Club Meeting, Bates Cup Competition - Tuesday 18th March 2025.
On Tuesday 18th March, Morpeth Camera Club welcomed back Graeme Clarke ARPS, a member of the Gallery
Photogroup on Teesside, to comment on and evaluate images entered in our annual Bates Cup PDI Landscape
Competition for 2025.
Graeme opened the evening by highlighting a trend in landscape competition judging that emphasizes emotional
impact and visual appeal, considering whether a scene is inviting or suitable for display. He noted that effective
composition should prioritize balance and scale, alongside the technical aspects of the work.
Images of the Northumberland coast, its castles and harbours, clouds and skyscapes, views of minimalistic pastel
shorelines, contrasted with cityscapes and dark industrial scenes, abandoned stone cottages, the Yorkshire Dales
and Lakeland fells. Further afield, images taken of Lofoten Islands sunsets, harsh Andean and volcanic landscapes,
a Nordic hut in snow, turquoise Canadian lakes and a night time vista of colourful Florence added to the drama.
The judge stated that he was looking for images that not only grabbed his attention but also held his interest. He
offered advice on cropping to make a scene appealing, that the skies have to be interesting and the busiest part
of a scene is where the interest should be. Silhouettes should be sharp, as should monochrome landscapes, with
good tonal range and contrast.
Graeme offered valuable feedback on all entries before announcing his award winners with Highly Commended
going to Glyn Trueman with Tumbleton Lake for its delicate infra-red effect; New Brighton Beach by Stephanie
Robson for its layers of pastel colour, openness and solitude. Land, Sea and Sky by Davy Bolam for its pleasing
effect which the judge said would happily be displayed on a wall, and Lachlan Castle, Loch Fyne by Stephanie
Robson, chosen for its perfectly caught rainbow and its controlled photography.
In fifth place was Natalie Wright with Into the Valley. The judge admired the fantastic vista, good lead-in, with
a careful and thoughtful composition. Fourth place also went to Natalie with In Awe; the Northern Lights over
the sea which the judge said was well captured with good composition.
In third place was Davy Bolam with Wasdale Head Through to Great Gable which the judge said showed true
wilderness typical of the area and was good compositionally. Langdale Panorama by Paul Appleby took second
place, for its great clarity from the foreground to the horizon. The judge added that he was able to look all over
the scene which held his interest. Announcing the winner of the Bates Cup to be Glyn Trueman with Ord on Skye,
Graeme admired the spits and rocks which provided a lead into the distant hills in the mist. He found this view
appealing and evoked memories; an image where all the elements combined.
1st. Ord on Skye. 2nd. Langdale Panorama. 3rd. Wasdale Head Through to Great Gable.
Club Chairman Peter Downs thanked the judge for his considered thoughts after which refreshments were enjoyed.
Steph.
Photogroup on Teesside, to comment on and evaluate images entered in our annual Bates Cup PDI Landscape
Competition for 2025.
Graeme opened the evening by highlighting a trend in landscape competition judging that emphasizes emotional
impact and visual appeal, considering whether a scene is inviting or suitable for display. He noted that effective
composition should prioritize balance and scale, alongside the technical aspects of the work.
Images of the Northumberland coast, its castles and harbours, clouds and skyscapes, views of minimalistic pastel
shorelines, contrasted with cityscapes and dark industrial scenes, abandoned stone cottages, the Yorkshire Dales
and Lakeland fells. Further afield, images taken of Lofoten Islands sunsets, harsh Andean and volcanic landscapes,
a Nordic hut in snow, turquoise Canadian lakes and a night time vista of colourful Florence added to the drama.
The judge stated that he was looking for images that not only grabbed his attention but also held his interest. He
offered advice on cropping to make a scene appealing, that the skies have to be interesting and the busiest part
of a scene is where the interest should be. Silhouettes should be sharp, as should monochrome landscapes, with
good tonal range and contrast.
Graeme offered valuable feedback on all entries before announcing his award winners with Highly Commended
going to Glyn Trueman with Tumbleton Lake for its delicate infra-red effect; New Brighton Beach by Stephanie
Robson for its layers of pastel colour, openness and solitude. Land, Sea and Sky by Davy Bolam for its pleasing
effect which the judge said would happily be displayed on a wall, and Lachlan Castle, Loch Fyne by Stephanie
Robson, chosen for its perfectly caught rainbow and its controlled photography.
In fifth place was Natalie Wright with Into the Valley. The judge admired the fantastic vista, good lead-in, with
a careful and thoughtful composition. Fourth place also went to Natalie with In Awe; the Northern Lights over
the sea which the judge said was well captured with good composition.
In third place was Davy Bolam with Wasdale Head Through to Great Gable which the judge said showed true
wilderness typical of the area and was good compositionally. Langdale Panorama by Paul Appleby took second
place, for its great clarity from the foreground to the horizon. The judge added that he was able to look all over
the scene which held his interest. Announcing the winner of the Bates Cup to be Glyn Trueman with Ord on Skye,
Graeme admired the spits and rocks which provided a lead into the distant hills in the mist. He found this view
appealing and evoked memories; an image where all the elements combined.
1st. Ord on Skye. 2nd. Langdale Panorama. 3rd. Wasdale Head Through to Great Gable.
Club Chairman Peter Downs thanked the judge for his considered thoughts after which refreshments were enjoyed.
Steph.