Photography: Potters Bar Photographic Society gets competitive

The first rounds of both print and projected image competitions were marked by external judges and saw a good range of scores being awarded, with many constructive comments being made.

Five prints received the top score of 20 points with four projected images also receiving top scores. 

The general rounds have no set theme allowing Society members to use their imagination and skills as they see fit.   

Here are a selection of images from Potters Bar Photographic Society members and the photographer's comments on their pictures.

• Look What I Found by Yve Paige

Look what I Found by Yve Paige features the photographer's granddaughter and the family dog. (Image: Yve Paige)

"This photo was taken at my daughter’s stables in the Marlow area. We went with the grandchildren to take some photos. This photo is just one of a whole set I took of my granddaughter and the family dog. She was looking for insects and I was sitting a distance away just photographing her. She has no idea I was doing it."

• Blown Tulip by Richard Litherland

Blown Tulip by Richard Litherland (Image: Richard Litherland)

“This image of a blown tulip was taken at home with natural daylight on a sunny day. The ageing of the flower has enriched the colours and texture of the petals. The club has a great programme of lecturers and members are encouraged to try out new techniques. On this image I used post-focussing for the first time, as I’m still learning about photography.”

• Swirl by Cheryl Bullock

Swirl by Cheryl Bullock is a photo of a Lavatera flower. (Image: Cheryl Bullock)

“I took this photo of a Lavatera flower which was grown from seed in my garden. I really love their colour and wanted to capture the swirls of pattern in the petals”. 

The judge said that he liked the way there were no spaces between the petals, the focus was sharp on the centre and the five points towards the centre were good too.

• The Brothers by David Jones 

The Brothers by David Jones features two lions. (Image: David Jones)

"This was taken in the Southern Serengeti, Tanzania while on safari in October 2019. Once the male lions reach about a year old they are forced to leave the 'Pride', by the oldest lioness. This is to stop fighting, territorial issues and the obvious matters with females within the pride. It's also to spread the 'genepool'. These lions were about two to three years old."

• The Alley at Night by Geoffrey Lauder

The Alley at Night by Geoffrey Lauder was taken in the historic city of Catania, Sicily. (Image: Geoffrey Lauder)

"The photo was taken in one of the numerous back alleyways in the historic city of Catania, Sicily. It was getting dark and I enhanced the effect to create an atmospheric evening shot with a striding local man centre stage."

• Room with a View by Helen Frost

Room with a View by Helen Frost shows a snow-capped Mount Fuji. (Image: Helen Frost)

"I was staying near Mount Fuji when it rained overnight - which meant snow on Fuji. A very shy mountain, it was wonderful to see it in the early evening light and in particular to manage to place it the centre of an open circular window of a local temple. The question is - does the camera lie? Was it really there? I like to think so."

• On Patrol by Graham Coldrick

On Patrol by Graham Coldrick was captured in Berlin. (Image: Graham Coldrick)

"This concrete structure was photographed in Berlin during a club visit over a long weekend. The two police motorcyclists were also German but introduced into the picture using the magic of Photoshop."
 

The Society has a wide range of visits, competitions, lectures and other events arranged for 2023. Anyone interested in seeing whether the Society is for them is welcome to attend up to three meetings at the Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, most Monday evenings from 7.30pm before joining. 

Further details can be found at pottersbarphotosoc.org.uk or on Facebook.