DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST 2009-2010 of the East Lancs AGS Group

[ranunculus]

In 2009 I posted the full details, entries, images and results of the AGS East Lancashire Group Digital Photographic contest for 2008 -2009.
See all the relevant information at the following link:-

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3062.0

This posting seemed to be appreciated and enjoyed by a number of you.  The East Lancashire Group intend to make this an annual event and, as such, another contest was duly held in early 2010 and it was my aim to post the contest on this forum at my earliest opportunity. Family commitments, leisurely holidays and a lecture tour of North America somehow conspired to get in the way.  I have finally found a few hours to spare before we fly off to the Dolomites to continue leading our wildflower walks for Collett's Mountain Holidays, so I MIGHT find the time to post one or two classes before we depart?

The rules and classes were almost the same as last year (see above link please) with the notable exception that the number of entries for each class was reduced from three to two per exhibitor, simply to limit the judging time (performed by assembled group members) to a reasonable length.

Please access this pdf file for the promotional blurb.  See link in blue above the first image. 

CLASS ONE   TWELVE ENTRIES

For a digital image of an entire alpine plant in a garden setting.

PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS.

[ranunculus]

Class One

Final three entries

[Maggi Young]

Goodness me... only the first class and already I'm relieved to be able to enjoy the photos and not have the responsibility to have judged them! 

[Paul T]

Gorgeous, Cliff.  I'm somewhat surprised that some of these appear to be so out of focus for the central floral focal point...... The first pic in particular I would have rejected and deleted if I had taken it myself.  Shows what I know about art, doesn't it? 

[ranunculus]

Thanks Paul.  Our local group is, like many organisations of a similar size, made up of an entire spectrum of experience, age, level of interest and specific capabilities.  We actively encourage newcomers to both alpine gardening and digital photography and this is reflected (we hope enthusiastically) in our annual competition.  As in the showing of plants in pots, it takes practice and experience to get the best out of any subject and we welcome contributions from all our members in the hope and expectation that competition will only increase their enthusiasm and abilities.  We don't wish to go down the route of sections rated according to past performance - photography is subjective and our members act as democratic judges - a panel of mixed abilities voting for their own particular choices. The format appears to work and the competition proves very popular.

[ranunculus]

I will leave the results until I have posted all the classes this year ... it will give forum members the opportunity to post a list of their favourites.

CLASS TWO   EIGHTEEN ENTRIES

For a digital image of an entire alpine plant captured in the wild.

First batch of nine

[ranunculus]

CLASS TWO   EIGHTEEN ENTRIES

For a digital image of an entire alpine plant captured in the wild.

Second batch of nine

PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS.

[Lesley Cox]

Will you be introducing a class for out-of-area contestants Cliff? like overseas?

Ok, since we're guessing - here are mine for Class 1. I'm putting the pulsatilla first but I really like the saxifraga too, the background highlighting the plant well. (Lovely wall, as well )

For Class 2, I choose what I think is a very good Silene acaulis, mainly because having the mountain, it proves the plant really is in the wild, instead of just in (my) rather messy driveway. With both plant and mountain in focus the picture is nicely balanced. I'd put the Thlaspi (?) in second place though I also like Camp. ?cochlearifolia very much. The white saxifraga in Class 2 is also very good (hedging my bets here. )

And what is that stunning red in Class 2? Maybe some kind of zauschneria?

[ranunculus]

Many thanks for your worthy selections, Lesley - time will tell if you were right ...

It would be fascinating to arrange a similar competition for the forum ... something for me to think about during the long months of winter - ideas, suggestion, class themes welcomed.


CLASS THREE   EIGHTEEN ENTRIES

For a digital image close-up or macro shot of an alpine plant.

First batch of nine images.


PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS.

[ranunculus]

CLASS THREE   EIGHTEEN ENTRIES

For a digital image close-up or macro shot of an alpine plant.

Second batch of nine images.


PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS.

[ranunculus]

CLASS FOUR   TWELVE ENTRIES


For a digital image of any garden featuring alpine plants.


First batch of six entries


PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS

[ranunculus]

CLASS FOUR   TWELVE ENTRIES


For a digital image of any garden featuring alpine plants.


Second batch of six entries


PLEASE NOTE : THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST - NOT AN ALPINE SHOW.  THE IMAGES ARE BEING JUDGED - NOT THE PLANTS

[ranunculus]

And what is that stunning red in Class 2? Maybe some kind of zauschneria?

ASTRAGALUS COCCINEUS - SIERRA NEVADA

[Lvandelft]

Very interesting to see all these beautiful pictures here Cliff! Thanks for showing and looking forward to see more!

CLASS FOUR   TWELVE ENTRIES
For a digital image of any garden featuring alpine plants.

For me with my limited knowledge of English, I was not able to understand what was meant by this Class.
Now I see!
Learning every day again

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks for showing us these, Cliff !!!
Nice initiative !!!

My votes would go to :

class 1 : entry 10
class 2 : entry 13
class 3 : entry 7
class 4 : entry 12