International Competition

The first ever transatlantic photographic competition between Victoria Camera Club, Canada and Eastwood Photographic Society, Scotland was held on 24th and 25th January 2007.

20 Images were presented by each club and were judged by Canadian and Scottish judges. The sum of the accumulated scores decided the overall winner. In addition, each judge was asked to provide comments on the images.

The comments can be viewed along with a thumnail of the image below or by looking at the archive.

photographs are copyrighted. They may not be copied or used for any purpose without the permission of the photographer.

Judges Notes

Canadian Judge:

Thank you for inviting me to look at your work. Congratulations to all who entered - there is a lot of talent shown here.

I enjoyed looking at the photos but not assigning marks. I discovered the photos looked different when viewed on a PC computer screen then when viewed on a Mac computer screen. More importantly, the projected images looked very different than on either of the two computer screens. There were colour shifts in many of the projected photos and they lacked the saturation I saw on the computer screens. Light is the essence of a photograph and the real impact of the photo often seemed lost by projection. I feel projecting just didn't do justice to many of the images. I found this worrisome as I am a slide shooter and have only moved to digital recently. So what to do? - I made my marks based on the projected images - comparing them to each other to be consistent - as that is also the way you will be viewing them. If the remarks appear bizarre to you it may be that our projector gives different results from yours.

It was very hard to choose the top three photos - there were about 9 that were equivalent in my opinion. So I chose 3 - see if you agree. Although instructed not to give half marks, the third place one was given 18.5 marks just to save me juggling a bunch of marks.

Remember this is just one person's opinion. If you are happy with your image that is all that matters.

Bev Hall




Scottish Judge:


First impression: How the image strikes me as soon as I view it for the first time. It is a general overall visual assessment of the shot which usually stays with me throughout my viewing.

Interpretation: Has the author managed to communicate with the viewer what the intent of the image is?

Does it work? This concerns elements such as centre of interest, composition, cohesion, distractions, lighting and other technical points

Alastair Knox

The Results

Canadian Judging:

1st Place: Two's Company by Chris Everett (Eastwood Photographic Society)
2nd Place: She is the Dancing Queen by Brigitte Holzl (Victoria Camera Club)
3rd Place: Shooting the Rapids by John Caroll ( Eastwood Photographic Society)

Total scores:
Eastwood 308.5
Victoria 287


Scottish Judging:

1st Place: Humpback Whales Blow in Fredrick Sound Alaska by Gary Schaefer (Victoria Camera Club)
2nd Place: Winter Sun on Machir by Mel Leiper (Eastwood Photographic Society)
3rd Place: ??

Total Scores:
Eastwood 316
Victoria 305

Overall Placings:

1st Place:
Two's Company by Chris Everett (Eastwood Photographic Society)
Humpback Whales Blow in Fredrick Sound Alaska by Gary Schaefer (Victoria Camera Club)

2nd Place:
Winter Sun on Machir by Mel Leiper (Eastwood Photographic Society)

3rd Place:
Shag on Nest by Chris Everett (Eastwood Photographic Society)
BC Flamingo by Bobbie Carey (Victoria Camera Club)

Total Scores Overall:
Eastwood Photographic Society 624.5
Victoria Camera Club 592

Congratulations to Eastwood Photographic Society

A note from Douglas

It has been an experience trying to coordinate this competition at almost opposite sides of the globe. Organising schedules, rules, collecting images, appointing judges and all the logistical barriers to overcome.
It was hectic at times and a sudden snow storm in Victoria almost prevented the images getting to the Canadian judge on time.

My thanks to Gordon Simpson at this side of the world (Vancouver Island) for fighting on my behalf to get the show on the road and for organising a judge. Also thanks to Chris Everett in Scotland for his part in the organising and Jim McCreery for his early work and enthusiasm to keep the momentum going.

I would personally like to thank both our judges for taking the time and effort to offer constructive comments on all the images - I'm sure a few had you puzzling toward the content and thoughts of the photographer.
Alastair Knox was my lecturer at university over 14 years ago and I almost thought I had the opportunity to turn the table on him for not delivering his homework in time. However the results and comments arrived the night before our show and were well presented - thanks.


Hopefully this website will allow the participants to recap on the discussions of the judges and inspire many more top class images.

