First Print Competition 23 September 2008
David Butler was the judge for this first of the new look competitions (of Prints only). He made it clear at the outset that judging involved personal preferences, when he noted that he would have to pass all the members in order to escape from the Hall. However members were aware that David is an experienced, competent judge, consistent in his comments and willing to discuss with members afterwards his approach and his marking.
Comments in the beginners section were that mounts must not compete with the image and extraneous elements in an image must not detract from the main subject. He regularly noted that images appeared too large in the frame with little around them to suggest either scale or how they fitted into their location. Occasionally he felt one complex image would be better split into several relevant images by zooming in on the relevant parts. Some black and white images did not have the tonal range to be successful monochromes (particularly when the image was predominantly green vegetation). Reflections might be sharp, or fuzzy, and he suggested a stone be cast to produce ripples which would confirm that the image was indeed a reflection.
In discussion afterwards the use of the Lastolite reflector (to brighten up shaded parts such as eyes under a brim) was urged. These discussions continued over a drink in the Farmers Arms.
Bill Chadband