Last Assessment of the Year

Roger Smith from Gosport came along to judge Viewfinders of Romsey Camera Club’s last assessment of the year, and his experience as a professional photographer clearly influenced his judging, and he spread his marks widely in assessing the quality of the prints and digital images.  Most judges award a number of the maximum 10 marks in an evening, but Roger awarded only one coveted 10 on this occasion.  However, those who were awarded 9 or 9½ marks were clearly also excellent images in Roger’s opinion.

In the primary print section, the highest 9½ marks were awarded to two prints - Dave Horscroft’s “High and Dry on the Solway Firth”, which he described as a lovely mood picture, and David Reeve’s eye–catching diagonal aircraft composition “Glider”. 

In the advanced print section, Roger awarded his only 10 marks of the evening to Terry Jamieson, for the gorgeous quality of his landscape and stunning sky in “Dawn over Carnac Beach”.  He also very much admired John May’s colourful composition of a trio of “Jelly Fish” and the lovely angle on George Marsh’s “Goldfinch 2”,  awarding them both 9½ marks.

Three digital images scored 9½ in the primary section, with Marion Marriott gaining two of them.   Marion is a prime example of how very successful photographs can be taken without expensive camera equipment, as both of her images were taken on a compact camera!  Roger thought her “Crowned Crane and Monkey” image was superb, admiring the lovely pose of the crane and its communication with the monkey.  He was also attracted to the lovely light on her “Eland Antelope”, and the importance of the monkey again in the picture.  The third 9½ went to George Atkins for “Yellow Wagtail”, which Roger felt was beautifully presented, with the bird perched in an excellent position.

In the advanced section of the digital images, Roger awarded three 9s, the highest marks in this class.  Terry Jamieson gained 9 for “Archie in the Bluebells”, with the strong lighting on the tree-trunks contrasting with the bluebell carpet. Roger felt Stan Stubbs’ “Coal Tit” was of excellent quality and that Sheila Read’s effective pattern picture “Kaleidoscope” was very nicely done.  

Chairman Jack Whitemore thanked Roger for his professional approach to his judging, giving many hints and tips, particularly on how ‘cropping’ an image can increase its impact.

“Dawn over Carnac Beach” by Terry Jamieson

Marion Marriot’s “Crowned Crane and Monkey” – one of the highest scoring images in the primary digital section.

Sheila Read’s picture “Kaleidoscope”

Terry Jamieson's “Archie in the Bluebells”

This page last updated, 17 June, 2009 .