27th January was another milestone for Musselburgh Camera Club. We had our first true print competition for 2 years! The last time we reviewed prints at the Fisherrow Centre was for an earlier human portrait print competition on 30th January 2020. This week’s competition was judged by Gordon Scott of Mid Calder camera club. You can see some of Gordon’s work at the link below:

https://www.midcaldercameraclub.org.uk/gallery-gordonscott

This competition was more complex than previous print competitions because we were broadcasting the event to members who preferred to connect by Zoom. We set up a narrow-angle webcam which captured a view of our print stand, and Gordon wore a radio microphone. A wide-angle microphone was used to speak to the members on Zoom. The complexity of the situation lead to some technical issues, and we learned it is important to make a careful note of which microphone is which in the list that Zoom gives you. Gordon was very patient with us.

8 members had entered 24 images altogether. Gordon noted that some of the images (which showed groups of people interacting) stretched the definition of a portrait, which he expected to be of a single person.  There were photographs of people at work, people taking part in a battle re-enactment, people on the street, and images captured from a photoshoot.  John West had entered a selfie, which amused some of the audience.  Gordon commented on the location of the subject within the frame. Some images were cropped a little too tightly, for example cropping off the top of the subject’s hat. Other images seemed to have too much space on one side, or could have been angled differently to show more of an elaborate costume and less background.  Gordon pointed to distractions which could have been removed, darkened or cropped out. He also explained how the depth of field is important. In most portraits it is important to blur out the background to keep attention on the subject; with the exception of subjects who are doing a job, where it is important to be able to see what they are doing.  Some of the images were spoiled by an unfortunate pose, for example a hand which was too dominant. The final thing which separated the best images from the rest was the lighting.  Harsh lighting caused distracting shadows or bright streaks on some portraits. The very best images were captured in soft lighting. Gordon’s top 6 images (which can be seen on our Facebook page) were:

• Kalia – Green Activist  (George Todd) – 20 points
• Lean and Mean (Joe Fowler) – 19 points
• MacAulay Clansman (George Todd) – 19 points
• Fabrication Welder (Joe Fowler) – 18 points
• Nguyet (George Todd) – 18 points
• My Magnificent Beard (Carol Edmund) – 18 points

The top scorers were (in reverse order):

• 4th place (47 points)
  • Jennifer Davidson
  • Mike Clark
• 3rd place (49 points)
  • Charlie Briggs
  • Carol Edmund
• 2nd place (52 points)
  • Joe Fowler
• 1st place (57 points)
  • George Todd

Congratulations to George Todd, whose 3 images all made the top 6. Thank you to everyone who dusted off their printers and made the effort to enter this competition, and thank you very much to Gordon Scott for judging and putting up with our technical issues.

Next week we have the second of our set subject competitions: “Travel in Scotland”.
See you on Thursday,

Steven

Our first club meeting after Christmas was the first of our 3 set subject competitions: competition A on the subject of “Reflections”.  The competition was judged by Malcolm Roberts, who had won last year’s competition.

27 images had been entered by 9 members, with different techniques used to capture the reflection. There were images of reflections in lochs, harbours and rivers; and reflections in windows and shiny floors.  Jennifer Davidson had used a puddle to capture a unique reflected view of the Kelpies and Carol Edmond had captured flowers reflected in a mirror and glass table.  But perhaps the most intriguing image was John West’s photograph of a reflection in a spoon.  Malcolm awarded the highest points to the most atmospheric images taken in the best lighting and with the fewest distractions, and Mike Clark’s beautiful “Misty Morning Loch Ard” was admired by all.  Malcolm noted that some of the images had lost detail in the shadows or highlights. He also suggested cropping some images to home in on the detail, or using a different viewpoint to balance the composition (which isn’t always possible when standing on a balcony or next to water).

The top scorers were (in reverse order):

• 5th place (47 points)
  • George Todd
• 4th place (48 points)
  • John West
• 3rd place (49 points)
  • Steven Beard
  • Carol Edmund
• 2nd place (50 points)
  • Mike Clark
• 1st place (52 points)
  • Joe Fowler

The top images were:

• Misty Morning Loch Ard (Mike Clark) – 20 points
• Island Reflection (Joe Fowler) – 19 points
• Painterly Reflection (John West) – 18 points
• Little Mandarin Duck (Joe Fowler) – 17 points
• Disney Castle (Steven Beard) – 17 points
• Granton Harbour (Steven Beard) – 17 points
• Floral Reflection (Carol Edmund) – 17 points

Well done to Joe Fowler, who wins the right to judge next year’s competition.  This is the first of a 3-part competition, with the final result depending on the total score from the best 2 competitions. The observant will notice that only 1 point separates the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places, so at this stage everybody is still in with a chance.

Please note that the image hand-in date for part 2 of this competition (on the theme of “Travel In Scotland”) is this coming Thursday, 13th January 2022. Please send your 3 JPEG images to George Todd.  Images for the final part of the competition (on the theme of “Street Photography”) are due on 3rd March 2022.

Our black and white print competition took place on 2nd December 2021.  Like the colour print competition judged earlier in the year, this competition was also judged digitally. The competition was judged by Gordon McMann CAPGB of Queens Park Camera Club, Glasgow.

