The set theme for our March competition was “Empty”, and we welcomed Ruth Nicholls, LRPS DPAGB, to assess and score the entries.
An experienced and skilled photographer with many individual awards, Ruth explained at the start why she felt that some entries had not met the brief. For example, although a scene might lack people or animals, there may still be other prominent or distracting items.
Ruth said she tried to be flexible in interpreting the theme, but an otherwise good image may be docked a point if she did not consider it sufficiently “empty”. Some images were very good, she added, but not right for this competition.
The 15 printed entries and 42 DPIs received a balanced judgment as Ruth assessed how closely they met the assignment, their technical aspects and presentation, and occasionally offered advice for improvement.
Scores ranged from 14 to 20, with eight commended images in addition to those placed. The results were as follows:
Print section:
1st: “Emptied” by Andrea Thrussell – 20 points
2nd: “Empty Glasses” by Seamus Whelan – 19 points
3rd: “The Serenity of Emptiness, Alaska” by Steve Johnstone – 19 points
HC: “Empty Theatre” by Andrea Thrussell – 19 points
Digital section:
1st: “No One’s Home” by Angela Skitt – 20 points
2nd: “Empty Handed” by Andrea Thrussell – 19 points
3rd: “Empty Quarter” by Simon Jennings – 19 points
VHC: “Nobody Here” by Andrea and “Empty Booth” by Seamus (both 19 points)
HC: “Clypse Reservoir” by Jason Quayle, “Recycling Pyramind” by Jim Gibson and “Uninhabited Emptiness” by Anna Mayall (all 18 points)
C: “Empty Bench” by Annie Brain and “Arcade After Dark” by Jim (both 18 points).
Ruth praised Andrea’s “cleverly thought-out” winning print with its use of negative space, while she enjoyed the “perfect” way the subject and background gelled in Angela’s winning DPI.
Congratulations to everyone for some really imaginative and creative images for this challenging theme. Each year at the AGM, members vote for the next three set themes so if you have ideas to add to the list, let us know.
