The ImageZ Location Challenge
Tuesday April 19, 2022, Attendees 28
The Location Challenge gave members a brief period of time to search Aylesbury
within a mile radius from Market Square, for:
An image of a piece of Architecture building or buildings,
An Image of a person or people, posed, candid, or street.
An image of a “smaller part” of something in Aylesbury for example plaques or ornamental features on a building.
Fourteen members rose to the challenge and entered forty -two images.
The evening featured two judges both members of ImageZ, Alan Taberer and Julia Cleaver. Each judge gave a short critique of an image followed by a score. At the end of the three sections the scores would be totalled for each member to see who came first, second, and third.
The evening started with the Architectural images.
There were some scenes of Aylesbury taken from elevated positions, including a view taken from Waitrose car park of the Waterside Theatre and surrounding area using a fisheye lens which Julia said accentuated the curves of the roads and buildings.
Another image taken from the newly built bridge leading to the railway station
gave the station a model village look by its angle and differentiated background.
Other images included two churches with lovely textured walls, and the Tower block windows taken on an angle to give an abstract look. The Hop Pole Pub featured in one members picture it’s a craft pub which Alan added in his critique “it was a nice image but would have been nice to see a couple of people in the garden enjoying the beer.” Other images included Reflections in the glass of the ‘Blue Leanie’ and a lovely image of the Black and white houses in St Mary’s Street and many more clever and interesting images of buildings we often pass frequently.
The second section began with a pleasing image of teenagers all giving a thumbs up to the photographer (Godfrey) while standing on various levels of steps. The judges said the image had a very natural feel to it and every model was looking at the photographer.
Some of the images included a busker, a man leaning on an old water pump, a man standing outside The Snug whose subtle coloured clothes blended with the colours of the café. In contrast someone had taken a picture of the Isla Jane Bakery stall covered in beautiful bread and cakes and served by a gentleman in a bright red shirt who blended with his tablecloth and banner.
Julia suggested when photographing a model never to look down on them with the camera or it makes them look short and often their legs look too short.
Alan was very appreciative of a photo called Lem at Lem’s Barbers shop, of a striking young man with dark hair and eyes. The photograph was an excellent portrait in naturel light and was taken by Brian. Both judges awarded a ten to this portrait.
Another striking photograph was ‘The Keyholder ‘. It featured a Jamaican man with a kindly face and plenty of character holding his keys.
The third round included a blue Lion’s head doorknocker taken at an angle. Alan felt the photographer should have taken the picture square on to get more detail, but Julia like the angle as it had captured a reflection of a pyramid shaped building in the door.
Other images had been captured, including a plaque for Aylesbury Urban District Council, two sets of graffiti scratched into a wall, some round decorative railings,
a beautiful reflection of a tree in a glass building’s windows, three stone steps which Alan liked the texture of and the top of the Axix sculpture in Vale Park taken against a purple – grey sky. This image scored two tens and was by David Jones.
Lastly a stylish bike rack had been captured casting a shadow which made it look like a piece of modern art. The judges said it was well seen and creatively photographed.
Kes had been totalling the scores and was able to tell us at the end of this fun evening that:
First place went to Brian Worley
Second place to David Jones
Third place to Godfrey ….
Chris thanked everyone who took part in this challenge. He emphasised that there are plenty of images to find and take in a nearby location. He said there were some high-quality images and well done to all the people who took courage and asked people to pose for a photograph.
Thank you to Julia and Alan for offering good critiques and to Alan with his knowledge of Aylesbury.
Next week Competition – Challenge Trophy #5
26/Apr @ 20:15 – 22:15 on Zoom