We are used to competitions and judges’ commentary.
But what are they actually looking for? Or what we are hoping they are looking for?
A panel, led by Jon Burton, will cover the critical areas of Subject, Composition and Technical.
In MPC, there is a Critique Corner where members can submit images for peer review. This can be a ‘softer’ way for members to get feedback on their images.
The panel are also calling for 1- or more images submitted by members for commentary by the panel.
CHRSLPC has an interclub competition with the Axholme Club in the UK every six months. In May Axholme chooses the competition set subject and in November Castle Hill selects the set subject. Axholme has chosen Street Photography as the competition set subject, we now require images to enter this competition. There is a UK judge and an Australian judge and the club with the best overall scores is the winner. Steet photography is a lot of fun, now is the time to practice some street photography and submit some entries.
As a guide most people do not mind if you take their photograph. Avoid children and homeless / distressed people.
Street Photography Definition
Street photography is a genre of photography that records everyday life in a public place. Street photographers capture spontaneous moments of people in a candid state, often without their knowledge. Street photography is not directed or staged, and it communicates the experience of everyday life and the vision of the artist by careful framing and timing.
Link to competition entry:
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 26th May
Judging Date: Tuesday 28th May
Judge: Michelle Kennedy
Creative / Experimental Set Subject Guidelines
This month you have freedom to do whatever you want so long as you add a creative aspect in your image. You can think of double exposures, zoom or panning, a fabricated scene, composites, altered reality and painting with light. The possibilities are endless. The challenge for you is to try something new. That is why we added “Experimental” to the title.
- This is an image that has been created in camera (for example motion blur, double exposure) or had post processing manipulation and artistic effects added.
- The image must have a basic photograph origin; the original exposure and all post processing must be the work of the Image Creator.
- The storytelling element of the image should be considered.
- Art appropriation is not permitted. The use of other people’s artwork in images as a dominant element is not permitted.
- Ways of creating a digital art image include but are not limited to:
- Different opacities -several views of the same person or main subjected blended into one image using different opacities.
- Multiple Exposures – photographing an activity at continuous exposure capturing movement and then blending several exposures into one image.
- Stepping out of the frame – placing part of the image outside the frame to give a 3D effect.
- Blended – two or more images taken in different place blended into one image to create a completely new scene and tell a new story.
- Double Exposure – where 2 images are blended into one image (either in camera or in post processing)
- Filters – Filters are permitted provided they do not introduce a new element to the image that the Image Creator has not created themselves. For example, the sky replacement filter should use your own image. Stock images are not permitted. Filters which add a texture or pattern are permitted provided the texture or pattern has been created by the Image Creator. Imported textures & patterns are not permitted.
- Creative Abstract – Can be made using distortion tools such as the liquefy tool. A creative abstract does not represent a true record of the subject.
- Composite Images – whether they are of a realistic scene or an unrealistic scene, using editing techniques to build a scene from different elements (all of which have been photographed by the Image Creator). Stock images are not permitted. Clip art is not permitted.
- Vector/Raster Layers – The use of basic tools/brushes in photoshop are permitted to create Vector/Raster Layers provided the contents have been created by the Image Creator. Custom tools/brushes/textures must have been created by the Image Creator. Vector/Raster Layers can only amount to 50% of the image.
What you can learn:
- This is the time to think outside the box. The image needs to relate to a theme / story or has impact due to its shape and / or colour.
- Research to gather ideas that can be built upon.
Bill Ward is a multi award winning British actor and photographer, born and raised in Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, in the UK.. As an actor, Bill has appeared in over 30 TV Shows and Films, and over 50 Plays since
turning professional in 2000. As a photographer, Bill is self taught, and has been taking photographs
since he was 6. Bill has won many awards and commendations, both nationally and internationally,
including the Adobe Prize at UK Landscape Photographer of the Year, and Best Seascape at Scottish
Landscape Photographer of the Year.
Constantly in search of peace and quiet, his photography is a response, and in many ways an antidote, to
the time he spends as an actor working in the public eye. His primary photographic interest is
landscapes, whether natural, urban or industrial. He is specifically drawn to water – and will
be presenting to the club about his experiences shooting water. If this presentation is as good as the one
he delivered in 2023 on Intentional Camera Movement, and Multiple Exposures – this will be one not to be
missed.
Astro Photography is an exciting genre when you capture that Milky Way shot that you have always wanted to get.
Geoff and Keith have been masters of this genre, and they will give an introduction to the timings, locations, techniques and basic post processing.
And the pitfalls and must do to be safe as this is very much a nighttime activity when visibility is very restricted.
Closing Date: 22nd June
Judging Date: 25th June
Judge: Peita Ward
Portrait photography is about capturing the essence, personality, identity and attitude of a person utilising backgrounds, lighting and posing. An image becomes a portrait when the image can evoke a sense of connection between the viewer and the portrait photograph.
The image may range from a head study to full body length and may include candid and formal images.
For this competition “group” portraits are not eligible.
What you can learn:
- How to engage with your subject to make them relaxed.
- Research the range of poses to create an effective image.
- Avoid harsh light. Soft light can be generated from a window, studio lighting or a flash.
- Use the golden hour to take images outdoors.
- Use a reflector to create the light that is desired. If reflectors are not available use a bight wall or other surface as a reflector.
