Viewfinders April assessment

Gaston Alziary from Newbury came along to judge Viewfinders of Romsey’s April 2008 assessment of members’ prints, digital images and slides, and there was the usual good attendance to hear his comments.

In the primary class of the prints section, Giles Smith scored the maximum 10 marks for “Apache”, a cleverly taken shot of a helicopter, and Sharon Lockray deserves a special commendation for achieving 9 marks for her first ever assessment entry “First Attempt”, with Gaston admiring its lovely low light.

In the advanced class of the prints section, Terry Jamieson was awarded maximum marks for his close-up “Magnolia Breakout”, which he felt had a nice position in the frame, and lovely colours. Sheila Read was awarded two 10s – for her lovely pattern picture “Tropical Leaf Lines”, which Gaston compared to a painting, and for her stunning coastal scene “Rosbeigh Skeleton”, which included both texture and a range of tones to add interest.

In the primary class of the digital image section, two maximum marks were awarded. The first was to Brian Woodruffe for “Swirling Sea”, with Gaston particularly admiring the dynamism of the shot of the sea spray, caught at just the right time. The second he awarded to Pat Ball for a different approach to a well known image of “Stourhead”, and Gaston felt its success was due to the angle chosen.

In the advanced class of the digital image section, Terry Jamieson was awarded maximum marks for his superb monochrome portrait “At the Garden Fence”, with Gaston particularly admiring the textures in the old man’s face and hands, complemented by the tools in the background. Basil Hopkins was also awarded 10 marks for the quality and balance in his image “Daffodils”.

In the advanced slide section, a single 10 was awarded to George Marsh for his beautiful bird closeup “Spotted Woodpecker”, where Gaston felt that the inclusion of space for the bird to look into was particularly important.

In thanking Gaston for his judging, Chairman Jack Whitemore felt that everyone has received some useful comments, and described his judging as ‘excellent’.

Margaret Kirby