Most of you know me and my passion for portrait photography, and that I have judged previous portrait competitions for the club. Photography is all in ‘the eye of the beholder’ and ‘telling a story’ any photograph can generate much debate and difference of opinion, so, I’ve asked some friends to join me and help in the judging. Firstly Lorraine who is a professional portrait model, Alan a successful photographer who has documented major events and now runs a studio, finally Louise who photographs fashion for magazines, so collectively we are the panel for this competition.
The standards are as always very high, especially in the intermediates. With so many entries in the experienced section we have added 3 Highly Commended to reflect the excellent work from everyone. As a panel we have tried to offer constructive comments, but one thing we feel would be helpful for the group is if Beginners could buddy up with an experienced member to help them. Maybe this could be by email so that an experienced member mentors a beginner.
Steve Goldsmith
Beginners:
Besties Emma Dodd
The panel understands what the photographer wants to achieve, it is a good effort, however working at so close a range there is a focus issue, the camera’s focus has settled on the girl in the background resulting in the girl in the foreground being slightly out of focus, this is not an uncommon problem even at a more experienced level. That said, the colours and the pose all work, the panel suggests the photographer hooks up with an experienced photographer for a shoot and are sure this photographer’s work will improve, although it is not far off. Final point attention to detail the silver necklace needs to be straight, in portrait photography it is all about the details.
Butter wouldn’t melt Joanne Rutherford
Along with ‘My Wee Petal’ and ‘Sniffff’, also entered by this photographer, it is a great photograph for the family album and captures a moment in time, the face is sharp with the background slightly out of focus inviting the viewer to concentrate on the girls face. The cheeky look and tongue adds to the pose, which is positioned well. The panel suggested that moving the subject slightly so as the sun is not blowing out the light colours in the girls hair would have potentially have made this a better photo.
Ja Ja Rita Garvey
This photographer has put in two similar photographs of Donkeys, Ja Ja, who we are looking at, and Oscar, both poses are similar, and as the title of the competition suggests ‘portrait’ are head shots. The colour balance is good, the crop works for the style of photo overall a pleasing photo but not a winning shot.
My best side Paul Dodd
Pet photographs are so hard, you can’t ask an animal to strike a pose yet in this photograph it seems to have been achieved. Collectively we like the bow tie and we think the focus of the eyes is excellent. However, the background is distracting with the slope of the work surface, maybe a more natural background would have made a better photo. Also watch the sharpness with such a close shot, it is losing it on the fur.
My wee petal Joanne Rutherford
Along with the other shots of this charming little girl in this section the highlights are blown out in the girls hair and the panel think that repositioning the model or indeed the photographer may well have produced a better shot. However, the style of the photo with the girl showing attention to the flower is really great, it brings in another subject matter other than the model.
Oscar Rita Garvey
Head shot as with the other Donkey shot in this section, the panel like the style but have a concern about the blowing out of the sky, in the other photograph of a donkey by this photographer ‘Ja Ja’ there is a better colour rendition. Not a winning shot but with a little work could become one.
Quack Paul Dodd
This photo has something to work from about it, unfortunately the duck seems a little lost in a large photograph, as far as the panel can see (and we did blow it up) the duck is nice and sharp so a crop would not have harmed the image and may well have made the duck the subject matter as opposed to an element in the photo. Alternatively zooming in when taking the photo would have worked, especially as the photographer has focused well on the duck retaining crispness in its feathers.
Sniffff Joanne Ritherford
Of the 3 shots of this little girl in this section this is the least favourite of the panel, still a good one for the family album but eyes closed does not work, again the blowing out of the hair by the sunlight. The panel suggests the photographer spends a little more time in assessing the lighting and their work will improve immensely.
Smiling beauty (3rd Place) Emma Dodd
We like this one, worthy of 3rd place, with a serious debate between this and ‘Little Princess’ for 2nd and 3rd places. Pity about the blowing out of the wallpaper in the background, can we encourage the photographer to talk to an experienced person about how to avoid this and how to use lighting to enhance the photo which is all it need to lift it to the next level, look at how lighting has been used in the top three in the intermediates for inspiration.
