 
First - Paul Holmes - Pie Eyed Second - Kevin Messenger - In Full Flight
 
Third - George Trebinski - Sika Stag Grooming Fourth Matthew Peaster - Bold Old Buck
Open Results
 
First - Graeme Purdy - Fallow in the Snow Second Alex Hedger - Red Stag showing Flemhen
Summer Quarter Results
The second quarter of the 2007 photographic competition closed on 1st May with most of the entries arriving within days of the closing date - but they were worth waiting for.
The Open category was won again by Graeme Purdy with a superb shot of Fallow Deer running in snow. The exposure is slow enough to blur the main herd giving a feeling of speed and movement whilst panning and freezing one particular animal in the centre which is clear and sharp.
This type of shot is very effective if it can be captured. A great deal of skill is required and also some luck. What percentage of each was involved in this picture isn't stated but that's irrelevant as the end result is a beautifully evocative picture of moving deer. Graeme wins £30 and a box of Canon printing paper from the London Camera Exchange (Salisbury)
Second in the open section and winner of the £20 prize, was Alex Hedger with his red stag showing flehmen. You can see the animal curling back his top lip in characteristic fashion as it scents the air. The composition of the picture is well executed with the huge tree in the background almost dwarfing the subject but positioned perfectly between the antlers to compliment the shot and not detract from it.
In the members category Paul Holmes took first place, £30 and a box of Canon printing paper from the London Camera Exchange (Salisbury) with a well spotted picture showing juxtaposition between hind and magpie. Entitled 'Pie Eyed' the picture is the sort of thing many of us have seen but might not have been quick enough to capture or recognise it potential as a prize winner.
Second place went to Kevin Messenger with his 'In full flight' picture of a roe deer beating a hasty retreat. There is just enough of the animal in focus to make this a workable picture. Taken in difficult conditions a fast moving subject is not always the easiest thing to capture but Kevin has done a good job on this one and has shown good observation, skill and speed of reaction to capture it in the air. Kevin wins £25.
Third member to be placed was stalwart of our competitions, George Trebinski with yet another excellent deer photograph. This one was of a grooming Sika, a typical activity sensitively captured. £20 goes to George for his entry.
Matthew Peaster came fourth and winning £15 with a shot of a 'Bald old Buck'. Although it appears quite an intimate picture Matthew was some distance away and used his 400mm lens and 2x converter. Matthew, like George, has been a regular contender in the competitions and also like George has been a previous overall winner.
Highly commended certificates were awarded to several other entrants who didn't quite make it to prize winning positions. Their pictures will be on show in the Gallery section of the web site in due course.
Without doubt, the enthusiasm for deer and for deer photography was evident in all the entries and with our points scoring method nothing is cut and dried yet. You need to enter at least three of the four competitions to qualify for the overall prize of the Canon 400D SLR with 18-55mm lens, so even if you have missed one of the first two events you might still be in a position to win overall by entering the last two competitions which close on 10th August and 20th October. Cash prizes are also awarded each quarter.
Points difference between most of the competitors is minimal and the quality of the images has generally been excellent.
Don't forget to send in CD's as well as prints of the digital images and please consider the printed pictures. Use good quality, glossy printing paper of 5"x7" minimum and up to A4 size.
Check size and weight of packages before posting and include return postage if you would like your prints returned.
Good luck to you all and keep the entries coming in.
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