The competition was 'open format' and has resulted in a fair mix of 'traditional' and manipulated images. Since coming to Canada in winter of 2006, I have seen a lot more experimentation with digital processing and abstract photography and find this can be either 'hit or miss' in terms of competitive photography. Whilst there are basic technical aspects of photography that can be quantified such as sharpness, keeping horizons straight, etc judging also has a large element of individuality. I feel that photography is about capturing a mood not only of the visual image presented in front of the lens but of the atmosphere and what it represents to the photographer. If that mood can be portrayed to the viewer then the photographer has achieved what they set out to accomplish. This has not made it easy on the judges but my thanks for looking beyond the tradition and offering what they have seen in each image.

This website allows the posting of moderated comments from individuals and I invite the participants or others to view the images, read the comments and offer their own views. I would also like to know the story behind the title Winter Goddess on Mars.


Finally, my congratulations to Eastwood for their winning images (can I re-join as a distant member ?)

Douglas Bain

Image 1 - Arran Sail

Photographer: John Carroll
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 16
Scottish Points: 16















Canadian Comments:

A high impact photo enhanced by the simplicity . Light is wonderful. Composition good - layers of interest. Sailboat gives center of interest and the red sail ensures the eye goes directly there. Unfortunately, the yellow sky and clouds don't ring true to me and the highlights in the sky are blown away.

Scottish Comments:

First impressions: Overall warmth draws you in and gives a feeling of satisfaction
Interpretation: The positioning of the boat is not the conventional one but has the effect of making you aware of size of ‘man’ in the overall scheme of things
Does the image ‘work’? Yes, very much so – but with some reservations re the highlights at the top right

Image 2 - Waterfall Goldstream

Photographer: Richard James
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 13
Scottish Points: 14





















Canadian Comments:
Lovely photo with good use of diagonals. Shutter speed just right for the subject - realistic yet a bit surreal - any more blur and it would have been overdone. Originally I was going to ask if you used a polarizer and if using one would have enhanced the colour in the leaves and rock in the upper left, but on second thought the wet of the leaves adds to the story. Good choice of an overcast day for lighting but the white sky draws your eye from the subject - could you change the angle of photographing?

Scottish Comments:
First impressions: Pleasant autumnal feel but nothing exceptional
Interpretation: As a depiction of an autumn scene, lacks quality lighting but diagonal composition is an attractive feature
Does the image work? Up to a point – but lighting conditions not the best for this type of image

Image 3 - She is the Dancing Queen

Photographer: Brigitte Holzl
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 19 (2nd place)
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
Creativity added to a common technique by using clouds swirled rather than just lines. This is a very dynamic photo. Blurring of feet and lower skirt very nice touch as is positioning of feet on swirl - adds to the story. Having the subject looking at the centre of the swirl rather than the photographer adds to the feeling of moving into the centre. Did you think of reversing the swirls so it would look like she is moving into the centre rather than out of it?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Intriguing image with the swirling sky and strong red clothing
Interpretation: The swirling sky suggests the movement of the dancer but the effect has not been used to its full potential
Does the image work: Yes – the idea is sound but had the girl emerged from the swirl instead of being placed on it then the image would have had more dynamism. Central positioning? Face away from camera?

Image 4 - Laid Back Drummer

Photographer: Mel Leiper
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 13
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Good use of shallow depth of field, tight crop, and clean background to focus attention on the face. Good capturing of expression. Interesting reflection in glasses and red tinge to parts of photo - reflection off drum? Sense of motion created with blurring of arm and hand. Tells a story. Suggest a slight increase in shutter speed would have prevented the blur around the lower part of the face.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Strong face grabs the attention and has a ‘camp’ feel to it.
Interpretation: The facial expression belies the effort and perhaps therein lies the strength of the image
Does the image work? Nearly, despite the lack of dynamism and overdone blurring of most of the image

Image 5 - Oyster Fungi

Photographer: Chris Everett
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 15
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
This is a pleasing nature photos. Lovely composition using a strong diagonal subject. Excellent camera angle giving depth of field to entire subject (fungus). Very good attention to detail. This is a difficult subject as there is such a wide range of tones. On the projected image the edges of the fungi are blown away. Could be debated that there are two photos here - one of the fungi and one of the small green plants in lower right corner. I think the small green plants add interest and balance.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: The beauty and simplicity of the subjects provides a very strong natural history image.
Interpretation: Nature shots like this rely on the photographer’s ability to present the subject in its best possible light and no further interpretation is necessary
Does the image work: Yes – lovely gentle lighting ; lovely composition and the sprig of green is a bonus

