. In several instances, the judge said that he would describe some entries
as landscapes. Although land anchors the scene it must not be dominant. The brief was to photograph clouds and
he had to mark down some entries for this reason.
Five prints were awarded highly commended, Gathering Rain Clouds by Karin Jackson for its atmospheric quality,
Threatening Clouds by Paul Appleby for capturing a dramatic weather phenomenon, Sunset at East Chevington by
Glyn Trueman for its receding dramatic clouds and, also by Glyn, Sunset from Amble North Pier for its great light
and Dark Clouds, and finally Clouds over Dunstanburgh by Sue Dawson for its impressive dark and white cumulus
clouds.
In third place was Davy Bolam with Cloudscape No 1 which was admired for its migrating clouds resembling wisps
and fingers. Second place was given also to Davy with Celestial Splendour, which the judge said was a mix of many
different clouds and was full of light which shone out the print. The judge then went on to announce the winner of
the Set Subject Monochrome section to be Dave Bisset with Sky Dragon; a dramatic Tornado, which the judge said
had evoked heavy dramatic music, with emphasis on light which made it look alive.
1st. Sky Dragon. 2nd. Celestial Splendour. 3rd. Cloudscape No 1.
Throughout the session, the judge asked most of the authors to identify themselves and to discuss their work which
made it a truly interactive evening. Club Chairman Peter Downs then thanked Alan for his considered thoughts, and
members were able to view the prints up close over coffee.
Steph.