EICC - 2024-25 - East Ipswich Challenge Cup - Open

Projected Digital Image

'Lackford Lakes in March'

OM System OM-1 M.40-150mm F2.8 + MC-2.0
Dunnock @ 300mm, 1/1000s @ f5.6, ISO 5000, RAW
Blue Tit @ 300mm, 1/1000s @ f5.6, ISO 4000, RAW
Marsh Tit @ 212mm, 1/1600s @ f5.6, ISO 4000, RAW

(denoised in DxO PureRAW 4 & developed in ACDSee Ultimate 2025)

I went to Lackford Lakes near Bury St Edmunds with Andrea and Mary (from the AYWMC East Anglia Group) on a rather grey and chilly Sunday morning. This was my third visit: when I first went, I found it surprising how relaxing it was just to sit or stand and wait for the wildlife to come along. This time I had prepared myself by downloading a professional wildlife photographer's bird settings onto my camera, and it was the Nesting Birds preset that I used when taking these three shots. What looks like a rock is in fact a broken tree stump. Whilst we were at this location, we saw dunnock, great tits, blue tits, marsh tits, nuthatches and robins. It's a remarkably relaxing and grounding thing to do - a very enjoyable way to pass a few hours, and you can (and we did!) lose track of time quite easily.

I was absolutely thrilled to be awarded second place at my camera club for this panel of three images (narrowly missing out on first place). The judge (Peter Norris DPAGB AFIAP BPE3*) was wowed by my presentation of the panel and was kind enough to say that all three images would fare well on their own in a competiton, as they are all strong images. He added that they could easily grace the pages of a professional bird book. He was impressed by the detail and sharpness, and the fact that they were taken at the same place on the same day in the same lighting conditions helped to make them work together as a set. He did mention that the one on the right is slightly different to the other two, which is true (I think this is what cost me first place), but otherwise his comments were full of praise. He even came up to me afterwards to ask me a few questions about the location and the shoot itself, which was really nice of him. A very good evening for me! To view a larger version of the image, click on it to open up a lightbox. You can also see the individual images in more detail on my Lackford Lakes gallery page (March 2025) and on the 2025 Review gallery page.

EICC - 2024-25 - Competition 4 - Set Subject

Projected Digital Image

'Restaurant at Dawn'

OM System OM-1 OLYMPUS M.12-100mm F4.0 @ 16mm, 1/4s @ f/11, ISO 6400, RAW

(denoised in DxO PureRAW 3 & developed in ACDSee Ultimate 2023)

Mike and I celebrated his 65th birthday at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons (Raymond Blanc's flagship restaurant) on 30 August 2023. We stayed overnight, and were upgraded to a suite upon arrival, which was fabulous. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us, and one that we shall never forget. The tasting menu was sublime, the accompanying wines (for Mike) superb and the accommodation and service outstanding. This is somwehere that we had wanted to visit for a long time, and it certainly did not disappoint. The gardens are beautiful, and I got myself up before breakfast on our second day to go round and photograph the estate at blue hour. I was particularly pleased with this shot, which reflects the warmth of the unaffected welcome we received. The buzz in the dining room the night before had been marvellous: this is not a stuffy place, and the dress code is relatively relaxed. What a treat it was!

I received a Merit for this image of the restaurant in the Set Subject (Beginning with R) section of this camera club competition. The judge (Harold Mousley LRPS AFIAP) was attracted by the lights illuminating Le Manoir at blue hour: he found the image warm and inviting, and said it made him want to go there. He felt the image drew him in. He commented that the leaves at the top might be fake (they aren't - I was standing under a tree), but otherwise all was positive. I had two other images shortlisted at this competition, so it was a pretty good night for me, and very reassuring.

EICC - 2024-25 - Competition 3 - Open

Projected Digital Image

'Moongazing'

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III OLYMPUS M.40-150mm F2.8 @ 40mm, 1/200s @ f/7.1, ISO 200, -0.70eV, RAW

(developed in ACDSee Ultimate 2025)

Taken on Aldeburgh beach during a Gill Moon photo walk on 14 December 2024. The moon and the low winter sun were each at the same point above the horizon, hence the pool of golden sunlight. I wish I could have got the figure in the pool of light, but was not able to before the person walked further along the beach. It was a beautiful moment - very calm and tranquil, and I think the photo reflects this. I hope you like it!

I am delighted to announce that I won third place in the Open section of my very first camera club competition for digital images with this shot. The judge (Peter Norris DPAGB AFIAP BPE3*) gave really positive feedback: he liked the natural colours, the overall composition, the position of the figure with its head sitting just above the horizon, the leading lines and the pool of sunlight. He said he enjoyed it very much. I am absolutely thrilled.