Image 6 - Paraglider

Photographer: Gary Ford
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 13
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Nice diagonal in parachute with clouds enhancing this diagonal and giving some sense of movement. Good backlight and colour on parachute but unfortunately person then in shade.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Good straight shot but lacking in impact
Interpretation: Not an interpretative image but purely representational Does the image work? Tight cropping and composition are good features but the lines to the chute poorly rendered

Image 7 - Humpback Whales Blow in Frederick Sound Alaska

Photographer: Gary Schaefer
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 20
Joint 1st Place Overall

Canadian Comments:
Wow - congratulations at being at the right place at the right time and capturing it. A very moody shot. The backlit spouts against the dark hills is wonderful. Well done. Just a comment that the projected image was a bit purplish - was this because it was scanned from a slide?

Scottish Comments: (1st Place)
First impression: I wish I’d taken this shot! On every level the image is stunning
Interpretation: A wonderful study of whales in their natural habitat in a glorious setting with superb lighting. The birds hovering around complete the story
Does the shot work? Yes, it’s perfect

Image 8 - Winter Goddess on Mars

Photographer: Fiona McKemmie
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 13

Canadian Comments:
Interesting idea. I find my eye goes to the bright area on the left and I would like to see some light on the face. A bit unsettling as the head seems to be cut off - even in a metal figure it bothers me.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: It’s different and it’s puzzling.
Interpretation: The combination of a sculpted head on a rock surface must be an attempt to tell some sort of story but for me it doesn’t come across.
Does the image ‘work’? Sorry, no

Image 9 - Eilean Donan Castle

Photographer: John Caroll
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 16
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
Lovely shot of this well-known spot - you caught it at the perfect time of day as there is still some ambient light and exposed it well. Good composition with a pleasing balance and nice presentation. Yellow and blue are a strong combination. Would like to have seen a complete reflection of the castle.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: The most photographed castle in Scotland!! But this image is very strikingly different
Interpretation: Limiting the tones has given the castle quite a mysterious and gothic mood; the cold blue and warm gold contrast very well
Does it work? Yes – extremely well – composition is conventional but it still works a treat..

Image 10 - Inuckshuk

Photographer: Gordon Fenske
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 13
Scottish Points: 13

Canadian Comments:
This photo makes me want to be there. I am assuming the subject is the Inuckshuk which is perhaps too centrally placed. The red in the foreground competes for attention and the sky is very polarized with interesting clouds so that also draws your eye. Perhaps if the inuckshuk had been placed either higher or lower in the photo or the photographer had moved in closer to it, it would be a stronger photo? Is this completely sharp?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Pleasant rendering of an unfamiliar subject but it is a ‘straight’ shot.
Interpretation: Not really open to interpretation but just a purely representational effort.
Does it work : Lacking composition (too central) and top third needs a trim off to reduce the amount of sky

Image 11 - Tay Canoe

Photographer: Mel Leiper
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
Lovely sense of motion with good light and a wonderful reflection. Great use of panning, tells a story, you can feel the movement. Shape of photo good for subject. Colour great.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Lively dynamic shot with a simple but effective story
Interpretation: An excellent action study to which some dynamism has been added using imaging software (I suspect).
Does it work? Definitely – this could find itself in a publication

Image 12 - Rainbow

Photographer: Tim Almdal
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 13
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
Light is everything! Nice capturing of a lovely memory. Good exposure to capture the rainbow on a dark sky yet keep the light in the trees. Two subjects - the rainbow and the brightly lit trees compete for attention. I find the dark areas in the trees and reflection a bit troublesome.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Very pleasant shot with attractive lighting
Interpretation: I’m not so sure that the rainbow has the importance that the title suggests. The beautiful tones of the trees and reflections are the essence of the image.
Does it work? Serious surgery – leave out the rainbow !!!!!

