Club Meeting, 1st Open Print Competition - Tuesday 26th November 2024.
On Tuesday 26th November, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed guest judge Geoffrey Bradford, MA (photo), ARPS
a member of Alnwick Camera Club who had come to comment upon and announce the results of the first open
print competitions of the season. He started with the colour section which included woodland scenes, abandoned
barns, portraits, seascapes, insects, sunrises, vertical intentional camera movement shots, wildlife and a variety
of abstract images using filters. There was minimalism, rust and texture, reflective glass, linear creations with
lines, tonal changes and patterns.
The judge continued with his Highly Commended choices; Surfing by Glyn Trueman, Standing Guard by Sue
Dawson, New Lights from Old Windows by Martin Goble and Allendale by Karin Jackson. Fifth place was Beauty
of Architecture by Davy Bolam; slabs of pattern, texture, and shapes held together with a graphic drawing filter.
In Fourth place was Beside the Bridge, by Ursula Pearce which the judge said was symphonic with quiet passages
and powerful bursts. Third place was awarded to Glyn Trueman with Southern Hawker Flying in the Reeds, for its
focus on the dragonfly and the perfect balance between subject and setting. Second place, also by Glyn was the
Melbourne Central Shot Tower for its depth of field, lighting and colour which had all been professionally handled.
Geoffrey then announced the winner of the First Open Colour Print competition to be Paul Kidd with My Happy
Place. A crafted piece with filmic qualities, he said that this image demonstrated beautifully the engagement of
the photographer.
1st. My Happy Place. 2nd. Melbourne Shot Tower. 3rd. Southern Hawker Flying...
The Monochrome section followed where the judge said that he was particularly looking for tonal range qualities.
Shore birds, abandoned stables, street life, sand patterns, a storm over Pilgrims Way, a WWII re-enactment, Still
Life, reflections, knotted wood detail, a high-key portrait, were among the monochrome entries. His four Highly
Commended placings were The 3.20 Departure, Grosmont by Dave Bisset, Souter by Sue Dawson, Down into the
Depths by Karin Jackson and Lighthouse Mirrors by Dave Bisset.
Fifth place went to Sue Dawson with Blenheim chosen for its symmetry and balance professionally handled. Fourth
place went to Paul Appleby with Pisa Duomo and Bell Tower admired for its beautiful detail across the complete plane.
In third place was Hiya by Dave Atkinson, for its intelligent composition that places all our concentration on the main
subject. Second place with Going Up went to Paul Appleby for its witty, organic shapes and perfect composition. The
judge then announced the winner of the First Open Monochrome Print Competition to be The Glassblower by Glyn
Trueman, admired for its understated quality; the clutter which gave context and for the correct choice of paper,
careful printing and presentation.
1st. The Glassblower. 2nd. Going Up. 3rd. Hiya.
Throughout the evening the judge provided constructive advice on foregrounds which should not dominate the scene,
making sure that the areas of background and subject are accurately balanced, cropping to successfully enclose the
subject. He explained the drawbacks of conversion from colour to monochrome which can lead to a lack of contrast
and flatness and reflections should be defined and not too subtle to make a meaningful contribution to the picture.
The detail in his comments throughout the evening reflected his view that if a photographer takes the time to take
a photograph, print it and present their work, then each print deserves a lot of time taken by the judge to make a
considered assessment. Geoffrey’s interaction with each author and the audience resulted in a very entertaining
evening which was followed by refreshments and an opportunity to view the placed prints in close up.
Steph.
a member of Alnwick Camera Club who had come to comment upon and announce the results of the first open
print competitions of the season. He started with the colour section which included woodland scenes, abandoned
barns, portraits, seascapes, insects, sunrises, vertical intentional camera movement shots, wildlife and a variety
of abstract images using filters. There was minimalism, rust and texture, reflective glass, linear creations with
lines, tonal changes and patterns.
The judge continued with his Highly Commended choices; Surfing by Glyn Trueman, Standing Guard by Sue
Dawson, New Lights from Old Windows by Martin Goble and Allendale by Karin Jackson. Fifth place was Beauty
of Architecture by Davy Bolam; slabs of pattern, texture, and shapes held together with a graphic drawing filter.
In Fourth place was Beside the Bridge, by Ursula Pearce which the judge said was symphonic with quiet passages
and powerful bursts. Third place was awarded to Glyn Trueman with Southern Hawker Flying in the Reeds, for its
focus on the dragonfly and the perfect balance between subject and setting. Second place, also by Glyn was the
Melbourne Central Shot Tower for its depth of field, lighting and colour which had all been professionally handled.
Geoffrey then announced the winner of the First Open Colour Print competition to be Paul Kidd with My Happy
Place. A crafted piece with filmic qualities, he said that this image demonstrated beautifully the engagement of
the photographer.
1st. My Happy Place. 2nd. Melbourne Shot Tower. 3rd. Southern Hawker Flying...
The Monochrome section followed where the judge said that he was particularly looking for tonal range qualities.
Shore birds, abandoned stables, street life, sand patterns, a storm over Pilgrims Way, a WWII re-enactment, Still
Life, reflections, knotted wood detail, a high-key portrait, were among the monochrome entries. His four Highly
Commended placings were The 3.20 Departure, Grosmont by Dave Bisset, Souter by Sue Dawson, Down into the
Depths by Karin Jackson and Lighthouse Mirrors by Dave Bisset.
Fifth place went to Sue Dawson with Blenheim chosen for its symmetry and balance professionally handled. Fourth
place went to Paul Appleby with Pisa Duomo and Bell Tower admired for its beautiful detail across the complete plane.
In third place was Hiya by Dave Atkinson, for its intelligent composition that places all our concentration on the main
subject. Second place with Going Up went to Paul Appleby for its witty, organic shapes and perfect composition. The
judge then announced the winner of the First Open Monochrome Print Competition to be The Glassblower by Glyn
Trueman, admired for its understated quality; the clutter which gave context and for the correct choice of paper,
careful printing and presentation.
1st. The Glassblower. 2nd. Going Up. 3rd. Hiya.
Throughout the evening the judge provided constructive advice on foregrounds which should not dominate the scene,
making sure that the areas of background and subject are accurately balanced, cropping to successfully enclose the
subject. He explained the drawbacks of conversion from colour to monochrome which can lead to a lack of contrast
and flatness and reflections should be defined and not too subtle to make a meaningful contribution to the picture.
The detail in his comments throughout the evening reflected his view that if a photographer takes the time to take
a photograph, print it and present their work, then each print deserves a lot of time taken by the judge to make a
considered assessment. Geoffrey’s interaction with each author and the audience resulted in a very entertaining
evening which was followed by refreshments and an opportunity to view the placed prints in close up.
Steph.