Club’s League Challenge Cup round 4, Theme of Love and open print, Tuesday 9th April 2019

Hi Folks,

Last night was the 4th round of the club’s league championship with the theme of ‘love’ and the ‘open’ round which in that category it was a print only. The judge for the evening was Amanda Wright from Ealing and Hampshire House Photographic Society.

Amanda had a quick run through of the entries and said I hope some of the titles are going to help me out as some do not seem to fit the theme of love.

The first to be held back was titled

Nanny’s first cuddle

The baby does look incredible new with the skin wrinkles and the expression on nanny’s face works well. The author has cropped it well to take us into centre of the image to get that important embrace.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Brotherly Love

I like to think this a natural snap captured with the arm around the boy rather than asking the two boys to do it but it does not matter it looks a natural pose. Fortunately the clothing colours give a good match and the background of the trees are out of focus. Amanda said she was enjoying this but wondering if a letterbox crop would enhance it by losing some of the the rail.

 

The next to be held back was titled

The Marmite Factor

Oh yes the Marmite factor, the author has done well and has thought about this for the theme. Amanda said, she thought the bread crumbs were a little distracting and the angle was quite strange. However, the author clearly wants us to look inside the jar. The bread is dipped in leading the eyes inside to see what is in the bottom of the jar. A good fun image.

 

The next to be held back was titled

A Romantic Night Out

I love this said Amanda I would love to know where this is so I could take it. Lovely lighting from the stall which is lighting up the boy on the bicycle. There is a couple sharing chips to add to the theme. Amanda loved the available light and how it had been used.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Lean on Me

A brave elderly couple venturing out in the snow. Amanda would have perhaps cropping the top part with just a little bit off the bottom to a more letterbox image. The lovely pools of light are coming in from the side in the foreground and giving a sort of 3d effect

 

The next to be held back was titled

I Think They Are In Love

Yes the stag is patiently standing with the young deer. The grass in both the foreground and background has been put out of focus for the eyes to be led to the deer. Amanda would have like to see more texture in the deer’s skin.

 

The last to be held back was titled

A new Baby

It’s always a nervous time with the second baby coming home and what reaction the first child would give.  The highlights are a little bright but the baby has been captured nicely. Amanda loved the skin tones but was wondering if a tighter crop on the left may have enhanced the picture. Perhaps a crop of the lady’s hand on the left as the sofa disappearing is leading the eye away to the left.

 

So seven were held back and Amanda had to decide on awarding points

Fish & Chips by Chris Andrews given 20 points (Judge’s Choice)

Brotherly Love by Tami Nunley given 20 points

The Marmite Factor by Peter Carter given 20 points

Nanny’s First Cuddle by John Timbrell given 20 points

I Think They Are In Love by Nick Bennett given 19 points

Lean ON Me by Peter Carter given 18 points

New Baby by Kathy Chantler given 18 points

 

Coffee time

The open prints round

 

The first to be held Back was titled

Branch Network

This gives one a sense of being lost in the woods said Amanda, a sort of pathway but maybe not. The direction is ‘S’ shape leading one into the mist. A lovely textured picture with a bit of lichen at the bottom of the tree on the left. The paper selected is a bit shiny and may be a matt paper would have elevated the mist in the background. The trees and branches are lovely.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Birds Fly Over the Mountains

The birds are not quite in focus but does not matter this has a lovely feel to it. I don’t think the birds have been added. Lovely lighting on the mountains. It does have a black mount and the trees in the foreground are quite dark. But works well as a letterbox image

 

The next held back was titled

Wait For Me

The light has been gorgeously handled by the author. The necks of the swans are showing wet having been dipped in the water. One of the cygnet’s has a slightly dark head and maybe just lighten it up a fraction. Perhaps a small crop at the bottom taking out the beach which does not give added value to the image and perhaps cropped to the bottom of the nearest cygnet. The cygnets are nicely giving a diagonal line and the catch light is showing in their eyes.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Britain In Time of Brexit

Oh I can never get away from this even coming to a photographic competition said Amanda. This is really good with both characters dressed in similar colours. The signs of leaving and remaining are giving an impression of their directions. Both the subjects are giving the idea of movement with their feet. Amanda would have like the black band of wall on the left cropped.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Emily Dancing

Quite different and a grainy image but probably deliberate, taken with a slow shutter speed . Again, probably would have been better on a matt surface. The colours work well and show the flow of movement. Just showing the foot in focus at the bottom, the keyline on the image is thinner at the bottom.

 

The next to be held back was titled

In the Sodium Glow

A warm afternoon picture with autumn leaves on the floor. Perhaps  Cotswold or Bath stone showing that warm colour of gold in the sunset. Good lighting on the bicycle and its shadow on the wall. Amanda would have sliced just an inch from the right side and moving the bicycle further to the right. There is lovely texture on the brick wall.

 

The next to be held back was titled

Conversation on a Greek Ferry

I am glad there is a title as I was wondering where to start on the story, said Amanda. Everyone of the characters seems to have their own little story. I love the man with his dog looking on. Amanda could not work out  the conversation as to whether it was heated or friendly with the priest pointing at the guys arm or is he poking him. The boy on the chair appears to be engaged in the conversation or argument it would have been lovely to see more of his face but one takes what is available. The light is dropping nicely on the priest’s clothing and a great shot.

 

The next to be held back was titled

It’s a Hard Life being a Busker

Yes this character looks as if he has had a hard life. The textures and tones on his face are showing the lines of age a nice sharp image. The hand is well presented and the author has got the accordion diagonally, leading the eye towards his face. The accordion is showing good detail along with the clothing he is wearing.

 

 

The last to be held back was titled

The empty Chair

The guy looks to be away with the fairies doesn’t he, said Amanda. A lovely strong image yet showing a touch of softness. His hair is wispy and skin tones are lovely and the image tells a story.

 

So with nine held back it was time to give the marks

The Empty Chair by Kathy Chantler was given 20 points (Judge’s Favourite)

Birds over the Mountains by Carol Haines given 20 points

A Hard Life being a Busker by Derek Green was given 20 points

Conversation on a Greek Ferry by John Timbrell given 20 points

In the Sodium Glow by Chris Andrews given 20 points

Branch Network by David Jones given 19 points

Emily Dancing by John Timbrell given 19 points

Britain in Time of Brexit by Kathy Chantler given 19 points

Wait for Me by David Jones given 18 points

 

So what can I say

With the judge on Sunday saying he was not sure if he liked my busker’s face or not and after Amanda’s gave me my first 20 score I could kiss the guy’s face lol. However, probably better to have it framed and take it out to him later this year with a few added euros. So after four years and an early score of a 19 in the first round I have a 20 at last and had not realised ‘street photography was my thing’ lol.

Well done to Carol and Tami also beginning to hit the 20 scores

Next week is

Practical – Something Difficult to Photograph?