Image 13 - Bute Jazz Singer

Photographer: Jim McCreery
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 12
Scottish Points: 16

Canadian Comments:
Angle of photographing enhances results. Very colourful and the black background prevents any distraction from all that colour. Tells a story (don't ask!). Not quite sharp - seems to be only where the beads are tied that is sharp.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Very strong theatre shot – background too dark?
Interpretation: The photographer has caught this at an optimum moment where the expression and demeanour indicates a powerful voice
Does it work? Very much so – but small niggle re the dark b’ground where the mic and head gear are lost

Image 14 - Dark Seas

Photographer: Douglas Bain
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 12

Canadian Comments:
Good action shot portraying a stormy mood. Excellent depth of field with very tight composition. The graininess would enhance the photo if it was an oldfashion sailing vessel but here I find it a bit distracting. There is lost detail in the rope in the foreground holding the sail and this bisects the photo.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: I’m not sure what the subject matter is here.
Interpretation: I see this as more of a graphical image with its shapes and curves but the geometry is not strong enough if this is the case.
Does it work? ‘Fraid not – still trying to see what the photographer saw


Photographers Comments:
I was trying to capture the feeling of being on the boat sailing towards foreboding weather. Post-processing to give a gritty feel to reflect the weather and the sea.
Was trying to reflect the angle of the boat with the horizon and take an unconventional sailing shot. Sorry if the rigging got in the way, I would have got into trouble from the skipper if I tried to move it.

Image 15 - Pink in the Sun

Photographer: Sandra McCreery
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Nice effort of capturing a sun shine moment in the garden. Composition is strong with the center of the flowers, the tip of the leaf and the bud forming a diagonal and you have got close to your subject and filled the field. The backlit stem is wonderful. It is a hard task to do this sort of photo on a sunny day because of the contrast problems. Cloudy days work much better for photographing gardens. The bright beige bar in the lower left is distracting as is the refections off the leaves in the lower right - could you avoid these somehow or perhaps used a polarizer? Try reflecting light into your subject with a piece of yellow or silver foil so the stamens have more emphasis and the contrast is not so great. (this works on cloudy days as well)


Scottish Comments:
First impression : Attractive flowers with good composition along a diagonal
Interpretation: Not an interpretative image but more of a straight representational one
Does it work? Nearly! I’m not convinced about the lighting or the untidy background but the detail is sharp

Image 16 - Rotor

Photographer: Gary Schaefer
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
Interesting study of circles and lines. Good choice of shutter speed. I would have liked to see the lines leaving on the left come to a point (they feel as if they should) and the circles at the bottom of the frame complete.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: I find this type of shot very appealing – it’s simple, dynamic with an hint of a puzzle
Interpretation: We have been left to work this one out -excellent!
Does it work: Yes but the rotation disappearing from the frame at the bottom is a disappointment so compositionally is loses a mark or two

Image 17 - Blue Boat V

Photographer: Gordon Fenske
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 17
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Great subject. Good composition with complete reflection and subject well placed in frame. The orange of the grasses and the blue of the boat work well together.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Strong basic centre of interest supplemented by a good reflection.
Interpretation: Has this boat been given a paint job in Photoshop? If so, I feel it has been overdone!
Does it work? It’s an old boat with new paintwork, so is this an anomaly? Perhaps there is a more interesting image using the reflection as the focal point

Image 18 - Leap for Joy

Photographer: Suzanne Huot
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 14
Scottish Points: 18

Canadian Comments:
Good capturing of a very difficult subject - and great timing. Good depth of field with very good focusing on the whale. Using a polarizer would have taken the glare off the flippers. Suggest enhancing the impact by cropping in photoshop so it is a tighter vertical composition.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: I wish that I had taken this one (same as No 7) !!!!
Interpretation: A beautiful study of an orca in flight and whilst we cannot see the expression I suspect he/she was enjoying this leap !
Does it work: Excellent – I have a niggle about the position but don’t think it’s worth mentioning! (loss of 1 mark !)

Image 19 - Two's Company

Photographer: Chris Everett
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 20
Scottish Points: 18
Joint 1st Place Overall

Canadian Comments: (1st place)
Fabulous. Tells a story. Wonderful composition, excellent exposure and focus. Good depth of field for such magnification. The long lens made the background a soft blur. Tension is created by having the birds at the edge of the photo and the birds looking in opposite directions. Congratulations.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: What a tremendous story here! This must be a shot in a thousand or more.
Interpretation: Two haughty puffins and one slightly irked puffin
Does it work? Certainly – one of the best narrative images in the competition

Image 20 - Road Race

Photographer: Douglas Bain
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 15
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Lots of impact here with very powerful composition. Good cropping filling the frame but keeping all of subjects just within the frame. Keeping shadows adds to the photo.
Good choice to use black and white as it keeps it simple. Unfortunately there is a loss of detail in the arms and legs, especially of the front rider. Was this intentional?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Good action shot with excellent composition
Interpretation: I’m not sure why the photographer chose to present this mono posterised (?) version. I think this shot needs its colour to give it more life and add to its drama
Does it work? I’m afraid this is a case where the derivative may not be as successful as the original image


