Hugh Shaw and Bill Kennedy Trophies

On Tuesday club members enjoyed viewing the entries for two of the Club's most prestigious competitions. Hunter Kennedy from Carluke Camera Club was the evening's judge. The Hugh Shaw Trophy for the best panel of three monochrome prints went to club president Bob Arnott, David Thompson was second and relative newcomer Gordon Campbell took a very creditable third spot - his "Eilean Donan Castle" gaining the highest individual score. Next up for judging was the Bill Kennedy Trophy for a panel of 4 projected images on a strictly Scottish theme. Out of a big entry, there was a tie for third place on the themes "Glen Affric" and "Glen Etive" - both entered by Tom Murphy. Shots captured by David Gemmell at the "Edinburgh Festival" took second place while Robert Wilson took top spot with an outstanding panel entitled "Waterfalls". Judge Hunter Kennedy had clearly put a lot of time and effort into composing his critique and old and new members alike should have gained many useful pointers on how best to present their work. Bob Arnott gave Hunter a well deserved vote of thanks.

Chinese Cycling Adventure - Jim Wallace

The first item on Tuesday night's agenda was the announcement of last week's winners in the "fun" competition on the theme "Transport". Robert Wilson took 3rd place with "Steam Power", 2nd was Neil Mackie with "Tornado" with David Thompson capturing top spot with "Your Carriage Awaits".

The main event of the evening, however, was Jim Wallace's presentation on his recent cycling holiday in China. To reduce his weight burden while travelling Jim rejected his SLR Camera in favour of a Canon Compact - and the results were still of the high standard expected. Arriving in Beijing, Jim was amazed by the amount of traffic and the associated pollution. However, an escape to the Forbidden City allowed Jim and his fellow travellers the chance to breath cleaner air and the opportunity to take some remarkable photographs of the architecture and artifacts abundant in this ancient place. Jim and his party then soon flew South to the sub-tropical city of Guilin - a starting point for the cycling tour of the valley of the Lijiang River. Although often hazy Jim caught the atmosphere of this very beautiful area of southern China with its winding river and intensive agriculture all surrounded by dramatic very steep and pointed limestone mountains. In addition to landscapes, Jim captured many aspects of local culture, food, and the always apparently cheerful locals. After the very informative talk Club President Bob Arnott gave Jim a well deserved vote of thanks.

Tuesday 10th February 2009

The second of the club's fun competitions on set subjects was held on Tuesday when the set subject was 'Transport'

Twelve members participated and displayed a good variety of images, some traditional, some displayed considerable manipulation techniques and others were very imaginative and just plain funny.

Neil Mackie kindly volunteered and gave his personal critique on all images.

Scores will be made known next Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday the club will welcome Jim Wallace who will give an illustrated talk on his visit to China.

3rd League Competition

Tuesday night saw the long awaited judging of the 3rd League Competition. Digital images and prints had been handed over to Judge Andy Alexander from Kirkintilloch three weeks previously and Tuesday was judgement day! Again as always scores were out of 20 and very few images received less than 15. In the Projected Images Section David Gemmell took 3rd place with "Onwards and Upwards", while Tom Murphy took 2nd and 1st places with "Low Winter Sun" and "Robin" respectively. The close-up image of the robin was one of the best "bird" images this reporter has seen. Moving onto the Beginners' Prints David Clark was 3rd with "Autumn" and Robert McFetridge was 2nd with "Sunset, Loch Morlich" but taking top spot was Pat Robinson with "Deserved Rest" a simple shot of a bike propped up against a tree! Moving to the Advanced Colour Section Bob Arnott came in 3rd with "Autumn Burn", Willie Gibson was 2nd with "Geisha" while top place went to David Thompson's "Going Nowhere" - a lovely study of Musselburgh Harbour under a glowering sky. Finally in the Advanced Monochrome section - where sadly there were only two entries - Bob Arnott's "Preston Mill" was 2nd and David Thompson was 1st with "Cloister Stroll".