East Sutherland Camera Club members challenged to capture essence of home

We all know the town or village we live in, but how would you go about capturing what it means to you in a single photograph? That was the challenge for members of East Sutherland Camera Club in their January competition, My Town or Village, writes club secretary Andy Kirby.

Mark Janes, who lives in Tain and is president of Dingwall Camera Club, came along to critique and judge the images.

The response to the challenge was varied. Some members chose a particular event, feature or view that meant something to them about where they live, while others took the postcard approach by creating a collage or compilation of photographs that fit together to create a particular theme or feature.

In the colour category, Peter Wild from Dornoch took first place with Feathers, which Mark described as a “photographer’s photograph”. The essence is what is left out rather than left in; a minimalist approach but one that still had a context. In this case the Sutherland Show.

Andy Kirby took the postcard approach with his second-placed Dornoch Pipe Band. Mark commented that the critical aspect of this approach, over and above the quality of the five individual photographs, was that they should come together to provide a good sixth image of the whole, which they did.

Third was Emma Deeth with Snowy Evening in Tain, depicting a well-known landmark that clearly identifies her home town. The strong streaks of blowing snow were nicely framed in the composition.

Martin Ross came fourth with a stormy scene of his local Golspie pier. This was an atmospheric, almost monochrome shot with strong leading lines taking the eye to a crashing wave at the end of the pier.

In the monochrome category Peter Wild went on to gain his double first with Dornoch Diner. Mark commented that it was an excellent example of street photography that is full of interest and poses questions for the viewer about what might be going on.

Emma Deeth was back in the winning line-up, taking second place with Drummer, a well framed portrait of a drummer in Tain Pipe Band. The critical parts were all pin sharp and the out of focus elements helped frame and emphasise this.

Jan Charge from Culrain came third with A New Dawn? – a dramatic dawn sky. This had all the hallmarks of a layered, misty and moody monochrome photograph. The leading line of a track led the eye to the distant skyline silhouette of Carbisdale Castle.

Emma Deeth claimed her hat-trick of awards with fourth place for Mansfield Castle, Tain – a well-framed wintry view.

The East Sutherland Camera Club meets in Dornoch Social Club on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and also runs basic camera skill training over Zoom on other Tuesdays. All are welcome. For more information, visit: www.eastsutherlandcc.org.uk and www.facebook.com/EastSutherlandCameraClub.

Winning images

Colour –1 Feathers by Peter Wild, 2 Dornoch Pipe Band by Andy Kirby; Snowy Evening in Tain by Emma Deeth, Golspie Pier by Martin Ross

Monochrome – 1Dornoch Diner by Peter Wild; 2 Drummer by Emma Deeth; 3 A New Dawn? by Jan Charge; 4 Mansfield Castle by Emma Deeth.

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