Photographers Comments:
Bastion Square City Centre Race.
The background of the original photo was too distracting, desaturating helped then playing with the levels in each of the RGB channels to totally eliminate the spectators and isolate the riders giving a more graphic image. I wasn't too concerned with the loss of detail in the arms and legs as the suggestion of form was still present.
Here is a link to the original Click Here

Image 21- Daffodil

Photographer: Andy Shearer
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 14
Scottish Points: 13

Canadian Comments:
Nice tight composition. Black background excellent and good depth of field. I find the bright highlights in the centre foreground are distracting. Reflecting light into the daffodil would have balanced these highlights enhanced this backlit picture.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Pleasant close-up of a daffodil but not shown at its best
Interpretation: For me a close-up shot like this must demonstrate the full beauty and tenderness of the flower and alas this is not the case here
Does it work? Sadly, no. The lighting is poor and does nothing to bring life to the flower. It has retained a murky yellow colour on my monitor

Image 22 - ArbutusScape

Photographer: Brigitte Holzl
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 12
Scottish Points: 16

Canadian Comments:
I bet you had fun doing this one. Creativity enhanced by the simplicity of the buildings and the hills. Nice colours. I can't quite figure out what the story is as the buildings don't seem to go together. Personally I don't think the leaf skeletons add anything as they break up the flow of the lines. I would have liked to have you discuss this photo so I could understand your intent in composing it this way.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Very curious image the origins of which are strange – not necessarily a bad thing!
Interpretation: Well this is where life gets difficult. Overall, I enjoyed this image without really knowing why. The colours are delightful and the composition is good. ArbutusScape? Arbutus is a flowering, berried shrub.
Does it work? Yes, it does for me although I’m still trying to find the reason!. It is different but has recognisable compositional features that appeal.

Notes from the Photographer:
The Arbutus is a tree with paper-like bark which peels easily. The image was originally a photograph of the bark which when rotated through 90 degrees looked like a landscape. This gave the original inspiration to create a surreal landscape image.

Image 23 - Last Resting Place

Photographer: Jim McCreery
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 16
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Interesting subject material here and a good subject for black and white - a timeless image. Fabulous clouds.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: The old wrecks provide an interesting subject
Interpretation: I think ‘wreck’ should have been guiding principle. It is a charming pictorial setting but ‘death’ seems inappropriate in this landscape. The strong lighting doesn’t bring out the unattractive nature of the boats – it is lost in the highlights and shadows
Does it work? Up to a point but not sure about the mono treatment

Image 24 - Crimson Anemones in Coral

Photographer: Carol Valkeneir
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 17
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
Good composition using a strong diagonal and good depth of field in this lovely undersea garden photo. The repeating anemones strenghten the composition. Perhaps crop the barnacles off on the right side at the edge of the main soft coral colony to simplify the composition but still give it a feeling of depth. Right now my eye tends to want to wander out of the frame. Just a note, on the computer screen there is a strange blue cast to a lot of the soft coral and the back anemone but when projected the colours looked more realistic but washed out.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Beautiful range of colours in an excellent composition.
Interpretation; As I’m not a marine botanist this could almost be an abstract image for me. There is a delightful gentle contrast between the warm orange and the cool blue
Does it work? Most definitely The image is very sharp where it matters and soft where it doesn’t.

Image 25 - Redcoat

Photographer: Mel Leiper
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 14
Scottish Points: 14

Canadian Comments:
Good choice of subject. Great colour. Diagonal across the back adds interest. Good use of depth of field to simplify what could have been a very distracting background but I would have liked to have seen the face a bit sharper as that is the centre of interest. Good cropping - by placing the person slightly to the right side of the photo you gave him room to look.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Candid out-door portrait with strong colour
Interpretation: Intriguing subject because we cannot identify much about him. The glimpse of his face reveals a nondescript expression.
Does it work? The red coat is overwhelming, occupying much of the frame. A slight angle from the left would have given this image more impact.

Image 27 - Singing Shoreline Stones

Photographer: Murray Gough
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
There is a lovely flow to this image. Excellent light. Good choice of viewpoint and shutter speed so this is almost an abstract. A photo of texture. I like the fact that there are still pebbles visible throughout the wave - gives a feeling of water depth. This is a photo you could hang on the wall and look at for a long time. Well done.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Very deceptive on first glance but spend longer and the craft of the photographer reveals itself.
Interpretation: The title says it – a wonderful piece of imaginative photography where it is easy to visualise the ‘notes’ heading to the skies.
Does it work?: Most certainly – love this!

