The first speaker at Retford and District Photographic Society’s (RDPS) recent meeting, Martine Hamilton-Knight from Nottingham, proved that even the rather dry sounding topic of ‘Architecture’ could be made fascinating by a skilful speaker. There were memorable images, taken within the constraints of customer requirements in a working building and daylight hours.
Dave Gibbins, whose name is synonymous with declaring most of the group’s ‘Stormy Weather’ images to be either before or after the storm, accepted the challenge to show his own work and he showed some impressive images in a range of genres and spoke about how he achieved them.
A club competition followed, with members able to enter any subject they chose. This generated entry across the three classes for colour and mono prints and digitally projected images. Judge Ian Pinn had a big entry to consider and, in each class, held back more than some for review and scoring.
Alan Burkwood, Lee Dalgleish and Joyce Bell each had a good evening with two wins. Alan and Joyce were joint winners of the digital class. Lee’s ‘Shield Bug Rising’ was a strikingly unusual image of a bug emerging from the depths of a dandelion clock, which created an almost sci-fi aura around it.
Most of the top three positions were shared, meaning that a good number of members already have high scores on the table for this season’s awards.
October started in great style with Hull’s Tracey Lund visiting to present ‘Wildlife Photography Part 1’. She is an interesting speaker with great passion for her subject and the welfare of the wildlife she loves. Part 1 included many of her trips to colder climates, although she included a selection from the UK.
On 30th October RDPS is planning a practical night, and during November members will present their own work. Ian Daisley will show monochrome images of the Peak District and the themed competition is ‘Eyes’.
For more information visit www.retford-photographic.co.uk. The club meets in St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford at 7.30pm on Mondays until the end of April 2024. A warm welcome awaits guests and potential members.
Image: Lee Dalgleish