John Royle was the popular judge at this first members’ competition of the session. Now that there are to be five of them we can no longer call them the Quarterlies! John is a retired school teacher- a former head of Science who took up serious photography only in 1999 when he joined Crewe Camera Club. He said he was conscious that NCPS was of the premier clubs of the L&CPU – he had expected, and found a high standard of work, and that he would mark with this in mind. His marks generally ranged 9-20, and he emphasised that in this case a 16 mark would represent good work.. Showing due deference to the prints he wore white gloves so as not to mark them.

Many of his comments related to lack of sharpness where he would have expected sharpness. Occasionally the printer had let an image down, but in several images he was concerned with a lack of Impact. Textured paper was an advantage in some images but in others he felt a gloss paper would have added impact. Sometimes he felt a mono version would have scored more highly. He felt he shouldn’t Carp about one image (a fish); whilst another (the Bottle Bank) had a genuWine feel to it!

In thanking the judge for his humorous and helpful comments Geoff Robinson said it was plain that he had done his homework before arriving. By considering the images on the night in order of increasing marks he had added suspense to the proceedings, members not wanting their image to come up too soon.. It had been an enjoyable night and the subsequent round of applause was well deserved.

Results.....

Bill Chadband