After the conclusion of our AGM, Honorary President Alan Inder presented the awards to the winners of our League Competitions for 2017.
Winner of the Primary League and recipient of the President’s Shield was Helen Davis;
The Intermediate League winner was Roy Gray, who took home the Pat Clancy Trophy and,
retaining the President’s Cup for a second year, Sarah Townley LRPS winner of the Advanced League.
Many congratulations to you, the other medal winners and to all our members for participating in the competition rounds through last year.
Following this was the presentation of a new trophy. Mike Tennent was a founder member of the Society way back in 2008. Sadly Mike passed away last year so it seemed fitting to present an annual trophy in his memory for the image that received the most votes by visitors to the Society’s Annual Exhibition especially as he was always very keen to help anyone in the local community interested in photography. His wife Jane presented the trophy to Moira Swift commenting that she “felt proud and honoured” and congratulated Moira on her achievement.
Our Competition Secretary Matthew White, commented that “although we don’t have as many competitions as other clubs or contribute to the SCPF leagues, we aim to promote all aspects of photography as a hobby at BWPS – to be as inclusive as possible and retaining a practical approach. Competitions contribute to that by challenging us to produce better work. And by hearing critiques on ours and others work. Photography is an artistic endeavour, and as we all progress, the rules become guidelines become suggestions, become areas to express artistic creativity. We ultimately are pursuing photography for ourselves for our own choice of motivations. To hear the wisdom of others and apply it to aid your own journey but retain your our wisdom to recognise when it is not helping our journey, and most importantly why it doesn’t help you along your chosen path” Wise words which we can all take away with us and think about as we enter our new photographic year and another round of competitions!