15 members had entered 45 images altogether. There were landscape shots, some shots of local architecture and artwork, a selection of portraits, some sporting action shots, and a few shots of flowers and wildlife.  Gordon commented on the impact and composition of each image. In some cases there was a loss of detail in the highlights or the shadows, and in other cases the dynamic range had been compressed so the image lacked contrast. Gordon recommended solving both of these problems by dodging and burning. The photographer can “paint” regions of brightness or shadow onto the image to enhance some areas and dampen others. Some of the portraits could have been improved by this method: brightening the face while darkening the light shining through a window; darkening the shadows under the chin to enhance the contrast and give the image more depth. While a lack of contrast can make an image seem flat, so can a blank background.  A portrait or flower image on a plain background can look two-dimensional. Carol Edmond’s image “Dying Roses” was an example of a background that worked. The subtle gradient of tone in the background maintained the depth in the image. Gordon also warned photographers to beware of photographing artwork, like the Kelpies, where the sky shows through the holes. If you darken the sky you need to darken everything shining through the holes as well.  Also, watch out for odd shapes at the edge of the artwork where the shadows don’t look right.  One of the most striking images in the competition was Kevin Johnson’s abstract portrait called “Neg”.  A portrait of a model with a tattoo had been boldly presented as a negative black and white image.

Gordon had classified the images into commended (16 points), highly commended (17 points) and then 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The top images were:

• Highly commended (17 points)
  • In Control (Jennifer Davidson)
  • The Cove (Jennifer Davidson)
  • What a Scramble (Joe Fowler)
  • Nepali Priest (George Todd)
  • Dramatic Sky over East Neuk (Gordon Davidson)
  • Kelpies (Gordon Davidson)
  • Dying Roses (Carol Edmond)
• Top 3 images
  • Watching for Danger (Charlie Briggs) – 18 points
  • Emotion 2 (Malcolm Roberts) – 19 points
  • Dreaming of Days Gone By (George Todd) – 20 points

When the points were added up, the top scorers were revealed to be (in reverse order):

• 5th place (46 points)
  • Charlie Briggs
  • Jennifer Davidson
• 4th place (48 points)
  • Joe Fowler
  • Mike Clark
• 3rd place (49 points)
  • Malcolm Roberts
  • Carol Edmond
• 2nd place (50 points)
  • Gordon Davidson
• 1st place (52 points)
  • George Todd

Congratulations to George Todd, Gordon Davidson, Malcolm Roberts and Carol Edmund. Next week we have our second members evening, and our last meeting at Fisherrow before Christmas. Jennifer Davidson, George Todd and Gavin Marshall will be presenting their work.

See you on Thursday,

Steven

Our colour print competition took place on 4th November 2021.  Since we are still in a period of hybrid meetings, with not all club members able to attend at Fisherrow and deliver prints, this competition was judged digitally. Clive Watkins, president of Irvine Camera Club, judged the competition and presented the results by Zoom.  Clive told us he had been a photographer for more than 20 years and, after being at the receiving end of judges’ comments for a few years, he decided to become a judge himself. He told us that a photograph first needs to look good and be technically well executed. But photography is a work of art, and a photograph also needs to make a statement or have an emotional impact.  You can view some of Clive’s work in the Irvine Camera club gallery or on his web site (Siglov).

16 members had entered 48 images altogether. There were wildlife images of birds, insects, a hare, and a fox. There were photographs of flowers, landscapes, sport and urban architecture and one or two portraits and still life compositions.  A popular image with the audience on the night was Carol Edmund’s lovely portrait “Stylish”.  Clive commented on the composition of each image, the shapes formed by the components, and the separation of the subject from the background.  Some of the landscape images could be improved by cropping out areas of dull lighting.  Some of the images had a large expanse of green grass in the background. He suggested reducing the contrast of the background and reducing the green saturation so that the grass didn’t detract from the main subject.  Some members had photographed their subject against a plain black background. While this helped to separate the subject technically, Clive felt that a plain background didn’t help to present a subject (and made it look cut out). He suggested choosing a background which harmonises with the subject. For example, photograph flowers against a background of greenery, and photograph nuts, cones, seeds and spices against a natural background of wood or slate.

Clive ended his presentation by taking us through his top images in reverse order, which were:

• Following the Leader (George Todd) – 18 points
• Poppy Girl (Gordon Davidson) – 18 points
• Stylish (Carol Edmund) – 18 points
• Humming Bird (George Todd) – 19 points
• Cheeky Fox Cub (Mike Clark) – 19 points
• Lone Tree Last Night (Mike Clark) – 19 points
• The Race Is On (Mike Clark) – 20 points

When the points were added up, the top scorers were revealed to be (in reverse order):

• 5th place (49 points)
  • Elaine Gilroy
  • Carol Edmund
• 4th place (50 points)
  • Malcolm Roberts
• 3rd place (51 points)
  • Jennifer Davidson
  • Gordon Davidson
• 2nd place (53 points)
  • George Todd
• 1st place (58 points)
  • Mike Clark

Congratulations to Mike Clark, who managed to secure Clive’s top image of the night and two of his second placed images, making his total just two points short of a perfect score. Congratulations also to George Todd, Jennifer Davidson and Gordon Davidson for winning silver and bronze medals.

Next week we have our first members evening. George and Joe will show some of their work, but we may have some time to fill. If you have any images you would like to show please bring them along to Fisherrow or have them ready at home if you are connecting by Zoom. Don’t forget to submit your 3 JPEG images for the “black and white print” competition this week.

See you on Thursday,

Steven