Little Princess (2nd Place) Paul Dodd
I’m sure this photo (or at least this girl on the same settee) has been entered in a previous competition, that said, it is a lovely photograph and worthy of 2nd place. Black and white so often work in portrait photography to add emotion and it works in this case, the panel are undecided but some feel losing the black top and bottom would improve the work but this thought was not unanimous.
The thinker (1st place) Emma Dodd
There can only be one 1st place and this is it for this section this month. As we saw in 2nd place Black and White can work so well in portrait, here we have a sharp subject with a defused background that works and excellent positioning of the subject makes it all come together. Well done.
Intermediate:
Abbie Lee Mullins
This photographer likes to work with lighting. We suspect he has a lot of experience, certainly he is trying to get a dramatic look from this pose and lighting, it works well enough but is not special enough to be a winner in this section this time, however, it is still a fantastic shot.
Caron Keith Dawson
The colours all work in this photo, the model’s face is sharp yet the background is defused, pity the hair is blown out a little on the right side, a pleasing photo but not a winner.
Elba Keith Dawson
Maybe a crop would have helped this image, it’s sharp enough but against stiff competition in this section this month it has a lot to compete with and unfortunately much as it is a good photo for the family album is not a winner.
Goth girl Andrew Ogdon
You will see other shots of this model in this section, all of which are good, this is the only really close up one (we are tempted to say in your face) as it comes with that kind of attitude. The panel, like what the photographer is saying through this photo, is sharp, well positioned and would have been a serious contender for a podium if the competition had not been so strong this month.
Strike a pose Andrew Ogdon
This photographer has entered 3 photos of this model this month, all are good shots, two have been given the black and white treatment which really works. What the panel really like about this shot is its strength, the girls look empowered, it’s nicely framed and would not look out of place on the wall of any retro bistro bar, we love this photographer’s work.
Trudi Keith Dawson
The fill flash works, keeps the subject crisp and sharp, the slope of the shoulders and slight angle of the head along with the slightly out of focus background all work in this photo. The panel loves that the colour of the dress straps blend with the models eyes. We did have a concern about the pillar/wall or whatever it is, seeming to come out the top of the models head, maybe a slight repositioning or a little post production editing would have taken this slight distraction away. All in all a nice photo.
Attitude (3rd Place) Andrew Ogdon
So good on so many levels, the framing, the lighting and the use of highlights work to make this a serious photo. The title ‘attitude’ is perfect as that is precisely what it has. The panel have mentioned previously how blank and white can work so well in portrait photography, here is a clear example where retaining colour works, but there are only a limited range of colours, very good and well thought out by the photographer. Maybe moving the model so her left arm is fully in shot would have helped the dramatic impact?
Daisy (2nd Place) Lee Mullins
No surprise this photo is in the top two, indeed it was a very hard decision between 1st and 2nd the photographer understands lighting as we have seen in the other entries they submitted. Position, cropping and colouring all go to make this a great shot. As a panel we think this photographer has a lot of experience but are pleased to see they have not gone mad in post-production in an effort to remove every flaw on the models face but decided to retain a very natural look. We would like to see more of this photographer’s work.
Roxy (1st Place) Lee Mulins
We’ve now been treated to 3 photos from this photographer, you’ve just seen one of their others (that came 2nd). The panel thought the lighting on this photo was so good it had to be 1st place, there is a true understanding of expression that the photographer has captured a lovely photo and worthy winner in this section. It fills the brief of Portrait and the photographer should be proud of their work.
Experienced:
Car park guy Wendy Kerr
Concept is good but focus needs attention, there are a few with focus issues. So the panel suggests checking the focus on your camera, all makes a difference in how this is done but in principle go to setting, then focus and you should have options for single image and continuous focus setting. What you are looking for in both sections is the setting for when the photo is taken. You are likely to see options for:- 1) Focus and release 2) Release and focus 3) Release 4) Focus. You need to be on the setting for Focus and release. The panel raises this as it is very easy to get the settings confused and when you view through the viewfinder all will look perfect, it’s not till you see your work on screen afterwards that you notice the slight blurring.
