Hidden in Plain Sight

This competition has now closed.

Winners

1st
2 people, 2 dogs and 4 shadows
Yevhen Samuchenko
2nd
Dandelion
Yevhen Samuchenko
3rd
A Waiting Game
Tina Panting

Commended

Competition Judge

Gary Shinner LRPS MPSA2 EFIAP/s BPSA AWPF

I have been a photographer in some capacity since my early teens, I suppose. But my interest was taken when I joined my first club back in 1991. I learnt lots from the guest speakers, judges and members and I decided that I wanted to better myself outside the camera club environment and see if I could attain some recognised photographic accreditation. In 2007 I gained my Licentiate of the Royal Photographic society.
This was a journey that would take me down many avenues, also becoming a local guest speaker and judge for clubs in South Wales. Then I was given the chance to judge my first international salon as well. This process allowed me to learn a lot more and understand what other judges might be looking for!
I have to date judged salon in places in Wales, England, Ireland and India. I have also been on the Associate Day for the Welsh Photographic federation a number of times, where we assess panels of 12 images that sit together on a theme, chosen by the entrant on any they think will work. I have also been a judge in the Welsh Salon, to highlight the best photos from photographers in the area.
My own personal journey meanwhile has taken me down several routes, hence all the ‘letters’ after my name; but what makes me tick, might be of interest. I love architecture, and also enjoy travel photography, as well as other aspects of photography that perhaps are a bit more challenging, such as live photography of pop & rock concerts. I also enjoy going to explore old buildings and historical sites, and we document them and their location. An added element is drone photography, which can show off the place from a different aspect. So maybe I have a few strings to my bow. But I do also enjoy seeing others’ photographs. So if you enter the latest theme, good luck.

View Archive

2 people, 2 dogs and 4 shadows

Yevhen Samuchenko

First Prize

While this is likely to be from a drone's perspective, I get the impression the walkers & their dogs aren't aware of bigger brother watching? If they were aware, then it doesn't come over in this photo. For me I was drawn to the patterns & textures and of course good light. While the sun has added sparkle and texture to the contents, I think the long shadows make sense of what we as viewers are looking at, take them away and flat light and not many would work out what you are looking at, so well seen, observed & taken. I usually prefer a bit more of angle on drone shots, but this works well from this view point. Excellent work and embracing a fairly new genre of photography.

Dandelion

Yevhen Samuchenko

Second Prize

Again it's possible this a drone photo or similar, but we as the viewer needs to look harder to study and make what we will of it. The mono choice is brave, and the white base if snow or a high contrast technique applied shows no signs of animals or tracks from anything or anyone?? I could be totally wrong, and the photographer is laughing loudly, if you planned to confuse judge and audience then big tick, it's worked. My guess we are looking down on a tree, and some fencing to that? But it's the appeal of the simple style used that drew me in and I enjoyed from the off, and while very minimal in its content, keeps me studying it every time, so well done for being different, bold and unique all in one.

A Waiting Game

Tina Panting

Third Prize

This image broods mystery and menace, and I think well captured, if planned and styled to achieve this end result, either way, it works very well. The light over the man, and his bag, gives me the thought, of a mysterious liaison - and exchange of secrecy, and the person persona comes over as a menace but intrigue. If you are writing a book, send me a completed copy I want to know what happened next. My mind is racing with all sorts of scenario's. The light of the safe inaccessible interior and broken up by the lines and columns all add to it, and very wise for Mono as I'm sure night time lights can give different outcomes. Most enjoyable narrative - well done.

Can You See Me Now?

John Wescott

Commended

Goldcrest trying to blend in

John Wescott

Commended

Ice Maiden

Gill Wallis

Commended

Tiny Trees on the Beach

Chinmoy Biswas

Commended

Coccinella Septempuctata

Shelby Homerston

Commended

Let Me Out

Alan Neilson

Commended

Beauty in Water Drops

Chinmoy Biswas

Commended

Shadow Face

Richard Phillips

Commended