New NDPS club season 2026/27
We’re back! A new club season has started and we’re back to four digital rounds and four print rounds so sixteen images to offer up for judgement.
There’s also the panel competition (now titled “Beyond the Single Image”) and the usual random Image of the Year competition to finish one off. Er, I meant finish the season!
Why compete?
Fellow club members and I often discuss the trials and tribulations of club competitions.
I’ve expressed many thoughts on this topic before so won’t resurface all of them. In summary, submitting images presents an opportunity to share our images, be judged against our peers and see if we’re progressing as photographers.
The painful part comes with just one single judge and if they don’t like what you’ve produced, or they can’t quickly understand what you were trying to portray, an image can be left in the mediocre pile.
For my sins, I’m participating again this year.
Digital round 1: Open
The brief for open rounds is to select your best two images which can be either in colour or monochrome.
Thanks to many trips out, I have a lot of images to choose from, especially when the brief is open.
Image 1 – Power In Motion
For my first selection, I went with a recent image from Caister of a wind turbine.
The aim of capturing this image was to present a minimalist image showing motion in the blades of the turbine hence the title ‘Power In Motiom’.
I used a Nik collection filter to show motion in the non-turbine parts of the image to present a more creative image.
I dabbled with monochrome conversions but felt a muted colour image was more impactful and kept the palette soft and calm.
After much debate, I’ve cropped the original for more of a 16:9 look as I wasn’t sure a judge will ‘get’ the minimalism and could criticise that the turbine is too small in the frame.
The image was captured on a tripod as follows: Nikon Z9, 24-120mm@120mm, f/11, 0.6s, ISO 64.
Self-critique (pre-judging)
As mentioned above, the crop could be a positive change, or it could bite me as I judge may say a more minimalist crop may have worked better.
The judge may prefer monochrome.
The effect applied to present a story may not resonate with the judge – it could be too subtle.
Personally, I think the details are good, turbine and see just underneath it. I really like the clouds and colours and think the image’s simplicity is its attraction.
Part of me wishes I had kept the original crop though. This image’s simplicity could also be its downfall.
The impact probably isn’t worth a 20 so I anticipate a 16-17 with an outside chance of 19.
Why have I put an image in that may score average marks I hear you ask? Well, because I like it!
Judge’s verdict
The judge said they liked it, very subtle, very little colour, long exposure to get the movement in the wind turbine. Subtle all the way through.
There was bugger all other feedback, just the announcement of a 16.
Post-judging thoughts
I think the word ‘subtle’ was referenced several times so I think that was it – the simplicity of this shot put it firmly in the mediocre pile.
Nothing more to say really, other than I like it, so up yours! ☺️
Image 2 – Walking Where Rails Once Ran
The next image was captured on a holiday earlier this year while walking through Cressbrook Tunnel in the Peak District.
The image was shot handheld: Nikon Z7, 24-120mm@60mm, f/5, 1/60s, ISO 2500.
It has been denoised and run through Nik Silver Efex.
In a death knell for club competition judging, I really like this image!
Self-critique (pre-judging)
This image has depth, a leading line and a figure for scale along with a story so what’s not to like?
There could be criticism for the crop or lack of cropping – is everything needed? I tried cropping in the edges but it took away from the depth of the image.
There is noise in the image but it works as grain shows texture in the brickwork.
There is an over bright patch at the end of the tunnel which I’ve tried to calm down.
Overall, a strong image and I’d be disappointed if it didn’t get an 18/20.
Judge’s verdict
The judge said they liked this image.
the position of the person slap bang in the middle then this glorious curve taking us right the way round.
They said they’d love to know where this is (and asked if someone could tell him afterwards) and thinks this looks a fascinating place.
The idea of having someone down there, that certainly works doesn’t it?
The judge felt the lighting to the top (although a couple have been toned down) they could’ve been taken down a little bit further. They understood this is what’s lighting the floor but as you go down they are getting brighter and brighter, and they may have taken it down just a bit more.
They said they really do enjoy the detail and all of the wonderful brickwork as you look back down that tunnel and it’s really quite interesting, and they enjoyed that one. The judge then announced a score of 17.
Post-judging thoughts
I feel this image was underscored.
I take on-board the criticism of the lights but unsure I could’ve done much more.
It is what it is…
Reflections
I felt I would get a minimum of 34 but I got 33 so below my minimum score target and overall disappointment.
With 79 images to judge and an open round, in general it was always going to be difficult.
It’s a marathon not a sprint etc etc!
This particular judge is known for being very picky, having specific preferences and liking the sound of his own voice. I was not present on this evening but I hear my fellow landscape shooters did not fare well.
Onwards and upwards…