ASKED to capture scenes of nature, it is not unusual for Ilkley Camera Club members to produce some top quality images. But last month’s nature competition saw a standard that particularly impressed visiting judge Monica Weller, a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Top of the list was a stunning image by Larry James of a Kestrel feeding its young. Said Monica: “This image has everything. The action is typical of the animal, the colours are vibrant and exciting and the focusing is spot on.” Geoffrey Smith from Skipton took second place with a shot of a Sparrowhawk. “I know it is eating a pigeon, and we may be squeamish about that,” said Monica, “but it is natural behaviour and has been very well caught.”
ASKED to offer three takes on the same subject, Tim Sawyer from Bramhope offered three images that were artistic variations on the famous Gormley figures on Crosby Beach. They very much caught the eye of Ilkley Camera Club’s visiting judge, Kylie-Ann Martin, last Friday and won Tim first place in the Three of a Kind competition. “Here the photographer has put his own stamp on another person’s artwork. That’s what I like since I am assessing the photographer’s skills not the artist’s,” said Kylie. Awarding second place, she praised three snowy scenes in a park taken by Len Downes from Hampsthwaite.