Western Region July Competition - 'Anything Small'

Š D a v i d B i r d

July 2020 Members’ Competition

Our sincere thanks to everyone who entered our July competition with a theme of ‘Anything Small’.

Many thanks too, to Robert Harvey ARPS, who selected his favourites from all the submissions.

Congratulations to Robert’s first placed choice: Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha by David Bird Robert’s comments: “Superb detail and sharp focus. I like the angle chosen too – it is definitely the most flattering angle on Melolontha melolontha, with its cute face, big eyes and feathery antennae.”

Robert’s comments: “A very well executed natural abstract with exactly the right choice of shutter speed to give an impressionistic effect while still enabling is to see what the subject is.

The well-positioned fish with its mouth open provides a focal point”

Natural Abstracts - Koi Carp Commotion by Ken Skehan ARPS

Robert’s comments: “Sharp where it needs to be and the composition is stronger for showing us only part of the flower.

Use of indirect light also works well”

Rhododenron by Jeff Kelsey

Robert’s comments: “Tiny water droplets lift this image above the ordinary. I would like to have seen slightly more depth of field”

Dandelion Clock by Shirley Johnson

Robert’s comments: “As with the cockchafer, superb detail and sharp focus. The underside is the more interesting aspect of this creature”

Deer tick, Ixodes ricinus by David Bird

Robert’s comments: “Good composition and focus on the spider. We see the animal in its habitat and get an idea of how it catches food.

I am not convinced by the part-monochrome treatment in a nature subject”

Funnel web spider by Caroline Briggs

Robert’s comments: “Good sharp flower picture with plenty of depth of field.

However the out-of-focus pink highlights are distracting and the tips of the leaves are clipped by or nearly touching the edge of the frame. I suggest a tighter crop to concentrate on the flower and make it clear that a specific decision has been made to crop the leaves”

Nigella - Love in the mist by John Bishop

Aconite anther with pollen x450 by David Spears FRPS

Bye Bye Balloon by Karine Leroux

Centre of an Oriental Poppy by Suzanne Johnson LRPS

Dandelion by Mark Frisby

Essex Skipper by Helen Sheppard ARPS

Feather by Oliver Sidaway

Feather Afloat by Caroline Briggs

I cracked a smile in a seismic shift by Monica Sala

Lavender Feast by Jon Lipinski

Lichen Forest by Oliver Sidaway

Looking out to Sea by Rakesh Nar

Magpie Feather by Derek Gale

Mother of Pearls by Monica Sala

MRSA Staphilococcus by David Spears FRPS

Natural Abstracts – Leaf by Ken Skehan ARPS

Olive Blossom by David Brookes ARPS

One second by Alan Castle

Ready To Feed by Derek Britton LRPS

Sea Life by David Bathard FRPS

Short Lived by Karine Leroux

Small Act of Kindness by Rakesh Nar

Small People, Big Shadows by John Clare

Spring by Antoine Schembri Wismayer

Sunbathing by Antoine Schembri Wismayer

White Camellia by John Bishop

Worker Bee by Alan Castle

You spotted me by Helen Sheppard ARPS