Competitions exist in many subjective pursuits. Music, Art and Drama among others, and Photography. At Falkirk C.C. we have several Inter-club competitions with friends in other photographic clubs, and a series of Monthly Competitions within our own club.
Often, the most successful photographers are not trying to ‘ win ‘ a competition. They are seeking feedback from an experienced photographer on a series of images. Whether or not the judge likes the entrants own image is only one aspect, primarily that image should please each individual photographer. However, the views of the judge on all the other entries provides a huge amount of information which we can all apply, to improve our own photography.
It has been a ‘ competitive ‘ week at our club with two Inter Club events. On Tuesday night we travelled to Kilsyth for a Scottish Photographic Federation Area Competition. This years hosts were Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Photographic Society and taking part with them were Kirkintilloch Camera Club, Stirling & District Camera Club. and ourselves. Each club entered 15 images so it was significant task for the judge, Graham Caile LRPS, President at Romford Camera Club who joined us online from Essex. Our thanks go to C & K P.S. for organising and hosting this years event, the first where we all met in person since before the pandemic, and to Graham for sharing his expertise. Congratulations to Stirling & District C.C. who were this years winners with C & K P.S. in second place. Kirkintilloch C.C. were in 3rd place with Falkirk C.C. in 4th place. Best wishes too, to all at Airdrie & Coatbridge Photographic Club who were not able to take part this year
The relationship between Falkirk C.C. and Stirling & District C.C. can be traced back several generations with an annual competition between our two clubs starting in 1958. On Wednesday night it was the turn of Stirling & District C.C. to host this years event and we thank them for their welcome and generous hospitality. The judge was Eddie Telford from Ayr Photographic Society and our thanks to him for his time and expertise. Each club entered 25 images with each image marked out of 20 points. Our congratulations to Stirling who are this years winners by 454 points to 443.
Thanks too to all Falkirk C.C. members who submitted images for consideration for these two events, and who travelled to Kilsyth and Stirling.
Last Thursday night we held Monthly Competition No 2, the one Themed competition of our season. The two themes were Go Minimal and Falkirk District. One asking the photographer to keep things simple, the other looking for original images of our area. Currently we have an internal League system, dependant on the level of the photographer, and 4 of the 5 Monthly Competitions are open regarding subject matter. This post pandemic time there are fewer competition judges available and, not for the first time, our Internal Competition Secretary had his arrangements changed and had to find a new judge at short notice.
Viv Cotton is an old friend of our club and we are indebted to her for stepping in at the last minute to judge this competition. Viv clearly communicates her views to the entrants, offers encouraging and constructive advice and moves the entrants forwards in their photography. It was entirely fitting that she was presented with a bunch of flowers at the end of the evening. Results and images will be posted under the Competitions tab on this website.
As mentioned last week the International Salon of Photography circuit is in full swing. See the Exhibitions > Exhibition List section of the Photographic Society of America website for a comprehensive list. At Falkirk C.C. we can trace our international connections back to the late 19th century with group photographers emerging on the international scene during the late 1930’s. The four most successful F.C.C., ever, on the international scene are current Club members so there is plenty of help and advice available.
Thanks for looking in and have a good week ahead.