Photonews Spring 2023

Photonews Celebrating the Postal Photographic Club and its Members

March 2023 - Founders Cup Special

Watch the Print & DPI slideshow at: https://youtu.be/SrcFJjHbf9w

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The Founders Cup

The trophy that the competition is named for … awarded to the Best Print.

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EDITORIAL Greetings again from West Yorkshire!

It is always a privilege to be asked to put together an issue of Photonews and the competition specials are probably my favourite ones to produce and edit. The tag-line of Photonews, Celebrating the PPC and it’s members, is never better exemplified than in these competition results editions. Each year the external judges comment on the high quality of entries on show and, spoiler alert, this year is no exception.

As ever, a few thank-yous are in order as these things never appear out of the ether without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Simon and Graham have once again done a sterling job organising and running the three competitions that constitute the Founders Cup: Print, Large Print and DPI. Alan Phillips keeps a fatherly eye on the software which is crucial to the running of the

competitions and generating the slideshow which will be posted for all to view at leisure (link on inside cover). In addition, Circle Secretaries have all done their part uploading images to the system ahead of the judging deadline. Thanks are also due to our judges and I hope you will all take time to read their biographies.

So, on behalf of the membership thank you one and all!

Well, that’s it from me. Many congratulations to all of you whose work is showcased here. Better luck next time to those who didn’t feature this time around, remember, as the judges said, it was a very high class field!

Enjoy this issue, I have my favourite image … what’s yours?

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The Founders Cup - 2023 (Print) Hi, my name is Stephen Richard Womack but I answer to Steve and I have a passion for photography which has built up over the years.

My father had the family camera which if I remember correctly was a Box Brownie which took 120 black and white roll films. This camera was taken on all family trips and when I was considered old enough, I was allowed to have a go.

I can recall bobbing about on the Solent in a small pleasure boat waiting for one of the Queen’s to steam by en-route for America and balancing to take the shot. Likewise at Farnborough Air show trying to pan to catch the aircraft as they passed. Sadly, all these photographs have been lost in the many moves due to relocations brought on by work.

When I updated to 35mm via the Zenith route, which a lot of budding photographers did, it was to embrace the world of transparencies using Agfa and Kodak films. The Zenith was soon outgrown and a series of Pentax bodies arrived on the scene.

Camera Club activities were definitely the way back then to meet likeminded people and to learn and trade one’s experience. A lifetime friend suggested I join him at Doncaster Camera Club where I spent some time in the company of some excellent photographers. Having been asked to take on the role of Competition Secretary I did that role for a year but travelling to Doncaster became a little difficult and I had to give up that and look for something closer to home.

Enter Wakefield Camera Club, where I attended a night at the long-gone City Club.

Having been greeted by one of the members and enjoying the evening I decided that I would jump in and get involved with this band of photographers. By now I had started doing my own prints and it was good to be able to discuss the merits of various printing methods with my peers. The entering of the range of Club Competitions enabled my photography to improve. Weekly meetings turned into years and having been asked to join the Committee to help run the club I found myself proposed as Vice President, an honour indeed.

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Selected by Steve Womack LRPS, AFIAP, EFIAP, CPAGB, QPSA

In 2015 I was pleasantly surprised to be voted in as President of Wakefield Camera Club and was able to preside over the YPU Annual Assembly and Exhibition held in Wakefield in our 125th year in 2016. This was a tremendous joint effort by a band of my fellow photographers with the club who gave their time without question. Personal circumstances prevent me from completing my tenure as President when I moved away to the East Coast in late 2016 but I maintained my linkage and membership.

2020 saw another move back to the West Riding and again to be able to physically join Wakefield Camera Club ranks again albeit in a virtual capacity due to the Covid-19 situation which had played havoc with Clubs and Societies all over the country. Upon returning I was asked if I would rejoin the Committee and take on the role of Competition Secretary a position I still am involved with as I write this piece. I am immensely proud to be a member of Wakefield Camera Club and to have served and to be serving the current membership. Being a member of a camera club definitely does alter your perspectives on photography and can be highly recommended.

