The Judge for this competition was Peter Phillips. The aim of this competition was for the photographer to capture the subject in an appetising way.

Taking top marks in the Mono Print Food category was Mark Pedlar with ‘Smoko’. The Judge praised the photo and made the suggestion that a crop to highlight the coffee would give the photo more impact.

In the Projected Colour Food Category two images scored top marks, ‘Colourful Tomatoes’ by  Kerry Malec and ‘Tasty Platter’ from Gordon Lindqvist. Peter said of Kerry’s image that it looked very appetising with good gloss on the fruit and he said the Tasty Platter was nicely done, with a lovely old wooden bench which was a good base and a lovely selection of food.

‘Help yourself to a slice’ by Meredith Retallack scored top marks in the Projected Mono Food Category. The judge said it was very nicely done.

In the Open Category the highest scorer in the Mono Print Open category was Judy Sara with ‘Brothers’. The Judge said it was a good shot and the background tells the viewer about the environment so should not be cropped. It is nicely composed with the two lions being in step and has good lighting.

Also by Judy Sara, ‘Ostrich in the Morning Light’ took top honours in the Colour Prints Open Category. The background tells us about the environment once again, it doesn’t detract from but rather enhances the image.

Top marks in the Projected Mono Open Category was taken by both Amanda Goulter and Michael Selge. Amanda’s ‘My Little Companion’ has a creative feel to it said the Judge. The modern shoes don’t distract and there is a lovely catchlight in the dog’s eye. It has a good split background.

Two of Michael Selge’s images were liked by the Judge. His ‘Glide’ had good focus and was overall a good shot.

As well, Michael’s ‘JP Shillo’ had good lighting. The Judge stressed how difficult the lighting can be in these situations. The light gave backlight to the hair and the subject has really strong features. The musician in the background did not distract the viewer as he is intent on his music.

‘African Jacama’ took top marks for Judy Sara in the Projected Open Colour Category. The Judge said it was a nice picture with the bird standing on a leaf going in to grab something in its beak, so the bird is doing something. The photo has lovely colour. The only suggestion the Judge offered was to crop the top a little.

‘Dust Storm’ by Penny Williams scored top marks as well. The Judge said it was all about the light, the good light on the tree and stubble with an interesting sky behind it.

The judge for this month’s competition was Paul Pegler, an experienced photographer with decades of experience. Paul made a number of useful general comments that all photographers could put into practise to improve their photography. Paul suggested photographers use a tripod and practise to get the sharpest photo they can and then they will know the standard to which they should aspire for all photographs. Another tip is to learn to look through the image you are taking to the background so you can see if there will be any distractions behind the subject(s) that will draw the viewer’s attention away, if so, consider moving to a different position. Where there are a number of potential stories in a composition consider selecting one story to tell if the image will be too busy. When composing a photo concentrate on where your eyes go as that will be where the viewer’s eyes will go too. Paul also advised when submitting a photo in digital format consider the border, if the background is dark a thin light border will help identify the edges of the image, but a thicker border tends to shut out the viewer.

In the projected images – colour set subject , scoring top points was Michael Selge’s “Amy”. The Judge said it told a good story, with good separation from the background. The viewer can see the type of music the singer performs.

Gordon Lindqvist’s “James” also scored very well. We get the story of James and his trumpet and his understanding of music. The viewer can almost hear him.

Of “Down the Lens” by Michael Selge the Judge said that the subject is looking straight at us, giving a strong and personal story. You felt the subject could see us.

In the projected monochrome set subject Michael Selge also scored well with “Attitude”. The subject definitely has attitude as the name suggests. With the smoke machine we get story and detail, we want to know more about him.

“Concert Performer” shot by Penny Williams told the story. Even though we can’t see the fingers of the flautist, her face shows us the story.

Michael Selge’s “Kimbra” projects to us, the detail is in the face.

In the open category for colour projected images, Judy Sara’s “Tossing the Bud” caught the moment well, with nice detail in the surroundings, there is nothing in the water that drags our eye away, The image gives us the time and place.

Amanda Goulter’s “Marsupial Mice” has nice detail said the Judge. The viewer can see the the detail from the eyes, the fur and to the whiskers. The story is of the mice, going back and looking for more food, they are on the road.

“The Pinnacles” by Steve Wallace has a strong background, it shows dark clouds with a possibly recent storm but with the sun shining straight on the pinnacles telling a clear story.

