Assessment November 2006

Viewfinders hold the second assessment of the year

Viewfinders of Romsey Camera Club welcomed judge Stan Robinson to the Jubilee Hall in Timsbury, to assess members’ prints, slides and digital images for the second assessment of the year. He judged the prints first and, in the primary class, he awarded Maureen Heading’s “Blue Damselfly” a maximum 10 marks. In announcing this achievement, Stan Stubbs congratulated Maureen on also achieving promotion to the advanced section, for consistently high marks for her prints over a period.

There were five perfect 10s in the advanced section. Stan Stubbs particularly congratulated Terry Jamieson, who was awarded his first 10 in this class, and he managed to achieve it not only once, but twice, with his close-up shot “Snake’s Head” and his bird in flight “Sandwich Tern and Sand Eel”. Two 10s were also awarded to Peter Read for his museum shot “The Sweet Seller” and his atmospheric black and white image “Train at Chama”. Sheila Read was also given maximum marks for her superb landscape “Hazel Trees in Glen Nevis”.

In the digital image section, there were maximum marks for Basil Hopkins, for his superb sunset “Frinton on Sea”, and Peter Read for his close-up, “Water Lily at Kew”. In the slides, there were no perfect10s, but Nigel Charlton had a near miss with his wildlife shot “Camouflaged”, which was awarded 9.5 marks. In thanking the judge, chairman Stan Stubbs praised him for his superb critiques and enthusiastic judging.

The Club also hosted the first of the inter club battles it takes part in through its membership of the Southern Photographic Federation. For that competition, each Club selects 8 prints and 8 slides, and the same set is used throughout the competition. New Forest was the other club competing on this occasion, and Francis Ouvry came along to judge. Viewfinders scored most points overall for both prints and slides, with Sheila Read’s print “Dancing Dahlias” being awarded a perfect 10, and husband Peter having the highest scoring slide, with 9.5 marks being given to his slide “Frosty Gate”.

Over the last month, the club has had a number of different types of evening. For the Chairman’s evening, Stan Stubbs invited Salisbury Camera Club along for a Mix and Match evening with Viewfinders. This was a novel competition, with each Club bringing along 50 prints and taking turns to put up a print that had to be matched as closely as possible by the other side. The match could relate to any aspect of picture-making, and judge George Walsh was invited to mark the “match” out of 5, with an extra point awarded for the best of each pair of prints. Although this was a fun evening, it had the hidden benefit of developing members’ analytical skills. Viewfinders won the day, but Salisbury Camera Club immediately threw down the gauntlet for a return match in Salisbury next year!

On another evening, Heather Hook came along to give a presentation on “Famous Landmarks from the Air”. Heather explained how she became involved in aerial photography, and how her work in aerial photography had developed. The result was a fascinating evening, with Heather showing examples of her aerial photographs from all over the world.

One of the more technical evenings was presented by George Atkins, who came along to explain the importance of colour calibration in digital photography. Although most of his presentation was on monitor calibration, he also covered printer and projector calibration. As this presentation was a little too technical for some members to follow, the following week member Martin Jones gave a useful summary of the main points made about monitor calibration.

The Club also tries to share some of the enjoyment of photography with the local community, and a number of members visit homes for senior citizens in Romsey and give monthly presentations throughout the winter using the club’s digital projector. These presentations are very well received and this is very rewarding for those who give up their time to do this.

Viewfinders meet every Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Michelmersh and Timsbury Jubilee Hall and visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit the club’s website at www.viewfinderscameraclub.org.

Margaret Kirby