It was my pleasure to be asked to judge this competition on behalf of The Postal Photographic Club. The standard of the work presented was of a high quality which made for the selection of those authors who were chosen for the section winners difficult. Indeed, the final selection of the overall winner was not made easy by the others in the field, but in the end, it had shone from early in the process and continued to do so right until the final curtain.

There is certainly a vast wealth of photographic talent in the PPC and that has been on display throughout this competition.

I wish you all the very best in your continued endeavours in your photography.

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Judges Choice & Best Monochrome Pour toi: Reg Haslam

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A well-crafted monochrome image with an emotional impact for the viewer. The lighting for the three elements of the image have been thought out to convey the handing on of the roses. Image is sharp with details in all elements. The separation from the deep black background is handled well.

Overall, an outstanding presentation.

This image for me was outstanding from the start and the author should be well pleased with the finished presented image.

It grants the viewer an emotional impact which at times is hard to capture.

Well done.

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Best Colour The Light in God's House: Terri Adcock

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An extremely detailed image which presents a full range of tonality across the whole frame.

Author’s positioning for this viewpoint of the Cloisters whilst not exactly symmetrical does not in my opinion distract from the overall experience in viewing the image.

The viewer can explore either the LH side or the RH side and gain a depth of information from that. The handling of the mixed lighting has been well executed.

Excellent presentation by the author.

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Best Portrait Miss Marina Mae: Jon Allanson

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A well captured candid feeling portrait of this striking model. Author has captured that moment where the spark of humour is in the expression which always adds to a portrait.

The image is crisp throughout with the subject well separated from the background. The monochrome conversion has been well handled giving a full range of tones to the image. All this together with the choice of paper selected for printing gave this the edge over the competition in this section.

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Best Landscape From Skelwith Fold: Jeff Waters

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A landscape image having huge front to back depth of field sharpness. Viewer is attracted to the scale of the mountain range in the background with the hints of snow capping. Then down through the image taking in the homestead just below the centre of the scene to the foreground stands of lit trees. The darker band of trees adds a sense of separation to the scene.

The conversion to monochrome has been handled well with a full range of tones throughout.

Good choice of paper to present this image on.

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Best Natural History Male Kestrel Landing: Cliff Ferguson

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Subject captured just prior to the act of landing. The soft warm illumination from the early morning light adds that extra level of viewing pleasure when combined with the texture of the plumage of the kestrel. The muted background has also been lit to good effect and creates the texture to have the subject set against.

Subject is captured crisply to show off the detail in the under-wing plumage and body.

A very minor observation but not to lessen the quality of the image is the landing post has just dropped out of the plane of focus.

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Certificates of Merit (Print) Adcock, Terri (C1) Adcock, Terri (C1) Bown, Richard (CP1) Bown, Richard (CP1) Couder, Pat (DP) Couder, Pat (DP) Couder, Pat (DP) Couder, Pat (DP) Downes, Len (DP) Edwardes, Roger (C19) Ferguson, Cliff (DP) Harvey, Graham (C1) Harvey, Graham (C1) Haslam, Reg (C1) James, David (DP) Maddison, Roy (C19) Rawlinson, Bob (CP1) Rawlinson, Bob (CP1) Ward, Peter (C19) Waters, Jeff (C19)

Smokey Engine Shed Emily A Muddy Landing Going For Six Closed For The Season Sharing Ambrosia Canary Wharf Yellow The Cradle Of Nobility Close Formation Where's My Bra! Bridge Over The River Tweed Tulips Woodland Dream Old Alan Blue Tit Coal Tit Photo Shop Old Nab

The most successful circle and winner of the Ellis Martin Cup is Circle DP 16

Old Nab: Jeff Waters Canary Wharf: Pat Couder Photo Shop: Peter Ward

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Where’s my bra!: Graham Harvey Coal Tit: Bob Rawlinson Yellow: Len Downes

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Going for six: Richard Bown Smokey Engine Shed: Terri Adcock Blue Tit: Bob Rawlinson

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Old Alan: Roy Maddison The Cradle of Nobility: Roger Edwardes A muddy Landing: Richard Bown

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Sharing: Pat Couder Emily: Terri Adcock Ambrosia: Pat Couder

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Closed for the Season: Pat Couder

Woodland Dream: David J

Tulips: Reg Haslam

Close Formation: Cliff Fer 22

James

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Bridge over the River Tweed: Graham Harvey 23

The Founders Cup - 2023 (Large Print) Judges Choice The City at Night: Graham Dean

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An impactful abstract image wellconceived by the author.

