The IOMPS’s recent Open Print competition attracted a large number of entries which made difficult work for the judge, Ruth Nicholls LRPS, DPAGB, EFIAB, BPE3.
It was immediately clear that Ruth had indeed worked hard perusing and assessing each and every photograph in detail. She reminded the members how important is the presentation of images in terms of careful and compatible mounting. The title of a picture also needs careful consideration so that it is suitable and conveys to a judge what the image’s author is trying to say. Ruth reminded us that from a judges point of view attention to detail makes all the difference in a competition.
Ruth spent time talking about each photo, patiently picking out particular details and providing helpful ideas and technical tips on improving certain features.
The standard of photography was, as usual very good across the groups but everybody benefited in some way from a veritable master class from Ruth throughout her evening’s judging.
IOMPS president Tony Curtis thanked Ruth for giving so willingly of her time and for sharing some of her vast knowledge with the members, and said he hoped that in the future she might like to give a lecture.
In the Standard group, Ruth awarded top places to Mark Falconer for a stunning black and white head shot of an owl; and to Richard Shafto’s beautiful composition of Ballaglass Glen.
First places in the Intermediate group went to Jenny Shanley and Sam Bucknell. Jenny’s japanesque image of a grass head was excellent with simple clean lines.
Sam Bucknall is a junior member whose photography is maturing very quickly. He clinched the top two places with some excellent mono photographs including a thatched cottage and a young man poised to throw a ball.
The Advanced group’s winners were Sue Jones with a very sharp black and white photo of an animated group of evacuee girls. Robert Blyth-Skyrme’s winning photo was the epitome of tranquility with boats on still water in hues of pink and blue.
RESULTS
Standard Mono
1st Mark Falconer - “Unwavering Stare”
2nd & 3rd Nessie Gillen - “White Beach” & “Baby Bella”
4th & 5th Sue Collier - “Nepalese Buffalo” & “White Rose”
6th Norma Cowell - “Old Ballaugh Church”
Standard Colour
1st & 3rd Richard Shafto - “Springtime In Ballaglass” & “Masked Booby”
2nd Nessie Gillen - “Pink Portal Rose”
4th Dave Norton - “Thirsty Pigeon”
5th Mark Falconer - “Three Legs Welcome”
6th Norma Cowell - “Strings”
Intermediate Mono
1st & 2nd Sam Bucknall (Jnr) “Go It, Paul” & Thatched Cottage, Bride”
3rd & 5th Elaine Dewhurst - “Eye Catching” & “Shaded Balcony”
4th Jenny Shanley - “Snow On Jurby Cross”
6th Phyllis Christian - “Just A Bundle Of Fluff”
Intermediate Colour
1st Jenny Shanley - “Grass Head”
2nd Annette Slater - “Roses Are Red”
3rd Sam Bucknall (Jnr) “Evening Glory”
4th & 5th Shirley Lotfy - “Small Tortoiseshell On Inula” & “Waiting For High Tide”
6th Ian Lumsden - “Greek Theatre, Taormina, Sicily”
Advanced Mono
1st & 4th Sue Jones - “Evacuees” & “Engine Driver”
2nd & 3rd Ron Shimmin - “Cafe In The Park” & “The Bridge To Besalu”
5th Patricia Harvey – My Pride And Joy”
6th Bob Servante - “Keep Calm And Carry On”
Advanced Colour
1st Robert Blyth-Skyrme - “Tranquility”
2nd Janet Servante - “Hen Blackbird”
3rd Sue Jones - “Abandoned”
4th & 6th Ron Shimmin - “In The Pyramid” & “The Road To Mont-Louis”
5th Bill Callow - “White Beach”
The society is holding its annual photographic exhibition (with work on sale) from February 8 to March 8 at The Laxey Hodgson Loom Gallery. The exhibition will be opened at 6.30pm on February 8 by Steve Rodan, the Speaker of the Hosue of Keys..
This is a popular exhibition showcasing the many and varied works of the society’s members.
The next IOMPS meeting will see both a Small Print competition and a presentation by local photographer, David Sylvester – The Studio Colby..
Everyone is welcome to attend and for non members there is a small charge of £1.
Visit www.iomps.com for more information about the society.
Anne Bidwell
Pictured: Judge Ruth Nicholls (second left) with Open Print winners Jenny Shanley; Richard Shafto and Sue Jones