This month there was a photographic outing to Bradwell and a meal at the “Shoulder of Mutton” but the main business in June is the appraisal of the exhibition entries followed 2 weeks later by their presentation as part of Wakes week in St Peter’s, Hope.
Roger introduced the evening with a reminder that there were a couple of gaps in the stewarding required for the exhibition at St Peter’s. (Thankyou to those of you that volunteered to fill them.)
We were also alerted to an Audio Visual evening by Keith Brown “Home and Away” on the 21st June at 7pm in St Peter’s church, Hope. The cost is £5 and includes refreshments.
Following the notices, Roger introduced Ray Bramall ARPS, Hon PAGB, DPAGB, EFIAP/g, BPE4 who had kindly agreed to be our appraiser of this years exhibition prints.
Ray had previously looked through all the prints and made notes, so he was ready to give us feedback on the good points and suggestions for improvement on each print.
Ian had a file of all the digital versions of the prints and as Ray placed a print on the stand, the digital version appeared on the big screen. (Many thanks Ian for coordinating them all, nice to know that there were slightly more entries this year than last.)
Thoughtful comments and suggestions about each print in the General Category then took us through to the interval and over a cuppa members had chance to chat over the insights Ray provide about each persons photographic efforts.
Following the break Ray then went through each print in the Themed Category “Wild” with the same thoughtful approach and helpful suggestions. As he got to the last print it was then the job of the committee and other helpful members to put out for display all the prints in both categories as it was time for members to vote on which prints they would put 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
The voting was done on mobile phones, Roger had set up a QR code that linked to a google form that could collect each persons choice of prints. Not surprisingly this process took quite a few minutes but eventually Roger was able to announce the results.
General Category
1st: Misty Morning in Bretton Clough (Karen)
2nd: Shadow Walk (Nick) and equal 2nd Twins (Steve)
Commended Prints:-
Beaky Blinders (John)
Wood, from Tree to Stile (Ann)
Reflections of Whitehaven (John)
Theme Category “Wild”
1st: Fragrant Scents of Spring (Steve)
2nd: Deserted Croft, Isle of Ulva, NW Scotland (Karen)
3rd: Wild Wood (Roger)
Commended
Moss Erotica (Ian)
Wild Bees (David)
Forest Guardian (Ian)
Ray then gave us his opinion on which was the best Mono print “Misty Morning” (Karen) and the best colour print “Twins” (Steve)
The evening closed with a warm round of applause for Ray and a reminder that in July it will be the members presenting on the theme of “Winter” which was appropriately was postponed by the snow!