Russell is a Photographer working in digital and analogue, based on the Gold Coast – and has photographed
well-known Australians from a wide range of fields, including writers (Tim Winton), sportsmen (Steve
Waugh); politicians (Gough Whitlam). His work has been published in many national magazines and
newspapers, Awards include The Moran Contemporary Photographic prize, Black and White Photographer
of the Year, National Photographic portrait prize, Olive Cotton Exhibition and Walkley Award for Journalism
(best news photograph).
Russell’s works are in collections at The Queensland Art Gallery, Tweed River Art Gallery, Redcliffe Art
Gallery, and The National Portrait Gallery. Russell is an Ambassador for Leica Camera Australia. Russell
will be taking members on a journey telling the story of his Documentary portraiture work.
DigiDirect will give an introduction to printing
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 21st July
Judging Date: Tuesday 23rd July
Judge: Bill Chambers
Rush Hour Set Subject Guidelines
Rush hour refers to the time of day when most people are commuting to and from work by many different modes of transportation. People may be rushing along a street or running to catch a train.
Your image should convey the hectic or unique nature of this period of the day or evening.
What you can learn:
- Experiment with camera angles to create dramatic effects.
- Control of shutter speed to freeze the action or to allow motion blur.
- Consider monochrome for busy images.
- Decision between Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual with Auto ISO.
An introduction to macro and focus stacking
By Rob Clarke
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 25th August
Judge: Don Dickins
Panorama Set Subject Guidelines
Panorama refers to a wide and unbroken image. The aspect ratio determines if an image is a panorama, an aspect ratio of 2:1 or more is the accepted definition. All the elements of the panorama should work together to convey a story.
What you can learn:
- The use of software to create a Panoramic image by stitching multiple images together.
- If stitching the requirement to have all camera settings in manual mode so all images making up the panorama have identical exposure, colour temperature, ISO and focus.
An introduction to basic off camera lighting setups for portraiture.
Closing Date: Midnight September 22nd
Judging Date: Tuesday 24th September
Judges: John & Leanne Alessi
Water in Motion Set Subject Guidelines
Capture water as it moves, with the water being the main subject of the image.
Water taken with fast shutter speeds can have dramatic impact with high volumes of water, slower shutter speeds smooth out the movement of water. Creative images that have moving water are acceptable.
What you can learn:
- The effect that different shutter speeds have when photographing water in motion.
- The need to use low ISO and possibly neutral density filters to obtain slow shutter speeds in bright light.
- Use of a tripod to keep stationary elements of the image sharp but have the water blurred.
When asked to summarise his life, Graham chooses four terms: Research Scientist – Ornithologist –
Photographer – Educator. A love of biology started from the time he could walk, progressing through those
early years, to studying birds at a scientific level by the age of 14. Integrating science and ornithology with
a love of photography, Graham transitioned from 35mm film to the digital era, filling his kit bag with Nikon
professional camera bodies and lenses, which along with extended hours of study and practice, have
enabled him to capture images at a professional level. Graham served for six years on the committee of
Birdlife Photography – Australia, five of those years as President.
Graham is a really interesting person, and it’s fair to say that Graham is very well qualified to present on
Bird Photography – he will be joining us at Castle Hill, to share some interesting insights, and amazing
images – and help us understand how our photography of birds can help in their protection.
An introduction to various poses for men and women
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 20th October
Judging Date: Tuesday 22nd October
Judge: Doug Carley
Playing with Artificial Light Set Subject Guidelines
Artificial light refers to any light that’s not produced naturally. The light source excludes the sun, moon and stars as the dominant light source.
Be creative and use a light source or light sources to create an image that has impact. Light can be generated through streetlights, car headlights, torches and light painting tools. The light is to be added to the exposure whilst the camera shutter is open.
The use of light that is synchronised with the camera shutter in the form of a flash is excluded from the competition. Portraits of people, close up images that use studio flash or studio lighting are also excluded from this competition.
What you can learn:
The effect that different light forms can have on the impact of an image.
- Experiment with some composite images that tell a story with some creative lighting.
- Experiment with changing the colour of the light in post-production. The light source must be captured by the camera.
Tuesday 5 November – Pete Farrington – Aviation (Zoom – from the UK) – fee to confirm (May be a donation
to charity)
Peter is an author and photographer specialising in military aviation photography. Within recent months, Peter has retired from the RAF and pursues his passion in photography. Over the years of being a member of the Royal Air Force, Peter was lucky to be in the position to capture many fantastic aircraft up close and personal – from the ground, and from the air.
Peter uses photography to keep the stories of those who serviced and flew aircraft, alive. He is a fantastic story teller, and will use his great images, to take members on a journey into the skies, and the past.
Sports photography can be a very satisfying genre.
There are varying conditions such as indoor and outdoor lighting.
There are many types of sports action. There will be something happening nearby nearly every weekend that you could photograph.
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 24th November
Judging Date: Tuesday 26th November
Judge: Graham Cam
Panning Set Subject Guidelines
The image is to be taken while panning the camera. Blurred backgrounds must be created by the camera movement and not the use of post-production software.
What you can learn:
- Experiment with shutter speeds to determine what parts of an image show motion and add to the story.
- How changing the shutter speed can affect the clarity of the subject or parts of the subject and blur the background.
- Practice panning through using the hips to turn with the subject with the arms close to the body.
