The Isle of Man Photographic Society is supported by the Arts Council
The IOMPS this week held the judging of the 2nd Open Competition of the season, covering both prints and digitally projected images. The event, sponsored by Aerotech International, a leading consultancy to the world-wide aircraft industry and based here on the Isle of Man, was judged by Doug Allan from the Western Photographic Society. Doug is a regular judge for us with a proven track record of providing both an excellent commentary full of helpful advice, and a consistent marking process matching his comments.
We started with the print entries, the Intermediate group having a very limited entry from just one member who thus won both the Mono and the Colour sections fortuitously Martin Sanderson whose company was the evenings sponsor! His Three Sisters, a pleasing and well composed image of the three lighthouses taken from the Calf winning the Mono, whilst his White Water, an image of a kayaker riding a surf wave, won the Colour award. In the Advanced Mono group, Steve Johnstones Pied Wagtail came out on top, just taking the winning position from two entries from Ron Shimmin, both just a point behind. The Colour section was very competitive, a portrait from Chris Blyth and a table-top arrangement of autumn fruits by Ron Shimmin just missing out to Fairytale Cottage, a lovely and very atmospheric image taken in the Lickey Hills. This proved enchanting for our judge, capturing a section win, best print in competition, and the best image overall on the night, to the obvious delight of its author, Ruth Nicholls.
A larger entry in the digitally projected images ensured more competition for the Intermediate group, the Mono section being won by Moira Blyth with Buttermere, a well composed shot of the lake, a shoreline path leading the eye into the image, with Janet Henry close behind with her shot Sugar to Tea, the teaspoon caught with sugar in motion. Lara Howe then took the Colour section with her shot of an emerging humpback whale, the water droplets perfectly in focus, with Moira Blyths image River of Gold close behind, the metallic colours of the Prismatic Pool in Yellowstone well seen. Steve Johnstone continued his success in the Advanced Mono section, taking top position with Horned Beetle, a close up shot with all the detail nicely in focus, albeit images from Barry Murphy, Chris Blyth and Sue Blythe in close pursuit. Two natural history shots from Sue Blythe then scored maximum marks in the Advanced Colour section, her image Shag in Flight just getting the edge for the section win and best digital image of the evening.
President Jeremy Broome-Smith gave the vote of thanks.
The IOM Photographic Society is now in its Christmas break, our next meeting being on Wednesday, 6th January when Dorothy Flint, an acclaimed and highly skilled local photographer will be presenting her folio of images on Tuscany and Dalmatian Pelicans - an evening sure to please with some superb images in store. The meeting will be held the St John Ambulance HQ on Glencrutchery Road, starting at7:00 pm. Full details of our programme may be found on our Facebook page or on our website www.iomps.com Our meetings are open to the public (non-members with a modest entry fee), and all will be given a very warm welcome. Meantime, we would wish all our readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
By Chris Blyth
CAPTIONS:
IMAGE 01: 'Fairytale Cottage' by Ruth Nicholls won best print and best overall image in the Open competition
IMAGE 02: 'Shag in Flight' by Sue Blythe gained best digital image in the competition