The top scorer in the projected digital images monochrome in the open section was Gail Iskov with “Coorong”. Paul said the image takes a good lead from the first pole right through to the horizon. He said the image hasn’t lost detail in the foreground or the background and keeps the viewers attention on the detail.

Also scoring well was Judy Sara’s “Trunk Splash” with the judge noting that the photographer had chosen to just include the trunk and legs and picked a special moment in time. The image has detail throughout and the background does not drag our attention away from the subject.

Moving to the Print section, in the colour set subject categotry, “Noiseworks” by Michael Selge scored top marks. The judge said that everything is beautifully sharp. The view can imagine they are hearing the song. There is good detail throughout and there is good separation of the background.

Also by Michael Selge, “Dubstep NZ” gained top marks. The judge said the subject was sharp and you could see the tattoos. The background’s nicely out of focus and the viewer gets the place and the story which is nicely told.

Mark Pedlar’s “Byron Bay Blues” told a good story, it has good background which contributes to the story giving us time and place, the performer is playing his guitar, he is laid back and casual.

“Courtney in the Moment” by Sheila Gatehouse had a very sharp image, we can see the drummer and the guitarist, we get place and good detail.

Also by Sheila Gatehouse, “Are you in my Tribe” scored well. Paul said you could see the personality of the performer.

Following the colour prints the monochrome prints were judged. Michael Selge’s “Chester” impressed the judge who said you got a sense of a raspy voice. The singer is certainly yelling into the microphone. A little detail may have been lost the overall moment was well captured.

“Concentration” by Paul Hughes told a good story. Between looking down, using a pick the musician is working hard to get the music across. Good storyline with reasonable detail throughout.

In the open category, monochrome prints, Judy Sara’s “Dust Bath” scored well. The image gave us the captured moment. He said Judy did exceptionally well to capture the moment and there was no lost detail.

The judge also liked Judy’s “Buffalo and Egret”. He said the interesting part of the photo was the fly buzzing around the head of the buffalo and the egret picking at bugs.

In the print open monochrome section there were a number of high scoring photos. Mark Pedlar’s “Dunedin Station scored well. (Image not supplied)

The “Cazneaux Tree” by Heather Connelly got top marks. The judge said it had wonderful detail on the tree, with good separation from the background.

The judge liked Judy Sara’s “Darter on Stump” . He said with the glaringly white background the attention is kept on the bird, it is almost high key and the contrast is done well.

Also by Judy Sara, “Watch Out” had great detail throughout and is lovely and sharp.

Our Annual Exhibition was held on Thursday November 23rd with a good turn-out of members to celebrate our achievements for the year.

The Patterns and Textures Award was won by Di Gage with Ceiling Patterns. The WEA Landscape Award was won by Michael Selge with Sand Ripples and the Social Documentary Award was won by Di Gage with Feed the Birds.

The awards were presented by Mark Pedlar, the club’s president.
The full list of awards was as follows:

