End of last season, back in March, Charlie Moore from Eastwood Photographic Society was judging our best photographs of the year in our Annual Exhibition. In order to create a separation some of the images received perhaps unexpectedly low scores with Charlie rightly reserving his higher scores for truly the best on show.

Top image among the Monochrome Prints and the overall trophy winner was “Yawning Hippo”  by Derek Orr – just seems the perfect shot for an Open Competition. Very well done to Derek who has so many deserved successes during this past season.

The best Colour Print was judged to be “Red Kite” by Martin Hancock showing superb detail ……….. and Jim Stevenson continued this winning theme of birds in flight with “Banking Puffin” (not a big plastic one outside Virgin Money – but the real thing).

Congratulations to all winners. And below we have a list of all the top places.

Mono Prints.
20 points : Yawning Hypo ; Derek Orr
19 points : Hitting the Apex : Jim Stevenson
19 points : The Master : Jim Stevenson
18 points : Tackle : Kevin Thorne
18 points : Dapper Gent ; Martin Hancock.

Colour Prints.
20 points : Red Kite : Martin Hancock
19 points : Out in Front : Kevin Thorne
19 Points : Kaffir Photographers ; Bobby Goudie
18 points ; Shall I Jump : Derek Orr
18 points : Autumn Reflections : Bob Quig

Projected Images
20 points : Banking Puffin : Jim Stevenson
19 points : Puffin Portrait : Derek Orr
18 points : Speedway : Martin Hancock

Our Second Open Competition was held on 9th February, with our usual wide range of images, all judged by Peter Demarco, a longstanding member of Eastwood Photographic Society and of the Scottish Photographic Circle.

A total of 75 images had been entered in our three categories – a good entry – so it was a full night and we appreciate all the work involved for Peter. His comments and advice were truly welcomed. In the end, it was revealed that all images which scored 19 or 20 points were all taken by Derek Orr, Jim Stevenson or Kevin Thorne.

In the end, Peter chose “Black Guillemot with Flounder”  by Jim Stevenson as the winning image. Congratulations Jim – you will pick up the Second Open Trophy at the Prize giving on the night of the AGM!

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In early February, we held a hands-on workshop on still life & tabletop photography. Members brought a variety of items to be arranged and photographed. Included were two sheep skulls and a replica human skull which could be posed against a background of faded hydrangeas! There was also a Lego airport scene; a variety of leaves and feathers which were illuminated from below to beautiful effect; and a selection of vegetables of which the garlic on a reflective surface against a black background proved the most photogenic.

In another area of the hall, Robert Spence demonstrated how a range of vintage lenses could be repurposed for current use.

The evening allowed members to experiment with a variety of compositions, camera settings, and using different lighting techniques. It fulfilled the brief of providing advice and tuition, and hopefully has encouraged some more of us to experiment with still-life photography.

Just something different. Thanks to everyone who got involved!

On 8th December, Tracy Ross from Irvine Camera Club presented the results of this year’s Rose Urie Competition.

The Rose Urie is a bit different in that members can choose their subject from 3 options – and these options were ‘Landscapes’, ‘Wildlife’ and ‘Leading Lines’; and clearly the most popular subject this year was the Wildlife option.

Tracy gave detailed feedback on all the prints and projected images, and in doing so provided a good deal of encouragement to the members , often expressing what she had enjoyed seeing in our images.

Continue reading “Nature wins out” →

Early November brought around our “First Open Competition” of the year. Being an ‘Open’ competition means that members can enter photographs on any subject of their own choosing. So, we saw 71 prints and projected images on judging night, all expertly critiqued by Campbell Skinner of Greenock Camera Club.

The winning image was a beautifully printed monochrome submitted by Martin Hancock entitled “Dapper Gent”, showing a well-dressed gentleman with a vintage appearance – a great image. Well done, Martin!

Continue reading “First Open Competition 2025” →