The Favourite takes Gold

Viewfinders of Romsey Camera Club welcomed David Barton from Gosport as the judge of their  2008 Print of the Year competition and in his opening remarks David said it was a pleasure to be asked as he knew from many years’ experience that the club would provide some interesting and varied work.  This year was no exception. 

The evening started with the entries for the primary class, and the judge remarked on the high standard of the work, awarding a 'Seal of Merit' to Linda Rudd's 'Scarecrow'. David then went on to award a clean sweep of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards to Giles Smith, with particular praise for the portraits of 'Matthew' and 'Ellen' taking Bronze and Gold, and an unusual view of 'Digger Action' taking the Silver award.  David suggested that all of the images in this section would have not been out of place in an advanced class. 

After the coffee break, the judge and the many members there on the evening were presented with 37 images competing for the much prized advanced Print of the Year Trophy.   David set about the task and was soon awarding several 'Seals of Merit' and holding back some 14 images for the main awards.  He finally made his choice using the criterion of what he would like to see on his living room wall for the next year.  He gave the Bronze award to Terry Jamieson's 'Hellibores Selection', and the Silver award to Stan Stubb's 'Snow Leopard', but the Gold award went to a print by club chairman Jack Whitemore - "The Favourite".   David felt that this image of horse and groom, taken at Salisbury races, was an outstanding portrait, so sharp that it was possible to see the crowds at the race course reflected in the horse's eye.  It also had had plenty of creative work done to it, and would be remembered because it was so different.

Image:

“The Favourite” by Chairman Jack Whitemore - winner of the advanced Print of the Year Trophy

This page last updated, 16 September, 2009.