Our fourth internal club competition of the 2023-24 season took place on Wednesday 17 January.

The set subject, for both prints and projected digital images (PDIs), was “Square Format”.

The Programme notes added “we are looking for images where the composition has been enhanced by the use of a Square 1:1 format”.

The Programme notes also reminded us that “It is important to think about the aspect ratio when taking photos as the ratio has compositional implications.  While your camera’s aspect ratio is technically fixed, many digital cameras allow you to change the aspect ratio in the camera’s menu.  Plus, you have the option of adjusting an image’s aspect ratio during post-processing.”

The entries displayed an exciting variety of creative subjects, styles, and approaches.  There were seascapes, landscapes, portraits, close-ups, architecture, street/candid, travel, flowers, and wildlife, plus both colour and black and white.

Our independent judge for the competition was Jonathan Vaines LRPS CPAGB AFIAP from Cambridge Camera Club, an experienced judge and the Judges Secretary for the East Anglian Federation.  He is also an Educator for the Royal Photographic Society and an online tutor (regularly teaching processing skills to folk in North America and other corners of the globe).

Jonathan considered “Square Format” to be “an interesting subject”.  He reminded us that many of the images in his “Little Print Show” presentation (11 October 2023, https://lbpc.org.uk/2023/10/16/the-little-print-show/ ) were square.  Used well, he said, this format can simplify images and is good for balanced and/or symmetrical subjects.

Each entry was marked out of 20.  Marks for this competition count towards the season’s Print and Digital Image Championships (Sections One and Two).

The top performers were as follows:

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For details of the competition rules  CLICK HERE.

If you didn’t know, you can also post your comments at the bottom of the page. Engage with other Members and share your thoughts on the entries and judging. 

NB: Members can watch the competition in full on the ‘Members Only’ section of the website.

Section One Prints (22 entries)

  • 1st – “Stairs at Tate Modern” by Sally Kitchingman – 20 marks

  • 1st – “Chimney” by Carol Curd – 20 marks

  • 1st – “The Little Boys Room” by David Manning – 20 marks

  • 2nd – “Amy” by Tricia Meers – 19 marks

  • 2nd – “Time in the Clouds” by Clive Rayment – 19 mark

  • 2nd – “Altar” by Mike Kitchingman – 19 marks

  • 3rd – “Still Withstanding the Sea” by Wendy Taylor – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Big Box Delivery” by David Manning – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Havanna Dawn 3” by Paul Stokes – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Fishing Shed Window” by Tricia Meers – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Angles” by Tim Gould – 18 marks

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

All Section One Prints (click image for full size)

Section One Digital Images (34 entries)

  • 1st – “A Monumental Stairway” by Martin Wood – 20 marks

  • 1st – “It’s a Long Way Down” by Chris Warby – 20 marks

  • 1st – “Old Street” by Martin Wood – 20 marks

  • 1st – “Rose Chafer” by Roger Turner – 20 marks

  • 2nd – “V and A” by Rob Delahunty – 19 marks

  • 2nd – “Six Squared Bottles” by Patrick Linford – 19 marks

  • 2nd – “Shibden Mill Intimate Landscape” by Paul Needham – 19 marks

  • 3rd – “Palm Square” by Patrick Linford – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Misty Tree” by Paul Kirkham – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Rusty Can” by Sue Brinkworth – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Skylight” by Rob Delahunty – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Dahlia” by Sandra Eve – 18 marks

  • 3rd – “Norwegian Church” by Val Bolam – 18 marks

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

All Section Two PDIs (click image for full size)

Section Two Digital Images (4 entries)

  • 1st – “Seed Head” by John Booth – 18 marks

  • 1st – “Square Meal” by Daphne Hughes – 18 marks

  • 2nd – “Made for Walking” by John Booth – 16 marks

  • 3rd – “Fair & Square” by Daphne Hughes – 15 marks

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

All Section Two PDIs (click image for full size)