Rusthall: A Picture Tells All 2016
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Judge's Comments: This year’s task of judging the annual Rusthall photographic competition has been more challenging due to the high number of entries, particularly in the under sixteens class and also the overall high standard of the entries. In the adult section my first choice is Walking the Dog by Angelo Gifford. I love the composition and the way the rustic fence twists and leads your eye into the photograph towards the couple walking the dog. It captures the rustic nature of Rusthall which presumably has many interesting walks and woodlands.
First runner up in the adult category The first adult runners up award goes to Suzy Philips with her snow scene. Snow has been rare in the past couple of years and Suzy has seized the opportunity to capture an image which shows a figure in isolation against a snowy background. The image is almost devoid of colour which in my opinion adds to the composition.
Second runner up The Phoenix Rises by Duncan Jay is also a quality runner up image. Fireworks and a distant bonfire with the crowd silhouetted in the foreground make it an eye catching warming image.
Third runner up Finally, the third adult runner up is Didgeredoo by Alex Britcher chosen for two reasons. The rocks mean it can only be Rusthall and it also includes people involved in some form of activity. As a newspaper photographer I like to see pictures with people in it and the rocks in this image make a perfect backdrop.
Winner of the under 16s The winning entry in the under sixteen class, by Marie Denne, shows a clever composition and made me think when I first looked at it. It is a frame within a frame and cannot be mistaken for anywhere else other than Rusthall.
First runner up under 16s Dolly the Dog by Enya Turner is a very eye catching picture with the dog’s eyes drawing me into the picture. The eyes are nice and sharp and have highlights and it is correctly exposed. My only criticism is that the background could have been changed or cropped out slightly, but I do appreciate that when photographing pets you have to capture the moment before they change position.
Second runner up under 16s Enya’s Roots to Success also made a runner up place. The photo captures the texture of both wood and stone and has an air of mystery about it.
Third runner up under 16s My final choice for the third under 16 runners up prize was difficult as there were several beautiful sunset and lunar shots submitted. But after much deliberation I chose Dark and Beautiful by Nick Moon. It also creates an atmosphere of mystery as the light fades. Even for a photographer with many year’s experience, it isn’t easy to capture the right moment to get the light balanced.
To sum up this year’s competition, those that have entered have made an excellent effort and Rusthall clearly has some talented photographers. Even if you weren’t listed amongst the prize winners, don’t be downhearted as the standard was extremely high and gave me a very difficult but most enjoyable task. Gary Francis Courier Newspapers Chief Photographer |
OTHER ENTRIES
The glowing rock |
Look into the distance |
Having a break |
Nearly reached the bottom |
Tranquil morning |
Bull's Hollow Tree
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My Dad in Hurst Woods
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Lurking Toad
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My Sister in Bull's Hollow
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Victorian Fence Eaten by Tree
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Happy Valley IV
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Happy Valley III
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Happy Valley II
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Happy Valley I
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More Tea Vicar?
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Quiet Moments of a Tumbling Garden
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Colourful Garden
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Petit Dejeuner
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Telephone Wires
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Fence and Shadow
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The Trouble With Our Phones
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Off to the Shops
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Bulls Hollow
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Toad Rock
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Pink Sunrise
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My Garden at 4 Upper Street – SE Open Studios exhibition, June 2016
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Driving into the sunset |
Neighbourhood Watch
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Time for a Rest in Happy Valley
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In the Graveyard
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St Paul's Church
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Southwood Road at Sunset
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Rusthall Beech in Spring
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Car-scraped Rocks at Rustwick
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The Glowing Leaf
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From The Ground To The Sky
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A Tropical Rusthall
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Beautiful Sky
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Supermoon January 2016
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Sunset
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Happiness
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Rusthall Common
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Happy Valley
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Near Toad Rock
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Rusthall Community Cinema at Sunnyside Hall
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RCC Discussion Group
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The Hardware
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Spreading the Word
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Site Specific Art during Rusthall Arts Fest 2016 - Regency Cleaners
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View of the High Street by Karen Gardner |
Composition of Works for Rusthall Arts Fest 2016 by Karen Gardner |
Detail of Crochet Bombed Fountain - Rusthall Arts Fest 2016 Feature by Karen Gardner |
Untitled by Karen Gardner |
Toad Rock by Max Myers |
Sunset Over the Back Garden by Marilyn Myers |
The Band Opening Rusthall Fete by Sue White |
Misty Morning on the Tarry Path |
Land Art at RAFT 2016 by Alex Britcher |
Where I Live I July 2016 by Marilyn Myers |
Where I Live II July 2016 by Marilyn Myers |
Cross in St Paul's Churchyard August 2016 by Lucy Gardner |
Common View August 2016 by Lucy Gardner |
Tree Stump in Hurst Woods May 2016 by Nigel Suckling |
St Paul's Girls Dancing the Maypole by Nigel Suckling |
Dancing Day Trippers at Rusthall Fete by Nigel Suckling |
Rainbow Over Denny Bottom I July 2016 by Viv Hughes |
Rainbow Over Denny Bottom II July 2016 by Viv Hughes |
Denny Bottom Get Together August 2016 by Allan 'Jif' Peters |
Farmyard in Farnham Lane April 2016 by Allan 'Jif' Peters |
Bluebells in Shadwell Woods April 2016 by Sue White |
Horse Chestnut on Rusthall Green May 2016 by Sue White |
Rusthall Photographic Competition
WHAT IS IT?
A photographic competition entitled 'Rusthall: A Picture Tells All' which is being run by the Rusthall Village Association and is intended to be an opportunity for people to send in images of what Rusthall means to them, today. There is no restriction as to what or where the photographs are taken (all pictures will be vetted prior to publication for common decency and appropriateness for an all age audience). They can be of people, places, animals, buildings, landscapes, wildlife, events etc.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Anyone can enter the competition. The only rules are that the photos must have been taken in or of Rusthall, and they must have been taken within the past year. There are two categories:
1) for 16 year olds and under
2) over 16 year olds
HOW CAN I ENTER THE COMPETITION?
Simply send in your photograph to our website manager Nigel Suckling
nigel.R.suckling@gmail.com
with your name, contact number, email, age (if under 16) and where and when the photograph was taken.
Alternatively you can post a print with all your details to Alex Britcher at 1 Manor Road which runs beside the first One Stop in Rusthall High Street.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY PHOTOGRAPH?
The photographs will be displayed here on the website showing the name of the entrant, where the photo was taken and, if less than 16, the age of the entrant. A copy of the photographs will then be held on file at Rusthall Library as an historical document
HOW LONG DOES THE COMPETITION RUN FOR?
The competition will run from 16th July - 11th September 2016
WILL THERE BE WINNERS AND WHO DOES THE JUDGING?
Yes, there will be 1 winner and 3 runners up from each of the two categories. The photographic editor from the Courier will be judging the competition
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WIN AND HOW WILL I KNOW?
Winners will have their pictures printed in the Kent and Sussex Courier and will also win a prize - A meal for two plus a bottle of wine at the Toad Rock Retreat for the winner of the adult category, £50 for the runner up; and £40 for the 16s and under winner! Prizes for the other runners up still to be decided. Winners will be contacted via telephone or email and a prize-giving ceremony will be held at the Rusthall Village Association meeting on Wednesday 21st September 2016
Competition supported by Rusthall Parish Council