Distant John Verlander
Lovely colouring, great use of natural light as highlights, well positioned in the frame but sadly with so many other great photos not a winner today, but serious potential in another competition.
DJ Faithless Ian Gray
Another excellent idea for a shot, great expression but for the panel it did not quite make the cut, but a fantastic effort, you will see in the panels comments on the winner, background stage lighting when working with images like this can enhance the ‘feel’ of the image which we think it did in this image.
Eagle – Friend Wendy Kerr Great subject but it needs to be crystal sharp to work which sadly it isn’t, collectively we think the photographer has zoomed in too much in post-production to achieve the photograph they wanted when a greater zoom on their lens would have been the answer to keeping the subject sharp. But, that’s a problem we have all had, and I’m sure will continue to, despite our best efforts to pack the right kit we find there is always something we need and have forgotten, in this case a longer zoom lens. It transpires that the blurring on this image that we collectively expressed concern about was the
result of file corruption when it was emailed, resulting in it being reduced in size to a thumb nail and
hence when enlarged to full screen again was pixilated and out of focus. The photographer has sent
us an original and we have had the opportunity to review it for a second time. We feel the
photograph shows the relationship (maybe bond is a more suitable word) between the Eagle and handler, the colours work well with a natural connection in the birds colouring and the background
making it all come together while keeping the background slightly out of focus so it does not take
over the photograph. It is a lovely subject matter but on this occasion against strong opposition not
in our top selection.
Fran Alan Hillman
As with so many of the photos in this section the photographer understands the importance of a sharp image on a blurred background when photographing portraits, it is a nice shot, the entire panel agree it would be nice to see more of this photographers work with this model as there seems to be a connection and we’re sure there are some great shots.
Gold crest crane Wendy Kerr
The idea is good but not sharp enough to be a contender at this level, there is another photo in this section where we talk about using a longer zoom and think this is another case where a greater zoom length would have made a totally different (and improved) photo.
Grave Carol Sheridan
Contrast of colours and expression hit the spot, could be a little sharper, especially around the eyes, a very nice photo against stiff competition.
Guess who Paul Armitage
Love this, the colours work, having the words ‘Britons’ included in the background is a nice touch and shows the photographer was thinking about composition, unfortunately on this occasion not a winner but could well be in another competition.
Happy chappy Keith Vincent
The colouring is so good and blends to make a pleasing photo, it does what photos are supposed to do, and that’s to tell a story. As the viewer, without knowing anything about the model you know they are happy and welcoming. Lovely shot.
Happy John Verlander
All the right elements here, as with so many photos we see in this section, the model is sharp, the background slightly out of focus, all textbook stuff for portrait photography. Nice photo but not today’s winner.
Jolly Alan Sheridan
Good action photo of the Hurdy Gurdy man, colourful, nice framing and love the look of surprise, but not today’s winner.
Matthew Alan Hillman
There are a couple in this style in this section, maybe brothers? It is a nice photo for the family album, the subject is sharp, the background slightly out of focus, he has a cheeky smile and the slight tilt of the head shows the photographer knows how to pose their subject but there is strong competition this month.
Pensive Alan Sheridan
The panel were not sure what the photographer was trying to express with this photo, was it about the relationship between the model and the painting behind? And was it deliberate to have a high degree of noise in the photo? We were confused, although certain the photographer knew exactly what they wanted to say.
Pondering Carol Sheridan
It’s in the title of the photo, ‘pondering’ could the photographer have chosen a better title for this shot, it’s clear, sharp but today despite a gallant fight not a winner.
Rocket Keith Vincent
Totally clear what the photographer wants to say with this photograph but we think that on this occasion they have missed the mark, especially with other stronger stage photographs.
