The Isle of Man Photographic Society had the great pleasure and privilege of welcoming Phil and Gwen Charnock to judge the annual print competition.

Both are renowned for their work, with both holding the qualifications of FRPS (Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society) and MFIAP (Master Photographer of the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique) - the highest possible awards from these organisations.

Nowadays, apart from commercial work for a travel company, much of their time is spent judging photographic competitions and exhibitions at club, national and international level - so we were very fortunate to have them visit the island.

With that experience as background, their judging was something of a master class in the art - their commentary being shared on a turn by turn basis - but every print given perceptive analysis, the comments always thoughtful, relevant, and their awards carefully calibrated and justified.

The competition was split into five classes - open colour, open mono, nature, record and creative - so a very full programme.

Jonathan Carey took first place in both the standard open colour and open mono sections (the only sections with entries in the standard group), while Joy Brodie swept the board in the Intermediate group, winning all five sections.

The advanced group comprised a much larger entry, with winners being well spread - Sue Leeming winning the open colour section, Jeremy Broome-Smith taking honours in the open mono and record sections, Sue Blythe winning the nature section, and Chris Blyth the creative section.

Jeremy’s mono shot Atlantic Storm was duly awarded best mono image in competition, while Sue Leeming’s shot of the waterfall in Dhoon glen was the best colour image - an image which Gwen in particular thought was highly detailed and beautifully executed.

A disposable camera social event was also included in the judging - this was based on Port Erin, where members were issued with a 27-shot disposable camera, given eight projects to photograph (beach, boats, railway etc) and the best image from each of the 8 themes then had to be mounted on an A3 board.

The event is meant to be a great leveller - everyone has the same equipment, all images are to be taken on the same afternoon under the same weather conditions, so it is the skill and artistic input of the photographer which differentiates the competitors!

Tim Norton emerged a popular winner.

Our judges’ sheer joy and pleasure in sharing their enthusiasm for photography was readily apparent throughout the evening - and was amply demonstrated in a presentation of their work later in the evening.

A Life of Photography comprised a multitude of images covering a wide range of genres - portrait, travel, landscape, street, composites, creative, sports - but all showing bright colours, good lighting, clean and cheerful images, excellent compositions with everything in its place, and all contributing to an optimistic mood and an ambience of "photography being fun". It proved a great evening and much enjoyed by our membersâ?¦..

Our grateful thanks go to the Arts Council for their continued sponsorship of this major event in our calendar.

Chris Blyth