Photography News Issue 47

Photography News | Issue 47 | photographynews.co.uk

Competitions

the facilities required. This iswhy, we believe, we have so many special interest groups. Newmembers to the club also help provide a poolofnewfacesforelectiontothecommittee. Beacon hopes to keep developing as a club and these new faces and new ideas are key to us achieving this. Thirdly, the competition generated a wider awareness of Beacon Camera Club. We believe that spreading the word about us and our activities, again, provides a direct benefit to our members. Interesting speakers are willing to travel some distances to come and visit Beacon. Martin Parr was not only willing to do that but was willing to speak at our annual event and to judge our competition. Having developed a reputation which enables this sort of thing is priceless and makes the job of our programme secretary (Kim Walton, who admittedly is something of amagicianwhen it comes to persuading fascinating speakers to come to Beacon) that much easier.

3rd place – Tony Cook

Red All Over by Tony Cook.

How did you find out about the competition? I heard about the competition when a judge, who is a member of Beacon Camera Club, came to my own club to judge one of our competitions. I decided to enter because street is one of my two favourite genres (the other being flower photography. And, of course, to be judged by the fabled Martin Parr was a great draw for me. Can you tell us about the image that you entered? I took RedAll Over while I was on holiday in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. It was around 4pm and I saw a woman sprawled out on a bench, fast asleep in the lovely winter sunshine. There was a glass of white wine next to her and it could have been knocked over at anymoment. Her sprawling posture, red iPhone case, red hat, red dress, and quite red skin – and that wine glass – all demanded to be photographed. I was using a Panasonic G5 with the original 14-45mmkit lens, set at thewidest angle. I knelt down so that her iPhone case was reaching out from the picture. I loved the result, printed it and framed it. It has been hanging onmywall ever since. How did it feel to be in the top three images? I was in the audience forMartin’s talk, and for his judging of the street competition. When my name was announced as a runner up, I was grateful but a little disappointed, then, cor blimey, my name also came up for 3rd place! I was truly thrilled because to have Martin Parr of all people select that photo meant a huge amount tome; kudos inmy head. What advice would you give to other photographers thinking of entering competitions? Entering competitions can be daunting for many photographers. “Is my work up to scratch?Will it be rubbish? Somanyothers will enter, so Iwon’t stand a chance” etc etc. But, two main responses: someone has to win/be placed, so why not have a go? Be brave, take a risk, just do it! And, entering competitions means you have to be a good editor of your own work. Take time to understand the competition theme and guidelines, then select your photos accordingly, or, more excitingly, go out and shoot specifically for the theme. Then be ruthless: enter only your very best work. Judges would far rather see two great photos than eight OK ones.

Right: Runner-up image entitled Suburban Sleep taken by Phil Morgan.

2nd place – Glynis Harrison

What made you want to enter this competition? I found out about the competition online, possibly through Facebook. Street photography is my favourite genre and I just could not resist the opportunity of entering and having my photographs judged by Martin Parr. your Trainspotters Day Out image that you won second place with? It was taken last year at the National Railway Museum, Shildon, where the Flying Scotsman was making an appearance. As you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement among the crowds of enthusiasts and families with children. Everyone was pointing their cameras at the Flying Scotsman and the other steam engines that were on show, but being a street photographer, I turned around to see what was going on behind me and came across this lovely grouping. They were chuckling away and really enjoying the day and I was pleased to be able to catch their happy moment. Tell us about when you found on you’d won? Ihadanemailtellingmethatone of my photos had been short- listed, but didn’t know which one. I was so chuffed to have been selected but had to put it at the back of my mind until the presentation. The evening at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, was one I shall never forget. Martin Parr’s presentation was wonderful, I just love his What inspired

Trainspotters’ Day Out by Glynis Harrison.

take on street photography, so natural and honest. When the time came for the presentation, I could not believe that my name had not been called along with the seven runners-up. Third prize was called, so that meant I’d either won 2nd or even 1st. Excitement and nerves

were rising … but then my name was called and I had won 2nd prize. I was flabbergasted and so chuffed that Martin Parr had actually chosen my photo Trainspotters’ Day Out. This experience has inspired me to be more confident in my street photography especially

as the master himself chose my photograph. I have taken many street photos since and I am in the process of producing a project of some kind. Being already a fan of Panasonic cameras, in fact my Trainspotters shot was taken with a Lumix GX8.