Hi Folks,
Last night was the first competition of the clubs new season which was a ‘winner on the night’ print or image choice. There were fifteen entries in the print section and 36 in the image section.
Our judge for the evening was Steven Galvin from Marlow. Steven said, he usually finds that female photographers often show the emotional and soft side in an image where as the guys are more technical and rough.
Steven admitted he liked wildlife and nature and after a brief look at the prints he indicated that some entrants may have looked him up or been aware of his taste but he did not mind that at all.
Steven trained on a judges course with our Kathy.
So with the competition underway
The first to be held back by Steven was titled
Burrowing owl
A beautiful shot with the owl about to land. Steven would like to know how the sharpness was achieved maybe due to the owl slowing down as the claws were in position ready to land. The eyes were sharp and the background thrown out very well
The second print to be held back was titled
Josie
The model reminded Steven of the Mona Lisa with the slight smile. The eyes are relaxed with a nice pose. Sharp all the way through with perhaps a vignette. The lighting is lovely but a glint in the eyes are slightly lower than normal due to the lighting. The skin is nice and smooth and natural looking
The third to be held back was titled
The Emerald lake
The paper used in this print was the perfect paper to use and Steven thinks it was Oyster paper and brings out the detail so well. Steven was loving the left corner of green and the curves of the majestic hillside rocks and behind the mountains almost going into pastel shade with just a hint of snow on them. There is a little red boat to add interest in the middle of the lake.
The fourth to be held back was titled
Granite Coast
Reminded Steven of a 1980’s poster print he saw done by laser. This image is just popping out and probably taken with a polarising lens as the underneath of the water can be seen. The photographer has probably use HDR which does look to some as artificial but in this case it is very appealing and interesting.
The fifth to be held back was titled
Model at Brill Windmill
A natural pose where the model seems to be enjoying herself. Steven said he would just clone out the straw on the models arm as it is slightly distracting but a lovely posed picture.
The sixth to be held back was titled
Messy Hair
A natural look, the model is relaxed and grabbing her hair as model’s do to give that effect. The background has been thrown out and perhaps needing slightly more blurring as objects can still be seen. The skin tones are good and the eyes are sharp and Steven was enjoying the image.
The last to be held back was titled
Perfect Curve
Steven was loving the curves of the neck and legs. On an earlier look, Steven said in the print, the black end of the flamingos beak was disappearing into the background but he can now make it out. The eye and texture of plumage of the bird are pin sharp and it looks even better on the projector. An image almost of French curves
So then the summing up of all seven
1st and judges choice Josie by Mike Ashcroft
2nd Burrowing Owl by Chenxi Ni
3rd Granite Coast by Mike Ashcroft
Highly commended
The Emerald Lake by Carol Haine
Perfect Curve by Chenxi Ni
Commended
Messy Hair by Nick Bennett
Model at Brill Windmill by Lawrence Doyle
Coffee time
In the second half it was the images on the projector and Steven had a quick run through. The lights went down and I suddenly realised I did not have my torch with me and could not see what I was writing lol, so apologies for brief comments on the pictures.
The first to be held back was titled
Up and Over
Many that go to dog shows try to position themselves for this type of photograph and may take hundreds in the hope of getting the right shot. This image has the eyes nice and sharp and the picture shows the movement. The photographer has done well to include the bar below
The second to be held back was titled
Exit Light Enter Night
An interesting pose with the model framed by the light, just a hint of a table in the distance. The models eyes are not looking at you, giving a moody feel to the image
The third to be held back was titled
Skywards
A dynamic full on picture and hits you straight in the eye. One building looks to be being constructed with the crane at the top, said Steven. Although I think it is a window cleaning ramp.
The fourth to be held back was title
Trwyn Du Lighthouse
Photographer has the horizon level and early morning shot with low cloud. Taken on a longish exposure to give the milky effect on the water. A natural beach with a contrast of a man made lighthouse.
The fifth to be held back was titled
Hollywood Star
Nice and sharp the model is looking away from the camera making a moody look with smoke in the background
The sixth to be held back was titled
Boo
Steven was a bit distracted by the hair but said the boy’s face and eyes were the best part of the image. There was a good depth of field but just a scratch on the stair pillar to perhaps look at later.
The seventh to be held back was titled
Seasons Change
Gloriously rich in colour perhaps by saturation. Great clouds and a nice little house to set the scene.
The eighth to be held back was titled
Jo
Great to see her in colour with her jewels and lipstick matching and giving that moody effect again
The ninth to be held back was titled
As Childhood Ebbs Away
The monochrome textures of the tree are in contrast against the models soft skin. The eyes are sharp, the face is slightly white and another moody shot.
The tenth to be held back was titled
Camouflage
The lizard looks to have polished skin. Taken in a more natural looking environment almost like from a wifi film and difficult to get everything in focus but Steven was enjoying this.
The eleventh to be held back was titled
Swan Sunset
Steven said the tree line was the place he was enjoying, he was not sure if the full sky was necessary as a little purple in the top corner. Perhaps a crop of the top and showing the reflections in the water. Steven loved the swan and its curved reflection.
The twelfth to be held back was titled
St. Nectan’s Glen
A long exposure water shot and skilled to bring the green colour back from the yellows.
Nicely done getting each of the water levels correct with the milky water effect
The thirteenth to be held back was titled
Ready to Go
A Lancaster bomber with the blades making a circle effect a nice creative view. One can’t see much in the background it could almost be an effect of a negative
And the last to be held back was titled
Coloured Sails
A nice shot well spotted by the photographer and sharp right to the end. Lucky to get the shot with nobody in it.
And the final results were
1st Camouflage by Mike Ashcroft
2nd Jo by Dawn Cave
3rd Skywards by Chris Andrews
Highly commended
Boo by Dawn Cave
Movie Star by Brian Worley
Ready to Go by Kathy Chantler
St Nectan Glen by Chenxi Ni
Commended
Trwyn’s Lighthouse by Peter Carte
Up and Over by Tami Nunley
Swan Sunset by Derek Green
Seasons change by Dawn Cave
Jo by Carol Haines
Coloured sails by Derek Green
Exit Light Enter Night by Brian Worley
Next week is
Mount Cutting + What a Judge is Looking For/Beginners Course Part 2
Tuesday October 9, 2018 from 20:15 to 22:15
Main Hall – an evening of two halves….
Part 1 – Chenxi will show how mounts fro prints can be cut, and there will be an opportunity to have a go. If we all think it worthwhile, then a mount cutter can be purchased by the club for members’ use.
Part 2 will see Alan Taberer talking about ‘What a Judge is looking for’ in competitive images. Alan is a highly respected and experienced Judge on the CACC circuit and will have lots of useful pointers.
In the backroom we will be running part 2 of the Beginners’ Course.