The Intentional Camera Movement styling of the cityscape with the bold bands of complimentary colours and brightness evokes the sense of high-rise buildings in the viewer’s mind. The figures just off-centre on the roadway simulation carries the story further.

Well presented by the author.

Selected by Steve Womack LRPS, AFIAP, EFIAP, CPAGB, QPSA

Certificates of Merit

Warhorse: Roy Henstock Timeshare: Jeff Waters

The Founders Cup - 2023 (DPI) I first started taking an interest in photography in the early to mid-1970’s.

Family holidays at that time were usually spent hillwalking in the Lake District, and I was attracted to landscape photography, as an interest that could be pursued whilst walking in the mountains.

I used trade-processed colour transparency film (Ektachrome and then Fuji Velvia), but soon started working with black-and-white film (Ilford Pan-F and then Agfa 100) which I developed and printed in the darkroom.

I continued to use film for several years after digital photography came along. I was very happy with the quality of a good projected transparency, and that of a monochrome print produced from film. However, I now use a digital camera for the majority of my photography.

Landscape photography has remained a primary interest, but I have increasingly sought to explore other genres whenever the opportunity arises. I continue to have a particular liking for monochrome prints, whether originating from film or digital media.

In 2008, I was successful in achieving CPAGB and, by complete coincidence, was asked to join the L&CPU Judges List later the same year.

I was a member of Colne Camera Club for over 40 years, but unfortunately the Colne club has now been wound up. I am currently a member of Ilkley Camera Club.

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Selected by Adrian Hendley CPAGB Thank you for inviting me to judge the entries in this year’s Founders Cup competition.

I consider it to have been a privilege and a pleasure to review the 235 images.

The images cover a wide variety of photographic subjects and genres, in both colour and monochrome, and are of a generally high standard throughout. It must be said that the overall entry provided quite a challenge in arriving at my final selection. The images certainly deserved an appropriate amount of time to be spent in the process of selection, and I have very much enjoyed doing so.

Some subjects are particularly strongly represented, and there was strong competition for the Certificates of Merit and Awards.

With regard to the Certificates of Merit, I can only say that I would have liked to award a few more! But then, the next cut-off point would have been equally difficult. There are probably around a dozen images which, unfortunately, had to be left out during the final stages of selection (I will leave you to speculate on which images these might be). In this situation, an element of personal choice becomes inevitable, but I have given due consideration to all subjects and photographic styles.

The entries which I have eventually chosen for Certificates of Merit are all, in my opinion, excellent images.

There was an even greater challenge in selecting the category Award Winners - in each of the Portrait, Nature, and Landscape categories, there were some very worthy contenders.

At this point, I am sure everyone will have their personal favourites.

In closing, may I thank you once again for allowing me the opportunity to judge the Founders Cup. To those who have received Awards, and /or Certificates of Merit, my congratulations. To everyone who entered, be assured once more that the overall quality of entries was excellent.

Most of all, continue to enjoy your photography.

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Judges Choice Best Portrait & Best Colour Brown Eyed Girl: Martin Patten

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This image impressed on my first run-through of the entries and, as time has passed and the number of images has narrowed, it has only grown stronger.

It is a simple image in some ways, but superbly done. The lighting is faultless. There is nothing in the image to distract the viewer from the eyes and face of the subject. The colour in the clothing around the head enhance the portrait and complement the subtle skin tones.

The image is, in my view, compelling.

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Best Natural History Common Tern Skimming For Fish: Gary Barton

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The Nature section really was very closely contested, with three or four images having strong claims on the award.

However, a decision had to be made.

I found this image to be very attractive. The surface of the water is essentially very calm, but the disturbance in the water (made as the tern moves over the surface) indicates a sense of movement. The otherwise calm surface of the water gives an attractive reflection of the tern. The lighting has been used to best advantage, and there is detail in all tones from white to almost black. At the precise moment when the image was made, the tern’s beak is almost touching the water.

