East Sutherland photographers square up for first contest of the year

East Sutherland Camera Club’s January competition took a new approach, writes club secretary Andy Kirby.

The subject matter was not themed but the one requirement was that the image had to have a square format. The thinking behind this was simple. Most photographs adopt a rectangular shape and the precise proportions are normally chosen to enhance the composition.

In this competition the challenge was reversed: to create a composition that suited a square format. A square is a perfectly balanced shape and it encourages simplification and the use of powerful visual shapes that sit within the square.

There are many other advantages including the challenge of rethinking your photographic approach.

Members rose to the challenge with over 70 excellent images.

The judge, Mick Yates FRPS, provided a clear and helpful analysis of all the images. His comments were warmly received and all recognised the benefit, whether or not it was their photograph being critiqued.

First place in the colour section went to Martin Ross from Golspie with Black Light Dahlia. The judge commended the strong composition and the use of a polished black surface to create the reflection.

Brittmarie Eksell, also from Golspie, came second with Afternoon Light. Mick uses his own photography to create strong stories and that attracted him to this image which, in addition to its excellent tonal balance and exposure, had an air of mystery demanding exploration.

Zoe Gray from Portmahomack had captured the decisive moment with Oh Deer, Think I’ve Been Spotted. A carefully controlled tonal balance of soft browns was nicely offset with the green leaf.

Andy Kirby, Dornoch, came fourth with Elgol Evening. The crop worked well in a square format and there was an interesting story provided by the other photographers in the image – an all too frequent event at Elgol on Skye!

In introducing the monochrome section, Mick commented that it was all too easy to convert a colour image to monochrome but the real test was whether or not it worked better as a monochrome.

Alan Butcher’s Did You Call?, placed first, satisfied that test as well as exhibiting great timing and a misty separation of the background.

Alan, from Golspie, also came second with his imaginative Where Guinness Comes From?, demonstrating a good balance of graphic shapes. No alcohol was consumed in the making of the image as it was river foam!

Martin Ross’s The Scenic Route appealed to Mick’s love of street photography. He commended the exposure and that there was a lot of interest in the image.

Ashley Rose, Dornoch, was fourth with Joyful. The image was an excellent expression of the title and was well framed. The challenge of avoiding reflected light on glasses was carefully handled.

For more details about the club, visit its website at: www.eastsutherlandcc.org.uk – the winning competitions images can also be seen on the site.

Winning images:

Colour: 1 Black Light Dahlia by Martin Ross; 2 Afternoon Light by Brittmarie Eksell; 3 Oh Deer Think I’ve Been Spotted by Zoe Gray; 4 Elgol Evening by Andy Kirby

Monochrome: 1 Did You Call? by Alan Butcher; 2 Where Guinness Comes From? by Alan Butcher;3 The Scenic Route’ by Martin Ross; 4 Joyful’ by Ashley Rose

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