- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Left, 'Flow' by Julian Dadag, which captured first place in the landscape category. Right, 'Driftwood and Sones' by Tanya Webster, awarded a certificate of merit in the still life section.
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
THE 2004 black and white photography exhibition which opened recently at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts marked the 56th anniversary of the University of the West Indies Camera Club, operating since 1948.
To record this special milestone, a new trophy was inaugurated at the show's opening, named in honour of one of its founders, Dr. Dennis Minott. Dr Minott, now a retired medical practitioner with an illustrious, award-winning photography career, was on hand to present this trophy for the 'Best Print' overall.
It must have been a difficult choice for the judges to make, given the talent and creativity reflected in the 295 prints on show. The works were divided into nine categories, namely abstract/creative, architec-ture/engineering, figure study, human interest, landscape, nature, portraiture, still life and a category to reflect the show's theme, Borne by Light.
Among the winners was new member Tanya Webster, who has only been practising photography for a year. She took home five top awards and merit certificates in different categories for outstanding work. She and fellow member, Tricia Williamson, were recognised for growth and improvement in photographic skills during the year, as well as willingness to participate in club activities.
M. Webster's awards included first and second prizes in architecture and engineering, Dystopia and Contradictions, respectively; third prize in figure study Strength of Form; second place in the theme category Lucid and first place in portraiture Sunkissed. This latter image incorporated her daughter, who sat well-pleased and glowingly in the audience on opening night.
Another outstanding photographer was Julian Dadag, who received the Dennis Minott trophy for 'Best Print' with his entry Palm. The award was made from all winning photographs in the various categories, and the photograph was first place winner in the nature category. Mr. Dadag's other prizes included first places in landscape Flow, still life Horse and theme The Negative, Light and Print categories, second prize in abstract/creative Foot Forward, and merit certificates in portraiture. In the theme category, he received a certificate of distinction, donated by Sugardaddies Restaurant.
Winston Young collected first place awards for Eveolution (abstract/creative) and Played (Figure Study); second prizes for Sunkissed (landscape) and Squire (still life), and third prize for Ascension (architecture/engineering), along with eight certificates of merits.
Arlene Brown received third prize for Bright Eyes in abstract/creative and three merits in the same category, along with three other merits in architecture/engineering.
Maria Robinson was named third place winner in landscape (Treasure Trunk), second place in nature (Garden Stripes) and third place in portraiture Bebo.
Other top winners were Mark McFarlene (figure study), Renee McCoy (nature), Acheabea Ferguson (portraiture) and Toni Blackford (theme). Ryan Esson (who received a merit certificate in the landscape category) was named as 'most helpful' member by his colleagues.
Certificates of merits were presented in various categories, and prizes included weekend packages, photographic supplies, dinner packages, which were well-received by winners.
In their report, the judges highlighted technical weaknesses related to bad cropping of prints, poor quality of photographs, not enough space in framing, and poor photocomposition. The competition was judged by the three-man panel of commercial photographer Dennis Valentine, freelancer Brian Rosen and actor/art director Brian Heap.
NOT ENOUGH ENTRIES
Mr. Valentine said there were not enough entries in the theme category, as well as the human interest category where no top awards were named.
Creative concepts were recognised in the nature, landscapes, architec-ture/engineering and still life categories, and the judges even offered to spend a day with members discussing how entries could have been improved. The presence of more women taking up photography as a hobby was also lauded by the judges.
"In the end, black and white, more than any other type of photography, demand excellence, for it is not easy to cover mistakes with these prints," Mr. Valentine said. "Lighting, exposure, and printing are some of the basic skills garnered from this type of photography and I urge members to continually improve themselves."
The exhibition continues until April 23, and is sponsored by several companies including main sponsors Lascelles Wines and Spirits (Sansgster's Rum Cream) and The Gleaner Company Limited. Individuals were acknowledged for providing trophies and medals, while a special light show on opening night was provided by EDI Lighting Concepts, incorporating throbbing music, hazy smoke and psychedelic lights to create an outer-world effect.
UWI Camera Club currently has 50 members, and training in processing and presentation is provided through workshops or informal presentations by more experienced members.