Scheming Carol Sheridan
Good photo, but too much competition today for a place in the final three, the colouring is good, the eye in the shadow may well have been better with a touch of highlight on it, good work.
Surprise John Verlander
All the right elements in this, sharp focus on a nicely positioned model’s face, the black hood seems to push into the background and add a motion blur, the look of surprise is also very genuine. All in all a nice photo and a keeper.
Tea worker Duncan Gray
Similar in message to ‘Happy Chappy’ I don’t know if it is the same photographer but probably, the photo tells a story and that is the art of photography.
The goalkeeper Duncan Gray
Sharp, clear, well framed, just an all-round good photo, one of a few that could have been in the top three but in the opinion of the panel not today.
Vialaine Keith Vincent
Most of the panel, (although not all) are like me a soft touch for a real close up, but what we all agree on is this is a fantastic photo, it is clear, the eyes are super sharp, which is very important in close up work. The model radiates warmth with a very natural look which ticks all the boxes for professional models. Maybe the few stray hairs around the face could have been removed in post-production but all in all a lovely photo, that on any other day would have been placed but the competition is too strong this time.
Zach Alan Hillman
Good photograph, well lit, not allowing the sun to burn out the right side, sharp with a nicely out of focus background, technically sound and one for the album but not a winner this time.
Men are from Mars (Highly Commended) Paul Armitage
This could either please or divide the crowd, as a panel we admire the work gone into this and commend the photographer for all their work. Lovely photo all the colours work well together and this would make great wall art. Has the photographer shown this previously, or did they work from an idea they saw? Some of the panel are sure they have either seen this previously or a similar photo on which this was based, whatever, it is still a great photo and worthy of highly commended.
Ronan Keeting (Highly Commended) Ian Gray
In style similar to our 2nd place photo, and to be honest a very difficult choice to make, it is a great photo, although a little soft, maybe a higher shutter speed would have frozen motion better. But for anyone who photographs live acts they know the lighting is constantly changing and getting setting right is almost a game of chance. We pass comment on the 2nd place photograph that the photographer was likely to be professional as it is unlikely anyone else would have been able to gain such a good position for their photography. Access to all areas is a distinct advantage.
The referee (Highly recommended) Duncan Gray
With so many fantastic photos in this section today it has been hard to select just three, but the panel feel this is worthy of being highly commended, it is sharp, clear and as a viewer you can feel the story. Excellent work. On another day in another competition this would have gained a podium spot.
Bewildered (3rd Place) Alan Sheridan
Is this 1st 2nd or 3rd the panel found it very hard to put their top three into the perfect order but this photo is certainly up there. The title ‘bewildered’ needs no explanation, something we have commented on several times is that the photo needs to tell a story, here you can feel the emotion within the photo. We mentioned previously about using of Black and White to add impact to portrait photography, well, this certainly does that, and as a point of reference is the only black and white image in the experienced section, something the panel were surprised by. Excellent work.
Lulu (2nd Place) Ian Gray
With so many excellent photos why you may ask is this deemed to be no 2 that’s a good question which hopefully the panel can justify. Firstly it is very hard to photograph live acts, the lighting is constantly changing so just to get a photo is hard enough, but here the photographer has captured Lu Lu’s face perfectly, there is action, expression and the eyes are bright. We did have a concern about the bright light behind LuLu but in the end felt that added to the image, as it showed it’s a stage shot, as does the green light. We think the photographer is a professional stage photographer with access to all areas, itself a great advantage in this line of work.
Emma (1st Place) Paul Armitage
With so many excellent photos it has been hard to select the winners, but this is worthy of its 1st place. The panel feels it pushes the boundaries with its ‘fairy tale’ soft look, the proportions within the photo are excellent, it is crisp where it needs to be and subtle in other areas, the eyes are sharp, excellent work. For the panel it just grabbed the imagination, told a story and that is why it was our selection for 1st place. If this was taken during a shoot the panel would like to see others from that shoot.
