Latest News

February Competition and News

February’s competition theme was “Graveyard”. This gave us all an incentive to get out and about in the (generally unpleasant) January and early February weather. It gave us some challenges which resulted in some very varied and impressive images.

The post-competition discussion was slightly shortened to allow afor a very interesting talk and demonstration by Andre Morris.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:

1st: Iain E
2nd: Veronica
3rd: Tom
4th: Chris R

GROUP RESULTS:

1st: Veronica
2nd: Tom
3rd: Chris R
4th: Dave

As is the way with “open” competitions, judging our own members. Iain’s entry was a clear winner in the individual round. Sadly we don’t have a copy to display on the website.

INDIVIDUAL:

VERONICA

TOM

CHRIS

GROUP:

VERONICA

TOM

CHRIS

DAVE

Thursday 19th March – Portrait Competition

We’re delighted to welcome Steffan Nicholson as our judge for this year’s portrait competition.

Steffan has been Secretary of Newark & District Photographic Society since 1995 and runs his own company, Bunky Designs, where he works in photography, graphic design and web development, as well as offering photography and Photoshop training.

His photographic interests are wide-ranging and include animal welfare, arts and culture, the environment, and science and technology. A look at his work shows an eclectic mix of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, music and working environments.

January Competition and News

[This post will be updated]

January’s was an “open” competition judged by attendees. This was followed by our AGM and Cup presentations.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:

1st: Chris R
2nd: Iain E
3rd: Veronica
4th: St.John

GROUP RESULTS:

1st: Chris R
2nd: Tom
3rd: Iain Evans
4th: Chris B

As is the way with “open” competitions, judging our own members was really (really) tricky. We do have guidelines, but one of these “interpretation” pretty-much goes out of the window.
But maybe it did make us look a bit more closely. I don’t know.

INDIVIDUAL:

Chris R

Iain Evans (No Image)

Veronica

St.John

GROUP:

Chris R

Tom

Iain Evans (No Image)

Chris B

Print of the Year Competition – December 2025

Print of the Year – Judging Evening with Steve Walters BPE3, EFIAP

At our December meeting we were delighted to welcome Steve Walters BPE3, EFIAP, who judged our Print of the Year competition.

The competition was open to prints up to A4 in size, with all images taken during 2025. Steve approached the judging in a thoughtful and constructive manner, taking time to comment on every image. He highlighted what he felt worked particularly well in each print, while also offering clear and helpful suggestions on how images might be improved.

Steve selected his four favourite prints and ranked them from first to fourth place. These images, together with extracts from Steve’s comments, are shown below.

Following the judging, Steve treated us to a selection of his own outstanding prints. These covered a wide range of genres, including landscape, portraiture and architectural photography, as well as a variety of striking and thought-provoking images. He concluded his presentation with examples of his specialist macro work, featuring insects and other small creatures, which demonstrated both technical excellence and a deep understanding of his subjects.

Our thanks to Steve for an engaging, insightful and thoroughly enjoyable evening.

🥇 1st Place

Flora – Veronica

Judge’s comments:

Steve loved the image, from the girl’s ‘downward gaze, looking into the bottom left of the frame. He loved the overall feel of the image and the way that the unusual effects blended with and enhanced the overall image, and had been cleverly placed to ensure that the girl’s face was still the focus of the image.
Congratulations (again) Veronica.

🥈 2nd Place

Blue Footed “Jitterbug” Booby – Sue

Judge’s comments:

Steve was very impressed with the image, and again didn’t highlight any downsides. He loved the subject, the pose and position, the focus, the sharpness and the tone.

Another truly superb image. I’m fairly sure that most members would also choose these two entries as their top two.

Sue took the photo on a recent (November 2025) trip to Galapagos. She called her image “Jitterbug” as the bird was trying to scratch off a bug – making it look like it was dancing.
Tourism to the islands is very controlled. sue says, “The wildlife have absolutely no fear of human presence , as they don’t see us as a threat”

🥉 3rd Place

Flower – St. John

(Awaiting image)

Judge’s comments:

The judge was impressed with the image. He particularly liked the leading lines to the focal centre of the flower.

4th Place

Tower Bridge and the Thames from The Shard – Chris B

Judge’s comments:

The judge liked the image, the curving line of the Thames, looking East from Tower Bridge towards Canary Wharf and Greenwich Hill. He also liked the overall feel, and commented favourably on the tone and sharpness.

November Competition and News on Print of the Year Competition

November’s competition topic was ‘HISTORY’. As expected, this produced some unusual and diverse entries.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:

1st: Sue
2nd: Chris B
3rd: Iain E
4th equal: Tom & Chris R

GROUP RESULTS:

1st: Chris B
2nd equal: Sue & Iain E
3rd equal: Simon & Chris R
4th: Sam

For the while we have no images available from Sam.

I have published all the available group entries which also contain all the available individual entries.

Sue West’s group and individual entries. (Whissendine Windmill).

Chris Brook’s group and individual entries.

Iain’s group and individual entries.

Simon’s group and individual entries.

Tom’s group and individual entries.

Chris R’s group and individual entries.

Thursday 11th December – Print of the Year Competition

We’re delighted to welcome Steve Walters BPE3, EFIAP as our judge for this year’s Print of the Year.

Steve, based in Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire, is the President and Lecturers’ Secretary of N&EMPF and is closely involved with Ilkeston Photo 2000, which meets in Awsworth.

Alongside his wider photographic work, Steve has carried out a substantial study of the insect life of the Erewash Valley, on the Nottinghamshire–Derbyshire border. He presented this fascinating project to Beeston Camera Club in November 2024, and we look forward to benefiting from his experience and insight at our meeting.

