In this new era we still plan to run the President's Cup competition, which is for a panel of three projected images, in the same way as it is presently constituted. So it will run with the rules as already set out, which include a bar on entrants holding a qualification of ARPS or above or its equivalent.

 

The President's Cup usually runs in parallel with the Garmston Bowl competition. This competition, for a panel of five prints, is open to all members. But is not possible to presently run print competitions so the Garmston Bowl is regrettably cancelled. However we have decided to run a competition with same structure and rules as the President's Cup, to which has been given the working title ‘Not the Garmston Bowl’. This competition will be a for a panel of three projected images with entry open to members who are over qualified or barred from The Cup, and to give the keen panellists who cannot enter the President's Cup a chance to show their wares and collect ‘Not the Garmston Bowl’. Entries must be made in the usual way for PI competitions.

 

So as to give all the time to prepare their work the entry date for both competitions has been extended to the 10 June. The date for judging remains the 24 June.

 

This change is a somewhat late development so please watch further Newsletters for late news.

• Sue O'Connell EFIAP/d2
• Peter Brisley EFIAP
• Sandie Cox AFIAP
• Mike Martin AFIAP

The first time I saw the image (I think by Barbara Salter) of flowers ‘Dicentra’,  popularly known as Bleeding Hearts I was really impressed, not only by the shape of the flowers which is like a heart split open, but by the vibrant pink/red colour which stands out against the green foliage. Every year I see them in garden centres around about this time of the year and I wanted to grow my own to photograph it. So after two years my plant was ready and in full bloom this year, ready to be photographed. ‘Bleeding Heart’ this year has a different sombre meaning with the current virus inflicting a lot of damage and heartache the world around.

 

Initially I put it up against a black background by the window indoors for natural light in a spare room, which worked well but as the plant grew more flowers it was too much trouble to keep moving it upstairs, set up the background and work in a cramped room. So I popped it on top of my green recycling bin in the side walkway which has a dark fence as a background and translucent roofing to let in diffused sunlight which is just right. Also there is no wind there to worry about. It is an easy setting for me to photograph it from the kitchen door using a tripod and macro lens, both of which don’t see the daylight too often. With a dark background it is also simple to replace it with a more natural one by using blend modes in layers in Photoshop. Another thing I learned about Dicentra that is that is also known as the ‘Lady in the Bath’ flower. If you pull the heart shape a bit apart and turn it upside down you will see it with a bit of imagination. The photos are not competition winners but it was fun for me.