Windermere dawn

Phil is away in London overnight and I'm missing him! However I think my Christmas bracelet has arrived and is awaiting collection at the post office!!

The post brought a deposit cheque and a confirmation letter from the couple I spoke to last week about the wedding in March. They've booked without even meeting us!

Last night was competition night at the photographic society. They judge the prints (colour and mono) first, then after the tea break it's digital images and slides. As soon as the judge started I got nervous. He was not the most consistent judge I've come across and some of his comments were very critical! However, he liked Phil's picture of Chicago at night and he got first prize in the Advanced Colour Print section.

When he judged my (entry level) section, he seemed to be in a grumpier mood. Maybe no-one sugared his tea? I was quite shocked by some of his dismissive comments. My first two photos got off fairly lightly but were obviously not going to place. I was cringing by the end as my last photo was one I didn't have any confidence in. I was imagining his criticisms before they came.

To my astonishment he made one or two nice comments and then gave me 20 points and the winning position. I was gobsmacked. I do think he could have been more encouraging in his comments to others though. I know how easily you can be put off by an ill-judged remark or non-constructive criticism.

My winning photo is above; taken on the shores of Windermere a few years ago - before my DSLR days! i've always liked it and am glad it wasn't mauled by Mr Nasty!

A couple of weeks ago I joined Frodsham Photographic Society - Phil and the wildcat are already members. Last night was the first time I entered a competition; I'm not the competitive sort and I was so nervous! I entered some of my favourite photos in the "Entry Level Digital Images" category and I could feel my heart pounding like crazy as the judge talked about them. To my absolute delight, I came first, second and third! It was such a thrill to know that the judge liked these photos that are all important to me.

The picture above came first - it was taken at a wedding at too high an ISO but converted it to mono and played around a bit and this was the result...I love it because of her beautiful smile...

The frog was taken the first time I used the macro lens. I noticed the frog on the edge of my pot pond and crouched on the deck in the rain to take this. I loved the vivid blue of the pot and I was pretty happy with the DOF. It was on the front page of my website for ages.

I can't take all the credit for number three as Phil suggested the crop. This was taken on a Big Cat day with members of the Photographers Corner.

All in all, I'm really made up - I'll probably never have the guts to enter another competition but it was a lovely experience :)