Monthly Challenge - Scapes 27/01/21

Tonight we had another monthly challenge, this time on the theme of Scapes. Rather than the narrow focus of landscapes alone, the category allows for vistas encompassing a broader range of subjects. This includes the more traditional landscapes we're all used to, plus seascapes and cityscapes.

It is always a popular topic, helped in no small part by so many members being fortunate enough to live in an especially scenic area. This has provided plenty of inspiration during the long months of lockdown. A few lucky snappers were further assisted by a serendipitous snowfall just before the deadline for submission. In total 42 people attended to see work contributed by 28 members, all competing for points towards the Monthly Challenge Prize. This is an award handed out every December for the highest aggregate score in monthly challenges over the year. Perhaps 2021 could finally see someone dethrone serial winner Richard Fulcher?

As ever, the first part of the night comprised feedback from two of our more experienced members. This time we benefitted from the wisdom and insight of Chris Rogers, leader of our Scapes Special Interest Group, and Duke Gledhill, who has proved himself to be one of our more accomplished workers in the Scapes category. Both provided a very thorough and considered analysis of each image in turn, giving the authors lots to think about when they're back out in the field.

Finally, the scores of the club's voting were revealed. The top three images this month were:

1. Lotherton Hall by Jon Harris with 31 points

2. Denby Dale by George Fewster with 17 points

3. Twistleton Scar by Paul Campbell with 14 points

1st - Jon Harris

2nd - George Fewster

3rd - Paul Campbell

Congratulations to them and everyone who took part.

The London Salon 20/01/21

Forty-two members tuned in to the Club’s Zoom meeting featuring a review of the 2019 London Salon. This is an annual event in which members are treated to a narrated view of a selection of the salon’s accepted images. The overall impression of this year’s selection was that the Salon acceptances were more accessible to the HPIC members, four of the more experience of whom, volunteered to give their thoughts on four or five images of their choice from 131 acceptances.

Edited versions of their comments are shown below: -

Bad Hair day by Rod Wheelans MFIAP,MPAGB,FIPF,Hon PAGB

Bad Hair day by Rod Wheelans MFIAP, MPAGB, FIPF, Hon PAGB

Reviewer Tony (R): The real success of this image is the capturing of the model’s facial expression. A kind of tentative smile, knowing smile, rather like that of the Monalisa. This requires a certain rapport to have been established with the model. The image has great detail, particularly in the hair, texture and beautifully controlled lighting. Rod Wheelans is a well-known photographer and has given many lectures on Keighley days.

Last Glow of the light by Rebecca Nex

Reviewer Alan: Last glow of the light – a very pleasing result of intentional camera movement made by the colour of the sunrise or sunset. Would be happy to have it on my wall.

Red Robes by Peter Brisley ARPS, DPAGB, BPE2

Reviewers Kevin/Carla: This image has a great sense of place, mood, atmosphere and it does this with a limited amount of information. The blur and warm colour pallet make you feel as so you were actually there in South East Asia / Indian subontinent. The square crop helps the image which is quite pleasing to look at despite its business.

One Up Two Down by John Pegram

Reviewers Kevin/Carla: A visually striking, bold image featuring the contrast between the black and white design of a staircase in the Tate Britain. The eye is drawn down the well of the stairs leaving one guessing as to what could be down there. The people give scale and the framing of the image is excellent.

Foot Note

Thanks to Duke for enabling the evening to happen by being on top of how to get the London Salon “video” and “step through” files to work properly in Zoom.

Also, thanks to Kamal for providing a more background on the content of one of the image

commented on by the author of this news article (not shown). The image was called “Dancing Shadow” by Maggi Tilloson ARPS and depicted the shadows thrown on the surrounding wall by a model of small naked girl as depicted in the iconic image taken by Nick Ut in June 1972. Realising this put a whole new level of understanding to the image.

FIAP Club World Cup Competition 16/01/21

Towards the end of last year HPIC took the decision to try competing at the highest possible level in the world of club photography, placing an entry into the 15th annual FIAP Club World Cup. It was a high stakes decision, as the contest pits clubs from all over the globe against one another. As you would expect, the standard of work on display is superlative, with every club putting forward their very best images.

The 2020 edition of the contest saw 213 clubs from 51 countries submit 4,242 images in total. Given the scale and scope, our expectations were that we would give a good account of ourselves but would realistically place somewhere outside the top 100.

Limited to two entries per author, we chose to put forward 20 images from a total of 12 members. With this entry we scored 357 points with 12 acceptances. For comparison, the Eurasia club of the Russian Federation achieved a score of 406 and 16 acceptances, placing 1st overall.

It is with great pride therefore that we can announce that HPIC placed a fantastic 26th out of 213. Whilst not a medal position or even in the top 10, it is an amazing result that far exceeded our expectations when embarking on this endeavour. It cannot be overstated what a huge achievement this is for our club. Congratulations to each of the authors on their entries and acceptances.

The full list of results from our club is set out below along with the score and details of any acceptances:

James Gibson - Stallion at Liberty - 19 (Accepted)

Alan Stopher - Coin Collectors - 15

Alan Stopher - Taking a Break - 17

Barbara Sheldrake - 80 and Working - 17

Susan Gibson - Dancing in the Moonlight - 14

Duke Gledhill - Sunrise at Windermere - 20 (Accepted)

George Fewster - Greybeard - 18 (Accepted)

Graham E Sykes - Winter Sheep - 13

George Fewster - Lockdown - 19 (Accepted)

Harry Wentworth - Escape to the Country - 16

Harry Wentworth - Working Girl - 18 (Accepted)

Tony Renshaw - City Scape - 21 (Accepted)

Kevin Lloyd - Iranian Icon - 18 (Accepted)

Paul Campbell - Pip - 20 (Accepted)

Paul Campbell - The Dancer - 21 (Accepted)

Richard Fulcher - Going Round the Bend - 20 (Accepted)

Richard Fulcher - Wild Goose Chase - 20 (Accepted)

James Gibson - Splash - 21 (Accepted)

Tony Pratt - Hill Climb - 14

Susan Gibson - Warrior Princess and the Guardian - 16

You can see the Eurasia club's winning entry and all the individual award winners on the FIAP website. HPIC's entry is shown below: