League subject 'Red' 2010

Prism members found themselves plunged into the Red with their first subject in the 2010 league competition. Hopefully, it wasn’t the handing over of their subs, but instead their offerings of this year’s chosen colour subject. Coming hot on the heels of Christmas the committee had chosen red for this year’s first round but thankfully there was no sight of Father Christmas or even a red nosed reindeer. Instead we were treated to a huge range of interpretation of the seemingly easy colour. Apples, arrows, roses and pillar boxes were seen not to mention some pretty weird fungi and shaking cockerels. The Clubhouse was full with several new members joining and after a quick AGM which saw last year’s committee re-elected en masse members voted as follows.
In joint fifth place an amazed first time member and competitor Jon Bartlett scored with “Red, Red Wine”. This was an ambitious shot worthy to be included in a Food and Drink magazine. Jon obviously spent a lot of time setting the shot up and producing the perfect moment when the claret hit the glass. Be afraid members! I have a feeling Jon will be up with some more winning shots in the future.
 Also in joint fifth was Karen Millard with “Pillars of the Community”. Karen had won an Honours with her 2009 entry into Print of the Year so her success in this competition showed that she is consistent at coming up with well seen and executed images. The close proximity of the two post boxes almost made you think that they were a couple of guys off to a fancy dress party; Karen had cleverly bought out some real character from two inanimate objects.
Rachel Lee took fourth place with “Tulip Trio”. Rachel came away from the annual dinner with The League Trophy and several Honours for both Best Print and Best Portrait. She is consistently producing images of high quality and Tulip Trio was indeed professionally arranged and produced. We all know who we have to beat in the coming year!
Our hard working secretary Carol Paes was thrilled to gain third place with “Red, Rusty and Remote”. This was a wonderful study of a once shiny red door with various pieces of ironmongery in various states of decay. Carol had managed to create an air of mystery about this, with the onlooker being left with the question of what lay behind the door.
Terry Guerin in my opinion produced her best club shot yet with her much deserved second placed entry “Valentine Wish”. An exceptional image of an exquisite rose and again Terry captured a definite romantic mood with this highly professional photo. Hopefully it will indeed end up on the front of someone’s Valentine card!
Our winner of this round did not enter much at all last year, instead choosing to concentrate on her successful National and International competitions. So when she found out that she had won her humble club league round, there was no one more thrilled than Mags Fewkes. There is nothing quite like grass roots success! Her dramatic “Red Maple” was voted by the 40 members into a worthy top place. Taken from a fairly low angle, the image encompassed fallen crimson leaves which formed a carpet of colour leading up to the branches of the much graceful Maple. The tree in all its glory is much loved by photographers and Mags captured its splendour most beautifully.