We returned after the Christmas break to the first of our 3 set subject competitions: competition A on the subject of “Castles”.  The competition was judged by Joe Fowler, who had won the competition in 2022.  Joe explained that he judges photographs based on two factors: composition and light. Composition is important. Don’t just point a camera at a castle and press the shutter, walk around the castle and see how it looks from different angles. Can you avoid any distractions by using a different viewpoint? Lighting is equally important. How is the light shining on the castle, and which viewing angle would make the best use of the lighting? Choose your time of day carefully, as bright lighting can overexpose your sky, and dull lighting can make the sky boring (although some members had got around this by using sky replacement).  Joe recommended everyone be their own judge. Look at your work and imagine how you would describe it as a judge.

45 images had been entered by 15 members.  Joe commented on the composition and lighting of each image. There were some images where the prime subject (the castle) was too far away and not prominent enough. Some images could have been taken from a better angle, and Joe pointed out examples where the direction of view didn’t match the direction of the light, which created a “one dimensional” image with only half the castle properly lit. There were also some distractions, such as a modern ice cream van in front of Edinburgh castle or an ugly white gun in front of Eilean Donan castle. In some cases the sky replacement had created a conflict. If you add a new feature to an image make sure the light and shadows match, and if you add a new sky check that it matches the reflection in the water.  Joe also pointed out that many images had trees and bushes blocking the foreground and detracting from the view of the castle.  So, next time you photograph a castle you have a choice: either take some walking boots so you can walk around and find the best view, or take a chainsaw so you can remove any trees that block your view!

The scoring was very close, and the top scorers were (in reverse order):

• 5th place (48 points)
  • Stephen Williams
  • Derek Muller
• 4th place (49 points)
  • Malcolm Roberts
  • Gordon Davidson
  • John West
  • Jim Innes
• 3rd place (50 points)
  • Carol Edmund
• 2nd place (52 points)
  • Steven Beard
  • Mike Clark
• 1st place (55 points)
  • George Todd

The top images were:

• Through the Valley to Dunnotar Castle (George Todd) – 20 points
• Tantallon Castle (Carol Edmund) – 20 points
• Edinburgh Castle Lights (Mike Clark) – 19 points
• Eilean Donan (Jim Innes) – 19 points
• Dunottar Castle (Malcolm Roberts) – 18 points
• Hailes Castle (Steven Beard) – 18 points
• Sunset of Tantallon Castle (George Todd) – 18 points

Well done to George Todd, who wins the right to judge yet another competition next year.  This is the first of a 3-part competition, with the final result depending on the total score from the best 2 competitions; and with so many members getting good scores this still leaves the trophy open to anyone. The next part of the competition takes place in 3 weeks time, on 26th January 2023.

And on that subject, I have to point out a mistake in my previous message. This week is not the hand-in date for the human portrait print competition. It is the hand-in date for the next set subject competition. Please send your 3 JPEG images on the theme of “wildlife” to George Todd as soon as possible. (Human portrait prints are not needed until 23rd February 2023 – panic over).

Next week we are hosting the “Match an Image” competition, with North Berwick Photographic Society as our special guests. This competition is too complex to host by Zoom, so I hope as many members as possible will join us in room G6 at Fisherrow. The session starts at 7pm on Thursday, 12th January 2023.