Projected Digital Images – Colour Division

First – Hutt St Photos Award – Di Gage – Ceiling Patterns

2nd – Meredith Retallack –Spring Fling

3rd – Sheila Gatehouse – Paddle Boats in the Mist

Merit – Di Gage – Collecting the Nectar

Merit – Gordon Lindqvist – Ready to Board

Merit – Sam Savage – Firetail Wading & Western Whistler Washing

Merit – Michael Selge – Sand Ripples

Annual Aggregate – Projected Digital Images – Colour

First – Michael Selge

2nd – Sam Savage

3rd – Meredith Retallack

Projected Digital Images – Monochrome Division

First – Di Gage – Black and White Bee

2nd – Judy Sara – Baby Toque Macaque

3rd – Heather Connolly – Rose

Merit – Sheila Gatehouse – Early Morning City Fog

Merit – Meredith Retallack – Fibonacci at Work

Annual Aggregate – Projected Digital Images – Monochrome

First – Blackwood Times Award – Michael Selge

2nd – Judy Sara

3rd – Meredith Retallack

Colour Print Division

First – Judy Sara – Polar Reflection

2nd – Sam Savage – Striped Honeyeater Waiting

3rd – Sam Savage – Tawney-crowned Honeyeater Wary

Merit -Judy Sara – Big Splash and Hornbill Courtship

Annual Aggregate – Prints – Colour

First – Blackwood Photographic Award – Michael Selge

2nd – Judy Sara

3rd – Paul Hughes

Monochrome Print Division

First – Judy Sara – Sparrowhawk

2nd – Judy Sara – Peeking

3rd – Judy Sara – Arctic Hut

Merit – Sheila Gatehouse – Despondent

Merit – Mark Pedlar
Swan Along

Annual Aggregate – Prints – Monochrome

First – Mark Pedlar

2nd – Michael Selge

3rd – Judy Sara

Bill Templer Service Award

Judy Sara was awarded the Bill Templer Service Award; nominated by members for a person who has given great service to the club in 2023.

Geoff Smith judged the October ‘Scapes competition. Geoff is a former SA Government official photographer and professional wedding and portrait photographer.

Geoff commended the range of seascapes, landscapes and urban scapes that were presented in this month’s competition.

In the digital images section Judy Sara scored well with ‘Grotfjord’ which invites the viewer to explore the middle point with attractive red roofs on the houses. The composition of the photo leads the eye to explore the distant peaks. With the same marks, Michael Selge’s image of ‘NZ Peaks’ shone with beautiful light, each ridge excellently lit, nice lens flare and a feeling of vista, shape, texture and distance.

Another image from Judy Sara; ‘Momocobreen’ explores land and sea, also with a lovely vista, and scale.

Moving through the judging, Judy Sara’s Pildappa Rock made good use of the panorama format, with good definition and foliage detail. While Meredith Retallack’s ‘Dawn at Arkaba Woolshed’ had a foreground leading into the building and her ‘Pelican Lagoon’ made good use of the portrait format, with the central tree being a bright area getting most of the sunlight and with good cloud detail.

In the Mono category the Judge looked for good tonal range, texture and contrast.

In this category Steve Wallace’s ‘Dunlop Woolshed’ scored highly with the Judge saying the leading lines from bottom left to the middle led the viewer into the image, the gate highlights and the definition in each of the corrals showed up well. The use of light, shape and texture added to the image to give a clear story.

Michael Selge submitted ‘Spotting’ which made good use of the frame, the diagonal positioning of the subject, and the positioning of the head back from the centre gave the bird space to move into.

Gordon Lindqvist in the Open colour category scored well with ‘About to Board’. A lively shot of a pilot boat powering through the waves. A dynamic shot, with the subject centrally located, the viewer can see where the boat comes from and where it is going, drawing them into the story.

Steve Wallace’s ‘Window on Sky City’ was all about the colour in the amber windows, a nicely constructed shot.

In the print open colour category Kerry Malec took out the top mark for her photo ‘Katherine Gorge’. The Judge liked the unusual and interesting deep rich blue of the water which gave a 50/50 split to the photo. The unblemished deep blue contrasted with and provided an excellent backdrop to the earthy colours of the land.

Michael Selge followed Kerry with ‘Dawn Jetties’. The still water and good use of time of day gave a lovely change of lighting while providing enough detail on the jetty, not just providing a silhouette, but preserving the shape and texture of the jetty.

Also by Michael, ‘Tassie Falls’ was applauded by the Judge because it had good detail in the foreground, and the photo led the eye in from the bottom right hand side and was a very restful scene.

Mark Pedlar with ‘Honkers’ showed an amazing skyline and lots of harbour and waterway activity. This print subject had variations in textures and heights, with a good range of tones giving atmosphere and mood and telling a story.

Sheila Gatehouse’s ‘Early Morning Hindley Street’ was commended by the Judge. The vehicles and buildings had good light on them, tonally well done, and also optically with a good lower horizon, drawing the eye down the road.

‘Waterfall’ by Di Gage used a long exposure technique to smooth the water while maintaining the fine detail in the rocks. Judy Sara scored top marks with ‘Working Together’ which told a story, showing the engagement of the individuals in the image. The structure and lighting were well caught. (image not shown).

The Judge said of Judy Sara’s image of “Working Together” that it was an example of beautiful modelling for an image with good depth and definition. The subjects aren’t posing for the picture but are concentrating on their work looking neither happy or sad. The subjects were a good photographic study.

The general theme of the Judge’s comments was about creating a story, having something to show scale where it wasn’t clear in the image and looking for different angles and ways of looking at subjects to tell different stories.