October Competition and Update

October Competition – Landscape (Up to A4)

A big thank you to our guest judge Malcolm Sales QEP BIPP ARPS of Buttercross Photography, Bingham for judging this month’s Landscape competition.

Malcolm not only selected our winning images but also gave an excellent and informative talk, sharing insights from his professional work and offering valuable feedback to members.

Malcolm chose the following images as his top four:

1st: Simon Curly – Wells Harbour
Picture-postcard-perfect.

2nd: Iain Evans – Person on Jetty
Full of interest, with the piles and decking of the jetty mirroring the buildings, cranes and towers of the coastline.

3rd: Nigel Hume (no image available)

4th: Dave Baxter – Giants Causeway
Judged just right to convey the feeling “being there”. Maybe sitting on the damp basalt and soaking-up the atmosphere.

Next meeting –Thursday 20th November:

The theme is ‘History”. Format 4 x A5 images.
We’ll also each bring along an image that didn’t quite work, and take a look together at why – and how it might be improved.

September Update (And October Competition Details)

September Meeting:

There were no club competitions in August or September, but plenty has been happening! We enjoyed the summer barbecue in July, kindly hosted by St John, and in September we were treated to an inspiring talk by Kevin Pigney on his passion for wildlife and photography.

Kevin treated us to a wonderful evening of wildlife photography, sharing his passion and explaining how much thought and preparation goes into each shoot. His beautiful images captivated us all — especially those remarkable boxing hares!

Next Meeting: Thursday 16th October 2025

Competition: Landscape – up to two images, A4 or equivalent.
Guest judge Malcolm Sales QEP BIPP ARPS joins us from Buttercross Photography, Bingham. After a successful career in marketing, Malcolm moved into photography — first weddings and portraits, now property and landscape work across the East Midlands. His project “Nobody Lives Here Anymore” was inspired by visits to neglected buildings. Malcolm enjoys both landscape and street photography, especially when travelling, and will share some of his own images after judging the competition.

July Competition – Street Scene

Inviting members to turn their lenses toward the everyday theatre of street or urban life. From pubs to promenades, pizzerias to posters – and, of course, plenty of people.
Some were candid, some composed – All together they reflected the character, rhythm, and humanity of our streets.

Individul Results:

1st – Iain Evans

2nd – Tom Carlill (Joint)

2nd – Veronica Watson (Joint)

3rd – Sheila Rodgers

4th – Martin Rodgers

Group Results:

1st – Tom Carlill (Joint)

1st – Ian Evans (Joint)

2nd – Veronica Watson

3rd – Martin Rodgers

4th – St. John Burket

June Competition – Macro

A huge but tiny subject – and it certainly showed-off the skills, observation and imagination of our members a treat, with bugs and plants providing much of the subject-matter.

Individul Results:

1st – Sheila – with a beautiful but evil mired bug.

2nd – Tom – with an anonymous seed-head posing artistically.

3rd – Nigel Jolly – (we have no image as yet)

4th – Veronica – with this elegant self-portrait.

Group Competition Results

1st – Veronica – Four beautifully observed flower and lichen close-ups.

2nd – Sue West’s bugs and nymphs – Don’t you love the variety that’s close at hand when you start to look!

3rd – Dave Hodson – Another example of what you can see if you look. The moth caterpillar is a beauty? What is it Dave? A puss moth?

4th – Tom – A masterclass in form, design, composition and subtle beauty.

May Competition – The Colour Red (PDI)

The breadth of May’s competition subject “The colour red” made for a huge variety of themes and styles, and some very impressive entries.

Here are the top four.

First was Nigel Jolley with this super-sharp macro. Precision meets creativity – a lesson in how to convert a simple subject into a great photo.

Second. Martin Rogers with this abstract twist on the ordinary. (I missed the explanation and I still can’t quite work out the what or the how of this image. Beach-huts gone nuts?

Third. Iain Evans. Contrasts of shape within the muted background – all contrasted with the bright red subject.

And in Fourth place, St John’s bright and joyful poppy-field. Uplifting!

April – Portrait Competition with guest judge Steve Myall

Apologies for the delay and brevity of April and May updates.

April’s portrait competition was judged by Steve Myall EFIAP BPE5* (of Keyworth Camera Club).
By all accounts it was an enjoyable and informative evening, with some excellent entries from members.

Unfortunately we have only two of the top four – and here they are.

First was Sue W with “Time to Think”.

Third was Veronica with “Love Lights”

2nd and 4th respectively were Iain Evans and Dave Baxter:

Here’s a link to Steve Myall’s website for those that haven’t yet visited: Steve’s website

Latest News

Thursday 19th March – Portrait Competition

🥇 1st Place

🥈 2nd Place

🥉 3rd Place

4th Place

November’s competition topic was ‘HISTORY’. As expected, this produced some unusual and diverse entries.

Thursday 11th December – Print of the Year Competition

October Competition – Landscape (Up to A4)

Next meeting –Thursday 20th November:

Inviting members to turn their lenses toward the everyday theatre of street or urban life. From pubs to promenades, pizzerias to posters – and, of course, plenty of people. Some were candid, some composed – All together they reflected the character, rhythm, and humanity of our streets.

A huge but tiny subject – and it certainly showed-off the skills, observation and imagination of our members a treat, with bugs and plants providing much of the subject-matter.

Inviting members to turn their lenses toward the everyday theatre of street or urban life. From pubs to promenades, pizzerias to posters – and, of course, plenty of people.
Some were candid, some composed – All together they reflected the character, rhythm, and humanity of our streets.