PSA Interclub RD 2 Results Nature Travel Photojournalism
Mixed results for our club once again with PJ being the strongest position after Rd 2. There were some strange results in Travel as the judging gave a very high percentage of 9s across the board. In other words there was not the usual and expected range of scores indicating inexperienced Travel judges. Roy Killen from Lake Macquarie, Jen Fawkes from Waverley and myself sent messages to the Interclub director complaining about the judging anomalies but nothing will change.
Congratulations to Dianne awarded in Nature, Megan and Marie for their awards in PJ.
Nature
Travel
Photojournalism
by Ian English, March 20, 2024
Watagan Campdraft has been cancelled
This was to be held 23/3 at Cooranbong.
by Colleen Price, March 19, 2024
Final Changes to Comp night
Dear Members,
After successfully trialling our competition changes on Monday night, plus feedback from members we will be following the below schedule on Competition night from now on.
Below this schedule I have explained the rationale for these changes for those who would like to read it. Hopefully this will answer any questions.
Please note that our starting time has changed from 7:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
- 6:00 pm prints will need to be on the stands (read below for those who have a problem here).
- 6:30 pm our judging will commence with judging the digitals first.
- 7:30 pm we will have a break.
- 7:45 pm we will start the print judging.
- 8:45 pm we will finish up and start to pack up. (If members could place their used glasses in the glass trays provided this would be very helpful and much appreciated).
As we like to be finished around 9:00 pm this schedule will give us 15 minutes up our sleeves if we run a bit overtime in any area.
Image titles will no longer be put on the front of our prints.
Rationale for Changes:
As we all know, at our competition night last Monday night we trialled some changes to how we run our competitions. We then invited members to give us their thoughts.
We have had very favourable feedback. The only suggestions that could be seen as being negative were that some members are disappointed that judges will no longer be giving written messages and that it was perhaps a little rushed, especially when judging the digitals.
Whilst we do acknowledge that some members are disappointed with no longer receiving written comments, the majority of our members liked hearing the comments on the night. (Those of us who have been members for a while will remember that this was how we previously did the digital judging at our club).
Also, please understand that these changes were made in response to feedback received from members. This has already been outlined in previous emails.
We cannot ask the judges to provide both written and verbal comments.
We have suggested that members who cannot attend the meeting find a friend to write down the judge’s comments and relay them.
As far as the problem of things being a little rushed, we are going to address this by starting half an hour earlier.
We have asked members if they thought the earlier starting time would be a problem and everyone who has replied has said that they are fine to start at 6:30.
One member who replied suggested that some members may have to still be eating their meal when we start.
For this reason, as well as a couple of other reasons, we are going to reverse the order of the judging.
Moving forward we will be starting with the digital presentation and comments and awards.
After the break we will then have the print judging.
Reasons why it has been decided to reverse the order of the judging include;
* Members who cannot arrive early enough to have their meal finished when we start will still be eating when the judging commences. As the room is slightly darkened during the digital presentation it is felt that this would be less disruptive if members were still eating. (I’m sure there’ll still be enough light for the members still eating to see their meals).
* With the new starting time of 6:30 it will mean that if prints are being entered that they will need to be on the stands at 6:00 pm for the judge to have time to view them before we begin. We realise that this may be difficult for some members and that these members would appreciate not being pressured to have their prints on the stand by 6:00 pm. (For the few members who cannot have their prints there early the judge will have an opportunity to view these later arriving prints during the break).
* Also, it has been pointed out that standing up judging and making comments in front of the audience can be quite an overwhelming experience, especially for new judges.
Judging the digitals isn’t quite so confronting as the room is darkened and the judge is viewing the computer whilst delivering the comments and awards.
It is felt that judging the digitals first could be a sort of “icebreaker” for the judge and that they then may feel more comfortable and relaxed when live judging the prints.
We will continue with leaving the image names off the front of our prints.
Yes, we’re aware that there are still places eg: the print stand layouts, where the judges could still see the name if the really wanted to. However, we do believe not having the names displayed on the front of the image will help encourage our judges to judge our prints on the strength of the print rather than on its name.
Thank you everyone for your input and cooperation.
by Sue Winsley, March 15, 2024
NPF News
by Colleen Price, March 15, 2024
HOCUS FOCUS – MARCH 2024
HOCUS FOCUS – MARCH 2024 is now available on the website under the NEWSLETTERS Button or directly on this link https://wangi.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2024/03/HOCUS-FOCUS-MARCH-2024.pdf
by David Price, March 12, 2024
Possible time change for Meetings
Last night was a great success.
Roy managed to keep his judging within the timeframe.
It was really good to have the awards and comments for the digitals given on the night.
When asked how he thought it all went, Roy did say that he was happy with how it went but he did feel a little rushed when commenting on and awarding the digitals.
He had an hour for the prints and only 45 minutes for the digitals.
One solution to this would be if we had a bit more time. As the club want us all packed up and out by 9:30 we cannot add more time at the end of the night.
That leaves us with the possibility of changing our starting time to 6:30.
If we were to do this we could add another 15 minutes to the digital judging and also have another spare 15 minutes up our sleeve so that we weren’t feeling rushed.
Please send me an email and let me know if it would be too difficult for you if we were to change the starting time to 6:30.
by Sue Winsley, March 12, 2024
Results for competitions in March 2024 – Print
There were 17 entries that were rated the highest by our judge(s).
Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in March 2024 – Print
click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results
Chatting In The Rain Nancy Morley – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Colour Print |
Returning to Port Ken Linsley – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Mono Print |
Down n Out Nancy Morley – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Set Subject Print |
jade Matt Golby – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Open Colour Print |
as I was saying Matt Golby – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Set Subject Print |
Are You Watching David Henderson – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Colour Print |
Late Visitor Neville Thorogood – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Mono Print |
LOADED 8358 Mike Fidler – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Set Subject Print |
Forge Ray Watts – Merit A Grade Open Colour Print |
This Is My Home. Ken Linsley – Merit A Grade Set Subject Print |
Digging for Breakfast Joy Thomas – Merit A Grade Set Subject Print |
Family Life Elisabeth Fidler – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
BREAKFAST Mike Fidler – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
The Little Light House Neville Thorogood – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Dinner is Served Brian Halse – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
The Art Of Living Together Elisabeth Fidler – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Silver Gull Predator Ian English – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
by Sue Winsley, March 11, 2024
Results for competitions in March 2024 – Digital
There were 16 entries that were rated the highest by our judge(s).
Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in March 2024 – Digital
click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results
King of the Range Robert Kildey – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Colour Digital |
Whoops Robert Kildey – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Mono Digital |
Backyard Battle Lee-ann Hattander – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Set Subject Digital |
Norah Head Lighthouse Helen Oliver – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Open Colour Digital |
Royal Spoonbill feeding Glyn Atkinson – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Set Subject Digital |
Tosh.case Tim Kemp – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Colour Digital |
Friends Susan Hansell – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Mono Digital |
Rat Snack Bettina Damme – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Set Subject Digital |
Cat on Windowsill Lee-ann Hattander – Merit A Grade Open Colour Digital |
Tiding up the house. John Frost – Merit Open Grade Set Subject Digital |
Bubbles are fun Megan Willis – Merit Advanced Open Colour Digital |
Gresford Campdraft Marie Kildey – Merit Advanced Open Colour Digital |
Brad and Chad Michael S Martin – Merit Advanced Open Mono Digital |
Pied Heron Toni Conquest – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
Argument in the Hippo Pool Julie Rathbone – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
Going for a dip Megan Willis – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
by Sue Winsley, March 11, 2024
Changes
Dear Members,
As we all know we are trialling some changes to how we run our competitions.
Digital changes –
As previously explained, these were in response to feedback from members that they believed the judges were not giving as much value to digital entries as they were to print entries, and that print entries were receiving more awards. (An analysis and comparison of awards given between the prints and digitals has supported this observation).
In terms of point scores, it was believed by members that this was therefore favouring members who entered prints and making it difficult for digital entrants to compete.
Also, many members have expressed that they are often not getting a good enough viewing of, nor hearing comments for the digital images on comp night. (Yes, sometimes judges will make comments, but most often they will only make general comments or not make any comments at all and all we’re getting is a very rushed viewing).
These changes will address these concerns as we will no longer be restricted by an automatic slideshow, rather the images will be moved through at a pace determined by the judge after they have made their comments and announced their awards.
As we all know, our print and digitals are just 2 parts of the one competition rather than 2 separate competitions.
One explanation for the discrepancy in awards given that has been put forward is that as the digitals were being judged at the judge’s leisure at their own home and awards and comments made online rather than verbally on competition night it separates the competitions.
The change to have the digital awards and comments made verbally on competition night was made to bring both parts of our competition into line with each other and so that the judging of both parts of our competition are now treated in the same manner.
The hope is that the awards for both will now be given the same value.
We understand that some members would also like the judge to continue with the written comments as well as give them verbally.
While some judges may be willing to do this, most aren’t.
Judges have communicated that if they’re to do written comments they do not want to then deliver these comments verbally as well. They see this as doubling their work load.
Also, by taking out the requirement for the judge to make written comments it will make the task of recruiting judges much easier.
We are such a friendly club that it should be no problem for us to find a friend who can jot down the judge’s comments if for whatever reason we are unable to attend in person.
I would guess that many members already do this for each other when prints are brought to the club by a friend.
Print Changes–
The only change to our print competition will be that we are no longer displaying the title of the image in the top left corner of our prints.
This decision was made for 2 reasons.
It will ensure that the images are always judged on their photographic merit rather than the name of the image which has unfortunately happened on quite a few occasions.
Also, removing the title from the front will bring us in line with many other clubs and international competitions.
We do understand that these changes may not be favourable to everyone. Unfortunately it seems that pleasing everyone is not going to be possible so we need to address the concerns of the majority and hope that others will have an open mind and see the benefits of these changes.
Hopefully we can always work together as a club to listen to all members feedback and make any changes that are necessary and beneficial to the majority of our members.
As with everything new this will be trialled to start with. We will be looking forward to feedback from our judges and members.
Thank you for your cooperation. Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.
by Sue Winsley, March 11, 2024
An Error in yesterday’s post.
I was reviewing the post I sent out last night and realise that I made a slight error in the schedule.
In yesterday’s post I mentioned that we usually will have a few announcements before the print judging begins.
Our judge has requested that if there are any announcements that they are made during the break. This is to ensure that we have adequate time to get through all the judging.
Below is what yesterday’s post should have said:
- 6:30 PM prints will be on the stands for judges to have time for a preliminary viewing.
- 7 pm our competition night will begin.
- 8 pm our print judging will be completed and we will have a 15 minute tea/coffee break with a chance to discuss any questions arising after the print judging. Any announcements can be made during this break time.
- 8:15 pm our digital slideshow and announcement of our digital awards and comments will begin.
- 9 pm we will need to be finished and commence packing up. Unfortunately the club requires us to leave by 9:30 pm as they close then. It is a shame that we have these time restrictions as often we feel we need more time, but we have to follow the directive of the club.
Thank you.
by Sue Winsley, March 10, 2024