A very satisfying photograph.

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Best Monochrome Underground: Martin Patten

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I see this as a very strong image, which lends itself to monochrome.

There are a variety of shapes in the image, from straight lines to curves, and they come across very well in the monochrome presentation. In terms of composition, the light standard (?) in the centre is the darkest tone, and acts as an anchor for the whole image, rather than dividing it. Some care has been taken to achieve symmetry.

The real power of this photograph lies in the ability to draw the viewer into and through the image.

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Best Landscape Driftwood On The Traeth Abermaw Beach, Barmouth: Eric Ladbury

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This may be a controversial choice (but aren’t they all?).

I have chosen this image because, in my view, it is an excellent representation of a wild coastal landscape. The driftwood in the foreground is indicative of the storms that occur from time to time. There is just enough of the sea in the distance, and then there are the rain clouds above to complete the scene.

I feel that this is a strong, atmospheric landscape, and the contrasty presentation in monochrome works well.

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Certificates of Merit (DPI) Atkinson, Michael (IC1) Atkinson, Michael (IC4) Barton, Gary (IC4) Barton, Gary (IC5) Barton, Gary (IC5) Burton, Jason (IC2) Couder, Pat (IC7) Couder, Pat (IC7) Couder, Pat (IC7) Demaerschalk, Ingrid (IC5) Gray, Steve (IC10) Ladbury, Eric (IC3) Law, Maxwell (IC7) Nissen, Ann (IC2) Patten, Martin (IC11) Patten, Martin (IC11) Patten, Martin (IC11) Patten, Martin (IC3) Patten, Martin (IC3) Snowden, Graham (IC3,DSO) Snowden, Graham (IC3) Wentworth, Harry (IC11) Wentworth, Harry (IC11) Wetherley, Carole (IC2) Yates, Stephen (IC4)

Greenfinch On Bramble Goldfinch Emerald Damselfly On Spiney Rush Avocet Experiencing An Awkward Landing Short Eared Owl Hunting In North Lancashire Suzuki Rgv500 Xr75 Ambrosia Out In Front Blue Swirl Aquarel Morning Canary Wharf A Welcome Cuppa Blackrock Cottage It's True I Read It Here Cuckoo Launching High Jump Fighting Foxes Shard And Bridge The Doorman G W R No 9466 Under Bridge At Arley Chaddock Field And Wood Fish Whisperer Laila Skylight Rosemary Beetles Mating

The most successful circle in the DPI Competition is IC11

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The Doorman: Martin Patten Emerald Damselfly On Spiney Rush & Avocet Experiencing An Awkward Landing: Gary Barton

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GWR 9466 Under Bridge at Arley: Graham Snowden A Welcome Cuppa: Eric Ladbury High Jump: Martin Patten

Canary Wharf: Steve Gray

Out in Front: Pat Couder

Laila: Harry Wentworth

Aquarel Morning: Ingrid Demaerschalk Fighting Foxes: Martin Patten

Blue Swirl: Pat Couder

It’s true, I read it here: Ann Nissen Cuckoo Launching: Martin Patten

Chaddock Field and Wood: Graham Snowden

Blackrock Cottage: Maxwell Law

Skylight: Carole Wetherley

Goldfinch: Mike Atkinson

Short-eared Owl hunting in North Lancashire: Gary Barton Rosemary Beetles Mating: Stephen Yates Suzuki Rgv500 Xr75: Jason Burton Shard & Bridge: Martin Patten

Ambrosia: Pat Couder Greenfinch on Bramble: Mike Atkinson The Fish Whisperer: Harry Wentworth

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To view more of our images, learn about the club and for membership information, please visit postalphotoclub.org.uk

Photonews Celebrating the Postal Photographic Club and its Members

All rights reserved. All materials copyright The Postal Photographic Club and/or their respective authors.

Any opinion or statement expressed by the author of any article published in this magazine does not necessarily reflect the views of The Postal Photographic Club, the editor or its members.

Photonews is published four times per year.

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