Portmahomack photographer rises to square snap challenge with prize picture
THE Tain judge of a camera club’s January competition was sure to give photographers a square deal when commenting on their latest competition entries.
East Sutherland Camera Club’s latest competition offered a different challenge to its members by focussing on shape. The theme was open but the one requirement was that the image had to have a square format.
The thinking behind this was simple. Most photographs have 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 which provides a calm space and it encourages visual simplification and the use of powerful graphic 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 80 excellent images.
The judge, Mark Janes from Tain, 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, writes Andy Kirby, Club Secretary.
In the colour section Alan Butcher from Golspie came first with his image of a rock guitarist wittily titled Not Square. Mark praised the strong diagonals that made full use of the square frame as well as the dynamic sense of action and colour combination.
Second place went to Martin Ross, also from Golspie, with Canal Huts.
This was a well exposed and simple but effective composition that also made full use of the square frame. The dark space between the two groups of huts helped to keep the eye within the composition and frame.
Sander Macdonald from Dornoch scooped third and fourth places with Common Seal and The Stare. The former had perfectly caught the not so common action of the seal. It was well exposed and its curved form and central placing suited the square frame. The Stare demonstrated how the off centre point of focus – the eyes – and the leading line of the back could also work well in a square frame.
Monochromatic photographs provide an echo of the earlier days of black and white photography. Many cameras were designed to use only square format film. Then the demands of the format had to be realised at the point of capture but now, as Mark reminded us, notwithstanding the flexibility of digital photography the compositional demands remained the same.
Zoe Gray from Portmahomack came first with Fishing at Sunset, a strong silhouette. The main subject was placed to the left but looking into the frame and was well balanced with a large area of negative space.
Sander Macdonald maintained his winning streak with second placed Grey Heron Dispute.
Again he had captured the decisive moment extremely well to give a dance like interaction between the birds.
Martin Ross also featured in the monochrome class with third placed Weathered, a very graphic composition.This had the range of tones necessary for a good monochromatic image which brought out the strong textures. Perhaps not immediately apparent was the line of knots and the white pebble which gave a compositional harmony.
Motoring Along by Jayne Gutteridge from Golspie gained fourth place. This had a real sense of movement and the eye was drawn forward by the bend in the road.
For more details about the club see www.eastsutherlandcc.org.uk and where the winning competition images can also be seen.
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