Virtual Meeting, Browell Trophy Competition - Tuesday 8th December 2020.

     
         1st. Gannet Taking Off.                               2nd.Curlew at Rest.                     3rd. Southern Hawker Dragonfly.

On Tuesday 8th December 2020, Morpeth Camera Club held a virtual meeting to hear the results and comments on
their Annual Pdi Natural History Competition, The Browell Trophy, which was judged by Patrick Sheard from Wooler
and District Camera Club.

Opening the evening the judge explained the criteria by which he rated the images; conformity to the subject of
Natural History, the subject needed to be in its natural habitat, an appropriate title, good composition, technically
well controlled, presented smartly and finally he was looking for a 'wow' factor.

A wide variety of subject matter was entered including wet oak leaves, wild flowers, fungi, images of exotic species,
such as a Red Colobus Monkey, a Sunbird feeding on Jacaranda, a pelican in flight, emerging Cicada, fighting Water
Buffalo, Flamingo, reptiles and highly camouflaged Long Nose Bats.

Also represented were some of our more native species; a bullfinch, a young jay sunbathing, Herring Gull chicks, a
Brown Hare, birds of prey, shags, Roe Deer, and dragonflies. Snow Bunting, Velvet Shank, and an abundance of sea
birds were also entered into the competition.

During the evening recommendations on cropping, levels and depth of field were offered by the judge. He emphasised
that before taking a photograph, especially in a woodland environment, the photographer should look out for extraneous
objects, a simple bit of ‘gardening’ will remove unwanted items which could detract from the subject.

Before announcing his award winners, the judge said that some images had not come up to the standard required due
to inappropriate titles, unnecessary vignettes and ill-suited cropping. He was looking for sharp focus where needed and
good depth of field to blur the background. This is a serious competition, he stressed, and a comical title is not acceptable,
adding that the author should use a title to direct the judge's attention to the feature of the image.

His Highly Commended places went to Brian Morris for Lizard, Sunbird on Jacaranda by Paul Appleby, Honey Bee on
Wild Rose by Stephanie Robson and Water Buffalo Fighting by Graham Sorrie. He went on to announce and describe his
top five placements as follows:

In Fifth place was Snow Bunting by Graham Sorrie, a strong image taken from a low vantage point, he said that the
limited colour palette worked, provided a good background and was admired for its simplicity and strength. Fourth
place went to Stephanie Robson for Cicada Emerging, a process rarely seen in action, adding that it had a strong
level of detail in the wings and was taken in unusual lighting. Third place was given to Glyn Trueman for his image
entitled Southern Hawker Dragonfly, a full faced, a macro image which was detailed throughout and pin sharp where
it needed to be. Second place was awarded to Davy Bolam with Curlew at Rest which the judge described as a very
strong definition of the subject, great eye capture, with the soft reflections from the sky on the water providing a
great backdrop. Patrick then announced the winner of this year's Browell Trophy for the best Natural History image
to be Glyn Trueman with Gannet Taking Off. He said that it was a technically strong image as a Gannet is very difficult
to capture in flight. It was set up correctly and he was in awe at Glyn’s ability to capture this bird at the crucial moment.

Club Chairman John Barnes thanked Patrick for his highly constructive comments after which a round of ‘virtual’
applause was given to him and the successful authors.

Steph.