Hi Folks,
Tuesday was the first round of the League Challenge Cup and also the last of the three part beginner’s course. Brian Worley took the last part of the beginner’s course in the back room.
In the main hall the competition was taking place and the judge for the evening was Chris Sargeant from Chesham. The theme round was ‘Two Things’ and there were 18 entries.
Chris asked for a run through of the images.
Things got quite exciting for me, as I managed to get one held back for the first time in four years of competitions.
The first to be held back was titled
Boiled Egg and Soldiers
A nice image but if I were to be picky there are three objects in the image but I’m not going to be picky said Chris. Nicely arranged and well conceived by the photographer. he/she has managed to get the armour shining and not get their reflections showing on them.
Boiled Egg & Soldiers
The second to be held back was titled
Two Poor Souls in the Rain
This reminded Chris of being on holiday in Spain when it rained for three days. The photographer had managed to capture the sunlight during this rainfall and it works well. Chris was not sure whether the rain had been added but it definitely works
Two Poor Souls in the Rain
The third to be held back was titled
Early Morning Chimney Pots
The background looks gloomy in the distance but there has been a great deal of thought given to this image with the angles leading to the chimneys and the photographer had positioned themselves well
Early Morning Chimney Pots
The last to be held back was titled
Two faced
Chris said his brain was having a battle to interpret this one but the photography was wonderful.
Two Faced
another titled
two boats at sundown by Nick Bennett
This image had beautiful sunlight acting on two boats which makes the picture. The photographer was congratulated in getting up early to capture the scene (but it was sundown lol) and it was given 18 points
Two Boats at Sundown
another titled
Two rocks, two cars and two chimneys by Mike Ashcroft
Chris said there is a million pictures in there with a lovely sky backdrop and the cloud on the right is almost pointing the eye to the rock. A bit of the foreground could be taken away as it is not adding to the picture and perhaps a letterbox image would be better. I think the effect was a bit too unreal for Chris
Two Rocks, Two Cars, Two Chimneys
So four were held back and it was time for Chris to decide
The Boiled Egg and Soldiers by Peter Carter was given 18 points
Two Chimney Pots by John Timbrell was given 18 points
Two Souls in the Rain by Derek Green was given 19 points
and Judges choice and winner
Two Faced by Kathy Chantler was given 20 points
So after fours years of trying I received my first 19 points, so it’s worth persevering to get there in the end
Coffee time
Then it was time for the open round and Chris had a run through of the 20 images
The first to be held back was titled
Bubbles
Chris loved the streaky image which had very pleasing look with swirls with red bubbles. Chris said he would just have taken out the small bubble on the top left as there were more lovely bubbles in the other areas.
Bubbles
Another titled
Lines and Squares by John Timbrell
With a reflection in the window and a bollard in the bottom of the picture. The bollard was not tall so sort of works ok. Chris gave it 18 points
Lines and Squares
The second to get held back was titled
Fight, nah or Flight, Eventually
Chris said you could see the determination on the puffin’s face and the photographer had captured the sharpness in the head and beak along with the spray behind
Fight, Nah or Flight, Eventually
The third to be held back was titled
Man of Power
A determined look from this character and perhaps viewed with suspicion as to what he might do. There is such detail in the hands and you could almost crop them to make another picture. Light appears to be coming from his left and just his belt below could be cropped to stop the eye going to it.
Man of Power
Another titled
As Cold as Iron by Dawn Cave
Wonderful tree with the headland well positioned. Chris would perhaps have cropped the bottom as he felt it was not contributing to the picture and gave it 18 points.
As Cold and Iron
Another titled
Over the Top Panorama by Kathy Chantler
Not quite symmetry but look at the detail said Chris more HDR to some degree and it was given 18 points
Over the Top Panorama
The last to be held back was titled
Spring wallflower
The flower jumps out at you said Chris, a strong image and beautifully sharp on the front petal and enough sharpness behind to give it depth.
Spring Wallflower
So the four held back and time for Chris to decide
Man of power by Steve Beckett was given 18 points
Bubbles by Carol Haines was given 19 points
Fight, Nah or Flight, Eventually by Peter Carter was given 20 points
Spring Wallflower by Mike Ashcroft was given 20 points
Next week is
Informal Critique Night
Tuesday November 6, 2018 from 20:15 to 22:15
Your chance to have feedback and commentary on your images, outside of a competition environment but utilising qualified judges. Please add a maximum of 2 images to a special section in the Competition entries part of the website; this will give everyone an opportunity for feedback.
The evening is a great opportunity to road test images for later competition entries or to bring images that have been judged previously for a second opinion!!