Photographic Competition 2011

The competition brought a grand selection of entries as always but there was a very high quality list of finalists from which the judges had difficulty choosing. A gallery of the entries scoring maximum from each judge, apart from the winners, is provided here.

For the first time the judges had an internet preview of the photographs enabling a considered set of comments but the names of the photographers were kept from them until their votes had been cast and the Club Members had chosen the winner of the Gordon Langsbury Cup. On the evening a view of the higher resolution images caused a few votes to be adjusted but did not affect the ultimate results.

For yet another year a new winner was unveiled and, as has happened so many times before, a common bird won the prize. Congratulations go to Dave Bartlett for his stunning image of Blue Tit on a garden spade which won the Portrait section and the Cup by an overwhelming vote of the members present.

Runner up in Portrait was Brian Winter's White-browed Coucal, a splendid image of great colour.

The winner of the Action Section was Brian Winter with this amazing action shot of a Martial Eagle carrying prey.

The runner up in Action was parent feeding young Great Spotted Woodpeckers by Dave Bartlett.

The assembled membership were asked if they would like a preview of the entries on the internet before the 2012 competition but voted to leave the suspense until the competition night. It was agreed though that allowing the judges a preview had benefited them and allowed a more considered selection of the winners and runners up.

In 2012 it is expected that a change to the format will be made to allow a further category of photographs so watch this space and keep shooting!!

Colin Wilson - 21 March 2011