Kingston’s snappers share how they got the year’s best pics after competition
By Oliver Monk
2nd Aug 2024 | Local News
The winners of Kingston Camera Club's Best of Season competition have been revealed.
Local photographers at the club have been hard at work with their cameras throughout the year in the run up to the contest.
Submissions faced a fierce panel of judges, including the experienced honorary fellow and former president of the Royal Photographic Society Rosemary Wilman.
Rosemary had to judge around a total of seventy images during the evening at St Andrew's Church Hall, where she congratulated the assembled KCC members, saying how impressed she was with the high quality of their camera work.
However, winners had to be chosen. Take a look at a selection of the award-winning print and digital photos below.
First place in the print section was Paul Waller with his eye-catching architectural shot 'Brutal Moonlight'.
Describing how he captured and edited his winning print, Mr Waller said: "This photograph was taken at the National Theatre on London's Southbank. It was the result of some careful planning, and considerable editing and post processing.
"The original image was taken using a 'shift' lens, which allows you to correct perspective – in this case to ensure that the sides of the building were kept vertical. When using this lens you also need to use a tripod, and I needed to get special permission from the National Theatre to do this. You can also see that the original was not taken at night – the moon was added in later!
"I used editing and post-processing to isolate the structures I wanted to feature, to add an artificial 'shading' to the brutalist concrete, to blacken the sky, and to add the moon.
"Architectural photography is one of my main interests, but this was not always the case. Since joining Kingston Camera Club I have learned about many different genres of photography. I have been able to seek advice on techniques and locations, and have gradually been able to develop my own 'style' – but there is always something new to discover!"
Winning first place in the projected digital image (PDI) section was Mike Lawton. He captured his imaginative photograph in the City.
Mr Lawton set his camera to create a darker image and create the deep shadows required for his striking composition.
The winner explains: "I enjoy taking photos of architecture, and creating dramatic images. The result of my first visit to this location was purely spontaneous, but my plan to make a second visit on another day when the light was better rewarded me with brighter colour and the figure coming through the door.
"Having been part of Kingston Camera Club for a good many years now has given me access to a wider view of my work from the club's photographic elite. I find peer review of my images is a great motivation as well as being able to enjoy photography in a social environment."
Mark Jackson, who was awarded a 'highly commended' prize for his photograph 'Soaring', explains his enjoyment of having captured a difficult, fast-moving subject.
"Airshows are a great place to get some exciting pictures of aircraft in flight. Aerobatic aircraft like this Zivko Edge 540 put on a fantastic display, climbing steeply into the sky, then cutting power and tumbling back down through their own smoke trail, seemingly out of control, until they regain power and zoom out into another climb.
"It's exhilarating stuff – but it's a challenge to capture in a photograph.
"What I like about this photo is the way that the picture is simple – just an aircraft silhouetted against the sky. It's obvious what the subject is, and (thank goodness) I've managed to keep it sharp. Note the propeller – my shutter speed was slow enough that you can see the spin.
"This, plus the billowing smoke that trails behind, creates a sense of graceful movement that is the essence of a moving aircraft. And check out the deep black sky in the upper left, which helps orient the picture and suggests the vast distances above.
"At Kingston Camera Club, I get the chance to show this picture to the other members, and get feedback on what is good about it, and what could be improved. This is invaluable advice for anyone who wants to become a better photographer, whatever your level of experience."
Kingston Camera Club meets in term time on Monday evenings 7:30pm for an 8.00pm start, running until 10pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Church Road, Ham, TW10 5HG. Its next season starts on Monday 2 September.
Further information is available on their website here.
New kingston Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: kingston jobs
Share:
