In the Herald - Picking a winner wasn't black and white

Date Published 
Wed 14 Apr 2021

After a few weeks of delay due the practicalities of gathering physical prints and distributing them to our external judge, Irvine Camera Club finally managed to complete our print competitions for the year.

The judge for both our monochrome and colour prints was esteemed award-winning photographer and Scottish Photographic Federation Honorary Vice President, Libby Smith.

In this week’s edition we will spend some time with the monochrome prints which Libby singled out for praise.  She was pleased to see a great variety of subject matter in the submissions but was particularly happy to see some good portraits.  Once such gritty portrait was Alan Campbell’s gritty “Got a Light”.  Another candid by Pete Heywood “Legacy” was also praised for its story telling and good use of tones.  Both received Highly Commended awards.

Urban Architecture is always a fascinating subject for monochrome photos and Libby singled out some in this competition for a special mention.  “The New Abnormal” (Highly Commended) & “Reach for the Sky” (Commended) by Alan Kempster, “Shute” (Highly Commended) by Bob Wark and “Bethesda Isolation” (Commended)  by Clive Watkins all caught the judges eye.

Tracy Ross took best beginner with her witty and very well observed street candid “Ladies in Waiting” which was also commended.

Pete Heywood capped off a splendid evening for him with a commendation for his “Winter into Spring” and fantastic 2nd place for another very strong street candid photo, “Coffee Queue in Lockdown”

Michele Campbell had stellar evening, confirming her award a Monochrome Print champion of the year with some beautifully creative studio portraits.  Her cleverly posed “Music isn’t to hear, it’s to feel” was Highly Commended, “Lola” an angelic full-length portrait came in 3rd place overall and the extremely engaging and luminous “Sisters” was placed in 1st place by Libby with a special mention for its use of light and the captivating expressions of the two young models.

Next week we’ll have a look at the results of the Colour Print competition.  Until then I hope you all have a great week and that you manage to get out and about with your cameras to make some fabulous images.  Enjoy the light!

You can find out all about Irvine Camera Club at our website www.irvinecc.co.uk