Competitions form only one section of camera club life so, before we look at what has been happening on that front lately, there are two other F.C.C. events now open for contributions from club members.
Talking Pictures is a joint event between Falkirk Camera Club and Falkirk Writers Circle and F.C.C. members are now invited to upload up to 5 PDI’s, on any subject matter and taken at any time, for this season’s event by Thursday 30th November. It’s not a Competition, although the section for submissions is in the 2023 / 24 Competition Group on PhotoEntry. We pass the PDI’s over to the writers who will make a selection, then compose pierces of prose or poetry inspired by the images they have chosen. The work of the writers can be amusing or profound, thought provoking or uplifting and it’s always a joy to discover what our photographs have inspired. Naturally the writers need some time to compose their work so, while we are asking for PDI’s to be submitted by 30th November, Talking Pictures night is next March.
3 From 6 encourages us to photograph something different so Club members are also invited to upload up to 3 PDI’s from this season’s 6 topics. Again not a Competition, a section for submissions is in the 2023 / 24 Competition Group on PhotoEntry. You can submit up to 3 photographs of the same topic, of different topics, or a combination of topics. The photographs may have been taken at any time. Closing date for submissions is 18th January 2024 and the photographs will be shown on 3 From 6 night a few weeks later.
Fill the Foreground – Add depth to your photograph by having something of interest in the foreground.
Botanical – Capture something more than just a bunch of flowers. It could be the structure, tone or colour of any form of plant life from leaves to bushes or flowers to trees. It may be forming or withered in Black & White, Colour, or perhaps Toned ?
Blustery Weather – Convey the atmosphere of the wilder side of weather, but stay safe while doing so !
Photograph a Film Title – Choose a film title and represent it on a photograph. Something like Goldfinger might be colourful, Duck Soup might be a bit surreal although, think twice about The Dambusters.
Modern Metropolis – It’s not too difficult to find photographs in a busy town or city. Illustrating a modern aspect, which may or may not be welcome, is slightly different.
On My ‘Phone – Might be a photograph deliberately taken on your ‘phone, or something you saw when you didn’t have your usual camera with you.
Last Thursday we held Monthly Competition No. 2. Ultimately, these competitions are a great opportunity to learn and like many clubs with a specific interest we do this for relaxation and enjoyment so, however enthusiastic we might feel about our own photography a “ competition “ can seem slightly daunting. Whether it’s a competition in a photographers, writers, or gardeners group, between choirs or amateur dramatic societies delivering feedback in a positive and constructive manner and sending an entrant onwards motivated to improve their chosen skill is a very precise skill.
Enter Guy Phillips, from Paisley Colour Photographic Club, both old friends of Falkirk C.C. Guy has lectured, and judged competitions at our club on several occasions, always freely passing on his knowledge and experience in a positive and constructive manner.
To digress slightly, the arrival of the pandemic in 2020 had an effect on what we photographed. Landscape photographers who might travel into the countryside, sports photographers who might travel to an event, those of us who simply wander round towns and cities seeking elusive images were, like everyone else, rightly restricted in our movements. At that time we thought it would take approximately two seasons after the pandemic ended to start to regain, what was, an impressive pre-pandemic momentum. Just over two months in to our second post-pandemic season that is what appears to be happening. On Thursday night it was extremely heartening to see an inspiring display of Monochrome and Colour Prints and sit through a presentation of Projected Digital Images, each one receiving a helpful and constructive critique from Guy.
Results are:
Monthly Competition No. 2
Monochrome Prints
Commended: Urban Art – Elaine Woodford
Highly Commended: Really – Douglas Ross; The Rose – Agnes Clark LRPS
3rd Place: Hotel abstract – Graeme McPhee
2nd Place: Three Stems – Agnes Clark LRPS
1st Place: Undecided – Douglas Ross
Colour Prints
Commended: Looks like it’s going to rain – Graeme McPhee; Misty Morning – Elaine Woodford; Final Day Standing – Catherine Anderson; For the nest – Michael Cox; Balancing – Agnes Clark LRPS; Little Grebe – Elaine Woodford
Highly Commended: Green Iguana Portrait – David Jones; Mrs Wayan’s Shop – Elaine Woodford
3rd Place: Black Skimmer Fishing – David Jones
2nd Place: Backlit Hydrangea – Agnes Clark LRPS
1st Place: Solitude – Catherine Anderson
Projected Digital Images
Commended: Happy At Work – Elaine Woodford: In Need Of A Trim – Nancy MacArthur CPAGB ARPS;
Posing In My Wellies – Elaine Woodford; Me And My Shadow – Charles Woodford; I see you – Jill McGuire
Owl On Fence – Bob Black; Delphinium Trio – Agnes Clark LRPS; Tattoo Collector – Stuart Pearson
Highly Commended: Hear no evil – Jill McGuire; I’m Having A Bad Day OK – Charles Woodford; Keel-Billed Toucan – David Jones; Solitude – Catherine Anderson; Lacy Blues – Nancy MacArthur CPAGB ARPS
3rd Place: Goldfinch On Teasel – Graeme Barclay
2nd Place: Volcano Hummingbird Male – David Jones
1st Place: The Great Train Robber – Graeme Barclay
On Wednesday last week we travelled to Stirling & District C.C. the host for this season’s 4 Way Competition. This annual event between Stirling & District C.C., Kirkintilloch C.C., Cumbernauld & Kilsyth P.S. and Falkirk C.C. is an opportunity to see what these other clubs are doing. Stirling & District C.C. took 1st place so we offer our congratulations to them along with our thanks for their hospitality. Falkirk C.C. finished in 2nd place.
On Thursday 30th November we welcome our friends from Stirling & District C.C. to Falkirk. Our two clubs have met together annually since 1958 and it’s our privilege to host this year’s event.
Hope to see you there,
Take care.