LUDSHOTT Photographic Club welcomed John Warren, a member of Richmond and Twickenham Photographic Society, as its external judge for the first print competition of the 2017-18 season.

There was a mixed bag of entries in the entry level, Intermediate and advanced classes, to which John applied his extensive knowledge and experience to assess, give a short critique and a mark each image.

In the entry class, ‘Bean Feast’ by Simon Fraser achieved the distinction of being the only photograph that gained the maximum mark of 10 – the judge was clearly not influenced by the title, as the picture shows a colourful array of olives.

There was also only one maximum mark in the intermediate section, which went to Bruce Gardener for ‘Can I Have Your Attention,’ a portrait of a beefy fellow, apparently in his underwear.

There was a very strong entry in the advanced class, which produced an unprecedented number of 10s.

Diana Grant achieved two maximums, for ‘Portrait of a Wild Deer’ and for ‘Wild Fox Clubs.’

The wildlife theme clearly appealed to the judge, who also awarded maximum marks to John Price ARPS for his image entitled ‘Wren Near Nest,’ to Brian Thomas for ‘Red Squirrel,’ to John Gamble LRPS for ‘That’s Far Enough,’ plus Angus McKay’s ‘Parenting Duties for Shag’ and, finally, an “after-the-watershed” image of mating fallow deer by John Wichall ARPS, DPAGB.

Several non-nature pictures also scored well.

Grant Dawkins gained a 10 for ‘Flying Sculpture,’ a skilfully constructed montage blending sky, water and a Henry Moore-type sculpture.

He was joined on a very crowded top pedestal by Gordon Rae LRPS CPAGB, who gained a maximum for his colourful image entitled ‘Two Fiercesome Cuban Ladies,’ both smoking large cigars.

Ludshott Photographic Club, draws its members from Liphook, Bordon, Headley, Grayshott, Haslemere and the surrounding area, and welcomes new members – get in touch online.

For full details of the club’s programme and to view all the best images from the competitions held all-year round, visit www.ludshottpc. org.uk

KEY: LRPS, ARPS & FRPS – Licentiate, Associateship and Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society; CPAGB Credit Photographic Alliance of Great Britain; DPAGB Distinction Photographic Alliance of Great Britain