Image 26 - Shooting the Rapids

Photographer: John Caroll
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 18.5 (3rd place)
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
Wonderful action shot taken from a good perspective. Good diagonal enhances the composition. Black and red always work well together. Good choice of shutter speed to capture the water realistically and the "oh s**t" face expression. Certainly tells a story. What happened next?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Good action shot that could easily find itself in a canoe sports magazine
Interpretation: The effort being made by the canoeist comes over strongly – this is the strength of the image
Does it work? Yes – but it is too closely cropped for me, particularly the bottom edge where the canoeist isn’t given sufficient room

Image 28 - Shag on Nest

Photographer: Chris Everett
Club: Victoria Camera Club Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 18
Joint 3rd Overall

Canadian Comments:
Wonderful study. Good choice of aperature and long lens to let background go blurry. Although black subject are often difficult to get the right exposure to bring out the detail you have done a good job here as the feather detail is exquisite.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Superb natural history shot
Interpretation: A representational rather than an interpretative image.
Does it work? Of course – the depth of detail is excellent and exposure of this dark subject is spot on

Image 29 - Sunflowerstar

Photographer: Carol Valkeneir
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
As a biologist I really appreciate the biodiversity seen in this photo. However from a pure photographic point of view all the colour is a bit distracting - I don't know what to look at. I believe the subject is probably meant to be the starfish but the urchins distract from this especially as they have taken on a strange colour and look almost surreal. Was this done on purpose or is it the result of scanning problems? There are many potential images in this photo and perhaps a close up of just an urchin modified with whatever you are using to create this surreal effect would work as an abstract?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Another of Nature’s gems. Lovely colours and shapes.
Interpretation; Again, could almost be a abstract shot with colours and shapes
Does it work? Yes, but not as successfully as the previous marine image. It seems to lack the vibrancy of the earlier one

Image 30 - Take Off

Photographer: Douglas Park
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 17
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
Dramatic action shot. Nice tight composition with a strong diagonal. Good shutter speed for sharpness while keeping a good depth of field. Colour of clothes enhances the photo. Captures the moment - what happened next?


Scottish Comments:
First impressions: Dramatic shot and beautifully caught at the exact instant
Interpretation: The sailors appear calm but their expressions may conceal some apprehension
Does it work? Yes definitely – the drama has been captured and the positioning of the craft is excellent

Image 31 - Leon Haslam, British Super Bikes

Photographer: John Caroll
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 17
Scottish Points: 16

Canadian Comments:
Good panning - amazing job of getting such a sharp subject with the blurred background. This really has the feeling of movement. Colourful clothes adds to photo. Nice touch that the blue in the clothes is repeated in the blue of the back wheel. Good cropping.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: An excellent sports shot which could find itself in a publication.
Interpretation: Not an interpretative shot but an excellent representational one .
Does it work:? Panning is good and the impression of speed has been captured. A good technical shot in difficult lighting

Image 32 - Rose

Photographer: Bill McKechme
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 13

Canadian Comments:
Wonderful subject. Good choice of black background. I would have liked to have seen the petal that is cut off on the right side, included in the photo and a greater depth of field so everything is sharp from front to back. Some problem with highlights blown away.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: A very clichéd type of shot that has been captured better by other authors
Interpretation: This is the type of shot that necessitates better technique but the delicate colouring of the rose has been well rendered.
Does it work? Unfortunately not – it has been let down by too much sprayed water and the cut-off on the right.

Image 33 - Red Ladder

Photographer: Carol Sherwood
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 11
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
What a fun picture. Lots of colour. I am not sure what I am suppose to look at - the ladder which is prominent in the photo or the door which attracts the eye because of the light colour. There is some tension because the ladder blocks the light door. However, my eye is kept in the frame by the two parallel lines on either side but it then leaves the frame because the top of the ladder is missing. Lots of potential here what with the colour and the shadows.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Interesting subject matter with a hint of good shapes, patterns and colour
Interpretation: The potential for a good image has been spotted but the photographer has been caught in two minds. There is a strong graphical feel on the right but the shrubbery on the left has detracted from that feel to some extent
Does it work? Very nearly – a trim off the left could improve things

Image 34 - Bike Racers

Photographer: Chris Everett
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 14
Scottish Points: 16

Canadian Comments:
Good action shot. Good choice of shutter speed and good depth of field - both cyclists are sharp. Tremendous concentration shown by the expression on both biker's faces. The background is a bit distracting, especially the child without a head.


