This week, the third open competition of the current Isle of Man Photographic Society season provided a wealth of entries, both prints and digitally projected images, to test our judge, Eddie Fryer.

Eddie is a member of the Western Society but, on his own count, has been visiting and judging at the Isle of Man Photographic Society for over 20 years - so he is very experienced and always welcome, with a carefully considered yet effortless commentary in a critique of every image.

Richard Shafto enjoyed a good start to the evening with a lovely image of the viaduct in Groudle Glen taking the award in the intermediate mono prints, followed by images from Jonathan Carey and Steve Johnstone.

Steve got his reward in the intermediate colour section with a superb print of a snow covered hillside at Montpelier but again with close competition from both Richard and Jonathan.

In the advanced class, Ruth Nicholls’ classic image of a cypress tree driveway in Tuscany, the drive and trees giving a strong lead-in to a villa in the background, gained the award in the mono section, just pipping Ron Shimmin and Sue Blythe.

A sensitive colour print of two novice monks in Cambodia, complete with saffron robes and umbrellas in a well chosen composition, earned Sue Blythe top marks (and best print of the evening), with Ron Shimmin again close behind.

There was a large digital entry in all classes, Beryl Quayle taking top place (and best digital image of the evening) in the intermediate mono section with a close-up of a tree stump, the eroded woodwork providing a star shaped pattern which intrigued our judge, with Steve Johnstone and Martin Sanderson as runners-up.

In intermediate colour, a lovely image of a green chameleon got Richard Shafto his second win of the evening, with Janet Henry and Martin Sanderson gaining the same score but placed just behind.

A view looking down into the atrium of a building gained the nod in the Advanced Mono section for Chris Nicholls, the geometric shapes of windows, balconies and stairway providing an interesting composition, just in front of Sue Blythe and Barry Murphy.

A stunning image of the main hall of the Natural History Museum from Claire Schreuder took the honours in the Advanced Colour with Sue Blythe and Barry Murphy in close contention.

Jeremy Broome-Smith, the society’s president, gave the vote of thanks.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 26, when society member Lara Howe will be giving a presentation on her recent visit to Antarctica.

Lara is a marine biologist with excellent photographic skills so her visit there is sure to include many superb images for our enjoyment.

The society meets at the Arts Society Building (Thie Ellyn) in Worthington Road, Douglas, on Wednesday evenings, all meetings starting at 7.30pm, and all open to the public (with a modest fee for non-members).

More details of the society and its programme can be found on our website at www.iomps.com.