Hi Everyone …. and welcome to yet another issue of ‘Focal Points’.
Shamelessly nicked from Focal Points actually – don’t tell Smithy!
So what on earth am I writing about with that headline?
Well in fact, sadly the Bob Robinson Competition which is due to take place in downtown Chorley on the 15th November as part of the L&CPU’s
‘Three Competitions in a Day’ event.
The History behind the Competition.
A number of years ago now, Adrian and Jane were invited to judge a version of the competition over in Ireland. They really enjoyed the opportunity of looking at images from club members who do not normally enter competitions.
They suggested that the L&CPU might organise something similar to encourage our newer club members to take part in competitions…. and especially print competitions rather than the usual PDI ones!
The format of the competition is such that it provides the authors of those prints, an opportunity to step into the spotlight and to be encouraged and supported by the other more experienced members of their club.
So what is the problem I hear you ask?
Well this year the entry does not seem to be forthcoming and with the closing date of the 1st November looming – we are left wondering why?
Yes, we did encounter technical problems at last year’s competition – that was unusual and unfortunate – but we learn by our mistakes and this shouldn’t occur again.
We also took on board another suggestion.
The competition has been held over the years in early October with a closing date in late September. It was pointed out that a number of clubs only start back after the Summer break in September and, if they had a welcome influx of new members, there was obviously no time to find out their level of ability, let alone ask them to suddenly provide three prints for a competition!
We thought long and hard and even hard and long about moving the date back into October but felt that we couldn’t expect people to have the expense of traveling to Chorley on two occasions very closely together!
We considered changing the Knockout and Bob Robinson dates over, but would the clubs accept this change?
Since the ‘slide’ days, the Knockout has always been held in November – with of course a chance for a celebratory get together and to save postage by maybe exchanging Christmas cards!!
Then somebody had a real bright idea – why don’t we run both competitions on the same day in November!
This would allow us to use the visiting Knockout judge as one of the trio of Bob Robinson judges, the clubs and their members would only have to travel to Chorley once to deliver their entries and to view both competitions …….
and we would save by not having to hire the hall twice – brilliant!!
But then what about the ‘Bringalongaprint’ competition which seemed to go down quite well last year??
So an even braver decision was proposed – that we should throw caution to the wind and run all three competitions in one day- would it be possible?
It would be hard work …. but it was feasable – and this is what we are doing.
So back to the start of this missive …..and the headline ‘Use it …. or Lose it’.
Well too date we have only a couple of club entries for the Bob Robinson and not that many club entries for the Knockout!
We had hoped that, as they are both club competitions – that clubs entering one competition would also enter the other.
Hopefully this will be the case, and that at the last minute, there will be a big influx of entries ……so that is where you come in!
If your club has a number of ‘novice members’ or if you yourself are a club member who does not normally enter competitions, photographic salons or have not achieved any Awards for Photographic merit –
then this is your opportunity to shine!
Ask your club Competition Secretary if your club is taking part and, if so, can your work be considered as part of the entry? Hopefully, the club is taking part and there are some more members who also want to take part.
For the Club Award the club needs to have a minimum of 10 prints up to a maximum of 20 prints with no more than 3 prints per worker.
Ooooh prints – that sounds daunting …..but we have made it as easy as we can for you to take part – the choice of subject is ‘Open’ and the prints are unmounted A3 or A4 prints ….and most people have an A4 printer!
There is a club award for the highest scoring club and an individual award for the best print
The L&CPU have a policy of only running competitions that clubs want and support, so go on – please give it a go ……….and get those entries coming in.
If not, all our arrangements will have been in vain and the one competition that is specifically organised for our newer members will be lost forever!
The deadline for submitting the PDI’s of the prints (1600 x 1200) is the 1st November but, as the actual prints are brought in to Chorley on the day,
I have just received the message that the deadline has been extended until Saturday 8th November to allow the hard working club Competition Secretaries a little extra time to get their entries in!
Don’t let me down!