Scottish Comments:
First impressions: Excellent action shot with strong composition.
Interpretation: A straight action image very well executed. The author has caught the concentration in both cyclists extremely well
Does it work? Of course – I have a quibble re the people in the background being intrusive – less depth of field?

Image 35 - BC Flamingo

Photographer: Bobbie Carey
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 18
Joint 3rd Place Overall

Canadian Comments:
Stunning image. Black background with orange subject is very powerful. Nice tight composition. Very colourful subject. Good depth of field and detail in feathers. A bit static because the eye is closed - an open eye with a catch light would have enhanced the photo - but good for you for not waking it up.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: Almost an abstract image when the flamingo is shot so close up. This adds greatly to the strength of the shot
Interpretation: Yes – this does require some interpretation and that is why the shot is so effective
Does it work? Yes – a superb shot with pin sharp detail

Image 36 - Winter Sun on Machir

Photographer: Mel Leiper
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 18
Scottish Points: 19
2nd Place overall

Canadian Comments:
A moody simple photo. You really captured the moment. The diagonal foam line in the foreground nicely anchors the photo and adds interest. Great detail in the wet sand. This is all about light.

Scottish Comments:
First impression; Stunning landscape with a superb moody atmosphere
Interpretation; The author has presented an image of a mood rather than a view
Does it work? Beautifully! Composition is exquisite and the lighting perfect. Even the reflection on the right is perfectly positioned

Image 37 - Catch of the Day

Photographer: Suzanne Huot
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 17
Scottish Points: 16

Canadian Comments:
Great timing with movement in the water enhancing that instant. Lovely light with good catchlight in eye and complete reflection. You have captured the moment. I would have liked to have seen all the bird in the image but I know that is asking a lot.


Scottish Comments:
First impression: a snapshot of nature in the raw with a lovely pictorial setting and super reflections
Interpretation; You can almost see the pleasure on the bird’s face as it dashes back for its meal to come
Does it work? Yes – despite reservations about the composition (central?)

Image 38 - Giant Pines

Photographer: Danny McDirmid
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 15
Scottish Points: 15

Canadian Comments:
Lovely mood and excellent composition with the trees leading the eye into the photo. Nice positioning of subjects. Blue and red in the clothes adds to the composition. Great choice of aperature to give good depth of field. I find I am distracted by whatever the child has in his hands. Sure hope they don't have any pine beetles.


Scottish Comments:
First impression : Lovely woodland setting with appeal added by the figures
Interpretation: The sense of the scale of man and the trees gives the image some strength
Does it work? Yes but it is an image that I would rate as very competent rather than interesting

Image 39 - Elgol

Photographer: John Caroll
Club: Eastwood Photographic Society

Canadian Points: 15
Scottish Points: 17

Canadian Comments:
Interesting choice of filtration. Very moody photo. Good handling of contrast between water and rock. Good depth of field. This is a nice change from black and white. Perhaps it feels heavy on the right side - would it help to crop a bit of that rock off?


Scottish Comments:
First impression: A recognisable landscape but has been lifted out of the ordinary by the treatment
Interpretation; The blue toning adds significantly to this image and lends an air of mystery and threat.
Does it work? Yes it certainly does. Again the photographer has created/captured a mood (rather than a landscape) with excellent composition

Image 40 - Leaves on Water

Photographer: Tim Almdal
Club: Victoria Camera Club

Canadian Points: 15
Scottish Points: 14















Canadian Comments:

Wonderful in its simplicity with the colours of brown adding to this. The light is wonderful. Good use of a polarizer. Needs a bit more depth of field to ensure the left leaf is all sharp. Three in a group is usually considered stronger than two but the close cropping of this compensates for that.


Scottish Comments:

First impression: Simple composition with two attractive autumn leaves.
This could be seen as an interpretation of autumn but the image seems to lack ‘life’
Interpretation; Yes we have the autumnal feel of the leaves but this is more of a still life and should have been shot with more care.
Does it work? The leaves could have been ‘placed’ in the water. If so, a more interesting set-up could have been possible. Otherwise it’s a pleasant effort but nothing too exciting.